Northeast Parent and Child Society Revenue and Competitors

At Northeast Parent & Child Society, the goal isn't just to respond to families in crisis - it's long-term change. The agency, which has been in existence for 119 years, has implemented a wide range of programs to help the youth in its care grow up to be productive citizens. The goal is to help youths learn to become part of the culture of work, and to fend for themselves, said Jim Johans, the president and CEO. "I want them to be happy. Are you a giver or are you a taker? A giver is a taxpayer. A taker is on public assistance," said Johans. To that end, the agency has implemented a number of job training and placement services. For instance, youths are taught to learn how to dress and act appropriately in the workplace. Under programs with companies such as Price Chopper supermarkets, youths are placed in real-word job settings. As part of one program, clients are working to refurbish boarded-up homes in Schenectady. In all, the agency has 120 children working in the community. It's a unique program among child welfare organizations that Johans would like to see developed into a national model. It's all part of a complex strategy to provide a system of care that begins by intervening at critical stages for the most vulnerable segments of society. Where possible, the agency works to preserve families, and eventually focus children on becoming responsible adults. "We try to work ourselves out of a job," said Johans. The benefits of the programs have wider implications for the community. Johans, who bring a business background to his role, can point to specific cost savings as a result of the agency's work. "If we failed 95 percent of the time, it would cost the community over $15 million a year or more," said Johans, whose prior work experience includes job coach, restaurant owner and manager of Hughes Aircraft Co.'s commercial laser division for five years. It costs $50,000 a year to take care of a youth in jail, said Johans. And more than 50 percent of adult males in jail were either victims of domestic violence or witnessed it as children. "So we are here to intervene. When we succeed early, we save taxpayers a lot of dollars." The immediate goal is to preserve families when possible. Not only can this be the most healthy environment for children, it also makes economic sense. A foster home costs about $100 a day, for instance, much more than the $40 a day it can cost for "in-home family preservation." For children who can't be placed in a foster home and must be sent to a residential facility, it can cost $200 to $500 a day, depending on the severity of the need of the child. Obviously, succeeding at the lowest level of intervention possible is critical. In some cases, all that's needed is a weekly therapy session at a cost of $70. The key, according to Johans, is to create a comprehensive system of care, rather than simply respond each time there is a crisis. He estimates that the agency provides more services than 94 percent of other child welfare agencies around the country. With an annual budget of about $30 million, it's in the top 5 percent nationally in terms of size. The agency, which functions in 19 counties, operates 23 buildings, including two group homes, a mental health clinic, a student counseling center, and a children's home that is being rebuilt with a $10 million bond from the state Dormitory Authority. It is also in the process of renovating and moving into a new headquarters in Schenectady. The agency, which bought the building for $1.25 million, is investing another $1.75 million for renovations. Asked which of the agency's accomplishments he is most proud of, Johans points to the feedback Northeast Parent receives: 94 percent of those making referrals said that the agency did what it was supposed to for the children that were referred. Also, 80 percent of the youths who go through the system feel that it improved their lives. "Most of these kids are so far gone when we get them, it's a miracle that we save half of them," said Johans.