Youth Development and Professional Opportunities Services

The vendor required to provide youth development and professional opportunities services for grassroots and community-based organizations to fund direct service programming to support youth, families and communities throughout state.
- Youth advisory committee (YAC) and youth scholarship program anticipated award amount: $250,000
•    A youth action committee (YAC) would be a youth-led decision-making body designed to make recommendations to the group supporting the development of youth-led programming and funding recommendations to be considered for future group supported programming and initiatives. 
•    It should provide continuing education and professional development opportunities for youth and emerging adults.
•    Up to $200,000 to support the establishment of a youth advisory committee (YAC), which will act as a youth-led decision-making body to make recommendations to the group. 
•    Grant funds would be used to compensate the youth group members for their time dedicated to meetings, related projects, and professional development. 
•    The establishment of the YAC would support the goals of increased meaningful engagement among youth, family, and community; as well as increased youth-centered service delivery, as outlined in the 2024-2026 group strategic plan.
•    Up to $50,000 of this award is allocated to support youth and young adult scholarships to advance access to educational and vocational opportunities for justice-involved youth and for those returning to the community from facilities. 
•    Funding may also be used to support direct paid internships.
- Local assistance mini grants (anticipated award amount: up to $75,000)
•    In alignment with the priority areas identified in the 2024-2026 group strategic plan to be considered for funding, proposals for programming must be evidence-informed and a promising strategy in one of the following programmatic and target areas:
o    Increase meaningful youth, family, and community engagement. 
o    Increase access to trauma, healing, and behavioral health. 
o    Increase prevention efforts and youth-centered service delivery.
•    Approximately $1,000,000 will be made available to award local assistance grants for up to $75,000 to community-based organizations, which will fund direct service programming to support youth, families, and communities throughout state. 
•    A one-time, one-year optional extension will be offered depending on program performance, funding availability and approval from the group.