Last month, John Trojanowsky, executive director of the Lancaster Youth Bureau, was honored at the New York Association of Youth Bureaus annual conference for his work with New York State youth and involvement in a number of Results-Based Accountability pilot initiatives. Trojanowsky was also integral in the development of “Common Performance Measures” for future use in recreation programs in New York State. He was awarded for his efforts by Michael Gray, Washington County Youth Bureau director and president of the NYS Association of Youth Bureaus.
In addition to Trojanowsky’s award, the Lancaster Youth Bureau was also recognized for its successful efforts in establishing Results-Based Accountability Performance Measures for many of its programs, which are now being used as a model for the New York State Youth Bureau System.
According to the Lancaster Youth Bureau’s 2013 annual report, an updated evaluation procedure was utilized (the Quality Youth Development System) in combination with refined Results Based Accountability Performance measures, as the Bureau prepared to fully implement the Clear Impact Scorecard software in 2014.The Bureau currently offers a number of programs related to physical and emotional health, education, family services, citizenship, and community development.
According to the Town of Lancaster’s government homepage, “The Mission of the Town of Lancaster Youth Bureau is to provide opportunities for all youth to become caring, responsible, healthy and contributing members of our community. We will be proactive in providing programs that will promote and enhance youth development, positive self-image, healthy lifestyles, and strengthen families. We will work to create a community that is safe, supportive and nurtures the values that allow our youth to become contributing members of society.”
The Lancaster Youth Bureau’s use of RBA in its programs initiated in 2009 when it was selected as one of two municipal youth bureaus in Erie County to participate in a pilot project for the Results-Based Accountability Program through the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
While Scorecards and performance measures are not yet publicly available on the Lancaster Youth Bureau website, the organization was able to highlight some key community involvement performance measures, which can be found in the in the 2013 Annual Report here. We look forward to learning more about Lancaster and County’s RBA and Clear Impact Scorecard initiatives in the 2014 reports!
About the honoree: In addition to serving as executive director of Lancaster County Youth Bureau, Trojanowsky is the representative for the Western New York Region serving on the Board of Trustees of the New York State Association of Youth Bureaus, and was recently appointed to the New York State Partnership for Children, Youth and Families.
To view the original news source, written by the Lancaster Bee, click here.
