Tompkins County Youth Services Department

The Tompkins County Youth Services Department (TCYSD) is a department of the local county government. Charged with investing time, resources and funding in our local communities to enable all Tompkins County youth to thrive in school, work and life; the TCYSD serves as a planning and coordination body for the youth programs throughout the County.

At the foundation of the Youth Services Department are our astute business practices. Our careful oversight of contracted agencies and services, coupled with our commitment to being stewards of public funds is at the core of all that we do. Community outreach is integral to the work of the TCYSD. Through working with our community partners we are able to more effectively meet the needs of youth and their care providers. We serve as primary community support to the Recreation Partnership, the Community Coalition for Healthy Youth and the Municipal Youth Services System.

In order to fully understand the needs of young people, their families from throughout Tompkins County, and how to support those needs in the most effective and efficient manner TCYSD collects, coordinates, and synthesizes statistical and empirical data as well as primary and secondary research on best practices related to youth. These data are then translated into community needs, strengths, and gaps and become one of the key factors in determining what services are supported by TCYSD. In addition to data collection, staff members of TCYSD monitor all funded programs to ensure quality services.