The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) presented the role and structure of Neighborhood Advisory Boards at the Brooklyn Borough Board meeting June 3 and asked community members to complete an upcoming community needs assessment that will guide funding priorities.

Elizabeth Adedeji, Brooklyn borough manager in DYCD’s intergovernmental affairs and public engagement unit, presented with Anita Antonetti, identified as a senior director, and other DYCD staff. Adedeji described NABs as volunteer bodies tied to neighborhood development areas (NDAs)—geographic areas with at least 20 percent of residents at the federal poverty level—that advise DYCD on local program needs, review proposals and help set priorities for CSBG/Community Action funded programs.

DYCD said New York City has 41 NDAs across the five boroughs, 16 of them in Brooklyn. Each NAB can have up to 12 members (six nominated by DYCD and six nominated by elected officials) who serve two three‑year terms. The minimum age to join is 16; members who attend in person receive a $25 travel voucher per meeting. DYCD said NABs conduct a community needs assessment every three years; the last assessment was in 2022 and the agency expects to publish the next survey within two weeks.

Adedeji and Antonetti said NAB members’ tasks include conducting surveys and public hearings, evaluating community needs, setting program priorities and reviewing proposals during the request‑for‑proposals process. DYCD listed types of programs it funds through community‑based organizations—senior services, adult literacy, economic development for small businesses and youth services—and said program funding levels are allocated based on the number of people at or below the federal poverty threshold in each NDA.

Community Board members asked implementation questions. One board member asked how quickly programs start after the surveys; DYCD replied that program timing depends on when DYCD issues its next request for proposals and that the current RFP cycle stems from a 2020 solicitation. DYCD said NAB members will be involved in setting priorities that inform that RFP and the agency will circulate the PowerPoint to borough board members.

Chairpersons emphasized recruitment: Borough Board Chairperson Camacho and several community board chairs urged members to recruit residents—especially young people aged 16–18—to participate, calling NAB membership an option for community service and civic engagement. DYCD staff said members must attend four meetings a year and that meetings are usually one hour and held in the community.

DYCD reiterated contact information and directed attendees to the DYCD website (nyc.gov/dycd) and the agency’s public portal for program listings.