The Youth Services Board is an advisory board to the Tompkins County Youth Services Department and the Tompkins County Legislature. Members are appointed by their respective municipalities and serve as representatives of their communities. Adult members are appointed for three-year terms renewable as determined by the appointing municipality. Youth members (ages 16-20) are appointed for two-year renewable terms.  All board members must be residents of Tompkins County and must complete the Tompkins County Advisory board application. 

Board Meetings

Beginning in January of 2018, Youth Services Board meetings will occur on the last Monday of each month from 5:00-6:30 pm. Meetings are typically held at the Human Services Building located at 320 W. State/MLK Jr. Street, Ithaca NY. An annual retreat is held in February and the board does not typically meet in August. All meetings are open to the public.

Meeting Packets - Regular monthly meetings were disrupted in 2020 by the Covid-19 Pandemic

• January 2020
• February 2020
• June 2020

Meeting Minutes

• All 2019 Approved Board Meeting Minutes
• All 2018 Approved Board Meeting Minutes
• All 2017 Approved Board Meeting Minutes

Board Member Roles

Board members are responsible for: 

• developing multi-year plans that include goals linked to community priorities based on locally identified youth needs, gaps in services, and opportunities for coordination. 
• reviewing grant proposals that address the needs, goals, and priorities contained within the departmental comprehensive plan. Each year the board members recommend how to allocate approximately $1 million in state and county funding to local agencies and communities that plan and sponsor youth development programming throughout Tompkins County. 
• supporting the work of the Youth Services Staff members as they gather, analyze and share data on youth needs; collaborate with others to develop a supportive service for youth; monitor funded programs; implement metrics to trace programmatic performance; provide training and technical assistance to nine community-based youth commissions and agencies that serve young people; coordinate a wide variety of public and private services for children, youth and families. 
• participating in their communities while learning about the youth needs of each of their appointed towns. 
• serving as a liaison between the County Youth Services Board and their respective municipality, attending town and/or village board meetings as needed. 
• advocating for youth from throughout Tompkins County. 

Current Members