Leadership - Message

2009-2010 message from the President and Executive Director

Reflecting on the past year, we are proud to report that Edwin Gould continues to be an exceptional provider of services and a “Reliable Partner” to clients, funding sources, and stakeholders within the industry and community. In Fiscal Year 2008-2009, we successfully managed growth in the number of clients served and the full integration and effective transition of new programs and individuals into the family of Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families. Our Foster Boarding Home Census increased by approximately 16.8 percent, from an average of 663 children in care in 2008 to an average of 775 children in care in 2009. The Preventive Services Program expanded through the integration of the New Hope Program with an initial census of 60 families and the recent addition of 15 families. The increases in Foster Care and Preventive Services are the result of the closing of other child welfare agencies. The families served by those agencies were transferred to Edwin Gould because we are recognized as one of the better performing agencies and have demonstrated both the program and the administrative capacity necessary for the relocation and integration of families.

We have been successful even in the face of the many challenges created by the economic and industry realities of the past few years. In 2004, there were 43 foster care agencies in the city. Since then, ten foster care agencies contracts have been terminated. While the number of agencies has decreased, so too has the number of children in foster care, to fewer than 16,000 from 22,000 four years ago. Through it all, we have remained effective and vigilant, ever conscious of the accountability and service that our clients, funding sources, and the industry in general demand of us and deserve from us. We successfully managed agency growth at a time when industry service levels declined, and we continue to work vigorously to align our services so that “children, adolescents, families and consumers are not left wanting”.

While effectively delivering our programs and services to our families and children, we responsibly attended to the administrative and business side of our operation, successfully managing our financial, information technology, human and other resources, as we navigated downturns in the economic environment and remained accountable to the City, State and other stakeholders.

In September 2009, the Agency relocated the Executive Office and service programs to 151 Lawrence Street in downtown Brooklyn. Our new space allows for additional growth and provides a model environment conducive to the well-being of our clients. The move has completed our transition to becoming a true community based organization, providing services at four sites in Brooklyn, three in the Bronx and two in Manhattan, close to the clients we serve.

There are great opportunities ahead for Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families, including the possible expansion of our services through NYC Children's Services Request for Proposal for Child Welfare Services for the next ten year funding period. As always, we will be guided by our vision, strategic priorities and careful planning, and we remain confident that we will continue to provide the highest level of services and support to all of our clients that not only enriches their lives but enables them to achieve their goals.

On behalf of our children, adolescents, families, consumers and the Board of the Directors, we thank you for your past, present, and continued support.