New York State honored the Lewis County System of Care with the 2024 ‘What’s Great in our State’ System of Care Award, which recognizes the coordinated network that are family-driven, youth-guided, community-based and culturally/linguistically responsive. The rural Central New York team was presented award the award Tuesday during the event in Albany and recognized for the impact they are having on the mental wellbeing of children.

“The Lewis County System of Care team demonstrates ‘What’s Great in Our State’ through transformative collaboration and community empowerment,” state Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan. “As they continue to share their success story and forge connections at the forefront of children's behavioral health, this team stands as a testament to the transformative power of collaboration, compassion, and community-driven care. We thank this team for its dedication and commitment to children’s mental health.”

Created in 2019, the Lewis County System of Care team is at the forefront of system-wide change, improving communication and care coordination among schools, providers, and services to address the holistic needs of children and families. Through a wraparound-service model and a steadfast commitment to trauma-informed care, this team ensures that the individuals served receive personalized, intensive support tailored to their unique strengths and needs.

Despite the challenges inherent in serving a rural community, the System of Care team forged partnerships with local stakeholders to improve access to vital services and resources. From developing a comprehensive website to organizing community events and summits, this team empowers families and fosters resilience.

“The Lewis County System of Care steering committee is honored to be chosen for this year’s award,” Lewis County Single Point of Access Coordinator Jamie Roberts said. “What started as an idea came to fruition with the hard work and dedication that the steering committee put forth to improve systems level change in our community. We heard the concerns of our families and realized we needed a new approach that would provide them with a voice, and we are now able to do just that. We’d like to thank everyone for this recognition and for all our partners that helped us to get where we are today. We would also like to thank our families who give us the drive to continue to improve every day.”

Established in 2010, ‘What’s Great in Our State’ recognizes individuals and programs that are successfully advancing the cause of children’s mental health in New York State and is celebrated annually during Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. The day-long conference in Albany features a ceremony recognizing honorees, in-person and virtual workshops, and an art show featuring artwork created by children receiving services from New York State’s mental health system.

The event is sponsored by the state Office of Mental Health, Department of Health, Department of Education, Office of Children and Family Services and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports. In addition, several children’s mental health advocacy organizations sponsor the event, including the Council on Children and Families, the Early Care & Learning Council, Families Together in New York State, Inc., Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc., National Alliance on Mental Illness - New York State, New York State Network for Youth Success, Prevent Child Abuse New York, and the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc.