The Power of Possibility:
Partnering to Continue a Long History of Serving Families in Upstate New York
William T. Gettman Jr., CEO, Northern Rivers Family of Services“It was a challenge bringing together two agencies with strong traditions, histories, and loyalties. But our employees have always cared more about helping clients achieve success than about the name on their paycheck. We’re building a united culture based on shared values, passion for the mission, respect for past, and a believe that by working together we can reach greater heights than ever before.”
The Moment
With Parsons Child & Family Center tracing their roots to 1829, and Northeast Parent & Child Society dating back to 1888, both of these nonprofits had long histories of serving children in New York. And while both also had grown and evolved over time, they found themselves facing a shrinking pool of resources and increased demand for services that required innovative thinking and bold decisions.
The Power of Possibility
In July 2012, these two organizations affiliated to form Northern Rivers Family of Services as a parent organization to their own. Today, Northern Rivers operates as a family of human service agencies that work side by side to provide life-changing care to children, adults, and families. By collaborating in this way, these organizations are able to offer a continuum of care, increase efficiencies, and maximize resources in a way that they could not be done independently.
The Results
Today Northern Rivers Family of Services and its member agencies provide services for 16,000 children, adults, and families each year throughout 35 counties in upstate New York. Since affiliating, they have been able to secure community contracts, reduce administrative costs while investing in service delivery, establish mental health counseling services with more than ten local school districts, secure federal funds for electronic health record development, and develop a new model of integrated behavioral health residential and community-based care — all things that would not have been possible for each organization to do on its own.