[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Canton 5-31- 2000 by Ord. No. 211; amended in its entirety 9-30-2015. Subsequent amendments noted
where applicable.]
There is hereby established a committee to be known as the "Youth
Services Bureau."
There shall be seven members appointed by the Board of Selectmen
for terms of four years, except for the initial appointment when four
members shall be appointed for a term of two years and three members
shall be appointed for a term of four years. These members shall be
chosen from interested citizens representing a cross section of the
community, including representatives of the public school system,
the Police Department, and a private youth-serving agency. A youth
representative between the ages of 14 and 18 years can be appointed
as a nonvoting member. The police representatives may be liaison,
nonvoting members if such representative is not an elector of the
Town. The Board of Selectmen shall appoint all members of the Committee
and shall fill all vacancies.
The Youth Services Bureau shall have the following duties and
responsibilities:
A.
To perform both administrative and direct service functions in accordance
with state regulations that respond to the needs of youth who are
or potentially could be in contact with the criminal justice system,
youth without the support or protective environment necessary for
normal development, and youth who manifest behavior which is potentially
detrimental to themselves and the primary prevention needs in the
community.
B.
To perform administrative functions, including research, resource
development, community involvement, youth advocacy, program evaluation,
and reporting.
C.
To conduct research that will assess the needs of
youth and the availability of existing services and resources capable
of meeting those needs.
D.
To provide either directly or by contract or referral services to
youth and families, including crisis intervention, individual and
family counseling, positive youth development programs, and parenting
support.
E.
To conduct a resource development program to improve services, fill
service delivery gaps, and create or encourage innovative programs
to meet assessed youth needs.
F.
To advocate for and assist individual youth in obtaining and utilizing
available programs and services provided by other Town and school
departments and nonprofit community organizations.
G.
To conduct community involvement programs to promote public knowledge
and understanding of youth problems and needs and foster positive
community change.
H.
To report annually to the Board of Selectmen on the activities of
the Bureau.
All meetings and records of the Committee shall be in compliance
with applicable state statutes.
