Message from the President and Executive Director

The “New Norm” of non-for-profits is a performance-driven business model that requires strong accountability in achieving positive outcomes for our clients/individuals.  The old (charity) model of non-for-profits no longer suffices to meet the needs of agencies striving for excellence while seeking to deliver the highest quality human services in an ever-changing society.  Agencies not producing positive and measurable results for their constituents and funders endanger the quality of human services delivered, suffer severe financial penalties, and potentially risk losing essential service contracts. Whereas agencies that are successful and accountable not only help improve the lives of individuals served but are rewarded with reinvestment dollars. 

Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families continues to strengthen its systems, structures, processes, and practices to meet the challenges of the “New Norms” of the non-for-profit world.

Through your sponsorship of the ‘Artrageous’ Gala Dinner and Art Auction, ‘Dream Extreme’ event, and your direct donations, we are able to support a range of programs and services including Family Foster Care, Preventive, Domestic Violence, and Developmental Disabilities Services.  Moreover, we are able to realize our vision of being recognized as an “Agency of Choice” and a “Reliable Partner” to our funding sources and the community, in addition to upholding our mission “to strengthen families so that all members have the opportunity to help themselves toward a better future”.

Last year, our Foster Boarding Home program served approximately 825 children.  We reunified 221 children with their families and finalized 82 adoptions.  Currently, 15 adolescents are attending college and our Preventive Services Programs worked with 372 families to preserve family units and prevent children and adolescents from entering foster care.

We recently completed a comprehensive review of our Family Foster Care Program and we have modified systems and processes to strengthen casework practice and enhance services in the areas of foster care assessments and oversight, and foster parent and staff trainings.  This review has enabled us to improve our capacity to meet the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) mandates and to achieve optimal service outcomes for the children and adolescents.

Almost a year ago, we opened a new Preventive Services program in the Bronx and expanded services in East Harlem.  As a group, the four Preventive Services Programs, two of which serve residents in Brooklyn in addition to the programs in the Bronx and East Harlem, continue to provide families with the parenting tools and services that enable them to secure a better future. 

Our Services, Training, Education, Prevention, Self-Help (STEPS) to End Family Violence Program is recognized locally and nationally for its innovative strength-based programs that promote healing and social change.  The Relationship Abuse Prevention Program (RAPP) provides counseling and education in nine (9) schools to help thousands of New York City high school teens live free from bullying, domestic violence, and abuse; RAPP is currently working with the United Federation of Teachers to facilitate anti-bullying workshops and fairs. 

Fiscal Year 2012 has been a year of programmatic growth for our Developmental Disability Program with the acquisition of three new services in partnership with the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities.  The projects include two Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA) Programs to serve 7 Individuals in the Bronx and 5 Individuals in Manhattan respectively as well as a Day Habilitation Program in Co-Op Citywhich serves approximately 20 to 25 Individuals and will facilitate typical living in a community setting.

Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families remains committed to achieving positive outcomes for the children, adolescents, families, and Individuals we serve.  We are well positioned to meet the challenging issues and performance-based requirements in the new non-for-profit world.

On behalf of our children, adolescents, Individuals, and families, we thank you for your friendship and past, present and future support.