The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (NYSOCFS) designates the Albany County Department for Children Youth and Families-Youth Bureau as its agent for distribution of two financial resources.

• Youth Development Program (YDP)
• Runaway and Homeless Youth Act Funding (RHYA)

The Albany County Youth Bureau discharges its responsibilities for administering these two financial resources through annual application and contract processes with not-for-profit agencies.

Parameters for the two sets of resources are set by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Priorities are determined by the Albany County Department for Children, Youth and Families -Youth Bureau and the Albany County Youth Bureau Board. Albany County seeks proposals from not-for-profit organizations that meet the requirements of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services and Albany County.

Please find below the OCFS forms required to submit an application with instructions attached to each. Application deadline is November 15, 2024.

Any questions can be directed to:

Valerie Johnson
Executive Director Youth Bureau
Albany County Dept. for Children, Youth and Families
112 State Street, Room 300
Albany, NY 12207
Email: valerie.johnson@albanycountyny.gov
Phone: (518) 447-3053
Fax: (518) 447-7578

Application Documents

• Application Cover Letter
• 5001 OCFS [Updated Sep. 2024]
• 5002 OCFS [Updated Sep. 2024]
• 5003 OCFS [Updated Sep. 2024]
• 5003 Coding Document for OCFS
• 5005 OCFS
• 5011 OCFS [Added Sep. 2024]

Claiming Documents

• Claim Form
• 3125 DCYF
• 3126 OCFS
• 3129 OCFS
• 5005 OCFS

Each year we host the Youth Recognition Awards, an exciting initiative that recognizes youth who have overcome adversity, shown tremendous resiliency and growth, athletic achievement, artistic expression or demonstrated their citizenship and civic engagement through community service.

Initiated in 2003 to celebrate youth that would not ordinarily be recognized, this program honors the positive achievements of those youth.

Last year’s program was a great success and we anticipate that this year’s program will be even better.

We recognize one middle school student and one high school student in each of five categories:

• Most Improved Student
• Artistic Express
• Lt. John F. Finn Community Service
• Ed Roche Outstanding Youth
• George Roe Athletic Achievement

Learn more about the program and how to nominate a deserving student this year:
download the 2024 Youth Recognition Awards nomination packet

Youth Bureau Directory of Programs