2012 Herkimer County Risk Assessment Profile

2012 HERKIMER COUNTY
RISK ASSESSMENT PROFILE
Compiled by:
Herkimer County HealthNet, Inc.
&
Herkimer County Integrated County Planning
Cover Photo by Phyllis Spinner

2012 HERKIMER COUNTY RISK ASSESSMENT PROFILE
Dear Agency Director,
Presented here is a copy of the 2012 Herkimer County Risk Assessment Profile, a data-based
assessment of community strengths and challenges that affect the health and well being of
Herkimer County residents. The data included in the Profile gives us a snapshot of the level of risk
that exists in the community and the areas in which there is a need to work collaboratively to
improve outcomes.
The 2012 Profile was created by Herkimer County Integrated County Planning and Herkimer County
Health Net, Inc., in collaboration with the members of the Comprehensive Assessment Task Force.
It is an update to the previous Risk Assessment Profiles published in 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2009.
The 2012 Profile is organized utilizing the six Life Areas of the New York State Touchstones
model: Community, Citizenship, Physical and Emotional Health, Family, Economic Security, and
Education, and incorporates the New York State Department of Health’s Prevention Agenda’s
Priority Health Areas into the Physical and Emotional Health section of the document.
We hope that the 2012 Risk Assessment Profile provides information that will help your agency
assess the scale and scope of community needs. We also hope that it can be used as a resource as
you plan for services that impact the health and well-being of Herkimer County’s residents.
The 2012 Herkimer County Risk Assessment Profile is available for download in PDF format from
the Herkimer County HealthNet, Inc. website, www.herkimerhealthnet.com and the Herkimer
County website, www.herkimercounty.org.
If you have any questions or comments regarding the 2012 Risk Assessment Profile, please contact
Herkimer County Integrated County Planning or Herkimer County HealthNet, Inc.
Sincerely,
Darlene Haman Adam Hutchinson
Strategic Planning Coordinator Executive Director
Herkimer County Integrated County Planning Herkimer County HealthNet, Inc.
Co-Chair Comprehensive Assessment Task Force Co-Chair Comprehensive Assessment Task Force

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Herkimer County Integrated County Planning and Herkimer County HealthNet, Inc. would
like to acknowledge with appreciation the following individuals, agencies and planning
groups for their contributions to the development of the 2012 Risk Assessment Profile:
 The Herkimer County Legislature and James Wallace, County Administrator, for their
leadership, vision and support of this initiative.
 The Herkimer County Health Net, Inc. Board of Directors & the ICP Human Resource
Planning Team for their vision, leadership and financial support.
 The members of the Comprehensive Assessment Task Force, for contributing their time
collecting, organizing, and interpreting the data collected.
 The individuals, agencies and organizations which provided the data, narrative, and
commentary included in the Profile.
 Thomas Dennison, PhD., and interns Jill Hayes and Sarah Irish of Maxwell School at
Syracuse University, for their work facilitating the six Profile Life Area Focus Groups,
and for compiling and presenting the Risk Factor prioritization results.
 The many focus group participants who volunteered their time to provide valuable
insight into the issues that affect the residents of Herkimer County.
 Matthew Clark, Herkimer County College Corps Program student intern, and Daniel
Adamek, student intern from the Regional Program for Excellence, for their assistance
with producing the document. Additional thanks to Tim Seymour and Linda Patten from
the Herkimer County Department of Social Services for their help securing the interns
for this project.
 Phyllis Spinner and Bart Carrig for the use of their photos of Herkimer County which
are displayed on the cover and throughout the document.
 Mary Scanlon, retired Director of the Herkimer County Office for the Aging, for her
hard work and dedication to this project.
 The New York State Office of Children and Family Services and the Department of
Health - Charles D. Cook Office of Rural Health for their support of this initiative.
Without the support and collaboration of all the individuals and agencies listed above, the
creation of the 2012 Herkimer County Risk Assessment Profile would not have been
possible. Thank You.
i

Herkimer County Comprehensive Assessment Task Force (CATF)
Darlene Haman, Co-Chair
Strategic Planning Coordinator
Adam Hutchinson, Co-Chair
Executive Director
Mark Barbano
Regional Economist
New York State Department of Labor
Chip Bassett
Principal Planner
Herkimer—Oneida Counties Comprehensive Planning
Christopher Farber
Herkimer County Sheriff
Joanne Favat
Director of Services
Herkimer County Department of Social Services
Kathy Fox
Director
Herkimer County Office for the Aging
Gina Giacovelli
Director
Herkimer County Youth Bureau
Sandra Jones
(former) Supervisor, Special Programs for Children
Herkimer County Public Health
Dale Miller
Principal Planner
Herkimer—Oneida Counties Comprehensive Planning
Robin Robinson
Director of Community Investment
United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area
Ed Scudder
Director
Herkimer County Department of Mental Health
Josephine Sohnn
Supervisor
Herkimer County Probation
Carolyn Trimbach
Community Representative
Town of Webb
Mark Vivacqua
Superintendent
Herkimer County BOCES
Karin Zipko
Director
Herkimer County Employment & Training Adm.
ii

The 2009 Herkimer County Risk Assessment Profile is an update to the previous Risk
Assessment Profiles published in 2000, 2003 and 2006. It represents the collaboration
The 2012 Herkimer County Risk Assessment Profile is an update to the previous Risk
Assessment Profiles published in 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2009. The document is the
result of the collaboration between Herkimer County Integrated County Planning (ICP),
Herkimer County HealthNet, Inc. (HCHN) and the various agencies that make up the
Comprehensive Assessment Task Force. The data collected within the Profile gives a
snapshot of the level of risk that exists in Herkimer County and the areas in which there
is a need to work collaboratively to improve outcomes.
The 2012 Profile is organized in accordance with the six Life Areas of the New York
State Touchstones model; Community, Citizenship, Physical and Emotional Health, Family,
Economic Security, and Education. This format was also used in 2006 and 2009, and has
allowed for a more comprehensive look at the needs of Herkimer County residents than
the former structure used in 2000 and 2003. The 2012 Profile also incorporates the New
York State Department of Health’s Prevention Agenda’s Priority Health Areas into the
Physical and Emotional Health section of the document.
Background
HCHN has been in existence since 1990 when the Herkimer County Health Care
Consortium successfully applied for funding from New York State Department of Health
to establish itself as a Rural Health Network. Its membership comprised of
governmental agencies and health and human services providers, has as its mission to
improve the health and well being of Herkimer County residents.
In 1998, Herkimer County developed a collaborative, integrated planning process to
address the needs of children, youth, families and vulnerable adults. This ICP process has
worked to identify issues that affect the health and well-being of youth and families,
improve the coordination of human service delivery, reduce fragmentation and duplication
of effort, and make more efficient and effective use of federal, state, and local tax
dollars.
Input and involvement from the community is a vital component of ICP. Community
members, along with representatives from the areas of health, mental health, human
services, education and law enforcement, began meeting in January of 1999 to
collaboratively identify and respond to the needs of children, youth and families. The
Communities That Care model of risk-focused prevention was adopted as a strategic
planning tool to accomplish this goal.
Since 1999, ICP and HCHN have been working collaboratively to provide a comprehensive
assessment of health and human service needs in Herkimer County. They have co-chaired
iii
Introduction

the Comprehensive Assessment Task Force, whose mission is to assemble a diverse group
of stakeholders in government, health, education, and human services to facilitate
comprehensive long term planning geared to improve the quality of life for the residents
of Herkimer County.
In 2000, data - based predictors were collected and organized into the Communities That
Care format. Focus groups were held with community stakeholders, including youth, to
review data and identify priority needs. Out of the Risk Assessment process in 2000, five
risk factors emerged as priorities for Herkimer County:
In October 2000, the Herkimer County Risk Assessment Profile was published. Herkimer
County departments, service providers and various community groups began to discuss
ways to better support children, youth and families in order to address identified needs.
A Resource Inventory was created to identify gaps in services, and promising approaches
were researched that would reduce risks. Resources were allocated to address the
issues identified, and various grants were pursued to address major service gaps.
In March 2003, ICP again partnered with HCHN to update the data collected within the
original profile. An analysis of the 2003 Herkimer County Risk Assessment Profile
confirmed the need to address the five priority risk factors identified during the 2000
planning process. In addition, other risk factors were identified in 2003 as emerging
areas of concern: the Availability of Drugs, Lack of Commitment to School, and Alienation
and Rebelliousness. Herkimer County planning groups continued to meet to address these
concerns.
In 2006, HCHN and ICP partnered for the third time to create an updated Risk
Assessment Profile. The Touchstones format was used, which expanded the scale and
scope of the document and allowed for a more comprehensive look at the needs of
Herkimer County residents, particularly in the areas of community demographics, physical
and emotional health, the elderly, and children from birth to five. Herkimer County
planning groups utilized the information presented to establish goals and identify
strategies that reduced risks, addressed needs, and improved outcomes in their specific
areas of focus.
In 2009, the Touchstones format was utilized again with slight changes. The NYSDOH,
in partnership with federal, state and local partners, unveiled a new "Public Health
iv
 Extreme Economic
Deprivation
 Family Management
 Family Conflict  Early and Persistent Antisocial Behavior
 Early Initiation of the Problem Behavior

Prevention Agenda for the Healthiest State" in 2009 which identified ten priorities for
improving the health of all New Yorkers and asks communities to work together to
address them.
These ten priorities were used to organize the data in the Physical and Emotional Health
Life Area of the Profile. In addition to this change, a Key Findings and Commentary
section was added at the end of each of the six Life Area sections within the Profile to
provide data highlights, key informant information and focus group summaries.
In 2012, the New York State Public Health Prevention Agenda was updated for the 2013-
2017 period. The updated Prevention Agenda will serve as a guide to local health
departments as they work with their community to develop mandated Community Health
Assessments and to hospitals as they develop mandated Community Service Plans and
Community Health Needs Assessments required by the Affordable Care Act over. Its ten
priority areas were condensed into the following five areas:
In addition to this change in 2012, a series of six Profile Life Area Focus Groups were
held to review the information included in the 2012 Risk Assessment Profile and to
identify priority areas of need. A new section was added to 2012 Risk Assessment Profile
summarizing these Focus Group results.
It is hoped that the 2012 Herkimer County Risk Assessment Profile will be utilized by
Herkimer County departments, service providers and various community groups to
identify strategies that reduce risks, address needs, and improve outcomes in their
specific areas of focus.
v
 Access to Quality Health
Care
 Chronic Disease
 Community Preparedness  Healthy Environment
 Healthy Mothers, Healthy
Babies, Healthy Children
 Infectious Disease
 Mental Health and
Substance Abuse
 Physical Activity and
Nutrition
 Tobacco Use  Unintentional Injury
 Prevent chronic diseases  Promote healthy and safe
environments
 Promote healthy women,
infants and children
 Promote mental health and
prevent substance abuse
 Prevent HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, vaccine-
preventable diseases and healthcare-associated Infections

Community Identified Priorities
A series of six Profile Life Area Focus Groups were held in March 2013 with community
stakeholders to review the data included in the 2012 Herkimer County Risk Assessment
Profile and identify priority needs. These six focus groups were facilitated by Dr. Thomas
Dennison, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Policy at Syracuse University, and
Interns Sarah Irish and Jill Hayes. Out of this process, the following areas listed below
emerged as priorities for Herkimer County.
Priority Areas of Focus Identified by Life Area
I. Community
 Employment Opportunities
~ Limited options
 Transportation
~ Access
 Demographic Profile
~ Elderly population is increasing
 Care-giving
~ Older adult
~ Child (day care)
 Statewide Economic Climate
II. Citizenship
 Programs for at-risk youth in Herkimer County are strong and have been
supported. The outcomes are clear. These programs, with an added emphasis
on literacy, should be nurtured.
 Management of social media among youth should be redirected toward positive
social media and away from negative dimensions such as bullying and sexting
activities.
 Economic conditions and their impact on citizenship issues such as:
DWI
Domestic violence
Adult incarceration
Retention of successful youth
Integrity of the family
vii

viii
III. Physical and Emotional Health
Access to Quality Health Care
 Supply of Health Care Providers
~ Primary Care and Mental Health Care
 Transportation
Prevent Chronic Disease
 Obesity
~ Physical Activity and Nutrition
 Tobacco Use
Promote Healthy and Safe Environments
 Falls in the Elderly
 Lead Exposure
Promote Healthy Women. Infants and Children
 Dental Health
 Unintended Pregnancy
~ Pregnancy and Sexual Activity among Youth
Promote Mental Health and Prevent Substance Abuse
 Access to Mental Health Care Services
 Drug Abuse
Prevent HIV, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and
Healthcare-Associated Infections
 Child Immunization Rates
 Hospital-Acquired Infections
IV. Family
 Domestic Violence
~ Economic well-being and stability
 Homelessness
~ Access to Resources
~ Affordable housing options
 Availability of Services
 Family Wellness
~ Disintegration of the family
~ Parenting skills
 Age Distribution

ix
~ Elderly population
~ Migration of youth
V. Economic Security
 Opportunities
~ Jobs
~ Retention of qualified people in the community
 Transportation
~ Access to healthcare and other vital needs
 Categorical Benefits
~ Need for a continuous safety net of support services that are non-
stigmatized and adequately resourced
 Motivation
~ Promotion of Values
 Stigma Support
~ Support those who have difficulty requesting assistance with no stigma
VI. Education
 Relationship of school, community, family
 Proficiency and performance in school
 School safety
 Bullying
 Pre-school and after-school activities and programs
These priority areas were presented to the ICP Leadership Committee and will be used
by this and other groups to identify strategies that reduce risks, address needs, and
improve outcomes in select areas of focus.

Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................ i
Task Force Members ........................................................................................................... ii
Introduction.......................................................................................................................... iii
Community Identified Priorities ..................................................................................... vii
Life Areas
 Community..........................................................................................................................1
 History & Demographics ............................................................................................................. 1
 Population by Age/Community .................................................................................................12
 Older Adults in the Community.............................................................................................. 23
 Housing......................................................................................................................................... 28
 Religious Affiliation .................................................................................................................. 34
 Transportation ........................................................................................................................... 36
 Employment & Industry ........................................................................................................... 43
 Quality of Life ........................................................................................................................... 52
 Youth Perceptions of the Community.................................................................................... 59
 Youth Development/Employment ........................................................................................... 63
 Availability of Daycare..............................................................................................................71
 Key Findings & Commentary .................................................................................................... 76
 Citizenship......................................................................................................................80
 Voting ........................................................................................................................................... 80
 Engaged & Informed Citizens................................................................................................. 84
 Youth Citizenship....................................................................................................................... 92
 Firearms ...................................................................................................................................... 97
Table of Contents

 Youth Arrests ...........................................................................................................................100
 Adult Arrests & Convictions ..................................................................................................104
 DWI..............................................................................................................................................111
 Probation and Correctional Alternatives............................................................................. 115
 Juvenile Delinquency................................................................................................................123
 Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) ..............................................................................126
 Incarceration ............................................................................................................................130
 Key Findings & Commentary ...................................................................................................134
 Physical & Emotional Health.....................................................................................137
 New York State Prevention Agenda.....................................................................................137
 Access to Healthcare..............................................................................................................139
 Prevent Chronic Disease ........................................................................................................ 151
 Promote a Healthy & Safe Environment .............................................................................183
 Promote Healthy Women, Infants, and Children .............................................................193
 Promote Mental Health and Prevent Substance Abuse .................................................209
 Prevent HIV, STD’s, Vaccine– Preventable Diseases & Healthcare Associated
Infections ................................................................................................................................227
 Key Findings & Commentary .................................................................................................233
 Family............................................................................................................................ 235
 Household Composition...........................................................................................................235
 Family Management.................................................................................................................247
 Family Conflict ..........................................................................................................................261
 Parental Attitudes & Family Norms ....................................................................................273
 Key Findings & Commentary ..................................................................................................278
 Economic Security ..................................................................................................... 282
 Employment & Income ............................................................................................................282
 Poverty (Extreme Economic Deprivation) ..........................................................................293
 Economic Assistance for Basic Needs................................................................................300
 Health Coverage .......................................................................................................................315

 Education ..................................................................................................................... 328
 K-12 Demographics & Environment......................................................................................328
 Attendance & Completion Rates...........................................................................................338
 Academic Proficiency .............................................................................................................343
 Perceptions & Attitudes Towards School..........................................................................357
 Continuing & Adult Education ...............................................................................................362
 Continuing & Adult Education: Community College ...........................................................364
Appendices
Index of Tables & Graphs................................................................................................................374
Human Resource Planning Team of ICP........................................................................................390
Focus Group Participants ..................................................................................................................391
Understanding the U. S. Census American Community Survey ............................................397

Community
History & Demographics
Herkimer County is located in central New York State,
situated northwest of Albany and east of Syracuse. The
northern part of the county is in the Adirondack State Park,
and the Mohawk River flows across the southern part of the
county. Herkimer County is bordered by St. Lawrence County
to the north, Otsego County to the south, Hamilton, Fulton
and Montgomery Counties to the east, and Lewis and Oneida
Counties to the west.
Herkimer County is the longest county in New York State and
has the sixth largest land area (1,412 square miles). Forty-
seven square miles of the county is covered in water (3.23%).
The New York Agricultural Statistics Service estimates that
14% of the land (136,600 acres) is used in farming.
There are nineteen towns, ten villages and one city in Herkimer
County. The city of Little Falls has 4,946 residents and is
ranked 61st
in population out of the 62 cities in New York State.
The majority of the county’s population resides in the towns,
villages and city that surround the Mohawk River, referred to as
the Mohawk Valley Corridor. The county seat is the Village of
Herkimer, which is home to the county’s only community college.
The county is named after General Nicholas Herkimer, who died
from battle wounds in 1777 after taking part in the Battle of
Oriskany.
County History
When counties were established in New York State in 1683,
the present Herkimer County was part of Albany County.
This was an enormous county, including the northern part
of New York State as well as all of the present State of
Vermont and, in theory, extending westward to the
Pacific Ocean. This county was reduced in size on July 3,
1766 by the creation of Cumberland County, and further
on March 16, 1770 by the creation of Gloucester County,
both containing territory now in Vermont.
WHERE WE STAND
1

On March 12, 1772, what was left of Albany County was split into three parts, one remaining
under the name Albany County. One of the other pieces, Tryon County, contained the western
portion (and thus, since no western boundary was specified, theoretically still extended west to
the Pacific). The eastern boundary of Tryon County was approximately five miles west of the
present city of Schenectady, and the county included the western part of the Adirondack
Mountains and the area west of the West Branch of the Delaware River. The area then
designated as Tryon County now includes 37 counties of New York State. The county was named
for William Tryon, colonial governor of New York.
In the years prior to 1776, most of the Loyalists in Tryon County fled to Canada. General
Nicholas Herkimer’s force of 800 Palatines succeeded in holding off an attack of British and
Indians at Fort Stanwix in 1777, thereby protecting the Mohawk Valley. Fort Herkimer and
Fort Dayton provided protection for the settlers who were able to maintain their prosperous
farms at the end of the hostilities.
In 1784, following the peace treaty that ended the American Revolutionary War, the name of
Tryon County was changed to Montgomery County to honor the general, Richard Montgomery,
who had captured several places in Canada and died attempting to capture the city of Quebec,
replacing the name of the hated British governor.
In 1789, the size of Montgomery County was reduced by the splitting off of Ontario County
from Montgomery. The actual area split off from Montgomery County was much larger than the
present county, also including the present Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee,
Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Steuben, Wyoming, Yates, and part of Schuyler and Wayne
Counties.
In 1791, Herkimer County was one of three counties split off from Montgomery (the other two
being Otsego and Tioga Counties). This was much larger than the present county, however, and
was reduced by a number of subsequent splits. These splits helped to form Onondaga, Oneida,
Chenango and St. Lawrence Counties.
Herkimer County assumed its present form in 1817. Herkimer County now extends from the
Adirondacks to the Mohawk Valley. The vast forests to the north provide wood products and
recreational opportunities in the Adirondack Park, while the southern valleys are favorable for
agriculture and dairying.
As westward expansion provided access to land more suitable for growing wheat, Herkimer
County farmers realized that dairying would be a more profitable use of their land. The lack of
a mass market for milk led to the production of cheese. By the 1850s, Little Falls was the
location of a world famous cheese market. Later the railroads gave access to the downstate
market for milk, and the cheese industry began to decline.
2
Community

Salisbury Center Covered Bridge
The Erie Canal caused the development of large valley villages and provided a means to transport
goods east and west. The oldest Herkimer County industry, Remington Arms, still plays a major
role in the county’s economy. During the last 200 years, many products were produced in
Herkimer County including rifles, typewriters, farm equipment, furniture, textiles, shoes, data
recorders, bicycles, nutcrackers, paper, and dairying equipment. Immigrants from Ireland and
later from eastern and southern Europe arrived to work in local industries and agriculture,
providing a diversity of culture. (source: Herkimer County Historical Society)
Herkimer County’s rich history dates back hundreds of years. Many landmarks in Herkimer
County have been included in the National Register of Historic Places. A complete listing (as of
2011) is included below.
National Register of Historic Places — Listing For Herkimer County (2011)
• Village of Cold Brook—Cold Brook Feed Mill
• Town of Danube—Herkimer Home
• Town of Danube—Indian Castle Church
• Town of Danube—Mohawk Upper Castle Archeological District
• Town of Danube—Zoller-Frasier Round Barn (torn down)
• Village of Dolgeville—Alfred Dolge Hose Company No. 1
• Village of Dolgeville—Breckwoldt-Ward House
• Village of Dolgeville—Menge House Complex
• Village of Dolgeville—Dolge Company Factory Complex
• Village of Dolgeville—Post Office
• Town of Fairfield—Trinity Episcopal Church
• Town of Fairfield—Lalino Stone Arch Bridge (Route 29)
• Town of Fairfield—Old City Stone Arch Bridge
• Town of Frankfort—Balloon Farm
• Town of Frankfort—Frankfort Town Hall
• Town of Frankfort—Remington House
• Village of Frankfort—Post Office
• Town of German Flatts—Fort Herkimer Church
• Village of Herkimer—Herkimer County Court House
• Village of Herkimer—Herkimer County Historical Society
• Village of Herkimer—Herkimer County 1834 Jail
• Village of Herkimer—The Reformed Church of Herkimer
• Village of Herkimer—Post Office
• Town of Herkimer—Palatine German Frame House
• Village of Ilion—Remington Stables
• Village of Ilion—First United Methodist Church
• Village of Ilion—Thomas Richardson House
• Village of Ilion—Post Office
3
Community

Herkimer County Court House
• City of Little Falls—Herkimer County
Trust Company Building (Little Falls
Historical Society)
• City of Little Falls—Post Office
• Town of Manheim—Snells Bush Church
and Cemetery
• Village of Newport—Benjamin Bowen
House
• Village of Newport—Newport Stone
Arch Bridge
• Village of Newport—Yale-Cady
Octagon House and Yale Lock Factory
Site
• Village of Newport—Masonic Temple—
Newport Lodge No 445 F. & A.M.
• Town of Norway—Norway Baptist
Church
• Town of Russia—Russia Corners
Historic District
• Town of Salisbury—Salisbury Center
Covered Bridge
• Town of Salisbury—Salisbury Center
Grange Hall
• Town of Salisbury—Augustus Frisbie House
• Town of Warren—Jordanville Public Library
• Town of Warren—Church of the Good Shepherd
• Town of Warren—Sunset Hill
• Town of Webb—Covewood Lodge
• Town of Webb—Goodsell Memorial Home (Town of Webb Historical Association)
Source: Herkimer County Historical Society (County History & National Register)
Population and Demographics
The table on the following page depicts Herkimer County demographics from both the 2000 and
2010 U.S. Census.
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, there were 64,519 people living in Herkimer County, an
increase of approximately 0.1%, or 92 residents, since 2000. This population ranked 40th
out of
the 62 counties in New York State. The percentage of males and females in the population have
remained relatively consistent during this time period. There has also been a slight increase in
the median age between 2000 and 2010.
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Community

Age
As illustrated in the chart below, the population of Herkimer County tends to be slightly older
than that of New York State and the United States.
Race and Ancestry
Herkimer County is less diverse when compared with NYS and the U.S. in the categories of race
and ancestral heritage.
5
Table 1Herkimer County Demographics: 2000 & 2010 Census
Table 2Herkimer County, NYS and US by Age: 2010 Census
Herkimer County NYS US
Population 64,519 19,370,102 308,745,538
Median Age 42.1 years 38.0 years 37.2 years
Under Age 5 5.6% 6.0% 6.5%
5 to 19 years 20.0% 19.4% 20.4%
20 to 34 years 16.1% 21.0% 20.3%
35 to 54 years 27.7% 28.4% 27.9%
55 to 74 years 22.4% 18.9% 18.8%
75 and above 8.2% 6.5% 6.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census Summary File 1, Tables P12 & P13
2000 U.S. Census Percent 2010 U.S. Census Percent
Population 64,427 100% 64,519 100%
Male 31,248 48.5% 31,579 48.9%
Female 33,179 51.5% 32,940 51.1%
Median Age 39 — 41.2 —
Total Households 25,734 100% 26,324 100%
Average Household Size 2.46 — 2.40 —
Family Households 17,101 66.5% 16,871 64.1%
Average Family Size 2.99 — 2.95 —
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 & 2010 Census
Community

Income and Poverty
The median incomes for Herkimer County are decreasing, and incomes remain lower in the county
than in NYS and the U.S. The percentage of individuals who make over $100,000 per year has
nearly tripled since 2000 (from 3.7% to 10.4%), but this percentage continues to be much lower
than the state and US percentages in the same time period.
6
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 & 2010 Censuses and 2008–2010 American Community Survey—all tables this page
Table 3Herkimer County, NYS and US by Race and Ancestry
Population 64,519 19,370,102 308,745,538
White 96.6% 65.7% 72.4%
Black or African American 1.1% 15.9% 12.6%
Asian 0.5% 7.3% 4.8%
Some Other Race 0.6% 8.1% 7.3%
Two Races 1.2% 3.0% 2.9%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.6% 17.6 16.3%
Ancestry Top 5 in HC
Irish 13.9% 8.7% 7.2%
Italian 13.8% 11.5% 4.4%
German 13.3% 6.8% 11.2%
English 8.1% 3.6% 5.9%
Polish 5.7% 3.5% 2.1%
Herkimer County New York State United States
2000* 2008–2010 2000* 2008–2010 2000* 2008–2010
Median H.H. Income $43,092 $42,318 $56,795 $55,603 $54,964 $51,914
Per Capita Income $21,126 $21,908 $30,613 $30,948 $28,254 $27,334
<$10,000 11.4% 7.7% 11.5% 8.1% 9.5% 7.2%
<$25,000 38.2% 28.3% 29.6% 23.4% 28.6% 23.5%
$100,000+ 3.7% 10.4% 15.3% 13.2% 12.3% 20.9%
Table 4Herkimer County, NYS and US by Income
* 2000 incomes have been adjusted for inflation.
Community

