Youth Bureau staff Larry Gamber briefs board on summer youth employment program

Larry Gamber of the Delaware County Youth Bureau told the board the summer youth employment packet is intended to make placements and compliance easier for supervisors and participating towns. "First of all, right on the top should be an attention supervisor's note for you," Gamber said, stressing supervisors must review orientation materials with youth and complete the job development form so the Youth Bureau knows where placements are located.

Gamber outlined key administrative requirements: the packet includes an employee information sheet and a job development form that helps the bureau track placements; all youth must complete county harassment training and return the quiz before their first day; time sheets are due every Thursday to meet the new payroll system's deadlines; and every youth must sign a resignation form by their last day to ensure payroll records are closed. "Time sheets every Thursday, very important," Gamber said.

In a question-and-answer exchange, board members asked whether towns can place youth on municipal payrolls and be reimbursed, or have the county pay directly. Gamber said both options are available: towns may pay youth on their payroll and seek county reimbursement, or the county can place them on the county payroll, which he said can allow longer placements and higher pay where local budgets permit. He also described an existing $200-per-placement reimbursement amount that applies regardless of whether the county or the town pays.

The Youth Bureau representative explained routes for additional positions and eligibility standards, including a separate application for families eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). "If you're eligible for it, which would be income based... that application just says if they're eligible for TANF," Gamber said, adding that completing that form has led some families to discover and access other benefits. He warned that work restrictions vary by age and urged supervisors to familiarize themselves with labor-law limits for 14-, 16- and 18-year-old workers.

Gamber said evaluations returned by site supervisors are the Youth Bureau's basis for recommendations and future placements; managers should return evaluations to the bureau so staff can provide references. He closed by noting the bureau must wait for a state budget number to finalize placements but can consider earlier starts through committee authorization in specific cases. The bureau also offers an "extra slots" review midseason to redistribute unused hours equitably.

What happens next: Gamber asked supervisors and towns to return completed packets and job-development forms promptly so the Youth Bureau can begin placements once the fiscal numbers are final. The board did not take a vote on program policy at the meeting.