Albany County Youth Bureau - Albany, NY

Albany County Youth Bureau Overview

The Albany County Youth Bureau is a division of the Department for Children, Youth and Families, located at 112 State Street in downtown Albany. This agency acts as the primary conduit for New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) funding, distributing grants to local municipalities and non-profit organizations that provide direct services to youth. The Bureau's mission is to promote the positive development of young people aged 0 to 21 through delinquency prevention programs, recreation, and youth advocacy.

Programs and Services

The Youth Bureau does not typically provide direct care but rather plans, coordinates, and monitors youth services across the county. Its key functions include:

• Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY): Coordinating crisis services and transitional independent living support for at-risk adolescents.
• Youth Development Program (YDP): Funding initiatives that provide after-school activities, mentoring, and leadership training to foster civic engagement and personal growth.
• Municipal Support: Assisting cities, towns, and villages within Albany County in developing their own youth recreation programs.

Location and Access

The office is situated in the Cahill Building (112 State Street), a county government facility. Visitors should be prepared for security screening upon entry, including metal detectors. The building is located near the intersection of State and Lodge Streets, just down the hill from the State Capitol. While the Bureau focuses on administrative planning, families seeking specific youth programs can contact the office for referrals to local agencies.