Decatur Youth Services Has Remained Reliable

The establishment of the Youth Services Department for the City of Decatur was developed after the Mayor formed a Task Force to study and find solutions to the economical, social, and educational problems that directly affect the quality of life of our young citizens. One of the Task Force recommendations was to employ someone to be in charge of disseminating information about problem/solution programs, gather data, identify targeted at-risk youth, promote education efforts, review enforcement programs, and work with public and private agencies as well as volunteer agencies to coordinate and implement programs which would mitigate the social disorders underlying youth criminal activity. In October, 1994, Bruce W. Jones, LBSW, was hired as the City of Decatur’s Youth Services Director.

GOALS

The goals of the Youth Services Department are to help facilitate and encourage a community-wide effort in combating the problems in our community involving our youth; such as, the high rate of school drop-outs, illiteracy, unemployment, teenage pregnancy, drug and alcohol use/abuse, gang activity, juvenile delinquency, and poverty, just to name a few. One of the primary functions will be to work cooperatively with existing agencies to enhance interagency communication and cooperation, which will result in the children being the beneficiary of our collective efforts. Also, this department will assist our law enforcement agencies by aiding in the rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents, youth felons, and juveniles who are serious habitual offenders. This department will support activities to deter gang membership.

The Department of Youth Services will focus its efforts on at-risk youth and young adults from every socio-economic class and all areas of the community. However, the realization is that children from low income areas and minorities may benefit from our programs and services more efficiently. The goals of the Youth Services Department are to assist children in developing self-esteem by promoting a “Yes, I can” attitude, establishing a sense of self-worth by teaching children to excel on their individual levels, and building character by interacting with confident, successful adults to provide positive role models and mentors. With a coordinated community effort in helping to combat problems facing our youth and young adults, the City of Decatur’s Youth Services Department will be an asset in changing young minds.

*   The City FY19 budget for Decatur Youth Services (DYS) is $866K.

*   DYS recently established a satellite location at the former Brookhaven Middle School.  This location is less than one mile from the former fire station the Boys & Girls Club  (BNGC) is requesting for a teen center.

Decatur Youth Services Director, Bruce W. Jones, LMSW

*   DYS has a plethora of programs for Decatur students, young adults and parents.  DYS Director, Bruce Jones and his team will be glad to share more information about the programs.

*   The Decatur Boys & Girls Club (BNGC) has experienced leadership issues for years.  Last year the under the direction of the BNGC of America our BNGC locations were taken over by the BNGC of North Central Alabama.  The decision was an effort to overcome years of concerning managment and deteriorating facilities.

*   Leadership from the BNGC has reached out to the City for assistance since I entered the Office of the Mayor.  During each visit I explained how we fund DYS and did not find it wise to duplicate services. However, I did offer hope.

*   In an effort to determine if the BNGC could provide better services to our youth I asked them to partner with DYS on projects.  The partnerships would build rapport, trust and afford us an opportunity to recognize opportunities, if any, that would benefit the noted groups.

*   To my knowledge the BNGC has not accepted my offer.  It is also important to note that every offer was extended with Bruce joining me in each meeting.

*   The same invitation was extended when we were approached by Patrick Wynn and the the North Central BNGC team.

*   DYS and the Office of the Mayor want the best for our children, young adults and parents.  That might include partnering with the BNGC.  Our first request is that they take advantage of our offer to partner with DYS as explained above.

*   I do not see additional facilities being appropriate at this point.  Again, it goes back to duplication of services.