About Cortland Counts
From 2001 to 2020, Seven Valleys Health Coalition (SVHC) led the Cortland Counts initiative, a comprehensive community assessment effort that brought together stakeholders from health, economic development, government, youth, education, and faith-based sectors. This collaboration underscored the deep connections between these areas in shaping our community’s well-being.
With advancements in technology and changes from the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH), the approach to community health assessment has shifted. The Cortland County Health Department now oversees the Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), and accessing health data online has become more efficient than ever.
Our Future Focus: NYS 2025-30 Prevention Agenda
As we move forward, SVHC remains committed to fostering community dialogue and engagement. Since 2024, we have aligned our efforts with the NYS 2025-30 Prevention Agenda Priority Areas, ensuring our work remains relevant and impactful. Convening stakeholders and community members to discuss pressing local issues continues to be the most effective way to share information, collaborate across sectors, and drive meaningful change.
2026 Community forum
Save the Date! The 2026 Cortland Counts Community Forum will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026 from 9 AM to 3 PM at the Cortland Repertory Theatre Downtown.
Requests for Proposals
We invite you to submit a presentation proposal for the forum. Presenters will have the opportunity to share data, highlight innovative programs, discuss challenges, and offer actionable solutions aligned with these statewide goals. Presentations will be approximately 20 minutes in length with time for questions and answers. Based on the proposals received, there may be additional opportunities to present as part of a panel or through a poster presentation. SVHC will reach out directly to offer these opportunities. Proposals should align with the key priorities of the New York State 2025-20230 Prevention Agenda and be categorized under one of the five domains of the Prevention Agenda: 1) Economic Stability; 2) Social and Community Context; 3) Neighborhood and Built Environment; 4) Health Care Access and Quality; 5) Education Access and Quality.
Proposal deadline: January 16, 2026
Presenters Notified: Feb. 1, 2026
Event Sponsorship
To keep the forum accessible, registration for attendees is free. Seven Valleys Health Coalition is seeking businesses and organizations to be event sponsors to support this vital work and demonstrate commitment to building a healthier community. See the information on Sponsorship Levels and connect with Seven Valleys Health Coalition to become a sponsor.
2025 Community Forum and Presentations
The 2025 Cortland Community Forum was held on March 21st at SUNY Cortland, focusing on the NYS 2025-30 Prevention Agenda Priority Areas.
To view the agenda and download presentations, please see below.
NYS Prevention Agenda 2025-2030 & Cortland County 2025-2030 Community Health Assessment (CHA) & Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Process-
Hinal Patel, MPH, Public Health Fellow III, Cortland County Health Department
Elevate Cortland: Cortland County Strategic Development Plan and the Role of Housing as a Key Focus Area -
Trisha R. Hiemstra, P.E., Director of County Planning, Cortland County Planning Department
Cortland Transit & Centro: Exciting Updates-
Melissa Potter, Cortland County Mobility Manager, Cortland County Planning Department
Bren W Daiss, Senior Director of Service Planning & Special Projects, Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (Centro)
Turning the Tide: Addressing Substance Use in Cortland County-
Patricia Schaap, LMSW , Director of Community Services, Cortland County Department of Mental Health
Angela Romano, Outreach Director, Family & Children’s Counseling Services
Healthy Alliance: Social Care Network Overview-
Bruce Hathaway, Network Growth Consultant, Healthy Alliance
Family Health Network addressing Prevention Agenda Items-
Kim Osborne, BSN, MBA President/Chief Executive Officer
Kate O'Brien Chief Strategy Officer, Family Health Network of Central New York, Inc.
Expanding Access, Empowering Communities: Family Planning in Cortland County-
Felicity Gomer, Director of Public Communications at Family Planning of South Central New York
Postpartum Doula Care in Cortland County-Kate Downes, Program Manager, Seven Valleys Health Coalition
Safe Options Support (SOS): Using Critical Time Intervention-
Amanda Howlett, SOS Team Leader Cortland, Tompkins, Tioga, Catholic Charities of Cortland County
Mentoring Youth Services-
Mindy Gardner, Mentor Director, YWCA Cortland
Housing Panel: Affordability and Accessibility in Cortland County-
Moderator:
Cathy Bischoff, Cortland County Legislator
Panelists:
Alex Mikowski, Executive Director, Access To Independence of Cortland County
Shawna Grinnell, Executive Director, Cortland Housing Assistance Council
Trisha R. Hiemstra P.E., Director of County Planning, Cortland County Planning Department
Cortland County Youth Council-
ReBecca Main, Public Health Programs Manager, Cortland County Youth Bureau Director
Lead Poisoning in Cortland County-
Margaret Broderick, MPH Epidemiology Manager & Suzanne Osterhoudt, RN, BSN Supervising Public Health Nurse, Cortland County Health Department
Homer Central School District Embraces the Community Schools Framework-
Susan Newton Williams, LCSW Family and Community Liaison, Homer Central School District
COMMUNITY FORUM PHOTOS: PAST & PRESENT
ARCHIVED REPORT CARDS
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
In addition to the yearly report cards (see above), the comprehensive report, Cortland Counts: An Assessment of Health and Well-Being in Cortland County, historically was revised and issued every four years. Publication coincided with New York State Department of Health mandates for county-wide Community Health Assessments by the County Health Department and Community Service Plans by Guthrie Cortland Medical Center, both of which are currently updated on a four-year cycle.
2013
2009
2005
Connect with Us
Please connect with Carol Costell Corbin for additional support and assistance with Cortland Counts.
Phone: (607) 756-4198
Email: carol@sevenvalleyshealth.org