County staff told the Health and Human Services Committee on July 1 that the application process for 2026 youth-program funding is open. The funding streams include youth development programming, runaway and homeless youth support, youth sports and teams funding; the 2026 program year runs Oct. 1 through Sept. 30.

Becky, a county staff member, said applications are available on the department webpage and that the application forms and process are unchanged from prior years. She said claims for the 2025 program year must be submitted by Sept. 30 and that program annual reports for 2025 are due Oct. 10.

Becky announced that the application deadline is July 31 and warned applicants that allocations for some streams remain pending from the state. She said youth sports allocations are up substantially this year (the materials reported a 140% increase), teams funding is level and she expects about a 40% increase in the youth development allocation used by municipalities for recreation dollars. County staff said applicants who applied last year can access copies of previous applications and must submit an annual application to receive funds.

Staff invited questions and provided contact information for assistance; the committee had no further comment and approved adjournment.