The House of the Good Shepherd is proud to announce a strategic affiliation with Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth. The partnership was formed in order to advance the missions and growth of both organizations as they respond to the increasing needs of NYS children and families, now and into the future.

The House and Berkshire will remain as two separate entities with separate operating boards while forming a joint parent company, Stronger Communities NY (SCNY). The parent company structure will combine administrative services and maximize the strategic planning capabilities of both organizations. “The House of the Good Shepherd will continue to serve our local communities, fulfilling the promise our founders made 151 years ago,” stated Brian McKee, CEO of The House of the Good Shepherd.

"Oneida County has a long history of partnering with The House of the Good Shepherd to provide services that help at-risk youth and their families," said Anthony J. Picente, Oneida County Executive. "We're pleased to see this further affirmation of The House's commitment to our region, and to our shared mission of ensuring the physical, emotional, and educational well-being of children and empowering families to overcome the challenges that life can bring."

Recognized as a leader in the child welfare field and non-profit community, The House provided treatment, education and support services to 1,500 children and 525 families last year. “With our organizational values, culture and mission strongly aligned, this partnership with Berkshire is a natural and mutually beneficial step for both organizations,” said McKee. “We are excited about the professional growth opportunities it will create for our employees, as well as the ability to bring a combined voice to advocate for youth and families in need.”

“The progression of this partnership will eventually lead us to a more complete continuum of care for those we serve. Simply put, we will be able to help more children and families, in more and different ways, in a larger portion of our state,” said Brian Parchesky, President and CEO of Berkshire. “Together, we will move towards a more diverse and culturally sensitive array of service options to best reach families and respond to their unique needs.”

Berkshire, a statewide child welfare organization, serves nearly 2,000 children and families daily across 55 counties. The organization is a leading provider of trauma-informed services focusing predominantly on foster care, behavioral health, and family preservation. Berkshire employs a care model utilizing eight evidence-based and informed practices including the Sanctuary Model – a comprehensive approach to developing a trauma-sensitive environment that addresses and resolves psychological and social trauma.

About The House of the Good Shepherd
The House of the Good Shepherd is a one-of-a-kind social service agency at the forefront of creating and implementing solutions to meet the growing needs of vulnerable children and families. Since 1872, the organization's core mission has been to provide care that changes children’s lives. The House provides foster care & prevention, residential, and education services, serving more than 2,000 children and families per year. Learn more at ChangingChildrensLives.com.