The Franklin Township Youth Services Commission serves as a coordinating, planning and enabling body emphasizing coordination between local government, community agencies, schools, police, clergy and interested citizens to maximize prevention and provision of assistance to youth and their families.
The purpose and goals of the Commission is:
To provide an open forum to foster communication, education, and information concerning problems/opportunities that exist within the community for youth.
To advise on recommended planning, policy and programs for youth.
To serve as the functioning body in the development of plans in the areas of human services for the adolescent community.
The Commission functions:
To develop and conduct a thorough needs assessment.
To identify service gaps and prioritize such.
To explore various means to meet the local community needs.
To create such committees to study priority needs in further detail.
To assist in the development of an action plan to implement recommended programs.
Advocate for needed services.
Act as an information exchange for all kinds of services to youth, in order to avoid duplication and maximize the existing resources.
Encourage agencies to collaborate in providing services when such collaboration will enhance the delivery of programs for youth.
Establish coalitions with other organizations in order to strengthen the possibilities of achieving our purposes.
Educate the community about the needs of the youth and act as a forum for the sharing of ideas and workable solutions.
Initiate the development of needed services when it becomes necessary and where such services are not available.
Evaluate existing programs and services for youth.
Recommend new and innovative programs to appropriate groups and organizations in the Township.
Programs have beeen supported with funding from the Township of Franklin, the Somerset County Youth Services Commission and the NJ Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Some of the Program's that the Youth Services Commission has supported include: Boys Council, Girls Circle, the Franklin Township Youth Council, the ARISE Program, and the new FYPEP Program.
