Building a Coordinated, Equitable Out of School Time System - Ensuring Opportunities for Rochester's Youth
How to increase equity within and accessibility of out-of-school time (OST) programs for youth was the focus of a 2-year project that CGR, in partnership with RAND Corp., conducted for the Greater Rochester Afterschool & Summer Alliance (GRASA). The project included a local and national scan of OST systems, and a...
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Newton Community Needs Assessment
The City of Newton, MA, engaged CGR to conduct a Community Needs Assessment to inform its plans for investing its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation. Designed to gather feedback from those most impacted by the COVID pandemic, CGR sought input via a multi-lingual survey, targeted focus groups with lower-resourced,...
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Community Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis - Oswego County SUD/OUD Consortium
The opioid crisis has hit rural communities in places like Oswego County (NY) particularly hard. According to the NY State Department of Health, Oswego County had the second highest opioid death rate in the region in 2017. Additionally, rural areas face unique infrastructural, social, and economic challenges when dealing...
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No Time for Excuses: It's Time for Action - Report of the Commission on Racial and Structural Equity (RASE)
CGR supported the work of the Racial and Structural Equity Commission of Rochester and Monroe County, a 24-member body appointed by Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren and County Executive Adam Bello to inventory and assess local laws and policies to recommend ways to eliminate institutional and structural biases, racism and inequities....
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Code Enforcement in Tioga County - A Report to the Tioga County Rural Economic Area Partnership
The Tioga County Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) engaged the Center for Governmental Research (CGR) to review and evaluate the provision of code enforcement services at the town and village level in Tioga County, and to identify opportunities to enforce codes more effectively and efficiently by sharing services. CGR conducted...
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Public Funding for Charter Schools - An Analysis for Rochester
CGR was engaged by Geoffrey Rosenberger to analyze public funding for charter schools in hopes of comparing total levels with funding for traditional public schools. We interviewed school officials and reviewed documents from one new Rochester charter school (the Academy for Health Sciences, which opened this academic year) and a...
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Boosting Hispanic/Latino Entrepreneurship and Economic Mobility - Data to Support Request for Funding
CGR was engaged by the Ibero-American Action League to compile and analyze data to support the organization’s application for funding to support entrepreneurship and workforce development for the Hispanic/Latino population in four Upstate New York cities: Rochester, Buffalo, Albany and Amsterdam. Our team gathered data from the U.S. Census Bureau,...
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Community Racial Equity Initiatives - A Literature Review
The ESL Charitable Foundation commissioned CGR to conduct a literature scan of community-based racial justice and equity initiatives to better understand the types of initiatives that communities are engaged with nationally, the traits and best practices associated with these initiatives, and how is success defined and measured. To accomplish this,...
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Scan of Workforce Development Efforts - Greater Rochester Region
CGR was engaged by the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce in late 2019 to conduct a scan of workforce development efforts in the Rochester region in order to inform local talent and economic development initiatives. Even though this report was completed in the first weeks of the COVID-19 outbreak, and...
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Step to College Evaluation Plan: A Multidimensional Approach
CGR completed an evaluation plan for East High School’s Step to College Program, an initiative to increase college preparation, matriculation and graduation of students. The evaluation plan included a revised theory of change and logic model, evaluation questions, measurement framework, and evaluation approaches and methods. The evaluation plan will...
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Central New York Nonprofit Capacity Building - Assets, Needs & Opportunities
This report and related CNY Asset and Gaps/Needs Map identifies the capacity building needs and assets of nonprofit organizations in an eight-county region of Central New York (CNY). Commissioned by the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York (HFWCNY), CGR partnered with the Community Health Worker Network...
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Central New York Nonprofit Capacity Building Assets/Gaps Map
This interactive "map" visually represents the capacity building assets and needs of nonprofit organizations in eight Central New York counties. The map is part of a study of the nonprofit capacity building needs and assets commissioned by the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York (HFWCNY). Data...
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Early Childhood Collaboration in Western New York - Collaborative Efforts to Improve Systems and Outcomes for Young Children
Western NY Funders for Early Childhood retained CGR in 2019 to study how organizations across Western New York collaborate to improve outcomes for the region’s youngest residents. Liftoff, a group of more than two dozen funders, asked CGR to gather and analyze information about coalitions, councils and other collaborative groups...