According to the 2008–2010 American Community Survey, the percentage of families and
individuals in poverty in Herkimer County are relatively similar to the percentages recorded for
both NYS and the U.S.
Households and Families
According to the 2008–2010 American Community Survey, there are 26,478 households and
17,365 families in Herkimer County. 30.9% of all families include children below the age of 18.
7
Table 5Percent of Persons Living Below Poverty: Herkimer County, NYS, US
1990 2000
HC
2008–2010
NYS
2008–2010
US
2008–2010
Families 8.7% 8.9% 10.3% 11.0% 10.5%
Individuals 13.1% 12.5% 14.6% 14.4% 14.4%
Children (<18) 16.8% 16.1% 21.2% 20.3% 20.1%
Adults (18–64) 14.8% 11.7% 12.9% 13.0% 13.1%
Seniors (65+) 13.9% 10.4% 11.9% 11.4% 9.4%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1990 & 2000 Censuses and 2008–2010 American Community Survey
2000 2008–2010
Population 64,427 64,519
Households 25,734 26,478
Average Household Size 2.46 2.38
Families 17,101 17,365
Average Family Size 2.99 2.93
Households With Children <18 32.8% 30.9%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census and 2008–2010 American Community Survey
Table 6Herkimer County Households and Families
Community

Number of Farms and Acreage Used in Farming, Herkimer County
Agriculture and Farming
Herkimer County is rich in scenic beauty and historical roots that are closely tied to agriculture.
Historical perspective: Throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, farming was the
primary livelihood of the majority of the county’s residents and thus a major force in its
economic life. In the eighteenth century, 90 percent were farmers; by 1900, 30 percent were
employed in agriculture or agriculture-related industries. In 1991, less than 2 percent of the
population of the county worked at farming.
Herkimer County dairy farms numbered 1,433 in 1941 with 36,800 cows (an average of 26 cows
per farm) and in 1991 fell to 378 dairy farms, with 23,000 cows (average 61 cows). In 1960,
1,100 producers were shipping over 260 million pounds of milk a year (about 30.5 million gallons).
By 1990, despite far fewer farms, production was still over 400 million pounds of milk a year,
maintaining Herkimer County’s long standing place among the top dozen dairy counties in New
York milkshed. In that year, Herkimer County’s agricultural production totaled more than
$55 million. (Source: “Herkimer County at 200” published by the Herkimer County Historical
Society 1992)
Present Day: Farming is an important aspect of the economy, culture, and way of life in
Herkimer County. According to the 2010 New York State Agricultural Statistics, there were
675 farms and 136,600 farmed acres in Herkimer County, accounting for 14% of the total land
area in the county. Dairy farming is the dominant agricultural activity in Herkimer County. The
1997 Census of Agriculture reported a total of 583 farms of which 46%,or 267 farms, involved
dairy cattle and milk production.
Farming activities are located almost exclusively within the southern portion of the county
outside of the Adirondack Park. It is important to note that a significant portion of the county
is located within the Adirondack Park (555,690 out of 931,923 total acres) where the majority
of the land is forested with little agricultural activity. Approximately 41% of the total acreage
of all lands south of the Adirondack Park is farmland.
Information from the NYS Agricultural Statistics suggests that there has been a decrease in
the number of farms and land used in farming in Herkimer County between 2000 and 2010.8
Source: 2000 and 2010 NYS Agricultural Statistics
2000 2002 2010
Number of Farms 710 690 675
Land in Farms 154,200 acres 159,258 acres 136,600 acres
Average Size of Farm 217 acres 231 acres 243 acres
Table 7
Community

The number of dairy farms
in Herkimer County as of
2007 was 187 with the
value of milk and other
dairy products for 2007 at
$47,597,000.
In 2007, the market value
of Herkimer County
agricultural products sold
was $62,141,000. Total
farm production expenses
were approximately
$48,385,000, and net farm
income was an average of
$25,224 per farm. The
chart to the left
illustrates the top
livestock and the value of
sales in 2007.
Challenges Facing Herkimer County Dairy Farmers and Trends for 2013
While stress has always been part of farm family life, the depressed economy, cost of producing
milk for dairy farmers, and the resulting increased stress on family members is placing demands
on area farmers. Call volume at New York State FarmNet, a program that provides support to
farming families, continues at high levels with over 6,000 contacts each year. More men are
calling for help from family consultants at FarmNet; where, in the past, more women called for
this support. Divorce rates are also increasing in the farm community. And with the challenging
weather conditions during the summer of 2012, many farmers had lower harvests, so meeting
forage needs this winter will be a major concern.
Government Structure and Legislative Districts
Herkimer County has 17 legislative districts. The Chairman of the Legislature is the Chief
Elected Officer in Herkimer County. Herkimer County is one of nineteen Charter counties in
New York State, and is one of twenty-two counties in New York State that employs a County
Administrator. The Herkimer County Administrator is appointed by, and is responsible to, the
Legislature and handles all the administrative operations of the county.
Portions of Herkimer County are included in the 49th
and 51st
Districts of the New York State
Senate and the 101st
,117th
, and 118th
Districts of the New York State Assembly. At the federal
level, sections of the county are included in the 21st
and 22nd
Congressional Districts of the U.S.
House of Representatives.
9
Top Livestock and Value of Sales, Herkimer County
Source: 2007 Census of Agriculture County Profile
2007 Quantity State Rank
Top Livestock (number)
Cattle and Calves 29,162 23
Pigeons or Squab 7,009 2
Layers 4,995 25
Colonies of Bees 4,449 2
Top Value of Sales by Commodity Group ($)
Milk and Other Dairy 47,597,000 20
Crops and Hay 3,065,000 22
Vegetables, melons, potatoes and sweet
potatoes
2,213,000 30
Grains, Oil Seeds, Dried Beans and Peas 1,558,000 35
Nursery, Greenhouse and Sod 536,000 48
Table 8
Community

Expenditures Per Capita
The table below illustrates the expenditures and debt per capita for Herkimer County, with
benchmark comparisons to upstate small counties, the Mohawk Valley region, and New York
State (minus NYC).
Herkimer County spent approximately $559 less per capita than the average upstate small
county in 2010. Expenditures for public safety and contributions to employee benefits were
ranked among the lowest in the Mohawk Valley region and in New York State. Debt, taxes per
capita and government expenditures were also lower in Herkimer County than in comparable
counties.
10
Source: Office of State Comptroller, with further calculations by the Public Policy Institute, research affiliate of The Business Council
of New York State, and the Empire Center for New York State Policy
Herkimer
County
Upstate Small
County
Average
Upstate County
Rank
(out of 50)
Mohawk Valley
Region Rank
(out of 6)
NYS Rank
(minus NYC
57 Counties)
2007 2010 2007 2010 2007 2010 2007 2010 2007 2010
Total Expenditures
Per Capita
$1,535 $1,695 $1,961 $2,254 45 43 6 6 50 53
Effective Property
Tax rate
0.60% 0.51% 0.75% 0.68% 33 36 5 5 33 36
Debt Per Capita $134 $132 $409 $484 40 43 3 3 47 50
Taxes Per Capita $841 $862 $908 $930 32 31 4 4 38 38
Total Revenues Per
Capita
$1,563 $1,505 $1,958 $2,048 43 47 5 6 48 53
General Government
Per Capita
$248 $237 $306 $325 37 41 6 6 43 46
Education Per Capita $138 $84 $71 $72 2 21 1 2 5 26
Public Safety Per
Capita
$109 $97 $162 $172 49 48 6 6 56 55
Social Services Per
Capita
$505 $460 $491 $500 27 31 3 4 28 33
Economic Development
Per Capita
$15 $23 $21 $20 20 17 3 3 22 19
Culture and
Recreation Per Capita
$12 $12 $12 $13 20 21 1 3 26 27
Employee Benefits Per
Capita
$134 $160 $264 $320 46 45 5 5 53 52
Table 9
Herkimer County Benchmarks: 2007 & 2010 Expenditures, Tax Rates and Debt Per Capita
Community

DATA SOURCES
In 2007, Herkimer County’s expenditures for education (instruction, pupil services,
transportation and the community college) were almost twice the average expenditure of similar
counties, and ranked #1 in the Mohawk Valley region, #2 for all upstate counties, and #5 in New
York State (excluding NYC). Since then, expenditures have fallen towards the average: the
county’s rank among other upstate counties has fallen to #21, and its rank among the rest of
New York State (excluding NYC) has fallen to #26. Since 2007, Herkimer County’s ranking in
Public Safety per Capita, Economic Development per Capita, and Employee Benefits per Capita
have slightly increased; however, between 2009 and 2010 a majority of rankings have declined.
2007 Census of Agriculture Herkimer County Profile
Empire Center for New York State Policy
http://seethroughny.net/benchmarking-ny/#/single?id=210100000000&date=2010
Herkimer County Historical Society: “Herkimer County at 200”
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyhchs/history.html
http://legislators.com/congressorg/officials/locality/?entity_id=2620&state=NY
Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency
http://mvcaa.com/userfiles/images/hc%20map.jpg
National Association of Counties
http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=/cffiles/counties/
state.cfm&statecode=ny
New York Agricultural Statistics Service
New York State Association of Counties
http://www.nysac.org/pdf/countygovernmentorganization.pdf
New York State Office of Comptroller
NYS Dairy Statistics 2008 Annual Summary from NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services
http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/
“Stress Among Farmers” article for “Farming …the Journal of Northeast Agriculture”,
December 2009 issue.
Public Policy Institute
U.S. Census Bureau
11
Community

The place where a family resides can impact activities of daily living, including children and
families accessing health services and day care, youth engaging in activities, adults commuting to
work and shopping venues, and seniors accessing valuable supports and services.
Understanding population trends can help communities plan for needed services and supports for
their residents.
Population Trends
Herkimer County has seen a slight increase in population between 1950 and 2010. The overall
population in Herkimer County has risen by 3,112 people, or 5.1%, over the last six decades.
Between 1950 and 1970, the population in Herkimer County increased by over
6,200 people (10%).This was followed by a 3,100 persons decline (5%) between 1970 and 2010.
The median age of Herkimer County residents has changed considerably over the last 50 years.
This change has not, however, simply been one of a stagnantly aging population. As a matter of
fact, the median age of the population actually declined for a period of twenty years, from 1950
to 1970. During those 20 years, the median age dropped from 33.6 in 1950 to 31.1 in 1970.
After 1970, the median age began to climb, rising to the 2010 level of 42.1 years.
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT
WHERE WE STAND
12
61,407
66,370
67,633
66,714
65,797
64,427 64,519
56,000
58,000
60,000
62,000
64,000
66,000
68,000
70,000
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Herkimer County Population
1950–2010
Graph 1
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1950–2010 Censuses
Community
Population by Age/Community

Source: Herkimer-Oneida Counties Comprehensive Planning Program
The median age of females in Herkimer County has been consistently higher than that of males
between 1960 and 2010.
The advance of the “baby boomers” among age cohorts has clearly led to an aging population
within Herkimer County. With the current median age at 42.1 years, the baby boomer population
has made its transition from young adulthood to middle age felt.
Year
Median Age
Male
Median Age
Female
Median Age
All
1950 — — 33.6
1960 32.1 34.0 33.0
1970 29.1 33.3 31.1
1980 30.5 33.9 32.2
1990 33.9 36.7 35.3
2000 37.7 40.2 39.0
2010 41.1 43.1 42.1
Table 10Median Age of Males & Females (1950–2010)
13
33.6 33.0
31.1 32.2
35.3
39.0
42.1
0
10
20
30
40
50
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Herkimer County Median Age
1950–2010
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census
Graph 2
Community

More than half (57.7%) of the
county’s population is between
the age of 20 and 64. In
addition, almost one in six
county residents (16.8%) are
age 65 or older. About one out
of every five people (19.9%) in
Herkimer County is between
ages 5 and 19. The county’s
youngest cohort, those age 5
and under, makes up 5.6% of
the total population.
The growth of the county’s
elderly population (those age
65 and older) has increased
significantly since 1950. While about 7,000 persons were in this category at the midway point
of the last century, by its end this age group had grown to about 11,000 persons, an increase of
nearly 60%.
In contrast, the population of children under the age of five has decreased from 6,268 in 1950
to 3,592 in 2010, a decline of 42.7%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census Summary File 2, Table PCT3
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Under 5 6,268 6,947 5,686 4,583 4,502 3,591 3,592
65 Plus 6,839 8,383 8,440 9,265 11,069 10,844 10,856
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
Trends Among Selected Age Groups
1950–2010
14
Graph 4
Under 5,
5.6% 5 to 19,
19.9%
20 to 64,
57.7%
65 and over,
16.8%
Herkimer County Population by Age
Graph 3
Community

Table 11Herkimer County Births By Municipality 2002 to 2010
Between 2002 and 2010, approximately 6,100 children were born in Herkimer County. The city
of Little Falls and the towns of Newport and German Flatts (includes the village of Ilion) have
experienced an increase in births during this time period. Conversely, the town of Schuyler has
seen the greatest decline in the number of births recorded. The live birth rate (the number of
pregnancies continued to live births) has actually increased during this timeframe.
While Herkimer County’s birth rate is slightly below that of the rest of Upstate New York, out
of wedlock births are above New York State rates. In 2010, 51% of all births in Herkimer Coun-
ty were to unmarried mothers.
Source: NYS Department of Health, Vital Statistics of NYS 2010, Table 55
15
City 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Little Falls 53 65 63 65 69 70 65 57 55
Town 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Columbia 15 22 19 20 18 17 19 8 17
Danube 10 9 13 12 2 9 8 16 7
Fairfield 13 19 20 21 19 21 18 17 13
Frankfort 74 70 87 65 62 76 62 62 65
German Flatts 140 170 158 147 158 170 147 170 162
Herkimer 109 113 113 114 91 115 97 110 106
Litchfield 13 15 20 16 17 21 16 13 15
Little Falls 17 13 7 12 14 14 14 12 9
Manheim 38 32 36 26 37 40 35 41 29
Newport 14 25 18 24 24 30 24 28 23
Norway 7 7 10 6 12 8 8 3 9
Ohio 16 12 11 6 6 6 10 4 7
Russia 33 19 29 27 21 28 27 23 23
Salisbury 30 31 20 26 23 20 24 17 15
Schuyler 50 32 32 21 30 21 32 36 22
Stark 10 7 7 6 8 10 6 6 17
Warren 8 11 13 14 12 8 9 17 8
Webb 18 9 14 12 11 10 6 12 10
Winfield 19 33 24 31 17 17 19 19 23
Towns Total 634 649 651 606 582 641 581 614 580
County Total 687 714 714 671 651 711 646 671 635
Community

Source: NYS Department of Health, Vital Statistics of NYS, Table 7
Table 13Live Births in Herkimer County by Mother’s Age 2000–2010
Table 12
16
Village 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Cold Brook 5 3 4 2 2 4 4 5 2
Dolgeville 27 21 23 16 25 32 24 25 18
Frankfort 31 25 38 28 27 32 28 27 26
Herkimer 84 95 94 89 78 101 81 87 91
Ilion 89 117 108 104 109 119 106 109 114
Middleville 0 8 2 5 0 8 6 9 5
Mohawk 25 28 30 25 31 35 25 40 30
Newport 4 6 3 6 6 8 9 6 9
Poland 6 5 7 8 3 12 7 7 9
West
Winfield
2 10 14 12 5 10 8 8 11
Source: NYS Department of Health, Vital Statistics of NYS 2010, Table 55
Herkimer County Births By Village 2002 to 2010
The table below illustrates the number of live births in Herkimer County by mother’s age
between 2000 and 2010. The number of births to teen mothers ages 15–17 have decreased by
67% during this timeframe, and births to mothers ages 18–19 have been reduced by 42%. Births
to mothers over age 30 have also decreased, from 297 births in 2000 to 218 births in 2010, a
decline of almost 27%.
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
<15 2 2 1 1 2 2 0 2 0 0 0
15–17 46 17 26 32 22 12 13 16 20 23 15
18–19 83 45 44 54 70 43 40 44 34 50 48
20–24 202 219 189 204 198 196 197 192 188 177 171
25–29 218 185 187 200 194 194 204 219 176 200 183
30–34 173 143 155 132 128 127 132 148 148 144 143
35–39 102 48 66 61 62 71 51 73 63 61 60
40–44 21 11 13 17 20 26 14 17 15 14 14
45+ 1 2 0 1 2 1 0 0 2 2 0
NS 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Community

Graph 5
17
Out of Wedlock Births v. Births to Wedded Mothers
Herkimer County has a high ratio of unwed women giving birth as a component of total live births
in the county each year. In 2010, 51% of all births in Herkimer County were to unmarried
mothers. This exceeded the 42% New York State and 39% Rest of State rates for that year.
Households headed by single mothers, on average, have a lower median household income than
either male headed households or household with two parents. (Please refer to the “Economic
Security” section of this document for additional information)
The Decline of Herkimer County Post-College and Early Employment Cohorts
This drain on the area’s young people appears to be something that has been going on for at least
the last 30 years and is of great concern to Herkimer County families and communities.
In the chart on the next page, six age cohorts are shown as they existed in one census, and then
re-examined at the time of the following census. These cohorts include:
• Cohort A—youth age 10 to 14 in 1980, who would be ages 20 to 24 in the 1990 census
• Cohort B—youth age 15 to 19 in 1980, who would be ages 25 to 29 in the 1990 census
• Cohort C—youth age 10 to 14 in 1990, who would be ages 20 to 24 in the 2000 census
• Cohort D—youth age 15 to 19 in 1990, who would be ages 25 to 29 in the 2000 census
• Cohort E—youth age 10 to 14 in 2000, who would be ages 20 to 24 in the 2010 census
• Cohort F—youth age 15 to 19 in 2000, who would be ages 25 to 29 in the 2010 census
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Out of Wedlock Births 303 257 295 294 287 313 324
Births to Wedded Mothers 395 415 356 417 359 358 311
57%
62%
55% 59% 56% 53%
49%
43%
38%
45% 41% 44% 47%
51%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Community

The Decline of Herkimer County Post-College and Early Employment Cohorts:
A Comparison of Cohort Changes Between Censuses (1980–90, 1990–2000 and 2000–10)
In each case, the cohorts experienced considerable losses over each 10 year period. These
losses are higher than for other cohorts found in either of the censuses. As Cohort A aged
between 1980 and 1990, their number shrank by more than a quarter (28%). During the same
time period, Cohort B (youth aged 15 to 19 in 1980) also lost 28% of their members. What this
suggests is that as young people age 10 to 19 grew older through the decade of the 1980s, many
chose to leave the area. By the time they reached the ages of 20 to 29, which represents
primarily post-college and early employment ages, these two cohorts were only three quarters
the size they had been in 1980.
This same pattern holds true in the 1990s for Herkimer County youth as well. As youth 10 to 14
years old (Cohort C) and 15 to 19 years old (Cohort D) aged through the period from 1990 to
2000, they appear to have left the area in large numbers. Between 1990 and 2000, Cohort C
lost more than a quarter of its members, dropping by 26%. The area lost almost 30% of Cohort
D’s members as they aged and the decade came to a close.
When reviewing the Cohort data for 2000 (Cohorts E and F), the same trend continues with
population losses recorded between 2000 and 2010 of approximately 25% within each age range.
The data shows remarkable consistency in the county’s loss of its post-college and early
employment populations as they entered their twenties from 1980 through the year 2010.
18
Age10to14in1980
Age15to19in1980
Age20to24in1990
Age25to29in1990
Age10to14in1990
Age15to19in1990
Age20to24in2000
Age25to29in2000
Age10to14in2000
Age15to19in2000
Age20to24in2010
Age25to29in2010
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
Cohort A Cohort B Cohort C Cohort D Cohort E Cohort F
Graph 6
Community

Population by Municipality
There are 19 towns, 10 villages and one city that lie within Herkimer County’s borders. The
chart below illustrates the percentage of Herkimer County residents that live in these various
areas. One-half of all residents that
live in Herkimer County reside in
towns. The remaining half resides in
villages (41%) and in the City of Little
Falls (8%). Approximately 56% of the
total population resides along the
valley corridor in the Town of German
Flatts (which includes the villages of
Ilion and Mohawk), the Town of
Herkimer (which includes the village of
Herkimer), the Town of Frankfort
(which includes the village of
Frankfort), and the City of Little Falls.
Herkimer County Age and Municipality Data Census 2000 & 2010
TOWNS
and CITY
5 and
under 6 to 18 19 to 64
65 and
over
2010
TOTAL
2000
TOTAL
% Change
2000–2010
Columbia 86 271 997 226 1,580 1,604 -1.5%
Danube 55 185 649 150 1,039 1,104 -5.9%
Fairfield 93 300 998 236 1,627 1,643 -1.0%
Frankfort 359 1365 4672 1,240 7,636 7,478 2.1%
German Flatts 824 2,264 8,039 2,131 13,258 13,657 -2.9%
Herkimer 554 1,322 6,265 2,034 10,175 9,944 2.3%
Litchfield 94 260 970 189 1,513 1,436 5.4%
Little Falls City 309 812 2,927 898 4,946 5,160 -4.1%
Little Falls 77 288 972 250 1,587 1,541 3.0%
Manheim 215 599 1,980 540 3,334 3,170 5.2%
Newport 135 445 1,398 324 2,302 2,198 4.7%
Norway 41 135 489 97 762 669 13.9%
Ohio 40 160 666 136 1,002 911 10.0%
Russia 155 427 1,607 398 2,587 2,473 4.6%
Salisbury 111 388 1,211 248 1,958 1,954 0.2%
Schuyler 157 524 2,086 653 3,420 3,403 0.5%
Stark 55 131 459 112 757 764 -0.9%
Warren 61 214 683 185 1,143 1,175 -2.7%
Webb 50 220 1,100 437 1,807 1,937 -6.7%
Winfield 121 396 1,197 372 2,086 2,206 -5.4%
TOTAL 3,592 10,706 39,365 10,856 64,519 64,427 0.1%
Table 14
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census
19
City, 8%
Village, 41%
Town (minus
village
residents),
51%
Place of Residence:
Herkimer County, 2010 Graph 7
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 & 2010 Censuses
Community

Racial Composition by Municipality
The table below depicts the racial composition of Herkimer County as recorded in the 2000 and
2010 U.S. Census.
According to the 2010 Census, 96.6% of Herkimer County residents are white. Herkimer County
has seen an increase in racial diversity in its population between 2000 and 2010, however, with
an increase in residents reporting that they are Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino,
or multiple races. The communities along the valley corridor are the most racially diverse.
20
Table 15
Race
Total Single White
Black or African
American Other Multiple Hispanic or
Population Race (only) (only) (only) Race Latino
2000 2010 2000 2010 2000 2010 2000 2010 2000 2010 2000 2010 2000 2010
Herkimer County 64,427 64,519 63,886 63,740 63,031 62,320 329 700 526 720 541 779 580 1,040
CITIES
Little Falls 5,188 4,946 5,138 4,865 5,073 4,788 15 31 50 46 50 81 28 71
TOWNS (Include village populations)
Columbia 1,630 1,580 1,618 1,557 1,606 1,533 1 9 12 15 12 23 6 21
Danube 1,098 1,039 1,088 1,032 1,064 1,023 9 1 10 8 10 7 10 5
Fairfield 1,607 1,627 1,591 1,611 1,582 1,599 6 7 16 5 16 16 4 15
Frankfort 7,478 7,636 7,392 7,533 7,323 7,418 37 52 86 63 86 103 76 100
German Flatts 13,629 13,258 13,487 13,066 13,339 12,757 80 158 142 151 142 192 196 267
Herkimer 9,962 10,175 9,906 10,038 9,646 9,480 97 360 56 198 56 137 117 279
Litchfield 1,453 1,513 1,446 1,497 1,433 1,485 1 6 7 6 7 16 9 17
Little Falls 1,544 1,587 1,538 1,572 1,521 1,548 4 7 6 17 6 15 4 14
Manheim 3,171 3,334 3,144 3,313 3,103 3,249 11 13 27 51 27 21 22 38
Newport 2,192 2,302 2,180 2,271 2,165 2,249 9 13 12 9 12 31 18 18
Norway 711 762 705 762 704 757 0 1 6 4 6 0 3 15
Ohio 922 1,002 918 997 894 980 5 2 4 15 4 5 5 7
Russia 2,487 2,587 2,474 2,569 2,431 2,546 8 2 13 21 13 18 11 26
Salisbury 1,953 1,958 1,935 1,942 1,921 1,917 3 4 18 21 18 16 3 37
Schuyler 3,385 3,420 3,356 3,393 3,316 3,346 17 14 29 33 29 27 21 48
Stark 767 757 766 753 760 731 3 6 1 16 1 4 2 12
Warren 1,136 1,143 1,118 1,128 1,103 1,119 7 4 18 5 18 15 15 3
Webb 1,912 1,807 1,899 1,785 1,873 1,764 13 9 13 12 13 22 17 20
Winfield 2,202 2,086 2,187 2,056 2,174 2,031 3 1 15 24 15 30 13 27
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 1, Tables P7 & P8
U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census Summary File 1, Tables P5 & P8
Municipalities by Race, 2000 & 2010 Census
Community

