Youth Bureau Overview

Mission

Established in 1968, the Syracuse/Onondaga County Youth Bureau has as its overarching mission the development of a community rich in services, opportunities, and supports for children and youth (under 21) and their families.

Values

The following are the core values upon which the Youth Bureau stands.

• All youth are in need of youth development services, supports and opportunities.
  
  All youth deserve to live in a healthy and supportive environment; to grow to reach their fullest potential; to attain high academic achievement; to be socially, emotionally, and physically competent; to avoid unhealthy risk taking behaviors; and to be ready by age 21 to become active and productive members of society.
  
  Services for children, youth and their families should be guided by the principles and practices of positive youth development, should be child- and family centered, and be built through the coordination and collaboration of all systems serving young people.
  
  Input from and involvement of young people are essential to the planning, implementation and evaluation of youth programs and the youth services system.
  
  The distribution of financial resources to support youth serving programs should be based on local needs through a local decision-making process.