Youth Bureau
Location: Niagara Falls Office, 301 10th Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14302
Telephone Hours: (716) 278-6872
Staff Directory:
Director: Benjamin Bunker
The Youth Bureau is a Unit within the Niagara County Department of Social Services whose mission is to plan, coordinate and support the positive development of youth through not-for-profit agencies and community organizations.
New York State Office of Children and Family Services allocates funding each year to counties to provide youth development services for youth. The Youth Bureau is the agency responsible to distribute these funds. With these dollars, funding is provided to cities, towns, villages and not-for-profit agencies that are located in and provide services to youth in Niagara County.
If you are interested in applying for funding, please contact our office at 278-6872.
The Youth Bureau is overseen by a Youth Advisory Board, made up of both youth and adult members and appointed by the county legislature.
Interested in joining the Youth Board?
Please reach out to your county legislator. You can find their contact information here. https://www.niagaracounty.com/government/legislature/index.php
Updates can be found on Facebook – 
Youth Bureau Programs
Niagara County Youth Program Funding:
The Niagara County Youth Bureau is the recipient of funding from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services related to Youth Development Programming, Youth Sports and Education Funding, Youth Team Sports Funding. Funding for the new program year begins October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. Programming and/or services must be provided within Niagara County, with the exception of occasional trips outside of the County, with prior approval granted by the Niagara County Youth Bureau.
Youth Development Programming – Provide a variety of developmental opportunities for youth under 21 years and promote positive youth development.
Youth Sports and Education – Programs use sports as an effective tool in effectuating positive youth development and family engagement for ages 6-17.
Youth Team Sports – Provide sport with a “team” centric, competition while emphasizing youth positive development, non-profit and community based organizations eligible serving under 18 years old. Elite or private camps/programs/teams are not eligible.
YOUTH BUREAU Program Resources:
Niagara County Invoice
3125 - Program Expenditure Summary
Program Summary Reports
3126 – Salaries
3127 - Fringe Benefits
3128 - Contracted Services & Stipends
3129 - M&O & Facility Repairs
Please email benjamin.bunker@niagaracounty.com for information and applications.
The Summer Food Service Program is offered for 9 or 10 weeks each summer from June thru September. The goal of the program is to provide all eligible youth with a healthy meal each weekday during the summer months. Many city recreation programs, summer camps and church programs take advantage of this free program.
If your organization would like to participate in the Summer Food Service Program, please contact the youth bureau.
More information can be found at: https://hungersolutionsny.org/find-food-help/summer-meals/
Resources for Adolescents Program:
The Youth Bureau provides a speakers series throughout Niagara County, primarily in school district health classes. Independently contracted speakers include topics of Mental Health and Suicide Awareness, Substance Abuse Awareness, Human Trafficking Awareness, Homelessness, Vaping and Violence Prevention.
For inquiries, please call (716) 278-6872.
Youth Council:
The Niagara County Youth Bureau seeks a representative for the New York State Governor’s Youth Council. The Youth Council is to be made up of 62 young people ages 13-21, one representing in each county is to be selected. Terms of representatives are up to 3 years.
The Youth Council provides an effective way to engage youth in state government and creates a platform for their voices to be heard by policymakers. Members of the NYS Governor’s Youth Council will offer their solutions to key issues facing young people in NYS. Youth voice is recognized through this initiative.
Runaway and Homeless Youth:
Casey House Youth Shelter - Pinnacle Community Services
710 Cedar Avenue
Emergency Shelter services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Eligibility
Shelter serves youth 12-17 years old.
Transitional services serve at-risk youth ages 16-21 years old.
Crisis Hotline:
716-285-7125