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Western New York Nonprofit Capacity Building - Assets, Needs & Opportunities
This report and related WNY Asset and Gaps/Needs Map identifies the capacity building needs and assets of nonprofit organizations in a nine-county region of Western New York (WNY). Commissioned by the Western New York Nonprofit Support Group (WNYNSG), CGR partnered with the Community Health Worker Network...
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Western New York Nonprofit Capacity Building Assets/Gaps Map
This interactive "map" visually represents the capacity building assets and needs of nonprofit organizations in nine Western New York counties. The map is part of a study of the nonprofit capacity building needs and assets commissioned by the Western New York Nonprofit Support Group (WNYNSG). Data in the
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Profile of the Hispanic/Latino Community in Monroe County - A Demographic and Socioeconomic Analysis of Trends
CGR was engaged by the Ibero American Action League and La Cumbre to develop this Profile of the Hispanic and Latino community in Monroe County. This report updates previous reports from 2000, 2003 and 2012 and is aimed at providing both big-picture and granular information about Hispanic and Latino residents...
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Addressing Food Insecurity in Northwest Arkansas - Identifying Barriers and Ways to Strengthen the Charitable Food System
The Walmart Foundation engaged CGR to examine food insecurity and the charitable food delivery network in Northwest Arkansas (Washington and Benton Counties) to better understand the state of food insecurity and to identify barriers to and gaps in services within this network. CGR analyzed national and local demographic and socioeconomic...
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Transportation and Poverty in Monroe County - How Land Use, Job Locations and Commuting Options Affect Access to Jobs
CGR was engaged by Reconnect Rochester to explore the relationship between residence patterns, employment, transportation, and poverty in Rochester and Monroe County. CGR analyzed settlement, demographic, transportation and employment data to explore how changing patterns of residential settlement, locations of jobs and transportation options have collectively affected the ability of...
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Renewing Our Pledge: A Path to Ending Lead Poisoning of Buffalo's Most Vulnerable Citizens
The lead contamination of Flint, Michigan’s water supply placed the problem of lead poisoning at center stage in cities across the nation. The Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo, along with the City of Buffalo and other partners, engaged CGR to help
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Police Oversight in Rochester - An Examination of Outcomes and Other Models
CGR was engaged by the Rochester City Council to analyze data and research best practices for civilian oversight of police to inform the Council’s review of the Rochester Civilian Review Board in light of community demands for stronger oversight of police. The study found that the oversight model used in...
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LIFT Oswego Needs Assessment - Poverty in the City of Oswego
CGR was engaged by Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) and the City of Oswego to complete a comprehensive needs assessment about the state of poverty in the City of Oswego to inform a work plan aimed at reducing the prevalence and impact of poverty. The City is one of sixteen communities...
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Going Mobile to Increase the Reach of Summer Meals: A Feasibility Study for the Rochester Community
CGR was engaged by Rochester Area Community Foundation to conduct a feasibility study of a mobile summer meals program for the City of Rochester. To complete this study, CGR researched existing programs elsewhere in New York and the rest of the nation, analyzed the reach of Rochester’s current summer meals...
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Transforming Regional Data on the Gulf Coast
Gulf Coast Community Indicators is an initiative of Gulf Coast Community Foundation. This “state of the community” website provides a common source of data and analysis on critical topics that affect the health and progress of our region in order to inform community stakeholders, spur discussion and collaboration,...
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City of Rochester's Recreation Services - A Roadmap Forward
The City engaged CGR to facilitate a strategic planning process for the Bureau of Recreational Services. CGR worked with bureau and department staff to articulate community expectations for Recreation Services in the city, through community surveys, focus groups and stakeholder interviews. We fed this information back to the department and...
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Substance Abuse in Ontario County - Tracking Recent Trends
CGR was asked by the Partnership for Ontario County to collect and analyze data on substance abuse trends to inform the Partnership’s ongoing efforts, including a strategic planning initiative. We consulted a variety of national, state, and local data sources to compile a list of relevant indicators, then collaborated...
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Child Care Subsidies in the Mid-Hudson Valley - An Analysis of Need, Availability and Trends
The availability of child care subsidies in the Mid-Hudson Valley has increased somewhat over the past 7 years, but only 1 in 10 children who could benefit are being served, a new CGR study reports. This is the second in a series of reports on child care
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Reducing Poverty in Rochester - An International Scan of Options to Consider
CGR was engaged by the United Way of Greater Rochester to research successful approaches to reducing poverty and their potential applicability to the 9-county Rochester region. Nearly 156,000 people live in poverty throughout the Greater Rochester region, with about two-thirds residing in Monroe County and over 40% in the City...
