Statewide Youth Services Network

Program Description

The Statewide Youth Services Network program creates a statewide network of youth programs aimed at positive youth development. Family Support Services funding allows state-level grantees to identify areas that may benefit from additional resources and target specific support to local communities to maintain a statewide network. Examples of services provided through the Statewide Youth Services Network include mentoring and youth skills development.

Service Focus

  • Children and youth ages 6-17, with a focus on youth between the ages of 10-17 in communities across the state.

Providers

Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas and the Texas Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs are grantees that maintain a statewide network of youth programs. Counties are served at the discretion of the Statewide Youth Services Network. Contact each organization to confirm availability of services.

Measures of Success

  • Children remain safe during services and within one to three years after services.
  • Increasing the percentage of youth not referred to juvenile probation.

Program Data

  • Program start date: 2008
  • Target number of youth/families served annually, FY 2024: 2,863
  • Average number of youth/families served per month, FY 2023: 1,791
  • Counties are served at the discretion of the Statewide Youth Services Network
  • Annual budget for community contracts: $1,587,500
  • Total number of community grantees: 2 grantees, 59 subgrantees
  • Average grantee budget: $793,750

Success Story

Big Brothers Big Sisters, El Paso County

Lucas' mother referred him to Big Brothers Big Sisters after seeing him struggle to cope after his father left. Lucas began to avoid interacting with others.

When Lucas was assigned a Big Brother, the change in him was evident. His Big Brother took him to places where he could practice his conversation skills with others, and he was able to open up to his Big Brother about his feelings. Thanks to Lucas' Big Brother, he even started playing a sport through the YMCA so he could have more interaction with his peers.