Population Changes by Municipality
Herkimer County has seen an overall population increase of 0.1% between 2000 and 2010. The
chart below depicts the population changes within each municipality during this time period.
Herkimer County Population Changes (2000–2010)
Table 16
21
NAME 2000 2010 % CHG # CHG
Herkimer County 64,427 64,519 0.14% 92
CITIES
Little Falls 5,188 4,946 -4.66% -242
TOWNS
Columbia 1,630 1,580 -3.07% -50
Danube 1,098 1,039 -5.47% -59
Fairfield 1,607 1,627 1.24% 20
Frankfort 7,478 7,636 2.11% 158
German Flatts 13,629 13,258 -2.72% -371
Herkimer 9,962 10,175 2.14% 213
Litchfield 1,453 1,513 4.13% 60
Little Falls 1,544 1,587 2.78% 43
Manheim 3,171 3,334 5.14% 163
Newport 2,192 2,302 5.02% 110
Norway 711 762 7.17% 51
Ohio 922 1,002 8.68% 80
Russia 2,487 2,587 4.02% 100
Salisbury 1,953 1,958 0.26% 5
Schuyler 3,385 3,420 1.03% 35
Stark 767 757 1.30% -10
Warren 1,136 1,143 0.62% 7
Webb 1,912 1,807 -5.49% -105
Winfield 2,202 2,086 -5.27% -116
VILLAGES
Cold Brook 336 329 -2.08% -7
Dolgeville* 2,066 2,206 6.78% 140
Frankfort 2,537 2,598 2.40% 61
Herkimer 7,498 7,743 3.27% 245
Ilion 8,610 8,053 -6.47% -557
Mohawk 2,660 2,731 2.67% 71
Middleville 550 512 -6.91% -38
Newport 640 640 0.00% 0
Poland 451 508 12.64% 57
West Winfield 862 826 -4.18% -36
* Herkimer County portion only
Community

DATA SOURCES
Population declines can be seen in various municipalities within Herkimer County between 2000
and 2010. The City of Little Falls has seen a 4.66% decline in population during this time period.
Five towns in Herkimer County experienced population losses of between 2.7% and 5.5%., and
four of the ten villages in Herkimer County experienced declines in population ranging from 2.1%
to 6.9%.
Overall, most municipalities in Herkimer County experienced population increases between 2000
and 2010. Fourteen of the nineteen towns in Herkimer County saw growth in their populations,
with the largest increases located in the Towns of Ohio (8.68%) and Norway (7.17%). The
Villages of Poland (12.64%) and Dolgeville (6.78%) saw the greatest increase in residents.
Herkimer-Oneida Counties Comprehensive Planning Program
New York State Department of Health, Vital Statistics of New York
http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/vital_statistics/
U.S. Census Bureau
22
Community

Senior citizens are a vital part of our community; they are our parents, grandparents, and great-
grandparents, part of our individual and community family. Seniors deserve our attention as
many of them are as vulnerable as our youth. The senior population is diverse, ranging from age
60 to over 100 years of age, at least two generations.
Many seniors suffer from serious health issues that restrict their ability to perform activities
of daily living such as driving, housekeeping, and even their own personal care. Many of them live
alone due to the death of their partner; this usually results in a loss of household income,
sometimes a very dramatic income loss that can result in a myriad of aftereffects. Although
there are programs to assist seniors, a number of factors can limit their ability to access these
services or for the services to be adequate to meet their needs.
Certainly not all seniors suffer from serious health issues or inadequate income levels. In the
“Physical & Emotional Health” section of this Profile, we see that the number of seniors
receiving home delivered meals for example is only 740 out of a total senior population of
15,022, only about 5% of the total senior population. Although for a variety of reasons there
are more seniors in need of home delivered meals than actually receive them, the majority of
seniors are independent and self-supporting.
The population of Herkimer County is getting older. The table on the next page illustrates the
increase in the senior citizen population between 1960 and 2010 in Herkimer County, New York
State and the United States.
Senior Population: Herkimer County has a high percentage of senior citizens. Since 1960, the
total County population has decreased (by 1,851), while the senior population has increased (by
3,434). The percentage of seniors increased from 17% of the total County population to 23%.
Our aged 85 and older population has more than tripled since 1960, from 547 to 1,737.
This increase in the senior population is even more dramatic when considering that between 1990
& the 2000 Census, the population between the ages of 62–74 decreased considerably. For
these age groups during this 10-year period, the size dropped by 1,621 people, a 19.25%
decrease. Without this decrease, the senior population would be even higher, approaching 24%.
One possible reason for the decrease in this age group of 62–74 is that they are part of what is
known as the “birth dearth”, a drop in the Country’s population that occurred after the Great
Depression. Another possible reason is that many may have moved to an area with a milder
winter. See the section describing the changes in population by age group.
WHERE WE STAND
23
Community
Older Adults in the Community

Aged 60+ population: Herkimer County has a high percentage of the older senior citizens. Out
of the 62 counties in NYS, Herkimer County ranks #10 in its aged 60+ population with 23.28%
of the total County Population (2010 Census). Hamilton County ranked #1 in NYS with 32.42%
and the Bronx ranked lowest with only 14.93%. With a United States comparison, Herkimer
County ranked 824 out of the 3,141 counties; just shy of falling within the top 25%.
The age 85+ population in Herkimer County has more than tripled since 1960, from 547 people in
1960 to 1,737 in 2010. These 85+ seniors are much more likely to be in need of services in order
to keep them at home and out of nursing homes. Please refer to the Meals-on-Wheels and
congregate meal statistics in the “Physical & Emotional Health” section of this document.
The percentage of seniors in Herkimer County has consistently exceeded the percentage of
seniors in New York State and the United States from 1960 to 2010.
Table 17
24
Herkimer County Senior Citizen Population
Herkimer County 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Total Population 66,370 67,633 66,714 65,797 64,427 64,519
Total Senior Population
(aged 60 & over)
11,588 11,545 13,164 14,243 13,781 15,022
Percentage of total population
(rounded)
17% 17% 20% 22% 21% 23%
Total Aged 85 & over 547 740 910 1,157 1,443 1,737
Percentage of SENIOR
population
4.7% 6.4% 6.9% 8.1% 10.5% 11.6%
Seniors (60+)
as a percentage of TOTAL Pop 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
United States 14% 14% 16% 17% 15% 18%
New York State 15% 16% 17% 18% 17% 19%
Herkimer County 17% 17% 20% 22% 21% 23%
Total Aged 85+
as a percentage of TOTAL Pop
United States 0.5% 0.7% 1.0% 1.2% 1.5% 1.8%
New York State 0.5% 0.7% 1.1% 1.4% 1.6% 2.0%
Herkimer County 0.8% 1.1% 1.4% 1.8% 2.2% 2.7%
Community

As a result of being “elder rich”, our County is presented with unique challenges and
opportunities well ahead of the rest of the nation. The areas of Health Care, Elder Care,
Poverty and Quality of Life will be impacted greatly by these changes.
Change in Population by Age Group, 2000 and 2010 Census
Herkimer County Population Changes by Age Group
Age 2000 2010 % change
50–54 4,333 5,089 17.45%
25.99%
55–59 3,461 4,731 36.69%
60–61 1,233 1,770 43.55% 43.55%
62–64 1,704 2,396 40.61%
16.67%65–69 2,525 3,114 43.55%
70–74 2,569 2,421 -5.76%
75–79 2,454 1,937 -21.07%
-7.46%80–84 1,853 1,647 -11.12%
85+ 1,443 1,737 20.37%
Total 21,575 24,842 15.14%
Table 18
25
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
United States 14% 14% 16% 17% 15% 18%
New York State 15% 16% 17% 18% 17% 19%
Herkimer County 17% 17% 20% 22% 21% 23%
0%
10%
20%
30%
Percentage of Seniors (60+) 1960 to 2010 Graph 8
Community

Herkimer County’s older population (age 50 and above) has increased by 15.14% between 2000
and 2010. As Table 19 illustrates, the percentage of change for individual age groups over 50
differed dramatically between 2000 and 2010.
Adults in their 50s have increased by nearly 26% between 2000 and 2010. Over the next few
years, these people will ‘officially become seniors.’
The adults between age 62 and 74 have increased by nearly 17% during this same time period.
The number of adults aged 75+ have decreased by 7.46%; the number of adults aged 80+
increased by 3%; and the number of adults aged 85+ increased by 20% during this 10-year
period.
Projected Growth of the Elderly Population
The chart below illustrates the projected growth of Herkimer County’s older population between
the years 2010 and 2040.
Population Projections for Herkimer County 2010 to 2040
While it is projected that the overall population of Herkimer County will decrease over the next
30 years, the population of adults over age 60 is expected to increase by 34.5% during the same
time period. These data are only an educated guess and actual population changes may vary from
the above projections.
Table 19
26
2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040
Total Population 62,185 62,005 61,942 61,938 61,942 61,942 61,952
Ages 60 and over 14,333 15,844 17,596 19,228 19,643 19,553 19,272
Ages 65 and over 10,289 11,458 12,933 14,543 15,941 16,155 15,807
Ages 75 and over 4,867 4,830 5,289 6,224 7,253 8,277 9,026
Ages 85 and over 1,588 1,603 1,529 1,547 1,738 2,130 2,459
Ages 60–74 9,466 11,014 12,307 13,004 12,390 11,276 10,246
Ages 75–84 3,279 3,227 3,760 4,677 5,515 6,147 6,567
Source: New York State Office for the Aging, County Data Book 2011
Community

Herkimer County’s older population, as a proportion of the total projected county population, is
expected to increase over the next 30 years.
New York State Office for the Aging
County Data Book 2011
http://www.aging.ny.gov/ReportsAndData/CountyDataBooks/22Herkimer.pdf
U.S. Census Bureau
DATA SOURCES
27
14,333 15,844 17,596 19,228 19,643 19,553 19,272
47,852 46,161 44,346 42,710 42,299 42,389 42,680
62,185 62,005 61,942 61,938 61,942 61,942 61,952
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040
Population Projections
Herkimer County 2010–2040
Ages 60 and Over Under 60
Graph 9
Source: New York State Office for the Aging, County Data Book 2011
Community

Decent, safe, and affordable housing is a luxury that many take for granted. But for those
unable to provide their families with adequate accommodations, housing is an important issue.
Only 67 percent of the nation currently owns their own home. The development of new housing,
combined with the rehabilitation and preservation of existing housing stock, is a significant
contributing factor to the stability and growth of communities.
The 2010 Census indicates that there are 33,314 housing units in Herkimer County. Two percent
these homes are located in an urban area (City of Little Falls) and 13,869 (42%) of these homes
are considered to be within an urban cluster area (village or suburb). Rural homes make up
18,762 (56%) of the homes in Herkimer County.
WHERE WE STAND
28
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census Summary File 1, Table H2
Graph 10
Urbanized Area
2%
Urban Cluster
Areas
42%
Rural Areas
56%
Housing Units in Herkimer County—2010
Community
Housing

The median year of construction for year-round housing in Herkimer County is 1952. Herkimer
County, and neighboring counties Fulton, Montgomery, Otsego and Oneida fall below the NYS
average for their age of housing stock.
The 2008-2010 American Community Survey estimates that there are 33,314 housing units in
Herkimer County. Of those, 26,478 (79.5%) are occupied. Of the 26,478 occupied housing units
in Herkimer County, approximately 71.6% (18,950) are owner occupied and 7,528 (28.4%) are
occupied by a renter. The average household size of an owner-occupied unit is 2.47 persons, and
the average household size of a renter-occupied unit is 2.16 persons. The median value of an
owner-occupied home in Herkimer County is $89,500.
Fifty-five percent of the 18,950 owner-occupied units in Herkimer County have a mortgage
(10,344), compared to 65.3% in NYS and 67.8% in the United States. Table 21 on the next page
illustrates monthly owner costs for the 10,344 housing units in Herkimer County with a
mortgage. The median owner cost for a home with a mortgage in Herkimer County is $1,071; the
median monthly cost of home expenses without a mortgage is $446.
Table 22 on the next page illustrates the monthly owner costs as a percentage of household
income for Herkimer County and the U.S. According to the 2008-2010 American Community
Survey, one in five (19.4%) Herkimer County homeowners with a mortgage spent over 35% of
their household income on home expenses, compared to more than one in four (28.8%) of
mortgaged homeowners in the United States.
Almost half of all homeowners with a mortgage (47.6%), and 65% of homeowners without a
mortgage, spent less than 20% of their income on housing expenses.
County Median Year Built
Herkimer County 1952
Madison County 1960
Fulton County 1952
Montgomery County 1943
Columbia County 1960
Otsego County 1955
Oneida County 1954
New York State 1955
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008–2010 ACS
Table 20Median Year of Construction for Year-Round Housing
29
Community
Housing

Of the 26,478 occupied housing units in Herkimer County, 28.4% (7,528) are occupied by a
renter. The 2008-2010 American Community Survey indicates that the median rent paid in
Herkimer County is $582. The gross rent paid by percentage of renters is listed in the table on
the next page.
Table 22
30
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008–2010 American Community Survey
Table 21Selected Monthly Owner Costs, Herkimer County
Housing units with a mortgage
Total Number
10,344
Percentage of Total Housing
Units w/Mortgage
Less than $300/month 5 0.05%
$300 to $499/month 322 3.11%
$500 to $699/month 1,326 12.82%
$700 to $999/month 2,855 27.60%
$1,000 to $1,499/month 3,937 38.06%
$1,500 to $1,999/month 1,030 9.96%
$2,000 or more/month 869 8.40%
Median Cost (dollars) 1,071
Monthly Owner Costs as a Percentage of Household Income,
Herkimer County and U.S.: 2006-2008
Housing units with
mortgage
# of Units
Herkimer County
10,344
Herkimer County
PERCENT
United States
PERCENT
Less than 20.0 percent 4,926 47.6% 34.0%
20.0 to 24.9 percent 1,509 14.6% 15.9%
25.0 to 29.9 percent 933 9.0% 12.4%
30.0 to 34.9 percent 814 7.9% 8.9%
35.0 percent or more 2,002 19.4% 28.8%
Not computed 80
Community
Housing

Table 24
Safe and decent rental housing at fair market levels was reported as the primary housing need
in Herkimer County by focus group participants in an affordable housing needs study done by the
NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal in 2009. The issue of absentee landlords was
also identified, as rental housing is increasingly owned by entities located outside the Region.
Rehab and modernization funds for existing housing stock was cited as a need for both owner-
occupied homes and rental stock. Although affordability of homeownership was found in much of
31
Gross Rent Paid, Herkimer County: 2008-2010
Occupied units
paying rent
6,935 Percent
Less than $200 103 1.5%
$200 to $299 708 10.2%
$300 to $499 1,684 24.3%
$500 to $749 2,633 38.0%
$750 to $999 1,350 19.5%
$1,000 to $1,499 448 6.5%
$1,500 or more 9 0.1%
Median Rent
(dollars)
582
Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income,
Herkimer County and U.S.: 2008-2010
Occupied units
paying rent
# of Units
Herkimer County
7,528
Herkimer County
PERCENT
United States
PERCENT
Less than 15.0 percent 1,034 15.3% 11.9%
15.0 to 19.9 percent 601 8.9% 12.2%
20.0 to 24.9 percent 955 14.2% 12.7%
25.0 to 29.9 percent 844 12.5% 11.6%
30.0 to 34.9 percent 694 10.3% 9.2%
35.0 percent or more 2,611 38.7% 42.5%
Not computed 789
Source: 2008–2010 American Community Survey
Table 23
The table below illustrates the monthly
rental costs as a percentage of
household income for Herkimer County
and the U.S. According to the 2008-
2010 American Community Survey,
almost 39% of Herkimer County renters
spent over 35% of their household
income on home expenses, which is
slightly lower than the percentage who
spent over 35% of their income in the
United States (42.5%).
Based on the ACS data, it appears that
renters in Herkimer County spend a
greater percentage of their income on
home related expenses than homeowners
(with or without a mortgage).
Community
Housing

Source: 2011 New York State Statistical Yearbook, Table I-19
the Region, it was noted that a preponderance of second home purchases in the Old Forge area
has exerted strong upward pressure on home prices, making it difficult for year round residents
to afford homes.
Home Sales
Sales of existing single family homes decreased by 10.0% in Herkimer County between 2008 and
2010. Home sales also fell in most neighboring counties and in NYS during this time period.
Sales of Existing Single-Family Homes 2008–2010
The median sales price of existing single-family homes in Herkimer County rose by 5.1% between
2008 and 2010, but prices have remained lower than in neighboring counties. In NYS, the
median sales price of homes rose by 2.4% between 2008 and 2010, but big declines were
recorded in Sullivan (-16.4%) and Putnam (-15.5%) counties. The greatest gains in price during
this time period were recorded in Lewis (21.1%), Chemung (17.6%), Cayuga (15.8%) and
Fulton (15.7%) counties.
Source: 2011 New York State Statistical Yearbook, Table I-17
County 2008 2009 2010
% Change
2008 to 2010
Herkimer 220 15.4% 254 -22.0% 198 -10.0%
Madison 590 -15.9% 496 -6.0% 466 -21.0%
Montgomery 264 -14.0% 227 -10.1% 204 -22.7%
Otsego 309 -1.6% 304 4.9% 319 3.2%
Oneida 1,588 -9.1% 1,443 0.3% 1,448 -8.8%
New York State 80,521 -2.7% -4.6% 74,718 -7.2%78,327
County 2008 2009
% Change
2008 to 2010
2010
Herkimer $82,750 $81,757 5.1%$86,960
Madison $129,450 $125,000 -3.4%$125,000
Montgomery $95,150 $110,000 -4.1%$91,250
Otsego $131,000 $126,523 -8.8%$119,500
Oneida $105,000 $103,900 4.8%$110,000
New York State $210,000 $195,000 2.4%$215,000
Table 25
Table 26
Median Sales Price of Existing Single-Family Homes 2008–2010
32
Community
Housing

Foreclosure Rates and Subprime Mortgages
Despite the downturn in the economy, foreclosure rates in Herkimer County have remained
relatively low. Six foreclosure filings were made in Herkimer County in the first quarter of
2009, up from 4 filings during the same time period in 2008. According to research done by the
Kaiser group in June 2012, NYS ranks 39th
of all states in foreclosure activity.
In a report by the NYS Office of the Comptroller, subprime loans were not used as extensively
in New York as in other states, in part because of tighter banking laws and better oversight. As
a share of all loans, subprime mortgages constitute only 5.4 percent of the total portfolio.
Roughly half of the subprime mortgages in New York State are variable rate loans, and of those,
approximately one-third reset in 2008.
Within the State, subprime usage varies dramatically; as of January 2008, there were roughly
150,000 subprime mortgages in New York. Most of these mortgages (73 percent), were used to
fund properties located downstate. Approximately 400 of these subprime mortgages were in
Herkimer County and existed at a rate of 12 per 1,000 housing units. 49% of these loans had a
delinquent payment within 12 months, and 7.3% went into foreclosure.
2011 New York State Statistical Yearbook
http://rockinst.org/nys_statistics/2011
Kaiser Health Facts
http://www.statehealthfacts.org/profileind.jsp?ind=649&cat=1&rgn=34
NYS Association of Realtors
NYS Banking Department
NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal , February 2009
Statewide Affordable Needs Study: Mohawk Valley Regional Report
Office of the NYS Comptroller
“Meltdown: The Housing Crisis and its Impact on New York State’s Local Governments”
U.S. Census Bureau
DATA SOURCES
33
Community
Housing

Religious affiliation is the self-identified association of a person with a religion, denomination or
sub-denominational religious group. A denomination is the church or religious sect that forms a
subgroup of a religion.
Religiosity and religious involvement encompasses such dimensions as commitment to the religion,
the strength of religious beliefs, and participation in religious activities individually or as part of
a congregation. Research has indicated that religious affiliation affects economic and
demographic behavior because of its impact on many interrelated decisions that people make
over the life cycle. Religious involvement has also been associated with beneficial effects
related to health and well-being.
The table below lists the number of churches and synagogues in existence in Herkimer County
from 1980 through 2010. The types of churches and synagogues in existence have fluctuated
during this time period but the total number has remained relatively unchanged.
WHERE WE STAND
Herkimer County Churches and Synagogues 1980–2010
Religious Denomination 1980 1990 2000 2010
Baptist 13 13 11 13
Catholic 16 19 11 12
Episcopal 4 5 4 5
Jewish 1 1 1 1
Lutheran 5 5 5 3
Methodist 24 23 20 19
Presbyterian 6 5 6 5
Reformed 2 2 2 2
Russian Orthodox Not Available 1 1 2
Universalist 4 2 2 2
Other 9 10 13 21
Total 84 86 76 85
Source: The Association of Religion Data Archives
Table 27
34
Community
Religious Affiliation

A nation-wide study done in 2010 by the Association of Religion Data Archives that included
Herkimer County found that religious affiliation had dropped between 2000 and 2010. The
population of Herkimer County in 2000 was 64,627; in 2010 it was 64,519. The total population
changed 0.1%. The adherent totals for 2000 (35,086) represented 54.5% of the 2000
population. The adherent totals for 2010 (24,805) represented 38.4% of the total population in
2010.
In the United States, the unadjusted adherent totals of religious groups include 48.8% of the
total population in 2010 (150,596,792).
A local pastor has stated that the ratio of people who are affiliated with a religious group to
those who actually attend church is about 4 to 1 or 25%. A great concern among Roman
Catholics is the dwindling number of priests who will be available to serve Herkimer County.
The 2009 Teen Assessment Project Survey results show a decrease in the number of youth who
report attending religious, education or prayer services at least one hour per week, from 48.8%
in 2001 to 39.4% in 2009.
Catholic Charities of Herkimer County
The Association of Religion Data Archives
http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/counties/36043_2010.asp
2009 Herkimer County Teen Assessment Project Survey
35
Source: The Association of Religion Data Archives
Table 28Religious Affiliation—Herkimer County, 1980–2010
Religious Denomination 1980 1990 2000 2010
Evangelical Protestant 932 821 1,096 1,461
Mainline Protestant 14,932 11,763 9,654 7,135
Orthodox — — 397 334
Catholic 23,732 16,630 23,534 15,425
Other 419 745 405 —
Unclaimed/Not Affiliated 26,699 35,838 29,341 39,714
DATA SOURCES
Community

Having adequate transportation allows individuals to access work, shopping and other activities
necessary for daily living. It also allows residents to attend appointments and events, and to access
services that help individuals maintain a good quality of life. Ensuring that transportation is available
to all residents is critical, especially in counties such as Herkimer.
Of the 26,478 households in 2010, approximately 89% had access to at least one vehicle. On aver-
age, there were 1.59 vehicles per household in Herkimer County in 2000 compared to 1.57 in 2010.
Approximately 2,831 households, or over one in ten Herkimer County households (10.7%), do not
have access to a vehicle. Approximately two-thirds of the households without a vehicle (64%)
are one-person households.
WHERE WE STAND
2000 Census 2010 Census Change 2000 to 2010
Subject Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Total population 64,427 100 64,519 100 92 0.1
HOUSEHOLD SIZE
Total households 25,740 100 26,478 100 738 2.9
1-person household 7,099 27.6 7,816 29.5 717 10.1
2-person household 8,688 33.8 9,438 35.6 750 8.6
3-person household 4,283 16.6 3,754 14.2 -529 -12.4
4-person household 3,420 13.3 3,188 12.0 -232 -6.8
5-or-more-person
household 2,250 8.7 2,282 8.6 32 1.4
Mean number of
persons per house-
hold 2.46 (X) 2.38 (X) 0.08 (X)
VEHICLES AVAILABLE
Total households 25,740 100 26,478 100 738 2.9
No vehicle available 2,524 9.8 2,831 10.7 307 12.2%
1 vehicle available 10,014 38.9 9,257 35.0 -757 -7.6%
2 vehicles available 9,747 37.9 10,313 38.9 566 5.8%
3 vehicles available 2,667 10.4 2,958 11.2 291 10.9%
4 vehicles available 577 2.2 806 3.0 229 39.7%
5 or more vehicles
available 211 0.8 313 1.2 102 48.3%
Mean vehicles per
household 1.59 (X) — (X) — (X)
Herkimer County—Household Size and Vehicles Available (2000 & 2010)
The 2010 U.S. Census
indicates that there
are 26,478 households
in Herkimer County, a
2.9% increase from
2000.
More households were
comprised of one or
two persons in 2010
than in 2000. One-
person households
increased by 10.1%, and
two-person households
rose by 8.6%.
Households that
contained three or
four persons
decreased by 12.4%
and 6.8% respectively,
and those with 5 or
more persons increased
by 1.4%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Population and Housing, long-form (sample) data.
Table 29
36
Community
Transportation

One-third of the households without a vehicle are made up of two people (19%), three
people (5%), or four or more people (12%).
Consistent and reliable transportation is an integral part of maintaining employment. The chart
below depicts the means of transportation used by workers 16 years and over in Herkimer
County to get to their place of employment.
Means of Transportation to Work
2000 Census 2010 Census Change 2000 to 2010
NUMBER PERCENT NUMBER PERCENT NUMBER PERCENT
Workers 16 years and over 28,622 100 28,163 100 -459 -1.6
Drove alone 22,132 77.3 23,023 81.7 891 4.0
Carpooled 3,570 12.5 2,360 8.4 -1,210 -33.9
Public transportation
(including taxicab)
302 1.1 97 0.3 -205 -67.9
Bicycle or walked 1,539 5.4 2,244 8.0 705 45.8
Motorcycle or other means 111 0.4 109 0.4 -2 -1.8
Worked at home 968 3.4 1,325 4.7 357 36.9
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 & 2010 Censuses
Table 30
37
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008–2010 ACS Graph 11
Community
Transportation

Nine out of ten workers in Herkimer County used a car or other vehicle to get to work in 2010,
by either driving alone (81.7%), carpooling (8.4%), or driving a motorcycle (0.4%). One in twelve
workers rode a bicycle or walked, and one out of every three hundred workers used public trans-
portation (which is two-thirds the number that used public transportation in 2000). Approxi-
mately 1,300 workers (4.7%) worked at home.
It takes a Herkimer County resident an average of 22.8 minutes to commute to work. About one
in five workers (21%) commute less than 10 minutes to work and three in ten (29%) travel more
than 30 minutes to work each day. One half of all workers take between 10 and 30 minutes.
Public Transportation
There is very limited public transportation available in Herkimer County. Commuter bus service
is available between Little Falls and Utica (Oneida County), along the Routes 5 and 5S valley
corridor. There are also two companies in Herkimer County that provide commercial taxi
services.
38
Graph 12
Community
Transportation