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Child Care Subsidies in Monroe County - An Analysis of Need, Availability and Trends
The availability of child care subsidies in Monroe County has declined over the past 7 years and meets about one-fifth of the potential need, but Monroe outpaces similar counties in providing this support to low-income working families, a new CGR study reports. CGR and the League of Women Voters of...
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Building a Stronger Knoxville Region
ET Index was launched by the Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) and the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization, with the support and advice of a number of regional organizations. The project aims to provide a common source of data and analysis on critical topics in...
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An Assessment of Community Needs in Suffolk County, NY - A Step toward Better Aligning Community Needs, Health and Human Services Safety Net, and Available Resources
In the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy, CGR was engaged by the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island in 2013 to conduct a community needs assessment. The need for such an assessment had emerged in early 2012 and became clear as the members of the Health and Welfare Council...
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Feasibility Analysis for the Merger for the Department of Health and the Department of Mental Hygiene in Dutchess County, NY
CGR conducted a feasibility study of merging the Departments of Health and Mental Hygiene within Dutchess County. Our review included a detailed examination of the baseline of current services (operated by both government and non-profit agencies), and an overview of the changing landscape of the healthcare delivery systems. We evaluated...
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Otsego County Community Health Assessment - Prevention Agenda Objectives 2014-17
Otsego County engaged CGR to assist with the development of its Community Health Assessment for 2014-17. CGR, in partnership with the county Health Department collected and analyzed data on a variety of health issues, as well as socioeconomic, demographic, educational and environmental data. In addition, CGR facilitated a community stakeholder...
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The Future of County Nursing Homes in New York State
In a study of county-owned nursing homes throughout New York State, CGR found 92% of homes outside NYC lost money in 2010, and without significant changes in how they operate, most have little chance to survive. Historically, counties have considered the homes to be an important part of their missions,...
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Rochester's Department of Recreation and Youth Services - Maximizing the City's Supports for Children and Youth
CGR was engaged by the City of Rochester to provide an inventory and resource analysis of its Department of Recreation and Youth Service (DRYS), compile information on similar programs and services offered by local nonprofits and governments, and benchmark the department’s operations to other cities. CGR found that, compared to...
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City of Rochester Summer Meals Needs Assessment: Informing a Community-Wide Strategy to Close the Summer Meals Gap
CGR was engaged by the Rochester Area Community Foundation to assess the Summer Meals program providing free meals to eligible Rochester youth at sites throughout the city. Our analysis found that less than a quarter of children who would benefit from the program are currently being served, leaving a gap...
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Southern Arizona Community Indicators: A Foundation for Action
CGR was selected to coordinate the creation of Southern Arizona Indicators, an interactive profile of Southern Arizona now serving to spur discussion of community issues and solutions. Led by the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona and the United Way of Tucson & Southern Arizona, the initiative is also supported by...
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Summer Youth Employment in the City of Rochester: A Review and Benchmarking of the Summer of Opportunity Program
Rochester NY engaged CGR to review its Summer of Opportunity (youth jobs) Program. Key issues explored included overall cost, administrative expenses, how impact is measured, and whether the city should continue its own program. CGR identified benchmark programs in New York City, Buffalo, Hartford, and Oneida County NY, and made...
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Profile of the Hispanic/Latino Community in Monroe County: How are we doing?
Monroe County’s Hispanic/Latino community has grown 30% in the past decade, and more Hispanic youth are graduating from high school though relatively few go on to college. A CGR report documents the growth, strengths and challenges facing the Hispanic/Latino community with data and analysis of more than 20 Census indicators.
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Who Provides Services on Long Island? An Introduction to the Long Island Index's New Interactive Map
Dozens of special districts on Long Island add to the patchwork quilt of governments providing services to residents. A new interactive map developed by the Long Island Index allows users for the first time to see the boundaries of all local service providers, along with information about how to...
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Local Development Corporations (LDC): Risks and Benefits - Case Studies in the Rochester Area
CGR, with funding from the Beatrice Bibby Fund at CGR in cooperation with the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Rochester (NY), set out to identify the number, type and characteristics of local development corporations in the Rochester area. These quasi-government entities are not subject to the same public oversight...
