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Time to follow Kids Oneida, says national initiative to improve health care.

Utica, NY (Wednesday, November 2, 2011)

National initiative lauds Kids Oneida

Kids Oneida uses innovative, community-based strategies to achieve success, a fact garnering national attention in the new report from the Building Bridges Initiative which calls Kids Oneida a model health care organization.

The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) researched the best systems of care across the country and their newest report highlights exemplary agencies, with a focus on how those agencies continue to provide a high level of service in a difficult economy.  

Kids Oneida’s success rate and creative funding solutions were just what BBI was looking for.    

For those who have worked so hard to help Kids Oneida implement its wraparound model, it’s satisfying to see their efforts mentioned in the same sentence with pioneers of wraparound philosophy.  “It’s great national recognition,” said Dr. David Gottesman, Medical Director of Kids Oneida.  “We’re included with some big name programs.”  

The Building Bridges Initiative began searching nationwide in 2006 to find which practices ensure the best outcomes for youth and families.  Their conclusion: community-based care is a necessary part of long-term success.  Which begs the question, how are community-based systems implemented successfully?

This most recent report from BBI highlights the fiscal strategies agencies use to run community-based programs.  Organization like Kids Oneida keep providing exemplary service regardless of the economy, and they don’t do it alone.  BBI credits Kids Oneida’s collaboration with state and local agencies to ensure clients aren’t denied insurance coverage.  Reliable funding prevents lapses in treatment and consistent treatment is an important part of improving health.

BBI highlights Kids Oneida’s flexibility citing the practice of tailoring treatment to the each individual.  “Through the wraparound model, providers can be creative in developing and implementing plans which would not be possible in a more traditional setting,” according to BBI.  At Kids Oneida, families don’t have to fear that a specific therapy isn’t covered.  In addition, Kids Oneida can offer non-traditional services, something even the most comprehensive insurance plans deny. 

Fifteen years ago Kids Oneida was an idea.  Today,  Dr. Gottesman is happy to hear of Kids Oneida’s recognition, he smiles as he sends an email congratulating service coordinators, then dives back into work.  That work ethic on the part of Kids Oneida staff and families has transformed an idea into a successful, ever growing reality.  Good news might result in a moment’s pride, but it’ll only be a moment, because the people here aren’t only committed to ideas - Kids Oneida has promised the Mohawk Valley’s youth help will be there for as there’s a need.   

Kids Oneida is a nonprofit organization based in Utica, NY empowering children and families.  Since 1996, Kids Oneida has consistently diverted out-of-home placements for seriously emotionally disturbed children, proving that keeping families together maximizes long-term emotional health.  Kids Oneida develops a unique care plan for every child and networks with over 150 local professionals to fulfill children’s individual needs.

Click here for a full version of the “Fiscal Strategies that Support the Building Bridges Initiative Principles”

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