Community and Agency Assistance
Several communities and agencies have created small, localized services to meet the
transportation needs of specific areas and/or populations. These services, however, are limited
and do not fully meet the needs of the general population.
Examples of these types of services include the RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteers Program), the
Herkimer County Office for the Aging Transportation Program, and the Town of Webb volunteer
transportation program.
RSVP RIDE Program
The RSVP RIDE Program provides transportation for non-Medicaid ambulatory individuals, 55
years of age and older, to needed medical and health related services at facilities in Herkimer,
Oneida, and Otsego Counties. The program has been in existence since 1985. In recent years,
the program has expanded coverage to include destinations in Fulton, Onondaga, Monroe and
Albany Counties. Calls for transportation have to be received 48 hours in advance of scheduled
appointments. No weekend coverage is provided. The most common destinations include the
Dialysis Center at Faxton/St. Luke’s, Masonic Home Dialysis, Slocum Dickson, Faxton Hospital,
and the medical providers on Genesee Street in Utica. Clients are not permitted to give the
volunteer driver any reimbursement for the ride; however, donations can be made to the agency.
Volunteer drivers are allowed to submit mileage reimbursement requests to the program.
Drivers and clients are covered by CIMA excess auto, liability, and accidental insurance.
The RSVP RIDE Program is considered a valuable community asset as there is no other program
that provides this one-on-one, door-through-door, escort and transportation service for seniors
to destinations outside of Herkimer County from the Valley Corridor. Volunteers use their own
vehicles and must submit to background checks and training before becoming active in the
program.
On the next page is a chart showing the activity of the RSVP RIDE Program from 2003 to 2012.
One unmet need identified in this program has been the lack of volunteer drivers to meet the
trip requests of residents, which was most evident in 2007 and 2008. This could have been the
result of higher gas prices, the reduced number of calls a volunteer will accept, the loss of
experienced drivers in the program due to health issues, ‘snow birds’ who vacation half the year
in warmer climates, and the slow response to advertisements and presentations geared to
recruiting drivers.
The overall number of rides has decreased between 2007 and 2011, but rose by over 350 rides
in 2012. Although the number of volunteer drivers decreased from 32 drivers in 2003 to 21
drivers in 2012, the average number of volunteer hours per driver increased.
39
Community
Transportation

In 2012, a Client Satisfaction Survey was completed for the RSVP RIDE program. Two hundred
surveys were mailed and 65 were returned.
• Regarding the drivers, 100% agreed that the drivers were punctual, helpful and
courteous.
• 100% of clients stated that the transportation service is important to extremely
important in helping access medical services.
• 95% of clients stated that the transportation has helped to improve and/or maintain
their health status.
• 98% of clients agreed to strongly agreed that the transportation makes them better able
to stay in their home.
Herkimer County Office for the Aging Transportation Services
The Herkimer County Office for the Aging (OFA) provides transportation services to senior
citizens aged 60 and older. This service is a demand-response system, that is, rides are door-to
-door, not traveling from one bus stop to another. Rides are provided for medical appointments,
grocery store/pharmacy, banking, hairdresser, visiting, etc., basically wherever the senior wants
to go. Due to the demand for services, the OFA does not travel outside the County and basically
services the Valley Corridor from the town of Schuyler to Dolgeville. The OFA currently has
two vehicles, both equipped with wheelchair lifts; one vehicle operates 5 days/week and the
second operates 2 days/week.
40
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Volunteer
Drivers
32 32 32 26 22 22 27 22 18 21
Volunteer
Hrs.
3,239 3,159 2,575 2,703 2,381 2,110 1,814 2,056 2,105 3,671
Mileage 46,815 38,006 26,119 48,408 48,057 41,001 32,300 32,958 30,815 44,524
Clients
Transported
1,599 1,133 1,154 1,169 1,158 950 746 847 701 1,058
Unmet
Needs*
9 — — — 63 134 — — — —
Source: Catholic Charities of Herkimer County *driver unavailable
Table 31RSVP RIDE Program Statistics 2003 to 2012
Community
Transportation

The number of rides provided from 2005 through 2011 has not changed significantly; this is
because the buses are basically at capacity. When the price of gasoline rose so dramatically in
2008, the demand for the OFA transportation service also rose dramatically. Many seniors were
unable to be served because the demand was far beyond the OFA’s capacity to absorb. Since
2008, the number of rides has returned to previous service levels.
During 2011, 176 seniors received transportation from the OFA (unduplicated count). The
average number of rides per senior served was 30 rides.
The demographics of seniors served with the OFA transportation service during 2011 was
81% females and 19% males. The ages of those served were 32% age 85 and older, 34% ages 75
to 84 and 35% ages 60 to 74.
Webb Community Transportation Services (CTS)
Community Transportation Services, Ltd. was incorporated in 1987 as a not-for-profit
(501, c, 3) organization. Its Certificate of Incorporation, Article 3, states “the purpose is to
assist the elderly, disabled and disadvantaged in the Central Adirondack area by providing
necessary transportation, without cost, for medical, health and other related necessary
services”. CTS is not a taxi service; it is a totally volunteer organization with no payroll. CTS
exists strictly on “free will” donations.
The chart on the next page depicts CTS program statistics for 2007 through 2012.
41
OFA Transportation
2005–2011
Year
# Rides
Provided
2011 5,326
2010 5,532
2009 5,403
2008 6,059
2007 5,297
2006 5,291
2005 5,659
Age of Clients Served with
OFA Transportation 2011
Age # %
85+ 56 32%
75–84 59 34%
60–74 61 35%
Total 176 100%
Source: Herkimer County OFA
Table 33
Table 32
Community
Transportation

DATA SOURCES
In 2012, a total of 398 trips were made to the following destinations: Utica (195),
Syracuse (22), Albany (2), Rome (3), Indian Lake (2), Herkimer (2), Ilion (1), Barneveld (43),
Hamilton (2), Boonville (8), and Old Forge (118). The percentage of rides given to Utica, Barne-
veld, and Old Forge has remained fairly steady for 2010–2012. Since 2010, the overall number
of rides has been decreasing.
Catholic Charities of Herkimer County, RSVP Ride Program
U.S. Census Bureau
Webb Community Transportation Services, Ltd.
42
Webb Community Transportation Service
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Total Trips 286 332 396 466 421 398
# of Riders 627 676 812 941 797 748
Riders for Medical 299 376 427 419 436 348
Riders Over 60 Years Old 94% 96% 97% 97% 97% 97%*
Total Mileage 31,516 34,541 38,496 39,680 40,477 38,663
Areas Served:
Town of Webb
Other
97%
3%
98%
2%
98%
2%
98%
2%
98%
2%
98%*
2%*
Days of the Week 7 7 7 7 7 7
# of Volunteer Drivers 30 32 34 32 29 30
Table 34
Source: Webb CTS Program * estimated
Community
Transportation

Herkimer County Labor Statistics 1990–2011
County Labor Force and Employment
The following chart depicts the average annual number of individuals in the Herkimer County
labor force, the number of individuals employed, the number of individuals that were unemployed
and the unemployment rate from 1990 to 2011.
WHERE WE STAND
Source: NYS Department of Labor, Local Area Unemployment Statistics Program
Year Herkimer County
Labor Force
Number Employed
(annual average)
Number Unemployed
(annual average)
Unemployment Rate
(annual average)
1990 30,200 28,400 1,800 6.1%
1991 30,400 27,700 2,700 9.0%
1992 30,200 27,600 2,700 8.8%
1993 30,300 27,900 2,300 7.7%
1994 30,700 28,600 2,100 6.7%
1995 31,400 29,200 2,200 7.0%
1996 31,500 29,400 2,100 6.7%
1997 31,600 29,500 2,100 6.7%
1998 31,500 29,600 1,900 5.9%
1999 31,400 29,700 1,600 5.2%
2000 31,700 30,400 1,300 4.3%
2001 31,400 29,900 1,400 4.5%
2002 31,400 29,700 1,700 5.4%
2003 31,400 29,600 1,800 5.7%
2004 31,500 29,700 1,800 5.6%
2005 31,700 30,000 1,700 5.3%
2006 31,300 29,800 1,600 5.1%
2007 31,000 29,500 1,500 5.0%
2008 31,200 29,300 1,900 6.1%
2009 31,100 28,600 2,500 8.0%
2010 31,400 28,700 2,700 8.5%
2011 30,900 28,300 2,600 8.4%
Employment breakouts by industry show the diversity of the economy. Wage data by industry
depicts the varied income levels of jobs in the area. The unemployment rate can be used as a
barometer of the general economic health of an area. Since all of these statistics are
calculated uniformly, comparison with other geographic areas can easily be done.
Table 35
43
Community
Employment & Industry

The labor force comprises all civilians 16 years of age and over and are classified as employed
or unemployed. The number of individuals in Herkimer County that are part of the labor force
peaked in 2005 and has declined during the latest economic slowdown.
Employed persons are all civilians who, during the month, did any work at all as paid employees in
their own business, profession, or on their own farm or who worked 15 hours or more as unpaid
workers in an enterprise operated by a member of the family. Each person is counted only once,
even if he or she holds more than one job. The number of Herkimer County residents that were
gainfully employed peaked in 2000 and has dropped off the past few years during the national
slowdown.
Unemployed persons are all persons who had no employment during the month, were available for
work, except for temporary illness, and had made specific efforts to find employment some time
during the 4-week period. Persons who were waiting to be recalled to a job from which they had
been laid off need not have been looking for work to be classified as unemployed.
44
Year Herkimer County New York State United States
1990 6.1% 5.3% 5.6%
1991 9.0% 7.3% 6.9%
1992 8.8% 8.6% 7.5%
1993 7.7% 7.9% 6.9%
1994 6.7% 6.9% 6.1%
1995 7.0% 6.4% 5.6%
1996 6.7% 6.3% 5.4%
1997 6.7% 6.5% 4.9%
1998 5.9% 5.7% 4.5%
1999 5.2% 5.2% 4.2%
2000 4.3% 4.5% 4.0%
2001 4.5% 4.9% 4.7%
2002 5.4% 6.2% 5.8%
2003 5.7% 6.4% 6.0%
2004 5.6% 5.8% 5.5%
2005 5.3% 5.0% 5.1%
2006 5.1% 4.6% 4.6%
2007 5.0% 4.6% 4.6%
2008 6.1% 5.4% 5.8%
2009 8.0% 8.3% 9.3%
2010 8.5% 8.6% 9.6%
2011 8.4% 8.2% 9.0%
Table 36Unemployment Rates 1990 to 2011: Herkimer County, NYS and US
Source: NYS Department of Labor, Research and Statistics Division
US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Community

The unemployment rate for all civilian workers represents the number of unemployed as a
percent of the civilian labor force. Although the unemployment rate has climbed in 2008, 2009,
and 2010, it is still below the record jobless rate posted in 1991. The good news is that the
unemployment rate inched downwards in 2011, following 3 consecutive years of increases.
Location of Employment
According to the 2010 Census, there were 28,582 Herkimer County residents employed inside
and outside of Herkimer County. Of these, 15,005 people (or 52.5%) both lived and worked in
Herkimer County. The remaining 47.5% of gainfully employed residents (13,576 people), worked
outside of the county.
Most of the Herkimer County residents that worked outside of the county were employed in
Oneida County (9,895 individuals). Significantly less were employed in Otsego County (715
individuals), Montgomery County (605 individuals), and Fulton County (600 individuals).
Of those individuals that work within Herkimer County, almost nine out of ten are Herkimer
County residents. Residents of Oneida County (7.2%), Otsego (1.5%), Montgomery (1.2%), Fulton
(1.2%), and Lewis County (0.4%) commute to Herkimer County for employment.
45
Graph 13
Community

Table 37
Types of Employment—Herkimer County Industries
The following chart depicts the industries present in Herkimer County, the number of persons
employed and the average wages earned in 2011.
Employment information, by place of work, is based on quarterly reports from employers covered
under New York State’s Unemployment Insurance Law. Data by industry (using the North
American Industry classification system) include employment, total annual and average annual
wages, and the number of establishments.
The number of jobs in Herkimer County fell 643 or 3.8 percent from 2006 to 2011. Most of the
decline occurred in Manufacturing, which fell by 456, or 15.7 percent over the 5-year period.
Manufacturing job losses were centered in chemical manufacturing, reflecting the closing of
LaSalle Laboratories in Little Falls during this time period. Other manufacturing industries with
46
Industry
Number of
Firms
Employment Total Payroll
Average
Annual Pay
Employment
Change
2006-2011
Employment
% Change
2006-2011
All Industries 1,274 16,276 $516,321,600 $31,723 -643 -3.8%
Total Private: 1,157 11,917 $361,563,994 $30,340 -438 -3.5%
Natural Resources, Mining
& Construction
161 656 $29,071,908 $44,317 -55 -7.7%
Manufacturing 56 2,446 $104,052,468 $42,540 -456 -15.7%
Trade, Transportation &
Utilities
271 2,918 $88,452,089 $28,102 -62 -2.1%
Information 21 126 $5,544,197 $35,808 -182 -59.1%
Financial Activities 83 396 $13,111,076 $29,000 -75 -15.9%
Professional & Business
Services
119 610 $21,243,350 $33,643 47 8.3%
Private Educational &
Health Services
132 2,382 $63,433,660 $26,972 240 11.3%
Leisure & Hospitality 186 1,832 $26,144,984 $13,888 166 10.0%
Other Services 125 548 $10,433,963 $14,920 -2 -0.4%
Unclassified 21 5 $76,299 $13,134 -22 -81.5%
Total Government: 117 4,359 $154,757,606 $32,861 -205 -4.5%
Federal 20 106 $5,196,739 $43,250 -18 -14.5%
State 7 197 $12,416,070 $60,337 -10 -4.8%
Local
(includes Public Schools)
90 4,056 $137,144,797 $31,254 -177 -4.2%
Types of Employment—Herkimer County Industries 2011
Community

job losses include wood product manufacturing and machinery manufacturing.
Government employment fell 205 or 4.5 percent from 2006 to 2011. Most of the decline was in
local government, which includes public schools and colleges, and local government administration,
such as county, town and village government.
Job gains were greatest in Private Educational and Health Services, which grew 240 or 11.2
percent from 2006 to 2011. Gains occurred in Ambulatory Health Care Services (doctor’s
offices, etc.) and Social Assistance. Leisure and hospitality added 166 jobs or 10 percent,
primarily at food services and drinking establishments (restaurants).
Herkimer County fared slightly worse than Upstate New York (as defined by the 52 counties
outside New York City, Long Island and the Putnam-Rockland-Westchester MSA) in employment
growth. The Upstate New York areas posted a decline of 72,297 jobs, or 2.3 percent, from
2006–2011. Herkimer County employment declined 3.8 percent over the same period.
One industry of particular interest in Herkimer County and Upstate New York has been
manufacturing. Compared to the Upstate area, manufacturing losses in Herkimer County were
less harsh in the last 5 years. The upstate area lost 17.1 percent of its manufacturing
employment base from 2006 to 2011, but Herkimer County’s decline was only 15.7 percent. This
is an improvement over previous time periods. (During the 2003-2008 period, manufacturing job
losses in Herkimer County was 29 percent, compared to only a 10 percent decline upstate.) Also,
manufacturing employment in Herkimer County has grown slightly each year since 2008.
47
Community
3,383
3,238
3,160
2,902
2,492
2,407 2,410 2,441 2,446
2,000
2,200
2,400
2,600
2,800
3,000
3,200
3,400
3,600
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Herkimer County Manufacturing Jobs 2003–2011 Graph 14

Although not as large as it was years ago, Manufacturing plays an important part in the local
community. Manufacturing tends to be comprised of full-time higher-paying jobs with good
benefits. Manufacturing also brings in money from outside the local area. Also, numerous
suppliers benefit from manufacturing. Manufacturing jobs in Herkimer County make up 15
percent of total employment , but more importantly, total manufacturing wages comprise 20.2
percent of the total payroll for all jobs in the county.
The average manufacturing wage in Herkimer County was $42,540 in 2011, 42.7 percent higher
than the average of $29,810 for all nonmanufacturing jobs in the county. The graph below
shows the average annual wage in manufacturing in Herkimer County compared to the average
annual wage in nonmanufacturing.
Creating and Maintaining Jobs
Between January 2000 and March 2013, thirty-nine employers in Herkimer County have received
assistance from the Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency, including twenty-four
Herkimer County employers that have received over $5,300,000 in loans/grants. As a result of
IDA assistance and grant/loan support to businesses, approximately 1,000 new jobs have been
created and 2,657 jobs have been retained.48
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Average Annual Mfg Wage $32,642 $33,558 $33,777 $35,526 $37,141 $39,139 $40,119 $41,289 $42,540
Annual Wage of all Non-Mfg
Employees
$23,361 $24,329 $25,657 $26,456 $27,604 $27,942 $28,474 $29,142 $29,810
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
Wages—Herkimer County
Manufacturing vs. Non-Manufacturing Employment Graph 15
Community

1
Entry wage: The mean (average) of the bottom third of wages in an occupation.
2
Experienced wage: The mean (average) of the top two-thirds of wages in an occupation.
49
TITLE
Employment Change Annual Average Openings Wages
2006 2016 Level % Total Growth Replacement Median Entry1
Experienced2
Total, All Occupations 221,410 230,530 9,120 4.1 5,820 910 4,910 $30,560 $19,300 $46,790
Management Occ. 9,200 9,330 130 1.4 210 10 200 $76,630 $51,650 $102,700
Business and Financial
Operations Occ.
6,680 7,050 370 5.5 170 40 130 $50,790 $35,150 $65,550
Computer and Mathematical
Occupations
2,850 3,140 290 10.2 90 30 60 $58,340 $35,370 $73,150
Architecture and
Engineering Occ.
2,190 2,190 0 0.0 50 0 50 $60,300 $37,110 $80,920
Life, Physical, and Social
Science Occ.
1,630 1,760 130 8.0 50 10 40 $59,470 $35,400 $74,670
Community and Social Services
Occupations
5,310 5,960 650 12.2 160 70 90 $38,360 $24,340 $49,380
Legal Occupations 1,450 1,520 70 4.8 40 10 30 INA INA INA
Education, Training, and
Library Occ.
18,170 20,080 1,910 10.5 550 190 360 $43,740 $22,100 $57,720
Arts, Design,
Entertainment, Sports, and
Media Occupations
3,490 3,620 130 3.7 90 10 80 $36,900 $22,430 $51,730
Healthcare Practitioners and
Technical
Occupations
13,320 14,880 1,560 11.7 410 160 250 $49,990 $31,940 $75,860
Healthcare Support
Occupations
9,150 10,910 1,760 19.2 270 180 90 $25,140 $20,090 $29,860
Protective Service Occ. 7,050 7,240 190 2.7 210 20 190 $49,000 $29,460 $55,640
Food Preparation and Serving
Related Occ.
16,470 17,400 930 5.6 670 90 580 $18,580 $16,240 $23,270
Building and Grounds Cleaning
and Maintenance Occupations
7,630 8,180 550 7.2 190 60 130 $22,680 $17,520 $29,520
Personal Care and Service
Occupations
7,810 8,920 1,110 14.2 300 110 190 $19,750 $16,830 $24,270
Sales and Related Occ. 21,920 21,960 40 0.2 700 0 700 $21,490 $16,520 $35,270
Office and Administrative
Support Occ.
36,960 36,890 -70 -0.2 780 0 780 $28,040 $20,190 $35,010
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
Occupations
1,780 1,810 30 1.7 40 0 40 INA INA INA
Construction and Extraction
Occupations
9,190 9,920 730 7.9 220 70 150 $35,720 $25,820 $45,420
Installation, Maintenance, and
Repair Occ.
7,980 8,030 50 0.6 140 10 130 $34,100 $22,740 $44,630
Production Occupations 16,560 14,840 -1,720 -10.4 330 0 330 $27,660 $19,020 $34,690
Transportation and Material
Moving Occ.
14,630 14,890 260 1.8 350 30 320 $28,330 $19,380 $34,660
Table 38Employment Projections—Herkimer County 2006-2016
Community

The table on page 49 shows the number of persons in the Mohawk Valley Region employed in
each of the major employment categories in 2006 and the number expected in 2016. The total
number of jobs is expected to grow from 221,410 in 2006 to 230,530 in 2016, a gain of 9,120 or
4.1 percent.
Occupational groups with the highest growth rates include Computer and Mathematical
Occupations (+10.2%), Community and Social Services Occupations (+12.2 percent), Education,
Training and Library Occupations (+10.5%), Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
(+11.7%), Healthcare Support Occupations (+19.2%), and Personal Care and Service Occupations
(+14.2%).
Production Occupations are projected to decline 1,720 or 10.4 percent from 2006 to 2016 due
to continuing declines in the factory sector.
It is interesting to note that job openings are not only due to growth in an occupation, but also
the need to replace workers that retire, move out of the area, die or leave their occupation
grouping for a different occupation. Of the 5,820 expected annual job openings, only 910 or
15.6 percent are due to growth. The other 84.4 percent of job openings are due to replacement
needs cited above. For example, although the number of production workers will decline over
the 10-year period, there will be 330 job openings per year for replacement needs.
50
Occupational Projections 2006–2016 Mohawk Valley Region
Change % Change
Typical Education and Training Requirements 2006 2016 2006-2016 2006-2016
Short-term on-the-job training 78,990 82,450 3,460 4.4%
Moderate-term on-the-job training 41,590 41,440 -150 -0.4%
Long-term on-the-job training 10,750 11,050 300 2.8%
Work experience in a related occupation 14,440 14,720 280 1.9%
Postsecondary vocational award 12,250 13,140 890 7.3%
Associate degree 7,620 8,600 980 12.9%
Bachelor’s degree 21,680 23,370 1,690 7.8%
Bachelor’s or higher degree, plus work experience 7,190 7,230 40 0.6%
Master’s degree 3,870 4,410 540 14.0%
Doctoral degree 370 390 20 5.4%
First professional degree 2,210 2,380 170 7.7%
Information not available 20,450 21,350 900 4.4%
TOTAL 221,410 230,530 9,120 4.1%
* Based on total that excludes “Information not available”
category
Jobs requiring training/experience but not post-secondary
education 145,770 149,660 3,890 2.7%
Jobs requiring post-secondary education 55,190 59,520 4,330 7.8%
Table 39
Community

DATA SOURCES
The table on page 50 shows the number of jobs in the Mohawk Valley in 2006 that require
specific education and training requirements compared to the expected number of jobs in 2016
that require the same education and training requirements. For example, the number of jobs
that will require short-term on-the-job training is expected to grow 4.4 percent from 2006–
2016, while the jobs that will require an associate degree is expected to grow 12.9 percent.
Overall, jobs requiring training/experience, but not post-secondary education, are expected to
rise 2.7 percent over the ten-year period, compared with a 7.8 percent increase in jobs requiring
post-secondary education. Although jobs requiring post-secondary education are expected to
grow faster than other jobs, the total number of jobs in 2016 that will require post-secondary
education (59,520) will still be well below the number of jobs not requiring post-secondary
education (149,660).
Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency
New York State Department of Labor Statistics
U.S. Census Bureau
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
51
Community

WHERE WE STAND
The health and well-being of a community—physical, social, economic or political—cannot be
determined by statistics alone. Many intangible, immeasurable factors must also be considered.
One of these factors is the ability of a community to provide its residents with a variety of
amenities and opportunities that make it a great place to live, work, and raise a family. It also
includes the perceptions of community members and their level of belief that community factors
support or inhibit their quality of life.
Herkimer County’s green space is crucial to the overall health of families and communities. Our
parks and trails give the opportunity to build strong families, spawning economic development,
and enhancing the area’s quality of life. With nearly a dozen golf courses, over 30 parks and
scores of hiking trails, people of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to play, relax, and
explore natural resources in Herkimer County.
Tracks and Hiking Trails
The recent edition of the Herkimer County Trail Guide displays trails that include the rolling
hills of the southern part of the county, along the Mohawk River Valley and Erie Canal, and north
throughout the Adirondack Mountains. Walking, running, in-line skating, bicycling, and cross
country skiing are some of the many activities that take place on these trails.
52
Community
Quality of Life
Rock Climbing—Moss Island
Table 40 on the next page details the
tracks and hiking trails available in
Herkimer County. These tracks and
trails are located throughout the county
and an be utilized by both the general
public and experienced hikers alike.
Copies of the guide are available
throughout the Mid-York Library
System in Herkimer County, and an
electronic version is available online
through the following link:
http://herkimerhealthnet.com/PDF/
NEWTRAIL.pdf.

