Herkimer County recognized as community making positive change
By: WUTR Staff
Updated: March 9, 2012
The White House Council is recognizing Herkimer County as
one of 12 communities making positive changes.
The White House Council for Community Solutions acknowledges Herkimer County as
having a collaborative planning initiative that has improved the lives of
at-risk children and their families.
The Council for Community Solutions researched over 100 community collaboratives
across the country and identified twelve exemplary ones which have achieved change
and making further strides in solving critical social issues.
Herkimer County has initiated their Integrated County
Planning (ICP) since 1998 to establish a county level planning process that improves
outcomes for children and families.
Herkimer County created this initiative after winning a five-year grant from
New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
ICP focuses on various risk factors from economic deprivation to family
conflict. Their most recent effort is the Return Home Early Project, which was
established in 2008. The project identifies children in residential facilities
who would be better served by intensive community-based services in their
homes.
According to reports, Herkimer County's ICP reduced the total number of children in foster care from
a high of 138 in May 2003 to 64 in December 2011. The ICP also reduced the
juvenile placements in residential facilities through a series of coordinated
interventions.
