Oneida County System of Care Showcases Community Resources

County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. today announced the Oneida County System of Care to provide crucial information, resources and services to youth and their families.

“The Oneida County System of Care was developed to connect our families and school districts to vital community resources and services,” Picente said. “We are lucky to have so many incredible agencies working hard to improve the lives of those in need, but not everyone knows of their services or how to access them. This new website and corresponding resource guides, will put all of that information in one place and promote and encourage cross-system collaboration and communication.”

The Oneida County System of Care (SOC) is a coordinated network of services and supports that are organized to meet the physical, mental, social, emotional, education and developmental needs of children and their families.

The SOC website connects families with: 

• Home-based services
• Family & youth peer support
• Parenting education
• Mental health & substance use outpatient services
• News & events

 The website’s robust directory allows users to filter the type of services they are looking for and provides links directly to the websites for increased accessibility. Seven online resource guides are available in the languages of English, Arabic, Burmese, Karen, Russian, Somali and Spanish.

The Oneida County Department of Mental Health also has hard copy resource guides available, which along with postcards with the SOC website QR code and informational posters, will be distributed to providers, parents, caretakers and youth across the county.

Funding for the SOC website was made possible through a $20,787 grant awarded to the county Department of Mental Health by the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. in collaboration with the New York State Office of Mental Health. The funding was created to expand or implement the SOC approach with other cross-systems partners to support children, youth and their families. The county Department of Mental Health partnered with the Oneida County Youth Services Council and other cross-system agencies to develop the website and printed resources that encompass a wide variety of information and resources.

“Oneida County is thrilled to join the System of Care efforts that are occurring statewide,” said Mental Health Commissioner Ashlee Thompson, MHA, MSEd, Master CASAC. “Our user-friendly website, resource guides and information will increase education about our service-rich county, while enhancing the lives of the children and youth within our community. Our System of Care approach fosters cross-system collaboration and community connection.”

Rome, NY-based web and graphic design firm, Design by Jade, designed the SOC website.

“I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to partner with the Oneida County System of Care on its agency directory website,” said Jade Streifert, Creative Owner and Operator of Design by Jade. “Having worked with some of the directors of these local agencies in the past, I know firsthand how much this resource is needed in our community. We are fortunate to have so many support systems available to families. Hopefully this website will become a catalyst to educate and engage those who need assistance but aren't sure which path to take.”

The SOC announcement was made during the Oneida County Youth Services Council’s monthly meeting on Sept. 20, 2023. The council is a collation of community members that works on family and children’s issues by sharing knowledge, identifying gaps in services and creating a structure to address emerging trends in order to create healthier families and youth through a stronger systems approach. It was formed in 2012.