Table 40List of Tracks and Trails in Herkimer County
Physical Activities
The tables on the following pages represent a selection of opportunities for outdoor physical
activity, including playgrounds, public beaches, and tennis courts.
A Physical Activities guide is available to the public. This comprehensive guide includes listings
for youth recreation programs, places to swim (pools and beaches), fitness facilities, sports
fields, tennis courts, track and field areas, playgrounds, parks, and trails. Even during the
winter season, there are facilities available to the community as well as outdoor recreational
sports. This guide is available throughout the county and online through the following link:
http://www.herkimerhealthnet.com/PDF/2010physical.pdf.
53
Name Type
Length
(mi.)
Trailhead
Rondaxe Mountain (Bald Mountain) Trail Rondaxe Road, Old Forge 1.0
Bubb-Sis Trail Trail State Route 28, Old Forge 0.9
Canal Trail Trail State Route 5S, Little Falls 2.0
Cascade Lake Trail Trail Big Moose Road, Eagle Bay 3.9
Dolgeville-Salisbury Greenway Trail Trail Spencer Street, Dolgeville 1.6
Faville Falls Trail Peckville Road, Dolgeville 0.25
Keegan’s Trail Trail State Route 8, Ohio 0.75
McCauley Mountain Trail Trail Park Avenue, Old Forge 1.25
McKeever Area Trails Trail McKeever Road, Forestport 0.5–7.6
Moreland Trail Trail Ritter Road, Little Falls 0.7
Moss Island Trail Trail Lock 17, Little Falls 0.7
Moss Lake Trail Trail Big Moose Road, Eagle Bay 2.4
Nick’s Lake Loop Trail Trail Bisby Road, Old Forge 4.5
Russell Park Trail Trail Park Road, Ilion ~
Dolgeville Central School High School Track Track Slawson Street, Dolgeville —
Frankfort-Schuyler MS/HS Track Track Palmer Street, Frankfort —
Herkimer B.O.C.E.S. Nature Trail Trail Gros Boulevard, Herkimer —
HCCC Nature Trail Trail 100 Reservoir Road, Herkimer 0.8
Ilion High School Track Track Bomber Boulevard, Ilion —
Mohawk School Track Track 28 Grove Street, Mohawk —
Mt. Markham Central School Nature & Fitness Trail &
Track
Both Fairground Road, West Winfield 0.7
Poland Central School Nature Trail Trail State Route 8, Poland 0.4–0.6
Robert B. Woodruff Outdoor Learning Center Trail Owen D. Young School, Van Hornesville 0.6
West Canada Valley School Nature Trail & Track Both State Route 28 Newport 2.15
Source: Herkimer County HealthNet, Inc., Trail Guide
Community
Quality of Life

Playgrounds
Public Beaches
54
Name Location
Ward Wheelock, Jr. Community Park State Route 51, Cedarville
American Legion 529 Main Street, Cold Brook
Village Playground Helmer Avenue, Dolgeville
Fairfield Playground Hard Scrabble Road, Fairfield
Frankfort Marina Railroad Street, Frankfort
Hilltop Park 4 Hilltop Road, Frankfort
Basloe Playground Gilbert Street, Herkimer
Brookwood Park West German Street, Herkimer
H.A.R.C. Park East German Street, Herkimer
Harmon Field Frederick Street, Herkimer
Herkimer Town Park, Playground and Fields Pine Grove Road, Herkimer
Lou Ambers Fields & Playground Marginal Road, Herkimer
Barringer Road School Playground Barringer Road, Ilion
Remington School Playground East North Street, Ilion
Russell Park Park Road, Ilion
Sixth Avenue & Montgomery Street Playground Ilion
Dave Whalen Community Park East Street, Ilion
Village Park Park Street, Middleville
Fisher Elementary School 10 Fisher Avenue, Mohawk
Village Playground 7536 East Street, Newport
Recreational Park Nellis Road, Ohio
26 Cold Brook Street, Poland
Town Park State Route 29, Salisbury Center
Woods Lane Park Woods Lane, Schuyler
North Street Pavilion North Street, Old Forge
Owen D. Young School State Route 80, Van Hornesville
Town Park U.S. Highway 20, West Winfield
Mount Markham Elementary Fairground Road, West Winfield
Source: Herkimer County HealthNet, Inc., Physical Activities Guide
Table 41
Community
Quality of Life
Name Location Phone
Baker’s Beach Lake Road, Richfield Springs (315) 858-2043
Hinckley Day Use Area 281 Stormy Hill Road, Cold Brook (315) 826-3800
Nick’s Lake Campground 278 Bisby Road, Old Forge (315) 369-3314
Town of Webb Beach Lakeview Lane, Old Forge (315) 369-2039
Table 42

Along the Erie Canal—Photo by Bart Carrig
Tennis Courts
55
Name Location
Dolgeville Central School 28 Slawson Street Ext., Dolgeville
Herkimer Central School 801 West German Street, Herkimer
Herkimer County Community College 100 Reservoir Road, Herkimer
East Herkimer Elementary School Pine Grove Road, Herkimer
Ilion Central School 1 Golden Bomber Road, Ilion
Little Falls Veterans Park Burwell Street, Little Falls
Lou Ambers Tennis Court Marginal Road, Herkimer
Little Falls Central School 1 High School Road, Little Falls
Mt. Markham Central School 500 Fairground Road, West Winfield
Old Forge Main Street, Old Forge
Town Park State Route 29, Salisbury Center
West Canada Valley Central School 5447 State Route 28, Newport
Table 43
Community
Quality of Life

Graph 16
Arts & Culture
The table below depicts the amount of money (in 2010 dollars) granted by the New York State
Council on the Arts for arts expenditures in Herkimer County, neighboring counties and NYS
(excluding NYC), expressed as a rate per resident. Grants are issued to local organizations,
schools and governments.
New York State Art Grants
According to the Herkimer and Oneida Counties Community Indicators Project, New York State
funding for the arts has fallen in the last several years throughout the state and in Herkimer
and Oneida counties. In 2010, per-capita funding was 24 cents per resident in Herkimer County
and $1.53 in Oneida County, compared to $1.53 for the state (excluding NYC). Herkimer County
saw arts funding decline by more than 80% compared to 2001, while it went down about 30% in
NYS during the same time period. While neighboring Oneida County received greater funding
than its comparison counties, Herkimer County received more than one county and less than the
other.56
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
NYS (excluding NYC) $2.12 $1.89 $1.84 $1.54 $1.53 $1.46 $1.58 $1.80 $1.43 $1.53
Herkimer $1.46 $2.56 $1.41 $0.97 $0.91 $1.21 $0.83 $0.79 $0.11 $0.24
Oneida $2.22 $1.73 $1.88 $1.48 $1.36 $1.38 $1.85 $1.93 $1.56 $1.56
Montgomery $0.92 $0.89 $1.10 $0.83 $1.47 $0.88 $2.02 $1.50 $0.21 $1.21
Fulton $0.17 $0.00 $0.00 $0.08 $0.08 $0.08 $0.13 $0.11 $0.11 $0.00
$0.00
$0.50
$1.00
$1.50
$2.00
$2.50
$3.00
DollarsPerResident
Source: Leadership Alliance for a Vital Community, Herkimer and Oneida Counties: Community Indicators Project
Community
Quality of Life

Quality of Life Survey
In September 2005, Zogby International conducted a telephone survey of 1,205 residents of
Oneida and Herkimer Counties. Residents were asked their opinion on topics such as jobs, the
economy, community, government and overall quality of life. Responses for recording purposes
were separated by three regions: Utica and suburbs, Rome and suburbs and Herkimer County.
Herkimer County responses to select questions are illustrated in the charts below.
One in five Herkimer County residents reported that the change of seasons and the friendly
community were the best things about this area. About one in six respondents believed that it
was the overall quality of life that was the best thing about the area. The percentage of
respondents indicating that the “Friendly Community” and “Overall Good Quality of Life” were
the best things about the area was higher in Herkimer County than in the Utica and Rome areas.
In a separate question, more than three out of four Herkimer County residents polled (77.8%)
indicated that a good quality of life is very important to them personally. Seven out of ten
respondents (71.6%) believe that communities in Herkimer County provide a good quality of life
“well” to “very well”. Responses in the “very well” category exceeded those recorded for the
Utica and Rome areas.
57
20.4% 20.3%
17.5%
14.4%
7.1%
6.3% 6.0%
3.1%
2.5% 2.4%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
Change of
Seasons
Friendly
Community
Not Sure Good
Quality of
Life
Adirondacks Family
is Here
Smaller City Cost of Living Diverse
Culture
Other
What is the best thing about this area?
Graph 17
Source: MV The Next Step, 2005. Zogby International and the Observer-Dispatch
Community
Quality of Life

Three out of ten survey respondents in Herkimer County believed that the availability of jobs
was the worst thing about the area. One in six residents believed that it was the depressed
economy. These responses were higher than those recorded for the Utica and Rome areas.
Physical Activities Guide
http://herkimerhealthnet.com/PDF/PhysicalActivityGuide.pdf
Leadership Alliance for a Vital Community
Herkimer and Oneida Counties: Community Indicators Project
http://www.communityprofiles.org/herkimeroneida/glance_all.php
Valley United Way
Mohawk Valley, the Next Step. 2005, Zogby International and the Observer-Dispatch
http://www.uticaod.com/static/news/visions/visions_index.htm
58
29.8%
19.6%
16.0%
13.0%
6.1% 6.0%
3.3%
2.2%
4.1%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
Availability of
Jobs
Not Sure Depressed
Economy
Weather
Snow
Quality
of Jobs
Taxes Local
Government
Roads/
Sidewalks in
Disrepair
Other
Graph 18
Source: MV The Next Step, 2005. Zogby International and the Observer-Dispatch
What is the worst thing about the area?
Community
Quality of Life
DATA SOURCES

How children spend their time when out of school influences their development. Through
involvement with after school activities, such as recreation programs, clubs and sports activities,
children can learn social skills, improve academic performance and develop relationships with
caring adults.
Based on research findings catalogued by the Child Trends Data Bank:
• Participation in club activities during middle childhood is linked to higher academic
performance and self-esteem;
• Participation in sports is linked to higher social competence and contributes to better health
and lower likelihood of obesity;
• Some research shows that children of low-income families who attend after-school programs
are less likely to exhibit antisocial and problem behaviors; and
• Older children who consistently participate in after-school activities are more likely to
attend college, vote, and volunteer later in life.
The Child Trends Data Bank documents that adolescents who volunteer their services in the
community are more likely to experience overall positive academic, psychological, and
occupational outcomes and are less likely to become pregnant or use drugs.
The Community Domain is where youth spend a lot of their free, often unsupervised, time and
where young people can fall into trouble or become engaged in positive pursuits. There are a
select number of questions in the Teen Assessment Project (TAP) Survey related to how youth
perceive their community, how they spend their time in the community, how religious they are,
how safe they feel there, and how important they believe it is to contribute to their community.
It appears that our youth are finding more fun things to do within their communities, but
earning money and finding jobs is becoming more difficult. They also seem to feel that adults
value and care about teens more than their counterparts from the two previous surveys. The
high number who report feeling safe in their communities remains steady throughout the four
surveys, and over half of all teens feel it is important to contribute to their community.
One question that explores youth perception of their community asks whether they agree that
there are fun things to do in their community. There seems to be a positive trend emerging in
Herkimer County in this area. When the survey was first administered in 1997, only 27% of
teens felt there were fun things to do in their community, in 2001 the number rose to 31%, in
2005 the number rose again to 38%. In the most recent TAP survey done in 2009, 43% of youth
taking the survey responded that there were fun things to do in their community.
WHERE WE STAND
59
Community
Youth Perceptions of the Community

Along the same positive lines, respondents agree that more adults in the community care about
and value teens. In 2001, the number of teens who felt this way was 55%; in 2005, the number
rose to 57%; and in 2009, it rose again to 62%.
As seems to be the case nationally, Herkimer County teens are reporting that they are finding it
more difficult to find a job and earn money. In both the 2001 and 2005 surveys, over half
(55%) of teens responded that there were opportunities to earn money and find jobs. However,
in the 2009 survey, this number dropped to 43%.
A series of questions in the TAP Survey ask how much time youth spend on various activities;
several of the activities are within the community domain. Results from the 2009 survey
indicate that our youth seem to be spending less time on the following activities than they did in
the past: participating in school community activities—62% say they spend an hour or less on
this each month; participating in organized sports—45% spend an hour or less per month; and
attending religious functions—almost 84% indicate they spend an hour or less per month.
Four out of five young people said they feel safe in the community, and this has been consistent
over the four TAP Surveys (1997—80%, 2001—82%, 2005—79%, 2009—79%). The strength of
this sense of “safeness” has dissipated somewhat since the 1997 survey. While as many as 25%
of all teens said that they “strongly agreed” with the statement that they felt safe in their
communities, only 17% said the same thing in 2009. Despite this, the overall sense of “safeness”
in the community remains high for our youth.
Graph 19
60
The Percentage of Teens in Herkimer County That Agree That In Their Communities….
43%
43%
62%
38%
55%
57%
27%
55%
55%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
There Are Fun
Things To Do
There Are Opportunities
to Earn Money
Adults Care About
Kids My Age
2001 2005 2009
Source: 2009 Herkimer County Teen Assessment Project Survey
Community

There are some indicators that the community, by restricting youth access to tobacco, alcohol
and marijuana, has become more protective of our young people. When asked how easy it is for
them to get these substances, in each case between 2001 and 2009 fewer indicated that it was
either “easy” or “very easy” first for tobacco (2001—56%, 2005—47%, 2009—41%), second for
alcohol (2001—60%, 2005—56%, 2009—49%), and third for marijuana (2001—43%, 2005—37%,
2009—32%). The trend seems to indicate that our youth are finding it more difficult to obtain
these illegal substances.
Herkimer County Youth Summit
At the 2009 Herkimer County Youth Summit, attendees were given a list of ten important
attributes of successful schools and communities and were asked to judge whether their
community and/or school possessed these qualities. When asked if there is an “evidence of
strong community connectedness and pride,” 80% of the Youth Summit teams reported that
their community/school had this attribute. When asked if there were “fun and safe places for
youth” to go after school, on weekends and in the summer, 90% of the Youth Summit teams
reported that their community and/or school did not have this attribute. The development of a
recreation center, a zoo, and additional employment opportunities were suggested. Youth also
indicated that because communities are small, it is very hard to have activities that the youth
population wants. The amount of money needed and community support were cited as additional
barriers.
It is Important to Contribute to My Community . . .
61
Graph 20
67%
33%
69%
31%
70%
30%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Agree
Disagree
2001 2005 2009
The number of youth
who agree that it is
important to
contribute to their
community has been
fairly steady in past
surveys (2001—70%,
2005—69%,
2009—67%), however
this number has
decreased by a few
percentage points in
each survey.
Additionally, the
number of youth who
admit to having
committed a crime
such as vandalism,
shoplifting, or assault
has also decreased by
a few points (2005—
25%, 2009—22%).
Community

DATA SOURCES
62
Russian Monastery—near Jordanville
In the subsequent Youth Summits in 2010, 2011 and 2012, the student participants focused on
the issues of intolerance, bullying, technology etiquette and substance abuse. When identifying
root causes for substance abuse, they often cited the lack of healthy, fun activities for youth in
the community. However, discussion in these three Youth Summits did not specifically dwell on
their perception of their community and school.
Child Trends Data Bank
Herkimer-Oneida Counties Comprehensive Planning Program:
Herkimer County Youth Summit Report
Community

WHERE WE STAND
Employment is important for youth for various reasons. It provides a youth development
opportunity which can help youth develop into productive adults, allows a chance for personal
growth, and serves as a skill building opportunity. Youth learn to interact with adults and peers
in a professional capacity, learn appropriate work related skills such as dress, promptness, and
performance expectations that they will take with them throughout life. From an economic
standpoint it provides the opportunity to earn a paycheck which can help families in difficult
financial situations and provide a chance for youth to learn to manage their own funds.
Employment assistance for adults to help them enter or re-enter the workforce, improve their
work-related skills and learn about resources available is an important service that promotes the
economic well-being of individuals, families and communities.
Summer Youth Employment Program
The Herkimer County Youth Bureau Summer Employment Program employs youth for a seven
week time period each summer. Youth must initiate the process of obtaining a job by calling
their individual county legislator and requesting an application for employment. As there are a
limited number of applications available, generally the first youth to call are the ones who
receive jobs. The remainder are placed on waiting lists in the event that there are job openings
at some point in the program. Since 2009, the number of seven-week job slots available in the
Summer Youth Employment Program was reduced to 306. Whenever possible, youth are placed in
jobs they request, especially when they have chosen a career path and are interested in gaining
experience in that field.
63Herkimer County Historical Society
Community
Youth Development and Employment Assistance

Graph 21 below illustrates the number of youth that have participated in the Summer Youth
Employment Program from 2003 to 2012. The number of youth employed in the program each
year has remained at program capacity over this ten year period, fluctuating from a high of 361
in 2003 and 2004, to a low of 305 in 2009. Numbers have increased since that time, ranging
from 335 in 2010, 331 in 2011, and 315 in 2012. More females than males have been employed in
the program in all years recorded.
Graph 22 on the next page illustrates the number of youth that have participated in the Summer
Youth Employment Program from 2003 to 2012 by age. The data indicate that age plays a big
part in which county youth request these jobs. From 2003–2012, the number of 16–17 year olds
working in the program is highest, with 18–19 year olds having a fairly high number of workers,
and the 20–21 year old population having only a few working in this program.
This could be caused by a number of factors, such as these jobs being an introduction into the
world of work and are sought more by the younger youth just starting to work. The number of
hours is less than what they may work if they find another job, (such as restaurant or store) and
the rate of pay is less than what they will earn elsewhere. Also, older youth tend to be more
mobile and have access to cars—which means they are able to take higher paying jobs farther
from home.
64
Source: Herkimer County Youth Bureau
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Females 216 200 194 163 190 181 158 183 175 171
Males 145 161 152 155 152 149 147 152 156 144
Total 361 361 346 318 342 330 305 335 331 315
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
Herkimer County Summer Youth Employment Program
2003 to 2012
Graph 21
Community

Old Forge Transportation Program
The Old Forge Transportation Program (bus program) provides free transportation to youth who
have summer jobs in the northern region of Herkimer County. For some youth, this commute is
more than an hour from home and the cost of driving back and forth daily would negate much of
the salary they earn at their jobs.
Graph 23 on the next page illustrates the number of youth that have utilized the bus program
from 2003 to 2012 by pick up site. The buses pick up youth in four areas: the villages of
Herkimer, Newport, Poland, and Middleville. Geographically, the highest number of program
participants access the Herkimer pick-up point. This is most likely due to the fact that this is
centrally located for the “Valley Corridor”—Frankfort, Ilion, Mohawk, Herkimer, and Little Falls.
It is simply closer for youth from these villages to meet the buses in Herkimer than the other 3
designated pick up spots.
Graph 22
65
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
16 139 113 122 115 103 127 96 111 116 86
17 114 117 94 107 115 95 99 105 104 108
18 57 68 80 54 62 55 59 63 64 73
19 25 37 31 34 37 27 33 38 26 33
20 19 16 15 6 21 22 14 16 18 12
21 7 10 4 2 4 4 4 2 3 3
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Herkimer County Summer Youth Employment Program
by Age of Youth 2003 to 2012
Community

Source: Herkimer County Youth Bureau Note: 2006 Data Not Available
Overall usage of the Old Forge Transportation Program has declined between 2003 and 2012.
While declines were recorded for the pick up sites in both Herkimer and Poland, increases have
been recorded at both the Newport and Middleville pick-up locations.
Graph 24 on the next page illustrates the number of youth that have utilized the bus program
from 2003 to 2012 by age. Data indicate that the majority of youth taking advantage of this
transportation program are between the ages of 15–17. In the past, 14 year olds were part of
the larger numbers, however this has changed in the past 3 years. In part, this is due to the
employers in the area preferring to hire older workers and the fact that the 15–18 year olds are
available and willing to work.
66
Herkimer Newport Poland Middleville Total
2003 118 10 33 8 169
2004 103 13 31 16 163
2005 111 12 20 20 163
2007 62 20 11 26 119
2008 72 30 8 31 141
2009 48 18 12 24 102
2010 35 28 8 28 99
2011 52 14 13 16 95
2012 62 11 13 23 109
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
Old Forge Transportation Program
Transportation Numbers by Pick Up Site
Graph 23
Community

Herkimer County Employment and Training Administration
The Herkimer County Employment and Training
Administration (ETA) is 100% federally funded
under the Workforce Investment Act and provides
a variety of programs for adults and youth.
The chart to the right illustrates the amount of
federal funding allocated to the Herkimer County
Employment and Training Administration from the
Work Investment Act (WIA). A decrease in funding
for the program can be observed from 2006 until
2011, when a slight increase of funding was added
to the program’s budget.
67
2003 2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
14 29 47 25 5 7 8 4 4 8
15 57 36 35 26 13 7 14 9 11
16 27 43 40 31 46 30 27 25 28
17 31 19 31 28 31 26 22 22 27
18 16 13 10 13 17 19 13 17 10
19 6 3 18 10 13 8 12 5 12
20 0 1 3 2 7 2 5 10 5
21 3 1 1 4 7 2 2 3 8
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Old Forge Area Transportation Program
Age of Participants 2003 to 2012
Graph 24
Work Investment Act (W.I.A.)
Funding Allocation to Herkimer County
Program Year Amount of Funding
2006 $613,000
2007 $553,000
2008* $467,000
2009 $574,112
2010 $507,551
2011 $395,169
2012 $412,216
Source: Herkimer County Employment and Training
Table 44
Community

Table 45
ETA Programs College Corps TANF SYEP
2007 24 100*
2008 24 97*
2009 16 200*
2010 21 59
2011 23 71
2012 25 86
*WIA and stimulus funding used
Youth Programming
“Project Reconnect” is a program made possible with WIA funding for out of school youth. The
goal of this program is to help youth who have dropped out of school or who have low basic
reading or math scores to improve their skills, gain their high school diploma or GED and find
training or employment. ETA contracts with Herkimer County BOCES to provide academic
instruction, tutoring and work readiness skills. Currently, over 50 youth are being served by
Project Reconnect.
“SYEP-Summer Youth Employment Program” is funded with TANF (Temporary Assistance to
Needy Families) money that DSS assigns to ETA. The purpose of this program is to provide a
summer workplace experience to TANF-eligible youth ages fourteen to twenty. Youth are placed
at worksites throughout the county where they gain valuable job skills and also earn federal
minimum wage. ETA summer counselors visit the worksites periodically throughout the summer
to provide career-related information. Each youth leaves the program with a résumé and some
valuable experience.
“College Corps Internship Program” is a program administered by ETA with funds approved
through the Herkimer County Legislature. Herkimer County youth entering their junior or senior
year of college can participate in a two-hundred hour internship with an area employer. The
internship should be closely related to the student’s major. Youth are paid $9.00 per hour, and
this cost is shared by the county and the employer. This program has been successful in helping
students realize that there are opportunities available for them in the Mohawk Valley after
graduation.
Number of Youth in ETA Summer Youth Programs in Herkimer County
2007 to 2012
68
Source: Herkimer County Employment and Training Administration
Community

Adult Programming
“On the Job Training” (OJT) is a program where WIA funds can be used as an incentive to an
employer to hire a Herkimer County resident who is either unemployed, underemployed or has
been dislocated from a previous employer. The employer is reimbursed for 50% of the person’s
starting wage during the specified training period.
“Classroom Training” (CRT) is a program the uses WIA funds to assist customers to increase or
enhance their current skills through an approved training program. The goal is to make those
individuals more employable and marketable.
Number of Adults and Dislocated Workers in OJT/CRT Programs
in Herkimer County: 2009-2011
It is important to note that over the last few years, there has been more funding allocated to
serve dislocated workers. These are workers who have been laid off due to a reduction in
workforce at their company. They typically are receiving or have received Unemployment
Insurance.
Herkimer County Working Solutions One Stop Career Center
In 2001, federal legislation mandated that the Herkimer County Employment & Training
Administration enter into a partnership arrangement with the New York State Department of
Labor as well as other agencies to create a One Stop Career Center. The idea behind this was
for a customer to come to one location and be able to access a variety of services and programs.
Other agencies who have staff co-located at the Herkimer Working Solutions are the Herkimer
County Department of Social Services, Herkimer County Community College, Herkimer County
BOCES, Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL) and the Office of Adult Career and
Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR).
69
Community
Table 46
YEAR OJT-Adults
OJT-Dislocated
Workers
CRT-Adults
CRT-Dislocated
Workers
2009 9 27 25 22
2010 5 42 6 28
2011 6 19 7 16
Source: Herkimer County Employment and Training Administration

Painted Trillium— Photo by Bart Carrig
SERVICES WORKSHOPS
INFORMATIONAL
SESSIONS
FUNDING
OPPORTUNITIES
Resource area with use of
computers, phone, fax & copier
“Job Search & Interview Skills”
ACCES-VR Community
Information Seminar
On-the-Job Training
Resume writing assistance
“Social Media for an Effective
Job Search”
BOCES GED & Training
Informational Session
Classroom Training
Job matching using SMART
(Skills Matching & Referral
Technology)
“Coping with Job Loss” Resume Writing Lab
One-on-one career advisement
with a Primary Advisor
“Transferable Skills”
Referrals to partner agencies “Advanced Interview Skills”
Typing tutorial software “Taking Civil Service Exams”
Career Exploration tools
“Becoming Motivated and
Defeating Barriers
DATA SOURCES
Staff members from the Herkimer County Employment & Training and the New York State
Department of Labor provide all of the day to day service delivery to customers at the
Herkimer County One Stop location. All of the services are free and open to anyone.
Herkimer County Working Solutions Programs and Services
Herkimer County Youth Bureau,
Program Statistics 2003-2012
Herkimer County Employment and Training
Administration,
Program Statistics 2007-2012
Community
70

WHERE WE STAND
The chart above illustrates the number and type of regulated child care programs, by modality,
in Herkimer County. Regulated child care programs are those which comply with New York State
Office of Children and Family Services Child Care Regulations to care for over two children
(unrelated to the caregiver) for over three hours a day. The numbers of actual children being
served by each program is dependent on the age of the child being served—the younger the
child, the lower ratio of caregiver to child, and the greater number of “slots” taken.
Of the three Day Care Centers in Herkimer County, none currently provide year-round care for
the toddlers and school age children that they serve. One center operates on a college schedule
(closed on college breaks and between semesters), and the other two provide care during the K-
12 school year (these centers will remain open if enough parents request care).
The graph on the next page indicates the number of potential child care slots for child care
centers and school-age child care programs by age group in Herkimer County. As the graph
indicates, no Herkimer County child care centers offer care for infants. There is also a
significant lack of child care slots for toddlers.
Good quality child care is not only important for positive youth development, but also for social
welfare and economic reasons. It is widely accepted that early childhood education can play a
positive role in long-term human development, but the importance of good quality, reliable and
affordable child care for families, workers, and for broader economic development is sometimes
less obvious and acknowledged within traditional systems.
Source: Child Care Coordinating Council of Cornell Cooperative Extension
Regulated Child Care Programs
Number of
Programs
Number of
Potential Slots
Age
Range
Family Child Care Homes 30 240 6 wks.–12 yrs.
Group Family Child Care Homes 22 334 6 wks.–12 yrs.
School Age Care Programs 7 228 5 yrs.–12 yrs.
Day Care Centers (Licensed Day Care) 3 93 18 mos.–5 yrs.
Head Start (Licensed Day Care) 6 154 3 yrs.–5 yrs.
Table 47
2013 Supply of Regulated Child Care in Herkimer County
71
Community
Availability of Day Care

Need for Additional Child Care
According to KIDS Count, labor force statistics indicate that, in New York State, 55 percent of
children ages 0–5 years old and 45 percent of children 6–13 years old are likely to need care.
Demand for child care considers children who may utilize a regulated setting (child care center,
family/group family child care home, Head Start or school-age program) or a non-regulated
modality of care (family member, nanny, legally exempt provider, nursery/pre-school).
According to the Child Care Coordinating Council of Cornell Cooperative Extension’s 2011 Child
Care Needs Assessment , Herkimer County has a deficit of regulated child care slots. Graph 26
on the next page illustrates the need by age group. For each regulated child care slot available
for a child age 0–6, there are 2 additional children in need of care, and for every one regulated
slot for a child age 6–12, there are 3 additional children in need of care.
Graph 27 on the next page illustrates the type and quantity of regulated Child Care required to
fully address the needs of children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.
Infant, 0
Toddler, 18
Preschool, 203
School Age in Licensed
Day Care, 26
School Age
Child Care, 228
Child Care Slots By Age Group
Herkimer County—2013
Source: Child Care Coordinating Council of Cornell Cooperative Extension
72
Graph 25
Community

