How DCYF invests in youth and families
DCYF funds programs for children, youth, TAY/A, and families. We fund:
- Community organizations
- City departments
- San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD)
Early care and education
Helps families with young children find and pay for quality early learning.
Funding to City departments:
Money to help pay for childcare, mental health support, and child health checkups through the Department of Early Childhood.
Educational supports
Helps youth who are struggling in school get back on track.
Grants to community organizations:
Tutoring, alternative education, literacy support, summer transition and bridge programs.
Emotional well being
Supports the mental health of children, youth, TAY/A, families, and youth workers.
Grants to community organizations:
Family Wellness programs that offer counseling, parenting support, recreation, enrichment, and help connecting to services.
Funding to City departments:
School wellness centers, youth clinics, mental health services for TAY, and school-based support programs through the through the Department of Public Health.
Enrichment and skill building
Helps youth explore interests and build new skills.
Grants to community organizations:
Arts, sports, STEM, identity programs.
Funding to City departments:
Youth arts programs through the San Francisco Arts Commission.
Family empowerment
Helps families stay strong and connected.
Grants to community organizations:
Community programs that support families and youth.
Funding to City departments:
Family resource centers through the Department of Early Childhood, parenting classes through the Department of Public Health, and a parent support talk line through the Human Services Agency.
Justice services
Supports youth involved in the justice system.
Grants to community organizations:
Case management, mentoring, restorative justice, and reentry support.
Funding to City departments:
Restorative meetings for youth through the San Francisco District Attorney.
Out of school time
Provides safe afterschool and summer programs.
Grants to community organizations:
Afterschool and summer learning, enrichment, youth development.
Funding to City departments:
Recreation and arts programming through Recreation and Parks.
Outreach and access
Helps children, youth, TAY/A, and families find and use City services.
Grants to community organizations:
Outreach, service navigation, and help connecting to resources.
Funding to City departments:
Community navigator programs and cultural programs through the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development.
DCYF also runs the Nutrition Program, which provides free meals to children and youth across San Francisco.
Youth empowerment
Helps youth build leadership skills and have a voice in their community.
Grants to community organizations:
Youth leadership and civic engagement programs.
Youth workforce development
Prepares youth and TAY/A for jobs through paid work and training.
Grants to community organizations:
Job training, paid work experience, and career pathway programs.
Funding to City departments:
Immigrant youth fellowships through the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs, summer jobs through the Recreation and Parks, workforce training for TAY/A through the Department of Public Health.
How DCYF measures and strengthens our investments
DCYF also supports program quality and measures impact across our portfolio.
Evaluation
Funds research and evaluation to improve programs and see how they are working.
Support for DCYF-funded programs
Technical assistance and capacity building (TACB) to help funded programs do their work better.
Learn more on the Training and support for DCYF-funded programs page.