Introduction
Strategic Plan Priorities and Updates
Economic Track Priorities and Updates
For the third year, Cortland was selected by Site Selection Magazine as one of the “top U.S. small towns for new and expanded corporate facilities” due in part to marketing efforts of the Business Development Corporation (BDC). Working in collaboration with the County Planning Department and Thoma Development Consultants, Inc., the BDC secured funding through the NYS Department of State to initiate an 11-community Waterfront Revitalization planning effort.
Major manufacturing expansions have included Barden Homes and Essex Steel. Five up-scale restaurants and two new hotels have come to Cortland, boosting tourism and employment. Cortland County is the founding partner of the Emerging Technology Alliance, a consortium of regional universities and high-tech centers, working to stimulate technology transfer between our regional world-class universities and local companies. The Cortland Business Network has expanded to include all school districts in the county and is launching a joint K-12 workforce development initiative in 2005.
Economic Development Priorities for 2005 are to:
1. Increase the number of jobs with good wages and benefits.
2. Promote job retention.
3. Increase coordination between schools, colleges and businesses.
4. Update the Cortland County Comprehensive Plan.
Youth Track Priorities and Updates
Following a countywide assessment including a survey of students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12, the Cortland Area Communities That Care (CACTC) Board identified Cortland’s five most serious risk factors. (Risk factors are those elements that increase the likelihood of youth problem behaviors such as alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use, violence and juvenile delinquency).
Based on our assets and these risks, a comprehensive plan was developed to reduce the risk factors and enhance the protective factors most needed to protect our youth. Scientifically validated programs were identified to address the risk factors for various youth age groups. Three were implemented in 2004 and CACTC continues to seek resources for others.
Youth priorities for 2005 are to:
1. Reduce parental attitudes that are favorable toward problem behaviors.
2. Improve family management skills
3. Reduce the effects of family history of problem behaviors.
4. Increase community organization and neighborhood attachment.
5. Decrease the availability of alcohol, tobacco & marijuana.
Health Track Priorities and Updates
1. Increase the availability of dental services.
Family Health Network opened a new Article 28 dental clinic in the City of Cortland in May, 2005. Mighty Molar & crew provide dental health education at senior centers, schools and daycare centers.
2. Increase health education, health promotion and health screening for chronic disease control and injury prevention.
A survey of large employers about worksite health education/screenings found minimal education, few screenings and a lack of knowledge of community health education services. A directory of health and human services and a calendar of health education events are now available on line at www.sevenvalleyshealth.org.
3. Decrease rates of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.
A 2004 survey showed a decrease in smoking from about 40% to 23.9% in Cortland, including a decrease among young smokers. The NYS Clean Indoor Air Act limits cigarette smoking in public places. CACTC in partnership with SUNY Cortland received a large grant for alcohol prevention programs for older teens and is implementing two multi-level, community wide approaches to prevent/reduce alcohol use among 6-14 year olds.
4. Build and sustain our preparedness for emerging health issues.
Cortland County Health Department (CCHD) receives frequent training and continues to refine the preparedness plan with assistance from all appropriate organizations.
5. Increase availability of mental health services.
A task force created a strategic plan to develop and maintain an integrated system of primary and mental health care with emphasis on services for children, adolescents and the remote areas of county. Task force members are now seeking funding with which to implement the plan.
6. Increase access to affordable health care.
Family and Child Health Plus are actively promoted and the Family Health Network, Cortland Memorial Hospital and the County Health Department through a facilitated enrollment coordinator.
7. Maintain current successful efforts:
A) Communicable disease surveillance and control.
The Health Department contacts local physicians’ offices and schools for weekly reports of communicable diseases; monitor the NYS Laboratory web site for daily reports of communicable diseases reported for county residents; and does follow-up to ensure treatment and control according to New York State Department of Health regulations.
B) Low teen pregnancy rates.
In 1990, the rate of teen pregnancy (15-19yr olds) was 57.9/1000. In 2002, that rate was ZAPPED to 33.8/1000, the lowest rate ever.