73
Source: 2011 Child Care Needs Assessment, Child Care Coordinating Council of Cornell Cooperative Extension
Graph 26
1,874
2,327
Child Care Center, 412
Nursery School, 394
Family Child Care, 225
Other, 843
Need for Child Care
Children 6 wks. to 5 yrs.
Graph 27
Community

Child Care Slot Utilization
The graphs below illustrate the utilization rate of child care slots within Herkimer County, as
reported in the 2011 Child Care Needs Assessment. The rate is based on figures collected from
a sample of programs. When considering utilization for family/group family child care programs,
it is important to keep in mind that potential slots reflect the maximum number of slots a
program is registered or licensed to serve, and sometimes does no reflect the actual number of
potential slots a program may currently have available. This discrepancy is due to the variation
in the maximum number of slots available due to the age of children in care.
Cost of Care
The cost of child care can also place a burden on families. According to the 2007 Child Care
Market Rates in New York State, a family can expect to pay as much as $150 to $180 per week
(depending on age) for care at a regulated child care center, and approximately $80–$100 per
week for legally-exempt or in home care. The table on the next page illustrates child care rates
by modality in Herkimer County. Average costs for child care in Herkimer County vary between
$126 and $185 (depending on age and type of care).
A 2011 report by National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies indicates
that New York State parents can expect to spend 15.7% of their income on child care expenses.
The yearly cost of child care for one child can easily exceed the cost of one year’s tuition at a
community college.
85% 81%
95%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Family Child
Care
Group Family
Child Care
School Age
Care
Child Care Program
Utilization
Graph 28 Graph 29
74
Community

DATA SOURCES
Table 48Child Care Rates by Modality in Herkimer County
Child Care Coordinating Council of Cornell Cooperative Extension
2011 Child Care Needs Assessment.
http://www.mycccc.org/NQA NY Oneida Document 20 Needs Assessment revised charts.pdf
75
Modality Minimum Maximum Average
Infant/Toddler
Child Care Centers
(6 wks.–18 mo.)
n/a n/a n/a
Child Care Centers
(19 mo.–35 mo.)
$185.00 $185.00 $185.00
Family Child Care
(6 wks.–23 mo.)
$75.00 $150.00 $128.28
Family Child Care
(24 mo.–35 mo.)
$70.00 $150.00 $123.29
Preschool
Child Care Centers
(3–5 yrs.)
$125.00 $170.00 $147.50
Family Child Care
(3–5 yrs.)
$70.00 $150.00 $123.10
School Age
Child Care Centers
(5–12 yrs.)
$125.00 $125.00 $125.00
Family Child Care
(5–12 yrs.)
$100.00 $150.00 $126.67
Community

• According to the 2010 U.S. Census, there were 64,519 people living in Herkimer County, an
increase of approximately 0.1%, or 92 residents, since 2000. This population ranked 40th
out
of the 62 counties in New York State.
• The median incomes for Herkimer County are decreasing, and incomes remain lower in the
county than in NYS and the U.S. The percentage of individuals who make over $100,000 per
year has nearly tripled since 2000 (from 3.7% to 10.4%), but this percentage continues to be
much lower than the state (13.2%) and US (20.9%) respectively.
• Information from the NYS Agricultural Statistics reports that there has been a decrease in
the number of farms and land used in farming in Herkimer County between 2000 (710 farms
and 154,200 farmed acres) and 2010 (675 farms and 136,600 farmed acres).
• Call volume at New York State FarmNet continues at high levels with over 6,000 contacts
each year. More men are calling for help from family consultants at FarmNet; where, in the
past, more women called for this support. Divorce rates are also increasing in the farm
community.
• Herkimer County spent approximately $559 less per capita than the average upstate small
county in 2010. Expenditures for public safety and contributions to employee benefits were
ranked among the lowest in the Mohawk Valley region and in New York State. Debt, taxes
per capita and government expenditures were also lower in Herkimer County than in
comparable counties.
• Herkimer County has seen a slight increase in population between 1950 and 2010. The overall
population in Herkimer County has risen by 3,112 people, or 5.1%, over the last six decades.
• The median age in Herkimer County has increased from 33.6 in 1950 to 42.1 years in 2010.
• The growth of the county’s elderly population (those age 65 and older) has increased
significantly since 1950. While about 7,000 persons were in this category in 1950, by 2010
this age group had grown to about 11,000 persons, an increase of nearly 60%.
• In contrast, the population of children under the age of five has decreased from 6,268 in
1950 to 3,592 in 2010, a decline of 42.7%.
• Between 2002 and 2010, approximately 6,100 children were born in Herkimer County. The
birth rate has fluctuated during this timeframe but has experienced an overall decline, from
687 births in 2002 to 635 births recorded in 2010.
• While Herkimer County’s birth rate is slightly below that of the rest of Upstate New York,
out of wedlock births are above New York State rates. In 2010, 51% of all births in
Herkimer County were to unmarried mothers. This exceeded the 42% NYS and 39% Rest of
State rates for that year.
• The number of births to teen mothers ages 15–17 have decreased by 67% between 2000 and
2010, and births to mothers ages 18–19 have been reduced by 42%.
• Data shows remarkable consistency in the county’s loss of its post-college and early
employment populations as they entered their twenties in the decades from 1980 through
the year 2010.76
Community
Key Findings & Commentary

• According to the 2010 Census, 96.6% of Herkimer County residents are white. Herkimer
County has seen an increase in racial diversity in its population between 2000 and 2010, with
an increase in residents reporting that they are Black or African American, Hispanic or
Latino, or multiple races.
• The percentage of seniors in Herkimer County has consistently exceeded the percentage of
seniors in New York State and the United States from 1960 to 2010.
• Out of the 62 counties in NYS, Herkimer County ranks #10 in its aged 60+ population with
23.28% of the total County Population (2010 Census). With a United States comparison,
Herkimer County ranked 824 out of the 3,141 counties; just shy of the top 25%.
• While it is projected that the overall population of Herkimer County will decrease over the
next 30 years, the population of adults over age 60 is expected to increase by 34.5% during
the same time period.
Housing
• According to the 2008-2010 ACS, one in five Herkimer County homeowners with a mortgage
spent over 35% of their household income on home expenses, compared to more than one in
four of mortgaged homeowners in the United States. Almost half of all homeowners with a
mortgage (47.6%), and 65% of homeowners without a mortgage, spent less than 20% of their
income on housing expenses.
• According to the 2008-2010 ACS, almost 39% of Herkimer County renters spent over 35%
of their household income on home expenses, which is slightly lower than in the United
States (42.5%). Renters in Herkimer County spend a greater percentage of their income on
home related expenses than homeowners (with or without a mortgage) in the county.
• Focus group participants for an affordable housing needs study reported that the primary
housing need in Herkimer County is the availability of safe and decent rental housing at fair
market levels. The issue of absentee landlords was also identified, and rehab and
modernization funds for existing housing stock was cited as a need.
• Sales of existing single family homes decreased by 10.0% in Herkimer County between 2008
and 2010. The median sales price of existing single-family homes in Herkimer County rose by
5.1% between 2008 and 2010, but prices have remained lower than in neighboring counties.
• A nation-wide study done in 2010 by the Association of Religion Data Archives that included
Herkimer County found that religious affiliation had dropped between 2000 and 2010. The
adherent totals for 2000 (35,086) represented 54.5% of the 2000 population. The adherent
totals for 2010 (24,805) represented 38.4% of the total population in 2010. In the United
States, the unadjusted adherent totals of religious groups include 48.8% of the total
population in 2010 (150,596,792).
77
Community

Transportation
• There is very limited public transportation available in Herkimer County. Commuter bus
service is available between Little Falls and Utica (Oneida County), along the Routes 5 and 5S
valley corridor. Two companies in Herkimer County provide commercial taxi services.
• Several communities and agencies have created small, localized services to meet the
transportation needs of specific areas and/or populations. These services, however, are
limited and do not fully meet the needs of the general population.
• 98% of clients responding to an RSVP RIDE Program Survey reported that the
transportation services provided makes them better able to stay in their home.
• The number of jobs in Herkimer County fell 643 or 3.8 percent from 2006 to 2011. Most of
the decline occurred in Manufacturing, which fell by 456 (15.7%) over the 5-year period.
• Herkimer County fared slightly worse than Upstate New York in employment growth. The
Upstate New York areas posted a decline of 2.3 percent from 2006–2011.
• Job gains in Herkimer County were greatest in Private Educational and Health Services,
which grew 11.2 percent from 2006 to 2011. Leisure and hospitality added increased by 10
percent, primarily at food services and restaurants).
• The average manufacturing wage in Herkimer County was $42,540 in 2011, 42.7 percent
higher than the average of $29,810 for all nonmanufacturing jobs in the county.
• Between 2000 and 2013, 39 employers in Herkimer County have received assistance from the
Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency, including 24 Herkimer County employers
that have received over $5,300,000 in loans/grants. As a result of IDA’s support to
businesses, approximately 1,000 new jobs were created and 2,657 jobs were retained.
• The total number of jobs in the Mohawk Valley Region is expected to grow 4.1 percent
• Although jobs requiring post-secondary education are expected to grow faster than other
jobs, the total number of jobs in 2016 that will require post-secondary education (59,520)
will still be well below the number of jobs not requiring post-secondary education (149,660).
Quality of Life
• With nearly a dozen golf courses, over 30 parks and scores of hiking trails, people of all ages
and abilities have the opportunity to play, relax, and explore in Herkimer County.
• NYS funding for the arts has fallen in the last several years throughout the state and in
Herkimer County. In 2010, per-capita funding was 24 cents per resident in Herkimer County,
compared to $1.53 for the state (excluding NYC). Herkimer County saw arts funding decline
by more than 80% compared to 2001, while it decreased 30% in NYS during the same period.
• One in five Herkimer County residents reported that the change of seasons and the friendly
community were the best things about this area. Three out of ten survey respondents in
Herkimer County believed that the availability of jobs was the worst thing about the area.
78
Community

• There seems to be a positive trend emerging regarding teens’ perceptions that there are fun
things to do in their community. When the TAP survey was first administered in 1997, only
27% of teens felt there were fun things to do in their community. In 2001 the number rose
to 31%, in 2005 - 38%, and in 2009 - 43%.
• As seems to be the case nationally, Herkimer County teens are reporting that they are
finding it more difficult to find a job and earn money. In both the 2001 and 2005 surveys,
over half (55%) of teens responded that there were opportunities to earn money and find
jobs. However, in the 2009 survey, this number dropped to 43%.
• 315 youth received jobs through the Youth Bureau Summer Youth Employment Program in
2012; An additional 109 youth utilized the Old Forge Transportation Program.
• The data indicate that age plays a big part in which county youth request jobs from the
Summer Youth Employment Program. From 2003–2012, the number of 16–17 year olds
working in the program is highest, with 18–19 year olds having a fairly high number of
workers, and the 20–21 year old population having only a few working in this program.
• While declines were recorded for the Old Forge Summer Transportation Program pick up
sites in both Herkimer and Poland, increases have been recorded at both the Newport and
Middleville pick-up locations.
• The Herkimer County Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is 100% federally
funded under the Workforce Investment Act and provides a variety of programs for adults
and youth. In 2012, 111 youth were served by ETA Summer Youth Programs (TANF SYEP and
College Corp) and 50 youth are being served by Project ReConnect. In 2011, approximately 50
adults participated in WIA programming.
• Of the three Day Care Centers in Herkimer County, none currently provide year-round care
for the toddlers and school age children that they serve. One center operates on a college
schedule (closed on college breaks and between semesters), and the other two provide care
during the K-12 school year (these centers will remain open if enough parents request care).
• There are currently no Herkimer County child care centers that offer care for infants.
There is also a significant lack of child care slots for toddlers.
• For each regulated child care slot available for a child age 0–6 in Herkimer County there are
2 additional children in need of care. For every one regulated slot for a child age 6–12, there
are 3 additional children in need of care.
• The cost of child care can place a burden on families. Average costs for child care in
Herkimer County vary between $126 and $185 per week (depending on the child’s age and
type of care). The yearly cost of child care for one child can easily exceed the cost of one
year’s tuition at a community college.
79
Community

Source: Herkimer County Board of Elections * Presidential Elections
Citizenship
Voting
The entire structure of our government is based on citizens voting for representation, yet
nationwide most presidential elections are decided by less than 70% of the eligible voting public.
Even fewer people vote in off-presidential year elections and local elections. One of the
distinguishing features of the American political system is the remarkably low levels of voter
turnout it experiences, especially in its younger age groups.
Number & Percentage of Votes Cast—Herkimer County 1982 to 2012 Table 49
WHERE WE STAND
Year Registered Voters Votes Cast Percentage
1982 31,450 24,704 78.6%
1983 32,000 20,182 63.1%
1984* 34,867 29,772 85.4%
1985 34,148 20,919 61.3%
1986 32,857 19,945 60.7%
1987 32,796 18,958 57.8%
1988* 34,341 28,327 82.5%
1989 33,510 19,853 59.2%
1990 32,640 22,740 69.7%
1991 32,952 18,970 57.6%
1992* 33,061 30,281 91.6%
1993 36,851 17,072 46.3%
1994 36,786 24,691 67.1%
1995 37,830 19,036 50.4%
1996* 40,249 26,888 66.8%
1997 41,046 16,703 40.7%
1998 43,120 21,085 49.0%
1999 44,060 15,203 34.5%
2000* 46,044 28,068 60.9%
2001 43,898 13,229 33.1%
2002 44,168 20,113 45.5%
2003 43,198 14,916 34.5%
2004* 43,387 28,517 65.7%
2005 41,950 12,545 29.9%
2006 41,379 20,663 49.9%
2007 40,782 13,317 32.7%
2008* 41,810 27,600 66.0%
2009 38,842 12,132 31.2%
2010 38,838 20,099 51.8%
2011 38,419 14,214 37.0%
2012* 38,967 24,975 64.1%
80

Citizenship
Voting
The chart on the preceding page illustrates the number of eligible voters, the number of votes
cast, and the percentage of eligible voters that have cast votes in each election from 1982 to
2012 in Herkimer County. Eligible voters are those individuals over the age of 18 that are legally
registered to vote and meet voting criteria.
George Mason University’s United States Election Project reports that 58.7% of voting eligible
citizens across the United States turned out to vote in the 2012 presidential election. While
turnout was below that of the 2004 and 2008 elections (61% and 62% respectively), it still
exceeded turnout for other presidential elections over the last 40 years. New York ranked 44th
of all states (and the District of Columbia) in the percentage of eligible voters that cast ballots
in the 2012 election (53.6%). In Herkimer County, 64.1% of eligible voters cast ballots in 2012,
which is above both state and national levels.
Turnout rates for midterm elections and local elections are traditionally lower than those for
presidential elections.
The chart below illustrates the increasing disparity between those individuals that are
registered to vote and those that actually vote in elections in Herkimer County. This change is
consistent with both state and national trends.
The greatest percentage of votes cast by eligible voters between 1982 and 2012 in Herkimer
County occurred during the 1992 Presidential election, when 91.6% of eligible voters cast ballots.
The lowest percentage occurred in the 2005 local election, when 29.9% of eligible voters cast
ballots.
Source: Herkimer County Board of Elections
Graph 30
Number of Registered Herkimer County Voters & Votes Cast
1982–2012
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
1982
1983
1984*
1985
1986
1987
1988*
1989
1990
1991
1992*
1993
1994
1995
1996*
1997
1998
1999
2000*
2001
2002
2003
2004*
2005
2006
2007
2008*
2009
2010
2011
2012*
# ELIGIBLE VOTERS TOTAL VOTES CAST
81

In the November 2012 election, 8.3% of registered New York State voters were inactive as a
result of not having a verifiable address in the voting district. However, in Herkimer County,
the percentage of inactive voters was lower, at 5.6%.
Political Party Affiliation
In November of 2012, nearly half (47.4%) of the registered voters in Herkimer County were
Republican. Over one quarter (27.7%) of all registered voters in November 2012 were affiliated
with the Democratic Party. Six percent of registered voters were registered as Independent
and one and a half percent of registered voters were identified as Conservative. Less than one
percent of all registered voters were affiliated with another political party (e.g. Working
Families, Green, Libertarian).
Approximately one in six (16.7%) registered voters in Herkimer County were not registered with
any political party (blank).
82
Source: Herkimer County Board of Elections
Democrat
27.7%
Republican
47.4%
Independent
6.1%
Conservative
1.5%
Other
0.5%
Blank
16.7%
Political Party Affiliation
Herkimer County 11/2012
Graph 31
Citizenship
Voting

DATA SOURCES
ESG Advocacy Project
http://people.emich.edu/kconley/vote.html
Federal Election Commission
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0781453.html
George Mason University, United States Election Project
http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2012G.html
Herkimer County Board of Elections
New York State Board of Elections
http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/enrollment/county/county_nov12.pdf
Faville Falls—outside of Dolgeville
83
Citizenship
Voting

According to the Associated Press, Americans spend more time watching TV, listening to the
radio, surfing the Internet and reading newspapers than any other activity except breathing.
Media products entertain us, inform us, and help us stay connected to our community and the
world. But not all is positive. Public relations spin, hyper-commercialization, violence packaged
as “entertainment,” news bias, digital photo manipulation and other issues provide many reasons
why both children and adults need media literacy skills.
A major worry in this age of television and the Internet is whether children will want to read for
pleasure as well as information when they become adults. Only about a third of the nation’s
public school children read proficiently, according to the National Assessment of Educational
Progress. While reading achievement levels have increased slightly among fourth-graders, they
have been declining among high school seniors.
Newspaper Circulation
Local newspapers meet the need for local community news that is so important to fostering an
informed and involved citizenry. According to the Heartland Institute, the share of the U.S.
population that reads newspapers has been shrinking for more than two generations.
The Herkimer Telegram had a circulation of approximately 3,000 papers each day in 2012. This
is a decrease from the daily circulation of 6,000 papers reported for 2009. The Telegram
contributes 775 papers each week to the Newspaper in Education program for local Herkimer
County schools. The Little Falls Times had a circulation of approximately 2,000 papers each day
in 2012. The Utica Observer Dispatch reported a circulation of 30,645 daily and 36,694 on
Sunday in 2012, and estimates its circulation in Herkimer County to be 6,925 papers daily and
12,843 on Sunday. All local newspapers currently maintain web sites, although no local data could
be obtained to help determine the number of residents who rely on this medium to keep up with
local news. According to the Newspaper Association of America, newspaper Web sites attracted
more than 113 million unique visitors in November 2012.
Data indicates that newspaper circulation across the nation has been decreasing. The faltering
economy, combined with greater Internet use, are possible explanations for these reductions.
The NY Times reports that the rate of decline in print circulation at the nation’s newspapers has
accelerated since 2008.
WHERE WE STAND
84
Citizenship
Engaged & Informed Citizens

Table 50
Library Use
Libraries are lifelong learning centers. Libraries promote literacy among all members of their
community and provide community members with access to valuable information for education,
resource and leisure purposes.
The chart below illustrates the circulation of Herkimer County libraries from 2005 to 2011.
Seven of the 13 libraries listed reported an increase in the circulation rates during this time
period.
Herkimer County Library Circulation—2005 to 2011
Reference & Research Transactions
Library staff often assist patrons with obtaining reference and research materials. In addition
to the library circulation numbers listed above, Herkimer County’s libraries had a total of over
22,000 reference and research transactions in 2011.
Source: Mid-York Library
Library Name 2006 2007 20082005 2009 2010 2011
Dolgeville 11,743 10,077 10,73213,150 10,922 6,819 10,849
Frankfort 9,239 12,186 13,4418,117 10,824 10,231 10,901
Herkimer 71,393 72,266 64,73473,433 60,855 60,526 76,486
Ilion 66,594 67,645 68,93365,510 69,954 55,521 64,376
Jordanville 16,644 12,520 12,5109,602 5,274 5,553 6,823
Little Falls 51,039 60,126 62,89252,318 76,733 54,958 60,375
Middleville 5,637 6,445 7,8925,164 7,814 6,285 6,663
Mohawk 8,271 7,763 7,27210,846 7,770 8,558 7,606
Newport 7,561 7,621 7,7287,169 7,824 7,867 3,489
Old Forge 25,206 25,254 25,05025,747 35,395 35,265 27,237
Poland 29,037 36,422 39,77030,797 42,129 43,266 34,714
Salisbury 8,955 8,468 9,3298,906 8,362 7,709 7,599
West Winfield 33,299 25,890 25,75425,583 27,102 26,085 26,665
Total 344,618 352,683 356,037336,342 370,958 328,643 343,783
85
Citizenship

Downloadable E-Books and Audiobooks
The graph below illustrates the downloadable E-books and Audiobooks circulation between 2009
and 2011. Usually, downloadable e-books and audiobooks figures are included in total circulation
figures; however the data have been disaggregated to illustrate that usage in Herkimer County
has tripled nearly across the board over 3 years and patrons in Herkimer County are using
innovative technologies provided by their libraries.
Library Programs and Attendance
Libraries provide programs and services that promote literacy and educational opportunities for
children and adults in their communities. Table 51 on the following page lists the number of
programs offered and attendance for programs in local libraries between 2006 and 2011. Eight
libraries in Herkimer County increased both the number of programs offered and attendance
levels during this time period.
Graph 32
Dolge-
ville
Frank-
fort
Herk Ilion
Jordan-
ville
Little
Falls
Middle-
ville
Mohawk Newport
Old
Forge
Poland
Salis-
bury
West
Winfield
2009 228 206 303 171 56 354 49 97 172 269 16 81 186
2010 188 166 459 431 38 530 94 177 202 340 66 128 215
2011* 305 641 993 1,094 153 935 142 548 493 733 182 273 598
chg. 2009 to 2011 33.8% 211.2% 227.7% 539.8% 173.2% 164.1% 189.8% 464.9% 186.6% 172.5% 1037.5% 237.0% 221.5%
0
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
86
Citizenship

Table 51
Library Programs and Attendance—2006 to 2011
Public Computer Usage
Public Computers are available for use at all Herkimer County Public libraries. The table on the
next page depicts public computer usage statistics for Herkimer County libraries from 2009
through 2011. Nine libraries in Herkimer County increased computer usage levels during this time
period.
87
Library
Name
Program AttendancePrograms
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Dolgeville
23 24 22 20 16 122 665 412 510 107 612 1,854
Frankfort
151 153 198 378 425 440 855 1,062 1,322 2,729 3,059 3,765
Herkimer
131 180 168 207 202 132 1,768 1,422 1,807 2,460 2,767 1,973
Ilion
92 105 116 130 224 273 3,761 4,128 4,183 4,032 5,392 5,752
Jordanville
22 20 14 9 14 23 442 377 392 199 183 330
Little Falls
48 51 47 43 63 78 1,096 1,456 1,323 584 631 720
Middleville
10 9 13 16 7 9 146 225 258 317 167 196
Mohawk
6 9 10 13 57 62 275 249 250 308 675 652
Newport
91 121 132 120 120 12 485 540 561 540 425 135
Old Forge
140 155 144 130 113 174 3,755 4,232 3,506 3,781 3,734 3,563
Poland
83 80 65 52 20 16 1,388 1,368 1,750 1,100 790 1,060
Salisbury
35 30 26 29 22 25 291 304 230 274 151 129
West
Winfield
91 107 132 133 113 104 997 1,143 1,407 1,441 1,334 1,288
Total 923 1,044 1,087 1,280 1,396 1,470 15,924 16,918 17,499 17,872 19,920 21,417
Citizenship

Table 52
Public Computer Usage Statistics—2009 to 2011
88
Library Name 2009 2010 2011
Dolgeville 3,250 2,865 3,963
Frankfort 6,738 6,723 7,639
Herkimer 9,600 10,245 10,158
Ilion 12,415 10,531 10,315
Jordanville 814 1,608 3,066
Little Falls 13,667 5,884 13,534
Middleville 1,787 1,582 1,645
Mohawk 4,500 5,744 5,800
Newport 772 761 382
Old Forge 5,650 4,514 6,776
Poland 3,500 3,775 3,500
Salisbury 1,388 1,273 1,648
West Winfield 1,637 1,866 1,956
Total 65,718 57,371 70,382
Citizenship

Internet Use
According to the Pew Research Center Internet and American Life Project Survey,
approximately 81% of adults surveyed in the US over the age of 18 were users of the Internet
in 2012. Internet usage decreased with age - 94% of adults ages 18 to 29 reported that they
used the Internet, while 54% of those over age 65 reported Internet use.
Herkimer County Internet Connectivity
The National Telecommunications & Information Administration in collaboration with the Federal
Communications Commission maintains the National Broadband Map which compiles information
about Internet access for the nation. The graph below illustrates the percentage of Herkimer
County, New York State, and the US that has access to various broadband connectivity.
Internet connections can be made via a DSL, cable, or wirelessly. According to the National
Broadband Map, Herkimer county citizens have a maximum of 3 different wireline broadband
Internet providers. Popular ISPs include Verizon Communications, Time Warner Cable, Newport
Telephone Company and Windstream Corporation. Also, up to 4 different wireless providers also
service the county.
89.6%
0.1%
84.6%
96.5%94.7%
49.5%
97.4%
99.3%
88.0%
17.3%
83.3%
98.5%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
DSL Fiber Cable Wireless
Internet Connectivity Options
Source: National Broadband Map
Graph 33
89
Citizenship

In terms of speed, 93.9% of Herkimer county citizens have access to greater than 3 Mbps
download and greater than 768 Kbps upload speeds. Based on the tests conducted by the FCC’s
Consumer Broadband Test, citizens can expect between 2.0 and 9.8 Mbps download speeds with
a median speed of 3.4 Mbps in the home. Herkimer County ranks 45th
in New York State in
terms of Internet access speed.
Youth Internet Use
According to a survey done by the Pew Research Center in 2012, approximately 95% of youth
ages 12-17 in the US have access to the Internet.
Based on the 2009 Herkimer CountyTAP Survey, almost eight out of ten (79%) of teens have
their own personal e-mail address, and nearly three out of four (72%) have a personal profile
page on places such as Facebook or MySpace. Females were significantly more likely than males
to have personal e-mail addresses (81% versus 76%), to use instant messaging (79% versus 67%),
and to have a personal profile page (75% versus 69%). Almost 90% of 11th
graders reported
having personal e-mail addresses, and almost as many (85%) said they had a personal profile
page.
81%
79%
75%
76%
67%
69%
79%
73%
72%
Personal Email Address
Instant Messenger Screen
Name
Profile or Personal
Webpage on a
Networking Site
Percent of Teens that Have. . .
Total Male Female
Graph 34
90
Citizenship