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Herkimer County Highway Shared Services/Consolidation Study - Options for Increasing Efficiency
CGR completed a report that evaluated ways that the 31 local governments in Herkimer County might be able to maintain roads and bridges within the County more efficiently. The report is designed to be a long range planning document for the local governments. Using GIS mapping along with...
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Town of Aurora and Village of East Aurora: Options for Shared Highway/DPW Services
The Town of Aurora and Village of East Aurora in western NY engaged CGR to document the existing operations in their highway and public works departments and to explore options for increasing efficiency and effectiveness and maximizing the return to taxpayers. The communities have a history of identifying areas...
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Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection Graduation Years 2007-2009
CGR conducted a study of the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection program for participants graduating in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Inquiries about CGR’s report should be directed to Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection at (585) 654-1600.
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Mid-Hudson Valley Community Profile
The Mid–Hudson Valley Community Profiles project represents a commitment by three of the region’s leading philanthropic organizations to provide the public with continuously updated comparative information regarding Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster counties. The project is designed to provide government and nonprofits with an important new tool for assessing and understanding...
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Herkimer-Oneida Community Indicators Project
The Herkimer and Oneida Counties Community Indicators website includes 80 indicators in 10 topic areas, ranging from arts to education to health to public safety. For this Central NY region, the website provides an opportunity for local nonprofits, municipalities and businesses to use fact-based information to establish shared...
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ACT Rochester
A joint venture of the Rochester Area Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Rochester NY, this web-based ACT Community Profile encompasses 10 topics and more than 130 indicators measuring the community’s status in areas ranging from prenatal care for developing babies to affordable housing to the change...
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Capital Region Community Profile
CGR designed and created an interactive website featuring data, charts and analysis on more than 70 indicators measuring the health and vitality of the Greater Capital Region surrounding Albany, NY. Funded by the United Way of the Greater Capital Region, the Community Indicators project tracks strengths and challenges in the...
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How Well Are We Doing? A Plan for Evaluation of 2-1-1 Service in New York State
NYS is implementing a regional network of 2-1-1 call centers. Part of a national movement, 2-1-1 will serve as the number to call to access community information and referral services for non-emergency situations. Working collaboratively with regional and state leaders, CGR identified 8 desired outcomes to provide 2-1-1 with...
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Consolidating Police Services in Whitestown, New York - Options for the Future
Five communities in Oneida County – the Town of Whitestown, and the Villages of Yorkville, New York Mills, Whitesboro and Oriskany – had discussed off and on over the years consolidating their separate police departments. CGR was engaged to provide, for the first time, comprehensive information that can serve as...
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Seneca County Community Profile 2007: How Well Are We Doing?
A broad-based partnership in Seneca County (NY) – engaged in a strategic planning process designed to set community priorities, determine future resource allocations, and effect needed community change – turned to CGR for assistance. In conjunction with the partnership, CGR developed a county profile that documents demographic trends affecting the...
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Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection Evaluation Performance Assessment: 2006 Update and Future Implications
The Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection, established in 1987, works with at-risk students in the Rochester and Syracuse NY public school districts, with the goal of keeping students in school through graduation. Recently, with support from the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, CGR completed its third assessment of the program. In the latest...
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Reforming New York's Property Tax: Conference Summary
In January 2007, CGR sponsored a forum in Albany NY on reforming New York's property tax. Among the standing-room-only audience members who listened and debated the different options proposed by well-respected experts were members of the NYS Senate and Assembly, state agency representatives and policy experts. CGR subsequently developed a...
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Information & Referral: How Well are We Doing? A Model for Evaluation of 2-1-1 Services
CGR assisted the Finger Lakes 2-1-1 Collaborative in developing an evaluation model to gauge progress toward key outcomes and measures. CGR collected information on six established 2-1-1 systems across the country to identify best practices and challenges in measuring the performance of 2-1-1 operations.
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Capital Pork: How State Politicians Divvy Up Billions for Favored Capital Projects
CGR analyzed the $1.7 billion in grants (all borrowed funds) handed out since 1997 by New York State legislators for “capital” projects. This first-ever geographic analysis found stark differences in benefits for regions and interest groups; secret agreements among top state leaders; fewer checks on spending than other states; and...
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The Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection: Charting a Course for the Future
CGR evaluated the Work-Scholarship Connection, which was established to help youth at risk of dropping out of school succeed academically. The program provides its students with youth advocates, a range of support services, enrichment workshops and, for some, part-time job opportunities and worksite mentors. The Work-Scholarship Connection currently...
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