Dartmouth’s youth support program is facing an uncertain future, as the departure of the town’s Youth Advocate has left the one-person department without a leader and a clear path forward. 

The one-person department has been leaderless since Youth Advocate Jen Cabral stepped down from her post. Jamie Jacquart, chair of the Youth Commission, said the commission had been working on a proposal to change up the department two years ago. Due to leadership changes at Town Hall, a department restructuring program was put on hold until recently. But Cabral’s departure has complicated attempts to refocus the program.

“When Jen announced she was leaving, it put everything in flux,” Jacquart said.

On average, families in need face a two to seven week wait for resources like mental health care or housing. Some services, like specialized doctors, might not be available in the immediate area. The goal of the Youth Advocate, Jacquart explained, is to provide services to fill immediate needs and be a central resource for those in need to approach for help.

“Sometimes it can be a little hard to identify what different programs are, and where to go,” Jacquart said.

The department has helped families homeless and living in tents, to families facing housing insecurity - those bouncing between temporary accommodations which might not meet health or safety codes. Since Cabral came on board, she has established Thanksgiving and Christmas collection programs, partnered with the School Department to host healthy living and drug awareness events, and coordinated a major opioid crisis-related awareness campaign between Dartmouth and New Bedford.

With Cabral gone, Jacquart and the Youth Commission have been researching ideas for a new structure to focus on not only children, but families as well.

The commission examined 21 Massachusetts cities and towns which provide services similar to Dartmouth’s Youth Advocate - some their own department, some under schools or health or the police. 

Jacquart said the commission will gather feedback and ideas, and prepare a budget request to bring to the Finance Committee in early April to be ready to appear on the Spring Town Meeting agenda.

Ultimately, Town Meeting voters will need to approve any proposed budget or funding, whatever shape it may take. But Jacquart and Youth Commission members worry that finding money in the town budget in time for the Spring Town Meeting could be a challenge.

“Our concern is making sure we’re not losing services,” Jacquart said. “Supporting our youth and families should be a municipal service in the same way we provide for our elders.”

Select Board Chairman Shawn McDonald said he wants to see a focused agenda to provide services to Dartmouth’s youth, while making sure services aren’t being duplicated elsewhere. 

“It would be a good time to take a look at what they want to do, and I think bringing in a new set of eyes with Shawn MacInnes is a good thing,” McDonald said.