DATA SOURCES
Herkimer Telegram, Little Falls Times and the Utica Observer-Dispatch Circulation Departments
Mid-York Library System
National Broadband Map
http://www.broadbandmap.gov/
Newspaper Association of America
http://www.naa.org/Trends-and-Numbers/Newspaper-Websites/Newspaper-Web-Audience.aspx
New York Times, “Fall in Newspaper Sales Accelerates to Pass 7%”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/28/business/media/28paper.html
Pew Research Center Internet and American Life Project
http://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data-(Adults)/Whos-Online.aspx
The Heartland Institute, “Who Will Read Newspapers?”
http://www.heartland.org/Article.cfm?artId=15059
Ili-
on Little Theater
91
Citizenship

WHERE WE STAND
Positive social values, whereby youth believe in the importance of contributing to their
community, being honest and respecting others, are critical to a healthy and supportive
community. Conversely, criminal activity, such as shoplifting, vandalism, or assault, perpetrated
by youth brings down a community, and physical violence and harassment can cause physical and
psychological harm.
Youth violence can be particularly damaging in that it can lead to serious injury and even death,
and when weapons are present, the chances increase that violent behavior will lead to serious
health consequences. Research reviewed by the Child Trends DataBank shows risk factors that
predict violence by youth include substance abuse, conflict and abuse in the home, harsh or
inattentive parenting, antisocial and delinquent peers, and neighborhoods where crime and drug
use are prevalent. Youth who are involved in physical fighting are also often engaged in other
high risk activities such as illegal drug use, binge drinking, carrying weapons, and having unsafe
sex.
Harassment can lead to many negative consequences as well. Based on the research reviewed by
the Child Trends DataBank, harassment can affect students’ performance in school. Victims are
more likely to express fear of violence traveling to and from school, and being at school, which
can lead to the avoidance of school, classes and extracurricular activities. They may also feel
anger, personal hurt and betrayal, and/or a sense of powerlessness and isolation. Targets of
peer harassment experience loneliness, depression and low self-worth.
Youth Social Values
The Herkimer County Teen Assessment Project Survey has examined how teens respond to
questions concerning social values, criminal activity, weapons possession, illegal substance use,
and violent or threatening behavior.
As far as social values, the great majority of teens indicated in the 2009 TAP Survey it was
important: to contribute to their community (69%); to speak up and take a stand for what they
believe (91%); to be honest (95%); and, to be considerate and respectful of others (92%). Most
also believed that their friends share these values.
Conversely, 22% acknowledged that they had committed a crime, such as shoplifting, vandalism,
or assault, in the past year. Further, 12% of respondents (19% of male respondents) indicated
that they had carried a weapon, such as a gun or knife, in the past year with the intent to harm
someone or to protect either themselves or others.92
Citizenship
Youth Citizenship

Almost one in six teens (16%) indicated in the 2009 survey that they felt constantly teased,
threatened or harassed by other youth. This is a decrease from 2005 when 20% said they felt
this way. Seventh graders in each survey have reported feeling constantly bullied at a higher
rate than those in ninth and eleventh grade. In 2009, 21% of the seventh graders reported
feeling this way, whereas 15% of the ninth graders and just 12% of the eleventh graders said
they felt constantly bullied.
Likewise, the percentage of teens that said they occasionally to very often used force or
threats in the past six months to get their own way decreased between 2005 and 2009. In both
2001 and 2005 about 18% said they had acted this way; by 2009, only 12% indicated they had
used force or threats to get their own way.
Do you feel constantly teased, threatened or harassed by other youth?
Table 53
Total 2009
1997 2005 2009 Male Female 7th
9th
11th
2001
No 79.8% 83.9% 83.5% 84.2% 78.9% 85.2% 87.8%
Not
Asked
82.1%
Yes 20.2% 16.1% 16.5% 15.8% 21.1% 14.8% 12.2%17.9%
N = 2139 1850 851 970 606 664 5512101
65.2%
91.6%
69.8%
87.4%
73.7%
90.3%
69.3%
88.1%
82.3%
92.2%
69.3%
91.4%
…my friends think you don't need to drink or do
drugs in order to have a good time.
…look out for the safety and well-being of others
…contribute to my community
…to speak up and take a stand for what I believe in
Percent of Teens in Herkimer County that Agree...
2009 2005 2001
Graph 35
93
Citizenship
Youth Citizenship

In 2005, 32% of all teens said in the TAP Survey that they had been subject to sexual harass-
ment. By 2009, this had decreased to 25% of all teens. For females, a third (32%), in 2009,
indicated they were subject to sexual harassment, with 20% of them experiencing it multiple
times. This is better than in 2005 when 44% of all females said they had been sexually har-
assed, and 21% had experienced harassment multiple times.
In 2009, 16% of teens reported that they had been subject to some form of unwanted physical/
sexual contact, such as kissing, touching or forced intercourse. This compares to 18% in 2005.
It appears that sexual harassment is more of an issue for females. According to the 2009 TAP
Survey, more than one out of every five girls (22%) report that they had unwanted sexual con-
tact; one out of every thirty-five (2.8%) report that they have been raped. But, this also is bet-
ter than 2005 when more than a quarter of all females (27%) reported they experienced un-
wanted sexual contact, and 3.0% reported that they had been raped.
Fewer teens in 2009 than 2005 reported that that they have done something that they could
have been arrested for, such as shoplifting, vandalism and assault in the past year. In 2005, one
in four (25%), but by 2009—22%, reported they had done something illegal. Males (28%)
reported this behavior more frequently than females (16%), and those in the higher grades
reported this activity at higher rates (7th
—15%; 9th
—25%; and 11th
—26%).
Youth Sexting
The 2009 TAP Survey included four questions regarding sexting that came from a 2008 national
survey commissioned by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and
CosmoGirl.com. The chart on the next page illustrates these results. Based on the responses to
the two surveys, Herkimer County teens are more likely than teens nationally to have: (1) sent
nude or semi-nude pictures of themselves (HC—27% vs. US—19%); (2) received nude or semi-
nude pictures that someone sent of themselves (HC—40% vs. US—31%); (3) shared nude or semi
-nude pictures they had received with someone else (HC—17% vs. US—14%); and (4) received
these types of pictures from someone who had received the pictures from someone else (HC—
32% vs. US—29%).
94
In the past year, have you ever done something
that you could have been arrested for such
As shoplifting, vandalism, assault, etc.?
Totals 2009
2005 2009 Male Female 7th
9th
11th
1997 2001
No
Not Asked
75.5% 77.8 71.6 83.7 84.8 75.3 74.0
Yes 24.5% 22.2 28.4 16.3 15.2 24.7 26.0
Total 2143 1844 845 971 604 664 549
Table 54
Citizenship
Youth Citizenship

In an analysis of the 2009 TAP Survey results, those teens that reported “sexting” (those that
have sent or received nude or semi-nude pictures) are:
4 times as likely to have ever been sexually active (58% vs. 15%)
5 times as likely to have had 4 or more sexual partners in their lifetime (16% vs. 3%)
4 times as likely to have been sexually active during the past 3 months (38% vs. 9%)
5 times as likely to have had multiple sexual partners during the past 3 mos. (10% vs. 2%)
2 times as likely to have been sexually harassed (36% vs. 18%)
2.5 times as likely to have been sexually assaulted (25% vs. 10%)
At the 2009 Youth Summit, over 80 students from 11 high schools discussed the issue of
sexting. They viewed the results from the 2009 TAP Survey regarding sexting and saw that
when compared to national data, Herkimer County youth appear to be more involved in this
activity than U.S. teens.
In small groups of eight or less with each student from a different school, the students then
addressed six questions about sexting. When asked whether the TAP Survey results surprised
them, most said no. A typical response was that “it has become common”, “everyone is talking
about it”, and “it’s part of their lives”.
When asked why they think teens send nude or semi-nude pictures of themselves, the two most
noted reasons were: (1) to get attention and (2) peer pressure. They seemed split as to whether
teens understand the possible dangerous consequences, though they were able to list what these
consequences might be. They explained that their peers get “caught up in the moment” and
“don’t think about the consequences”.
95
Graph 36Source: Herkimer County TAP Survey, 2009
19%
31%
14%
29%
27%
40%
17%
32%
Sent Pictures of
Thenselves
Received Pictures from
Someone Else
Shared Pictures They
Received with Someone Else
Someone Else Shared
Pictures They Received
Percent of Teens that Have Sent, Received, Shared Nude
or Semi-Nude Pictures via Cell Phone, Email, etc.
2009 Herkimer County TAP 2008 National Survey
Citizenship
Youth Citizenship

When asked what might be done to discourage sexting the most common answers were: (1) list
the possible consequences, (2) harsher punishment, (3) take away their phones, and (4) block
messages. There was a sense shared by the teens that it will be impossible to control and that
kids will continue sexting.
2011 Herkimer County Youth Summit
At the 2011 Herkimer County Youth Summit, 88 students from 11 school districts focused on
three topics previously determined by the Youth Summit Planning Team, which is comprised of
student leaders from each high school. The topics were: (1) bullying prevention; (2) technology
etiquette; and (3) respect for yourself and others. A pair of students introduced each topic
with a presentation; then students in small groups discussed them, brainstormed the root causes
and selected strategies to address the issue. After their discussion, each group had an
opportunity to report out their results to the full group.
For bullying prevention, students said the main reasons for bullying are jealousy and insecurity
and some of the strategies they suggested are telling teachers about incidents, standing up to
bullies, presentations about the effects of bullying and what to do about it, and forming bullying
prevention clubs, which is something that has been effective in a couple of the high schools.
For technology etiquette, students said the lack of etiquette is caused by people not thinking
about the consequences before they type and then hiding behind their computer screen. They
recommended there be instruction at an early age on technology etiquette and presentations at
school assemblies to raise awareness about this issue.
For respect for yourself and others, some of the reasons students identified for lack of respect
include low self esteem, jealousy, a bad home environment and lack of exposure to diversity. In
order to build greater respect, they suggested sponsoring unity days at school or student
projects in the community that bring students together for a common cause. They also
suggested presentations and instruction around the issue of tolerance and again, like with
bullying, suggested forming student groups to promote respect and tolerance.
Herkimer County 2009 Teen Assessment Project Report
96
DATA SOURCES
Citizenship
Youth Citizenship

WHERE WE STAND
Communities That Care (CTC) research indicates that if a gun is present in the home, it is much
more likely to be used against a friend or relative than an intruder or stranger. When a firearm
is used in a crime or assault instead of another weapon or no weapon, the outcome is much more
likely to be fatal. Given the lethality of firearms, the increase in the likelihood that conflict will
escalate into homicide when guns are present, and the strong association between the
availability of guns and homicide rates, firearm availability is considered a contributing risk
factor for delinquency and violence.
The number of violent index crimes involving guns that are known to the police is the best
official indicator of the frequency with which deadly weapons are used to commit serious violent
crimes.
Availability
The possession of a handgun in New York State requires a NYS Pistol Permit. New York does
not recognize permits issued by other states. The chart below illustrates the number of new
pistol permits that have been issued in Herkimer County from 1999 to 2012. It is difficult to
determine the total number of pistols in the county because a single permit can have multiple
pistols registered.
Graph 37
Source: Herkimer County Sheriff’s Department
66 68
79
65
75
82
62
85
102
96
108
149
160
154
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Pistol Permits Issued in Herkimer County
1999–2012
97
Citizenship
Firearms

The graph to the right illustrates the total
number of pistol permit applications handed out
in Herkimer County from 2010 to 2012. The
number of applications more than doubled
during this timeframe. Due to a state
application procedure change, the majority of
the pistol permit applications submitted in the
latter part of 2012 will be processed in 2013.
According to the Herkimer County Sheriff’s
Department, the increase in pistol licenses
issued and applications handed out since 2009
has been due in part to (1) people exercising
their rights under the Second Amendment,
(2) women getting involved with target
shooting, gun clubs, hiking and hunting, and
(3) employment purposes.
Of the 154 pistol permit licenses issued in 2012, 49 were to women. Persons needing a pistol
permit for jobs included the following: security guards, college campus security, arms
manufacturing, financial institutions, private businesses, and sub-contractors with federal, state
and local government.
Pistol amendments also experienced an increase (there were 1,158 in 2012). More weapons were
purchased that use less expensive ammunition and for investment purposes. Also, there are
more people “sharing” weapons, i.e. joint use of a gun between two people—mostly couples and
families.
Herkimer County has issued 11,843 pistol permits to-date (1/13) from the inception of issuing
permits. Please note however that this number does not reflect the “true” total number of
pistol permit holders currently in Herkimer County due to several factors: the unreported
deaths of permit holders, surrendered permits (moving to a different state or no longer
needed/wanted), revoked permits, and permit holders who have transferred out of Herkimer
County.
Because hunting is a sport that many Herkimer County residents are involved in, hunting rifles
are present in some Herkimer County homes. There is no state licensing requirement for the
possession of a rifle or shotgun, although any person convicted of a felony or other serious
offense and any person who “has been certified not suitable to possess a rifle or shotgun” is
prohibited from possession. Generally, it is unlawful for anyone under the age of 16 to possess
any firearm; however, a rifle or shotgun may be possessed by a person between the ages of 12
and 16 who is engaged in supervised target shooting on a range.
98
392
483
844
0
200
400
600
800
1,000
2010 2011 2012
Applications Handed Out
2010–2012
Graph 38
Citizenship
Firearms

DATA SOURCES
Firearm Crimes
According to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, there were 15 violent
crimes committed with the use of a firearm in Herkimer County during 2010, a rate of 24.5 per
100,000 of population. This is an increase from the 8 firearm crimes committed in 2007 (rate -
12.7 per 100,000 population).
In 2010, 5,088 crimes were committed with the use of a firearm in New York State (minus
NYC), at rate of 46.1 per 100,000 population. This is a decrease from the 5,255 firearm crimes
committed in 2007 (rate - 47.5 per 100,000 population).
Communities That Care, Developmental Research and Programs, Inc.
Herkimer County Sheriff’s Department
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/crimnet/ojsa/indexcrimes/2010-county-violent-rates.pdf
http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/crimnet/ojsa/indexcrimes/2007-county-violent-rates.pdf
New York State Rifle and Pistol Association
http://www.nysrpa.org/nygunlaws.htm
Octagon House: Home of Linus Yale inventor of the Yale cylinder lock, Newport 99
Citizenship
Firearms

The reasons why adolescents commit crimes are very complex. Most adolescent behaviors simply
represent “testing the limits” and youth experimentation with adult activities. Some youth,
however, engage in more serious acts of delinquency or crime that may bring them to the
attention of the juvenile or criminal justice systems.
Arrests of adolescents are handled by different parts of the justice system, as determined by
the age of the youth and the type of offense. In general, the juvenile justice or family court
system handles arrests for youth ages 15 years and under. Arrests for youth ages 16 years and
older are prosecuted in the criminal court system. New York’s laws covering juvenile offenders
allow youth between the ages of 13 and 15 to be prosecuted in the criminal court system for
specified serious offenses.
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Under 16 110 119 180 121 73 75 71 77 86
16 to 18 454 408 380 384 393 376 298 234 243
Total 564 527 560 505 466 451 369 311 329
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Youth Arrests in Herkimer County 2003 to 2011
WHERE WE STAND
Graph 39
Source: DCJS, Uniform Crime Reporting System
100
Citizenship
Youth Arrests

The total number of juvenile arrests in Herkimer County has decreased by 42% between 2003
and 2011. Arrests for youth below age 16 decreased by 22% during this time period, while
arrests for youth between the ages of 16 and 18 decreased by 46%. Youth arrests by category
of violation for 2006 to 2008 are listed below and for 2009 to 2011 on the following page.
Herkimer County Youth Arrests by Violation 2006 to 2008
Year
2006 2007 2008
Under 16 16–18 Total Under 16 16–18 Total Under 16 16–18 Total
Total 121 384 505 73 393 466 75 376 451
Forcible Rape 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 2
Robbery 1 2 3 0 3 3 0 3 3
Aggravated Assault 7 18 25 6 16 22 6 15 21
Burglary 12 15 27 9 27 36 5 25 30
Larceny 17 40 57 7 39 46 11 44 55
MV Theft 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 2
Arson 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Kidnap 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
Controlled Substance Sale 0 2 2 0 3 3 0 0 0
Marijuana Sale 4 8 12 0 2 2 2 1 3
Controlled Substance
Possession
0 0 0 0 4 4 0 4 4
Marijuana Possession 8 58 66 3 61 64 2 59 61
Weapons 6 2 8 5 3 8 6 5 11
Other Sex Offenses 6 5 11 10 15 25 6 11 17
Forgery 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 1 1
Stolen Property 2 3 5 3 4 7 1 4 5
Coercion 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Mischief 17 19 36 9 20 29 3 31 34
Fraud 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Public Order 0 7 7 0 4 4 0 4 4
Embezzlement 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0
Simple Assault 19 23 42 3 33 36 9 23 32
Family Offenses 1 5 6 2 2 4 2 5 7
DWI 0 18 18 0 10 10 0 17 17
Unauthorized MV Use 0 1 1 0 3 3 1 1 2
Disorderly Conduct 0 20 20 0 26 26 0 16 16
Other 21 132 153 13 116 129 19 103 122
Source: DCJS, Uniform Crime/Incident-Based Reporting systems (as of 7/30/12).
Table 55
101
Citizenship
Youth Arrests

Herkimer County Youth Arrests by Violation 2009 to 2011
Year
2009 2010 2011
Total 71 298 369 77 234 311 86 243 329
Negligent Manslaughter 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Forcible Rape 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Robbery 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Aggravated Assault 3 12 15 1 10 11 2 3 5
Burglary 1 15 16 3 9 12 6 20 26
Larceny 14 51 65 10 41 51 18 62 80
MV Theft 0 2 2 1 2 3 0 2 2
Arson 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Kidnapping 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Controlled Substance Sale 0 2 2 0 1 1 1 2 3
Marijuana Sale 2 2 4 3 3 6 1 0 1
Controlled Substance
Possession
0 6 6 1 3 4 1 3 4
Marijuana Possession 3 37 40 3 41 44 8 55 63
Weapons 2 3 5 6 4 10 0 0 0
Other Sex Offenses 3 9 12 5 4 9 5 4 9
Forgery 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
Stolen Property 4 4 8 8 6 14 2 5 7
Coercion 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
Mischief 19 17 36 17 7 24 14 21 35
Fraud 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2
Public Order 0 3 3 0 3 3 0 0 0
Embezzlement 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
Simple Assault 6 18 24 9 11 20 18 13 31
Family Offenses 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
DWI-Alcohol 0 11 11 0 9 9 0 7 7
DWI-Drugs 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 4 4
Unauthorized MV Use 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0
Liquor Law 0 29 29 0 18 18 0 3 3
Disorderly Conduct 0 7 7 0 15 15 0 6 6
Other 14 64 78 8 44 52 9 31 40
Source: DCJS, Uniform Crime/Incident-Based Reporting systems (as of 7/30/12).
Table 56
102
Citizenship
Youth Arrests

DATA SOURCES
The Kids Wellbeing Indicators Clearinghouse reports that the 2011 property crime arrest rate
for juveniles (under 16 years old) in Herkimer County was 34.5 per 10,000 population, slightly
lower than the Rest of State (New York State minus New York City) rate of 35.3 per 10,000.
The violent crime arrest rate for juveniles in Herkimer County in 2011 was also lower than the
rate for the Rest of State (2.9 per 10,000 vs. 7.2 per 10,000 respectively).
Herkimer County’s decline in juvenile arrests seems to be in line with national trends. According
to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, there were 1.9 million arrests of
juveniles in the U.S. in 2009, 17% fewer than the number of arrests in 2000.
Kids Wellbeing Indicators Clearinghouse
http://www.nyskwic.org
http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention,
http://www.ojjdp.gov/pubs/236477.pdf
103
Citizenship
Youth Arrests

WHERE WE STAND
Graph 40
Having a safe place to live, work and raise a family is an important part of an individual’s health
and well-being. Effective crime control is a key element in ensuring that our communities are
safe.
Index Crime Rates
In 2011, the rate per 100,000 in New York State for all index crimes was 2,287.3 (396.4 per
100,000 for violent index crime and 1,890.9 per 100,000 for property index crime). Non New
York City rates per 100,000 were 2,253.3 (all index crime), 230.5 (violent index crime) and
2,022.7 (property index crime) per 100,000 population. Herkimer County crime rates were lower
than both NYS and Non-NYC rates in 2011 for all index, violent, and property index crimes
(2,093.8 per 100,000 for all index crimes, 217.6 for violent index crimes, and 1,876.3 per
100,000 for property index crimes).
Index Crime Rates Across New York State
Source: DCJS, Uniform Crime/Incident-Based Reporting system (as of 4/2/12)
Herk
County
NYS
exc.
NYC
NYS
Herk
County
NYS
exc.
NYC
NYS
Herk
County
NYS
exc.
NYC
NYS
2009 2010 2011
Violent Crime 271.2 255.7 383.0 269.0 247.3 391.2 217.6 230.5 396.4
Property Crime 1,940.5 2,087.1 1,916.5 1,940.3 2,120.3 1,928.6 1,876.3 2,022.7 1,890.9
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
104
Citizenship
Adult Arrests and Convictions

Table 57
Graph 41Herkimer County Index Crimes - 2005 to 2011
The table and graph on this page illustrate Herkimer County Index crimes reported from 2005
to 2011. These general offense categories were developed by the FBI to standardize reporting
across states. The seven Index crimes were chosen primarily on the basis of their seriousness
and frequency of occurrence, and are used to gauge trends in the volume and rate of crime.
Herkimer County Index Crime Summary—2005 to 2011
105
Year
Violent Crime Property Crime
Grand
Total Total Murder
Forcible
Rape Robbery
Agg.
Assault Total Burglary Larceny
MV
Theft
2005 1,468 210 0 24 14 172 1,258 256 973 29
2006 1,347 218 1 21 11 185 1,129 244 858 27
2007 1,191 177 1 10 9 157 1,014 261 737 16
2008 1,284 201 0 14 14 173 1,083 226 837 20
2009 1,369 168 0 18 17 133 1,201 235 954 12
2010 1,372 169 0 16 7 146 1,203 266 913 24
2011 1,357 141 1 11 14 115 1,216 310 884 22
Source: DCJS, Uniform Crime/Incident-Based Reporting system (as of 4/2/12)—graph and table this page
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1,000
Murder Forcible Rape Robbery Agg. Assault Burglary Larceny MV Theft
Violent Crime Property Crime
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Citizenship

Table 58Adult Arrests by Category in Herkimer County—1994 to 2011
Year Total Felony Drug Violent DWI Other Misdemeanor Drug DWI Property Other
1994 1,185 255 28 75 40 112 930 22 325 256 327
1995 1,260 278 21 64 28 165 982 9 324 242 407
1996 1,331 323 24 106 47 146 1,008 20 276 250 462
1997 1,315 298 27 90 32 149 1,017 17 276 240 484
1998 1,390 324 32 93 33 166 1,066 7 293 274 492
1999 1,272 276 27 94 25 130 996 15 280 218 483
2000 1,329 307 32 89 23 163 1,022 41 275 248 458
2001 1,395 318 36 90 32 160 1,077 32 283 217 545
2002 1,338 314 41 96 36 141 1,024 34 292 210 488
2003 1,401 339 35 102 31 171 1,062 30 285 229 518
2004 1,299 308 40 82 39 147 991 32 268 211 480
2005 1,352 301 21 97 30 153 1,051 53 292 236 470
2006 1,424 331 48 79 40 164 1,093 52 377 222 442
2007 1,485 320 23 65 51 181 1,165 51 361 252 501
2008 1,342 331 30 95 36 170 1,011 33 278 270 430
2009 1,318 262 16 75 41 130 1,056 45 271 302 438
2010 1,304 277 27 55 45 150 1,027 52 272 298 405
2011 1,283 290 30 64 42 154 993 67 227 303 396
Adult Arrests
The table below illustrates the number of adult arrests (ages 16 and older and juvenile
offenders prosecuted in adult courts) made in Herkimer County for the period 1994 to 2011.
Felony and misdemeanor offenses, along with subcategories for each, are listed.
Overall, adult arrests in Herkimer County have increased by 8.3% between 1994 and 2011.
Arrests in both the misdemeanor and felony categories have seen overall increases but have
fluctuated. DWI arrests (felony and misdemeanor) have seen declines over the time period.
Arrests for misdemeanor and felony drug offenses have experienced slight increases.
106
Citizenship
Source: DCJS, Computerized Criminal History System (as of 2/21/12)

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Total 1,185 1,260 1,331 1,315 1,390 1,272 1,329 1,396 1,338 1,392 1,272 1,252 1,424 1,485 1,342 1,318 1,304 1,283
Felony 255 278 323 298 324 276 307 319 314 332 299 277 331 320 331 262 277 290
Misdemeanor 930 982 1,008 1,017 1,066 996 1,022 1,077 1,024 1,060 973 975 1,011 1,165 1,011 1,056 1,027 993
0
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,400
1,600
Source: DCJS, Computerized Criminal History System (as of 2/21/12)
107
Graph 42
Adult Arrests in Herkimer County—1994 to 2011
Citizenship
Adult misdemeanor arrests were highest in 2007, and have experienced a decline of approxi-
mately 15% between 2007 and 2011. Felony arrests increased by approximately 5% between
2010 and 2011. In 2011, 23% of all arrests made were for felony offenses. In 2008, 25% of all
arrests were felonies.
Conviction and Incarceration Rates
The table on the next page provides a summary of the outcomes of adult felony arrests in
Herkimer County from 2000 to 2011. The summaries are displayed according to the year in which
the disposition occurred, regardless of when the arrest actually occurred. For example, a 2010
arrest that resulted in a conviction in 2011 is displayed in the 2011 column.
The conviction rate includes all convictions that resulted from plea bargains or trials and may
include convictions for offenses other than that charged at arrest (e.g., a felony arrest may
result in a misdemeanor conviction). In 2011, Herkimer County tied with Livingston County for
the second highest felony conviction rate (94.5%) in New York State behind Schuyler Coun-
ty (96.7%). The 2011 conviction rate in New York State was 64.4% and in Upstate New York
(non-NYC) it was 75.4%.

