You asked about the history of youth service bureaus (YSBs). You also wanted to know why some state grants to YSBs are capped at $ 14,000 and which towns are capped.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

Youth service bureaus were created in 1975 and originally called youth service systems. The Department of Children and Youth Services (DCYS)(now the Department of Children and Families (DCF)) was given responsibility for developing standards for them. Towns were allowed to set up multi-purpose youth-serving organizations that provided individual and group counseling, parent training and family therapy, work placement and employment counseling, alternative and special education opportunities, recreational and enrichment opportunities, and outreach programs.

A 1976 act made several modifications, including allowing youth up to 18-years-old to participate in the programs.

DCYS was given responsibility for providing grants to YSBs and establishing grant guidelines and dollar limits in 1978. The DCYS commissioner was required to report annually on the diversion of children under age 16.

In 1989, YSBs were allowed to provide suicide prevention, drug and alcohol prevent, and positive youth involvement services. In 1993, pregnant and parenting youth were allowed to be referred to a YSB.

The responsibility for the program switched from DCF to the State Department of Education in 1995.

YSBs that received or applied for grants of more than $ 15,000 in FY 95 are eligible for grants in excess of $ 14,000. YSBs that did not apply for grants of $ 15,000 or more in FY 95 can receive only $ 14,000 grants.

GRANT FORMULA

CGS § 10-19o lays out the YSB grant formula and conditions for receiving the grant.

All eligible YSBs receive $ 14,000. To be eligible, a YSB had to have been eligible to receive, or had to have applied for, a grant in FY 05 with prior approval of the town's contribution.

YSBs that received grants of $ 15,000 or more in FY 95 receive a share of the remaining total grant allocation. The grant is calculated under a statutory formula that can be represented like this: Grant amount = X ÷ (Z-Y)

X = town's FY 95 grant - $ 15,000

Y = Total amount awarded to all YSBs in FY 95 in grants in excess of $ 15,000

Z = $ 15,000 x Total number of grants for FY 95

In order for a YSB to receive a grant over $ 14,000, a town has to contribute an amount equal to the grant amount over $ 14,000 (e. g. , a town whose YSB grant is $ 21,000 has to contribute $ 7,000), at least 50% of which must be in money appropriated for the purpose. The rest can be in-kind contributions or other funds. Any funds not claimed by towns are redistributed according to the formula.

CAPPED TOWNS

The following YSBs received $ 14,000 in FY 06: