(HAUPPAUGE, NY Aug. 21, 2014)— Shawn Hirst has been appointed to a three-year term on the Suffolk County Youth Board Coordinating Council.
“The Suffolk County Youth Board does a great job identifying issues and working with the young people of Suffolk County,” County Executive Steve Bellone said. “Having the services of people who have demonstrated a longterm commitment to youth means we are able to move forward and continue to meet the needs of youth.”
Hirst, a Medford resident, was appointed July 29 by the Suffolk County Legislature and will represent the 13th District.
“As Executive Director of the Patchogue Medford Youth and Community Services, Shawn has a unique insight into the needs of our young people,” Legislator Robert Calarco said. “Be it challenges they face as a result of the recessions, changes in our educational system, or simply the latest fads and trends and resulting societal pressures; she is in tune with the young people of our community and will help ensure that Suffolk is addressing their needs on their terms.”
The mission of the Suffolk County Youth Bureau is to successfully meet the needs of Suffolk County Youth, under the age of 21, by ensuring effective countywide planning, thoughtful development, and efficiency in the management of resources necessary to sustain the County’s youth service system. The Youth Bureau staff conducts monitoring and evaluation of youth programs, research and planning, information and referral, and training and technical assistance for community based youth organizations. More than 180 youth programs are funded through the Bureau’s regular budget stream, as well as over 200 programs on a contingency funded basis.
“The work of the Suffolk County Youth Board Coordinating Council is pivotal to assisting the County in determining and meeting its youth development goals and objectives,” the Rev. Roderick Pearson, executive director of the Suffolk County Youth Bureau/Human Services, said. “The Board welcomes the new appointees, who offer a wealth of experience, expertise, knowledge, and compassion in advising the County Executive in such areas as education, teenage pregnancy, gangs and violence, behavioral mental health, and other issue impacting the quality of life for our young residents.”
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