BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

CANTON — St. Lawrence County legislators have signed off on a resource allocation plan that will funnel funds to North Country organizations for youth development.

The resolution was passed during a special board meeting held on May 22.

Officials say by signing the RAP Signature Page will qualify the county for state reimbursement in the 2023 program year.

The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) has made the RAP funds available to youth development programs, officials say.

In total, youth development programs will receive a combined $79,842, with $11,597 allocated for administration, $1,500 for workshops and $19,300 for advocacy and training, according to the resolution.

Officials say OCFS will reimburse the county for contract and county agency program expenditures, while the Youth Bureau will retain the overall responsibility to release the funds, provide fiscal and grant management, technical assistance, audit claims, monitor and evaluate all programs approved.

Various agencies applied through the Youth Bureau for funding including the following:

• Village of Massena Therapeutic- $2,000

• SLC Arts Council: Rising Teens- $6,000

• Town of Stockholm Recreation- $3,000

• Ogdensburg Command Performance- $2,145

• NCCM STEAM Programs for youth- $4,000

• Canton Free Library- $4,000

• Hammond Summer Recreation- $1,000

• PAL of Massena- $4,500

• Hepburn Library of Waddington- $6,700

• Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club- $10,000

• Claxton Hepburn Thriving Families- $4,100

The resolution passed nearly unanimously, with Legislator Nicole Terminelli recusing herself from the vote.