Budget Talking Points
11.18.2015
TALKING POINTS - NEWLY PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS
November 18, 2015
• In 1978, Public Act 78-183 of the Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) established Youth Service Bureaus (YSBs). A YSB is defined as an agency operated directly by one or more municipalities, or a private agency designated to act as an agent of one or more municipalities, for the purpose of evaluating, planning, coordinating and implementing services, including prevention and intervention programs for delinquent, pre-delinquent, pregnant, young parents and troubled youth .
• The statute further states that YSBs shall be the coordinating unit of community-based services to provide a comprehensive delivery of prevention and intervention, treatment and follow-up services. (See C.G.S. 10-19m).
• The RBA Reporting Framework: In FY 2011-12, the statewide implementation of the YSB/RBA data collection method took place. As a result of earlier piloting and the coordinated efforts of several agencies to strengthen accountability within the Juvenile Review Board (JRB) program, a third survey has been added for FY 2013-14, specific to youth participating in the JRB process. • 102 YSBs are funded by SDE and provide services in over 145 Connecticut communities. YSBs reported having referred or diverted over 26,000 children and youth and in addition over 448,000 youth and parents participated in YSB Programs over the past 2 years.
• Sixty-five percent of the funds that support YSBs are from the local municipalities’ both direct (57 %) and in-kind (8 %) contributions. The state-funded YSBs reported combined available funding of $29,709,937, which includes municipal and in-kind contributions and a variety of other funds YSBs leveraged beyond the basic state grants.
• The state appropriation includes a base State Education Award of $2,989,268 and $620,000 enhancement state funding. Total approximately: 3.1 Million Dollars
• YSBs receive referrals from community, regional and state service providers, parents/guardians and the youth themselves. The issues presented to YSBs are complex and often require a network of services. YSBs annually track referral information that is then used to assist in developing programs and activities.
• Contribution to the Result: YSBs provide direct services designed to provide supports and build assets for youth, including special populations such as justice involved youth, youth with mental health needs, other youth at risk, and youth needing services to enhance their education and career advancement.
• Partners: State Department of Education, Department of Labor, Court Support Services Division, the Department of Social Services, Department of Children and Families, Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, municipal departments, law enforcement agencies, parents, local non-profits, faith-based organizations, school districts, & Regional Action Councils
• In the last five years, the YSBs have increased their services in many areas. Most notable is a doubling of the number served in after-school programs and a 134 percent increase in the number served in positive youth development programs. A total of 40,483 individuals who each received20 or more hours of services were served last year, many individuals often received multiple services, and a significant amount received services as part of a diversion from the juvenile justice system. The actual mix of services offered depends largely on the needs of the individual communities.
• There are roughly 74 JRBs across the state serving approximately 104 towns All but 5 are run by YSBs (3 are fully funded through DCF in 3 cities, 1 is run by a PD (with YSB partnership) and 1 is run by Human Services (with YSB partnership).
*Detailed Reports can be found on www.ctyouthservices.org (Report to Connecticut General Assembly December 2013 & SDE Report Card)