Source: DCJS, Computerized Criminal History System (as of 4/12)
The incarceration rate represents the number of sentences involving prison, jail, time served, or
jail plus probation as a proportion of the total number of convictions. Herkimer County’s felony
incarceration rate of 37.4% in 2011 was lower than the incarceration rate for New York State
(50.6%) and Upstate New York (52.0%).
Adult sentences to Probation for felony convictions as an alternative to incarceration in
Herkimer County in 2011 was 33.3%. The NYS rate in 2011 was 14.4% and the Upstate NY rate
was 21.3%.
Felony Arrests Disposed, Conviction and Incarceration Rates in Herkimer County
108
Table 59 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Conviction Rate
(Percent of
Disposed)
91.1% 89.5% 91.3% 93.8% 92.2% 94.8% 96.9% 97.2% 94.0% 95.3% 94.5% 94.5%
Incarceration
Rate (% of
convicted)
37.0% 34.6% 35.2% 35.4% 41.7% 33.9% 33.3% 38.9% 30.6% 33.9% 37.8% 37.4%
Percent
Convicted of
Felonies
48.1% 48.2% 52.9% 52.9% 57.9% 62.3% 56.2% 53.2% 53.9% 57.1% 55.7% 58.4%
Percent
Convicted of
Misdemeanors
47.7% 42.0% 38.6% 38.8% 39.3% 33.5% 39.4% 42.7% 40.4% 36.7% 34.7% 37.9%
Percent
Convicted of
Lesser Offenses
4.2% 9.7% 8.6% 8.3% 2.8% 4.2% 4.4% 4.1% 5.7% 6.2% 9.6% 3.7%
Citizenship

Source: DCJS, Computerized Criminal History System (as of 4/12)
The table above provides a summary of the outcomes of adult misdemeanor arrests in Herkimer
County. The summaries are displayed according to the year in which the disposition occurred,
regardless of when the arrest actually occurred. For example, a 2010 arrest that resulted in a
conviction in 2011 is displayed in the 2011 column.
The conviction rate includes all convictions that resulted from plea bargains or trials and may
include convictions for offenses other than that charged at arrest (e.g., a felony arrest may
result in a misdemeanor conviction). In 2011, Herkimer County had the highest misdemeanor
conviction rate (90.1%) in New York State. The 2011 conviction rate in New York State was
53.8% and in Upstate New York (non-NYC) it was 64.0%.
The incarceration rate represents the number of sentences involving prison, jail, time served, or
jail plus probation as a proportion of the total number of convictions. Herkimer County’s
misdemeanor incarceration rate of 9.4% in 2011 was lower than the incarceration rate for New
York State (32.6%) and Upstate New York (23.1%). Adult sentences to Probation for felony
convictions as an alternative to incarceration in Herkimer County was 6.5%. The NYS rate in
2011 was 4.1% and the Upstate NY rate was 8.1%.
Misdemeanor Arrests Disposed, Conviction and Incarceration Rates
in Herkimer County - 2007 to 2011
109
Table 60
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Conviction Rate
(Percent of Disposed)
85.5% 84.2% 86.3% 88.1% 90.1%
Incarceration Rate
(% of convicted)
9.5% 9.9% 8.7% 9.5% 9.4%
Percent Convicted of
Felonies
1.3% 1.1% 0.7% 0.8% 1.4%
Misdemeanors
48.1% 52.5% 47.5% 45.6% 46.9%
Lesser Offenses
50.6% 46.4% 51.8% 53.6% 51.7%
Citizenship

DATA SOURCES
The “percent of conviction to: felonies, misdemeanors, or lesser offenses” gives an indication of
the amount of charge reduction between arrest and conviction. In Herkimer County, there are
minimal charge reductions that occur between arrest and conviction.
http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/crimnet/ojsa/indexcrimes/2011-county-index-rates.pdf
http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/crimnet/ojsa/indexcrimes/Herkimer.pdf
http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/crimnet/ojsa/arrests/Herkimer.pdf
http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/crimnet/ojsa/dispos/all.pdf
http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/pio/annualreport/2006_finalrelease.pdf
Amish Horse and Carriage
Citizenship
110

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Misdemeanor DWI 275 283 292 285 268 292 377 360 294 271 272 227
Felony DWI 23 32 36 31 39 30 41 52 44 41 45 42
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
DWI Arrests in Herkimer County
WHERE WE STAND
Driving while intoxicated is dangerous and drivers with high blood alcohol content (BAC) are at
an increased risk of car accidents, highway injuries and vehicular deaths. Unfortunately, over
20% of all traffic fatalities in the United State each year are caused by drunk drivers. Thus,
drunk driving remains a serious national problem that tragically affects thousands of victims
annually.
Youth have less driving experience than adults. When this driver inexperience is compounded by
alcohol use, it puts youth at an increased risk of auto accidents, injury and death.
Drunk driving, like most other social problems, resists simple solutions. However, there are a
number of actions, each of which can contribute toward a reduction of the problem. Prevention
measures evaluated include license suspension or revocation, impounding or confiscating vehicle
plates, enforcing open container bans, increasing penalties such as fines or jail for drunk driving,
mandating education for young people, and lowering legal blood alcohol content levels.
The chart below illustrates DWI arrests in Herkimer County from 2000 to 2011. Overall total
DWI arrests have declined during this time period. Misdemeanor DWI arrests reached their
peak in 2006 and have decreased since that time. Felony DWI arrests have fluctuated but have
nearly doubled.
Source: DCJS, Computerized Criminal History System (as of 2/21/12) 111
Graph 43
298
315
328
316 307
322
418 412
338
312 317
269
Citizenship
DWI

The adult arrest rate for DWI in Herkimer County is lower than some surrounding counties but
higher than the rate recorded for New York State. According to statistics from New York
State Division of Criminal Justice Systems, adult DWI arrests occurred in 2011 in Herkimer
County at a rate of 41.5 per 10,000, compared to a rate of 33.2 per 10,000 for
Non-New York City and 23.2 per 10,000 for New York State. Herkimer County’s adult DWI
arrest rate in 2011 is lower than the Herkimer County rate recorded in 2010 (51.7 versus 41.5
per 10,000).
The young adult arrest rate for DWI in Herkimer County is higher than similar counties and
New York State (see graph 45 on the next page). According to the Council on Children and
Families, Kids’ Well-Being Indicators Clearinghouse, young adult DWI arrests occurred in 2006
at a rate of 224.5 per 10,000, compared to a rate of 66.3 per 10,000 for New York State
(excluding NYC) and 44.6 per 10,000 for New York State. In 2011, young adult DWI arrests
occurred at a rate of 108.7 per 10,000, compared to a rate of 47.0 per 10,000 for New York
State (excluding NYC) and 32.2 per 10,000 for New York State. Herkimer County had the third
highest DWI arrest rate for youth ages 16 to 21 in New York State in 2011.
Herkimer County’s conviction rate for DWI in 2008 (percent of arrests guilty of original charge
with no reduction) was 47.88%. This conviction rate is ranked 28th
of the 62 counties in
New York State.
According to a 2005 Herkimer HealthNet Survey administered by Zogby International,
approximately 70% of survey respondents believe that drinking and driving is a problem in
Herkimer County.
The Herkimer County Special
Traffic Options Program for
Driving While Intoxicated
(STOP-DWI) is supported
entirely by driving while
intoxicated fines. The goal of
the program is to provide a plan
for coordination of county,
town, city and village efforts to
reduce alcohol-related traffic
crashes, injuries and fatalities
and confronting the youthful
drinker/driver. Each year, the
Herkimer County STOP-DWI
Program invests DWI fines
collected into local programs
and services to achieve this
goal.Source: Zogby, 2005 Herkimer County Community Health Assessment
Yes, 69%
No, 21%
Not Sure,
10%
Do You Believe There Is A Problem With
Drinking & Driving in Herkimer County
Graph 44
112
Citizenship
DWI

Herkimer County’s rate of youth arrests for drug charges has declined by almost 30% between
2006 and 2011. In 2011, Herkimer County’s rate of 50.2 per 10,000 was four times less than the
202.8 per 10,000 rate for the Rest of State (NYS minus NYC).
113
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Herkimer 224.5 173.6 131.3 103.2 118.0 108.7
Rest of State 66.3 63.1 60.1 56.4 52.1 47.0
NYS 44.6 43.1 41.5 39.1 36.3 32.2
0
50
100
150
200
250
Herkimer County Youth DWI Arrest Rates
per 10,000 population
Source: NYS Kids Wellbeing Clearinghouse- both graphs this page
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
NYS 198.2 211.5 199.9 203.9 209.6 202.8
Rest of State 96.8 87.4 83.7 81.0 82.3 77.9
Herkimer 70.0 42.9 45.1 46.4 48.5 50.2
0
50
100
150
200
250
Herkimer County Youth Drug Arrest
Rates per 10,000 population
Citizenship
DWI
Graph 45
Graph 46

Automobile Crash Fatalities in New York State—2008 to 2010
The chart above illustrates the number and rates of automobile crash fatalities that were
alcohol related in Herkimer County, neighboring counties and NYS from 2008 to 2010. While the
rates for alcohol related fatalities in Herkimer County exceeded comparative counties in both
2008 and 2009, in 2010 the rate decreased and was lower than that of all but two counties.
Ignition Interlock Devices
On August 15, 2010, it became mandatory that anyone convicted of a DWI offence be sentenced
to at least a conditional discharge and all sentences are to carry the condition of having the
ignition interlock device installed in any vehicle they own or operate. Since August of 2010, the
Herkimer County Probation Department has monitored a total of 108 Ignition Interlock cases.
Alcohol: Problems and Solutions: State University of New York at Potsdam
http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/DrinkingAndDriving.html
Council on Children and Families, Kids’ Well-being Indicators Clearinghouse
http://www.nyskwic.org/get_data/indicator_profile.cfm?subIndicatorID=319
Herkimer County HealthNet 2005 Health Needs Survey administered by Zogby International.
Herkimer County Probation Department
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/departments/nrd-30/ncsa/STSI/USA WEB REPORT.HTM
http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/crimnet/ojsa/arrests/Allcounties.pdf
114
2008 2009 2010
County
Total
Alcohol
Impair
%
Rate
Per
100k
Total
Alcohol
Impair
%
Rate
Per
100k
Total
Alcohol
Impair
%
Rate
Per
100k
Herkimer 16 7 43.8% 10.87 5 3 60.0% 4.66 5 2 40.0% 3.10
Madison 14 0 0.0% 0.00 14 0 0.0% 0.00 10 2 20.0% 2.72
Fulton 4 1 25.0% 1.80 5 0 0.0% 0.00 8 4 50.0% 7.20
Montgomery 6 0 0.0% 0.00 5 1 20.0% 2.00 3 0 0.0% 0.00
Otsego 6 0 0.0% 0.00 4 1 25.0% 1.61 6 2 33.3% 3.21
Oneida 18 7 38.9% 2.99 15 2 13.3% 0.85 27 9 33.3% 3.83
Onondaga 31 6 19.4% 1.29 34 10 29.4% 2.15 40 17 42.5% 3.64
NYS 1,238 346 27.9% — 1,158 318 27.5% — 1,200 364 30.3% —
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System
Table 61
Citizenship
DWI
DATA SOURCES

WHERE WE STAND
The number of offenders being supervised by county probation departments has been increasing
across New York State. An increasing number of supervision caseloads, like that displayed in
Herkimer County, require that essential resources be available to perform effectively. The
primary safety and security of the general public relies partly on the capability of probation
personnel to properly monitor and provide for offenders in the community.
Providing successful alternatives to incarceration also helps Herkimer County better manage its
ever-increasing jail population while advancing public safety.
Court Investigations
The table below lists the total number of investigations completed by the Herkimer County
Probation Department from 2009 to 2011.
The New York State Criminal Procedure Law requires that a pre-sentence investigation be
conducted for the court prior to sentencing in all cases where an offender is convicted of a
felony. In cases where an offender is convicted of a misdemeanor, a pre-sentence report is
required before a sentence of probation, or a sentence of imprisonment in excess of 90 days is
imposed. Law requires that a pre-dispositional investigation report be completed and provided
to the Family Court Judge prior to disposing of all Juvenile Delinquency cases. Family Court may
also order an investigation be conducted in PINS, custody, visitation, and private adoption
proceedings.
Source: Herkimer County Probation Department Annual Reports 2009–2011
Table 62
Probation Investigations Completed in Herkimer County: 2009 to 2011
2009 2010 2011
Family Court 193 265 121
Criminal Court
Felony 186 303 183
Misdemeanor 179 225 192
557 793 497Total
115
Citizenship
Probation and Correctional Alternatives

Probation Supervisions
Source: Herkimer County Probation Department Annual Reports– both graphs this page
Total Number of Adult Criminal Supervisions as of 12/31 of Each Year
Graph 47
Felony Misdemeanor JD/PINS/Other Total
2006 146 118 104 368
2007 121 111 29 261
2008 162 145 17 324
2009 100 73 51 224
2010 71 88 8 167
2011 60 95 7 162
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
Total Number of New Supervised Probationers
Herkimer County
Graph 48
414 406
464
411 413
395
0
100
200
300
400
500
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Supervision Size
116
Citizenship

Graph 47 on the previous page lists the total number of new probationers supervised (including
Persons In Need of Supervision) in Herkimer County each year from 2006–2011. Data suggests
that the total number of new clients under supervision has decreased over the past six years.
Graph 48 on the previous page lists the total number of adult criminal supervisions that occurred
in each calendar year from 2006 to 2011. This data includes new probationers opened in that
year plus individuals served that were opened in previous years. The number of Probation
Supervisions has declined slightly during this time period.
The chart above lists the total number of Probationers Supervised in Herkimer County and
comparable counties in NYS (please note that NYS data varies slightly from local data).
Herkimer County’s supervision caseload decreased slightly in 2011 and was ranked 7 out of 12
when compared with similar counties.
In the comparison group, Madison, Warren, Washington, Columbia and Fulton counties increased
the number of probationers supervised during this time period, while Livingston, Otsego,
Genesee, Franklin, Tioga and Chenango decreased caseload size.
117
County
Population
Size
Supervision Size
2009 2010 2011
Madison 73,442 271 277 291
Warren 65,707 536 573 578
Livingston 65,393 613 600 552
Herkimer 64,519 399 372 385
Washington 63,216 580 587 613
Columbia 63,096 446 503 458
Otsego 62,259 236 254 226
Genesee 60,079 576 551 525
Fulton 55,531 314 308 323
Franklin 51,599 569 575 502
Tioga 51,125 388 391 344
Chenango 50,477 315 316 300
Total Number of Probationers Supervised—2009 to 2011
Source: DCJS OPCA Integrated Probation Registrant System (as of 2/21/12)
Table 63
Citizenship

Alternatives to Incarceration
There are many programs in existence in Herkimer County that help to reduce the incarceration
rate. Herkimer County and the New York State Division of Probation and Correctional
Alternatives authorize and approve an Alternatives to Incarceration Plan. The Plan consists of a
Pretrial Release Program and a Community Service Program that are operated by the Herkimer
County Probation Department.
The Pretrial Release Program targets offenders confined at the correctional facility on a
pretrial basis, and screens, assesses and interviews appropriate offenders to determine
eligibility for Release on Recognizance (ROR) or Release Under Supervision (RUS). Eligibility
determinations are sent to the appropriate court, and any release from confinement is court
ordered. Courts also have the option of releasing pretrial jail detainees on Electronic
Monitoring, which allows the offender to be detained at home.
The table below illustrates the number of offenders that were screened for eligibility for
pretrial release, the number and types of pretrial releases granted, and the number of jail days
saved as a result of the Pretrial Release Program. Between 2004 and 2011, the use of electronic
monitoring as an alternative to incarceration has increased (from 11 to 63), and the number of
defendants released on their own recognizance has decreased (from 20 to 0). Almost 43,000
jail days have been saved during this five-year period due to the pretrial release option.
Pretrial Release and Jail Time Saved: 2004 to 2011 Herkimer County
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Defendants Screened 152 203 155 228 291 256 243 219
Defendants Interviewed 138 203 155 228 291 256 243 219
Defendants Rated Eligible 76 110 97 105 119 113 116 103
Defendants Rated Not Eligible 62 93 58 123 172 143 127 116
Defendants Released (Total): 32 37 35 35 70 70 71 65
Release on Recognizance (ROR) 20 2 4 2 0 0 0 0
Release Under Supervision (RUS) 1 12 5 2 4 1 3 2
RUS with Electronic Monitoring 11 23 26 31 66 69 68 63
Jail Time Saved (Days) 3360 3840 3555 3660 7380 7140 8295 5730
Source: Herkimer County Probation Department
Table 64
118
Citizenship

The Community Service Program provides a sentencing option for criminal courts by having
selected offenders perform unpaid community work in lieu of incarceration. Offenders are
screened for program eligibility and risk to public safety. Each offender performing community
service is monitored by the Probation Department who reports to the court and verifies the
outcome of the work sentence.
The table below illustrates the number of offenders that were sentenced to community service,
the number of hours of community service completed, and the number of jail days saved.
Between 2004 and 2011, the number of offenders sentenced to community service as an
alternative to incarceration has more than doubled. Almost 16,000 hours of community service
were performed and over 32,000 jail days have been saved during this eight-year time period.
Community Service and Jail Time Saved: 2004 to 2011 Herkimer County
Electronic Monitoring
Electronic Monitoring provides the Courts and Criminal Justice System with an enhanced
sanction for sentenced offenders and an alternative to incarceration for selected pre-trial
defendants. The primary focus of the program is to advance public safety and enhance offender
and probationer control.
The Electronic Monitoring Program provides a system whereby offenders may be ordered a
period of home detention. The home detention is electronically managed by the use of a
transmitter worn by the offender and a receiver (monitoring unit) connected to the offender’s
telephone line. The receiver monitors the presence or absence of an offender within a specified
range. This information is compared with specified schedule restrictions by the Probation
Department to determine the offender’s compliance.
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Offenders Sentenced to Community Service 12 31 43 33 44 26 26 29
Community Service Hours Ordered 395 2447 2624 2910 3365 1260 1455 1467
Community Service Hours Completed 596 281 1280 797 1456 1386 2077 1532
Correctional Facility Jail Time Saved (Days) 2160 5790 6645 4905 7410 2025 1590 1665
State Prison Jail Time Saved (Days) 1246 516 1178 671 0 0 0 0
Table 65
119
Citizenship

Electronic Monitoring Program—2004 to 2012 Herkimer County
As the table above illustrates, the Electronic Monitoring Program has quadrupled the number of
offenders that are court ordered on a pre-trial or post-sentence basis between 2004 and 2012.
During this 8-year time period, Herkimer County has saved approximately 47,000 jail days.
With a jail cost estimated at $95/day, Herkimer County saved over $2.27 million using
electronic monitoring between 2009 and 2012.
Juvenile Electronic Monitoring Program—2008 to 2012 Herkimer County
As the table above illustrates, the number of youth placed on the Juvenile Electronic Monitoring
Program remained fairly steady between 2008 and 2012. During this 5-year time period,
Herkimer County has saved approximately 4,100 days of detention/placement.
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Total Court Ordered to
29 50 62 73 116 110 95 89 116
Pre-trial 11 23 26 30 66 65 64 62 77
Sentenced Offenders 18 27 36 43 50 45 31 27 39
Days Served/Jail Days Saved 1912 3377 4261 5736 8678 7144 5664 3204 7917
Table 66
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Total Court Ordered to
PINS 3 9 7 3 7
JD 9 5 7 4 7
Pre-adjudication 10 9 9 2 8
As disposition 2 5 5 5 5
Days Saved 922 1260 711 552 660
Table 67
120
Citizenship

Ignition Interlock Devices
On August 15, 2010, it became mandatory that anyone convicted of a DWI offence be sentenced
to at least a conditional discharge and all sentences are to carry the condition of having the
ignition interlock device installed in any vehicle they own or operate.
Since August of 2010, the Herkimer County Probation Department has monitored a total of 108
Ignition Interlock cases.
Drug Treatment Court
Another program that has affected the county’s incarceration rate is the Herkimer County Drug
Treatment Court. The Drug Treatment Court, in existence in Herkimer County since December
2003, has served 66 people.
Individuals that are convicted of a crime that appears to be due to the offender’s alcohol or
substance addiction have their sentences suspended while they receive intensive monitoring and
assistance from the court. Cases are open to services for a period of approximately 18 month to
two years.
A team of 18 professionals from the Courts and community agencies work with addicted
offenders and provide access to multiple levels of treatment, intensive monitoring and
accountability, as well as guidance and support to help achieve positive outcomes.
As of March 2013, 37 people have completed program services. Seventeen have graduated,
twenty have been terminated, and two were transferred to another Treatment Court. Four
individuals have re-offended.
In the last year, the Treatment Court census has doubled. Twenty people are currently receiving
Drug Treatment Court services.
The Lifeworks Group of Herkimer County, a non-profit organization of graduates and current
participants, was created to reduce the stigma of addiction recovery by becoming visible
“helpers” who demonstrate that there is life after a personal history of crime and addiction.
The group gives back to their communities through charitable good works. Proceeds are donated
to residents in need to help improve the quality of life for everyone.
121
Citizenship

Van Hornesville Caves
DATA SOURCES
Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives
http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/supervised2011.pdf
Herkimer County Drug Treatment Court
122
Citizenship

Juvenile delinquency is a challenging problem that takes a substantial toll on our society.
Explaining crime and delinquency is a complex task. A multitude of biological, psychological and
social factors exist that may lead someone to engage in delinquent behavior.
The social causes of juvenile delinquency encompass a wide array of theories that have been set
forth by criminologists and sociologists. Some theorists view delinquency as a function of the
individual while others view delinquency as a macro level function of society. The prevention of
delinquency rests on the principle of identifying individuals and environments at risk for
delinquent activity before the behavior has occurred, and then either removing risk factors or
strengthening resistance to the risk factors. The impact of this approach depends upon the risk
factors identified and the choice of when and where to direct the intervention.
New York State Family Court Law defines a Juvenile Delinquent (JD) as “a person over seven and
less than sixteen years of age, who, having committed an act that would constitute a crime if
committed by an adult, (a) is not criminally responsible for such conduct by reason of infancy, or
(b) is the defendant in an action ordered removed from a criminal court to the family court
pursuant to article seven hundred twenty-five of the criminal procedure law.”
The chart below illustrates the number of Juvenile Delinquency intakes from 2002 to 2012.
WHERE WE STAND
Source: Herkimer County Probation Department and Family Support PINS Diversion Program
Graph 49
123
Citizenship
Juvenile Delinquency
73
132 134
129
143
69
94 90
63
88
75
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Herkimer County Juvenile Delinquency Intakes 2002 to 2012

Juvenile Delinquency intakes have fluctuated during this time period. Cases nearly doubled be-
tween 2002 and 2003, and continued to increase between 2003 and 2006 when 143 JD intakes
were processed. Intakes then fell by about half between 2006 and 2007, and have since
increased slightly to 75 in 2011.
In 2005, the Family Support PINS Diversion Unit began to provide services to JD youth that
were identified as high-risk by the Herkimer County Probation Department. Thirty-three JD
youth were provided services in 2005, 42 in 2006, 35 in 2007, 31 in 2008, and 37 in 2009.
These youth were provided with intensive services designed to improve behaviors and avoid out
of home placement. Since 2010, the Family Support PINS Diversion Program has provided all
services to JD youth.
Placements
The chart below illustrates the number of placements recorded for Juvenile Delinquent (JD)
youth in Herkimer County from 1998 to 2012. The number of JD youth that have been placed
outside the home has seen an overall decline of one-third between 1998 (12) and 2012 (8), In
2007 the number of youth placed rose to 16, the highest number of placements during this time
period. The lowest number of placements recorded during this time period was 6 in 2011.
Source: Herkimer County Department of Social Services
124
Graph 50
Citizenship
12
14
10
13
12
10
9
13
15
16
11
7
8
6
8
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
JD Youth Placed: Herkimer County
1998 to 2012

JD youth tend to require more intensive levels of care than traditional Foster Care homes can
provide, and as a result the majority of JD placements are in costly alternatives such as
institutions, group homes, and detention facilities.
The table below depicts the number of residential and detention care days used for JD youth
from 2006 to 2012. The use of JD detention and residential care days declined by over 2,200
days, or one-third, during this time period.
During 2012, seven youth were placed on Electronic Monitoring as an alternative to detention or
placement. Please refer to page 120 for additional information.
Herkimer County Family Support PINS Diversion Program
JD Residential and Detention Care Days
2006 6,557
2007 9,544
2008 8,823
2009 6,551
2010 5,025
2011 3,149
2012 4,344
DATA SOURCES
Table 68
125
Citizenship

WHERE WE STAND
A Person In Need of Supervision (PINS) is an individual less than 18 years of age who does not
attend school in accordance with the education law or who is incorrigible, ungovernable or
habitually disobedient and beyond the lawful control of parent or other person legally
responsible. PINS also includes unlawful possession of marijuana (Penal Law 221.05).
Youth and their families may benefit from services to help address these disobedient behaviors
and to prevent further involvement with the social welfare and criminal justice systems.
The Herkimer County Family Support PINS Diversion Program provides adjustment services for
all Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) referrals made in Herkimer County. All potential
PINS cases are screened and offered services before being given access to Family Court.
The chart below illustrates PINS and pre-PINS youth by age that received diversion services in
Herkimer County from 2002–2012.
The number of PINS and pre-PINS youth that received services has seen an 18% increase from
2002 to 2012. The majority of youth receiving services are between the ages of 11 and 15.
Graph 51
126
Source: Herkimer County Family Support PINS Diversion Program
Citizenship
Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS)
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
7 to 10 17 30 36 28 13 9 2 7 12 7 15
11 to 15 162 136 118 144 178 113 126 127 178 206 183
16 and 17 35 67 63 22 48 33 40 35 36 36 52
Total 214 233 217 194 239 155 168 169 226 249 250
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) by Age 2002 to 2012

In 2003, the Family Support PINS Diversion Program began its operation as the single point of
entry for PINS services in Herkimer County. The program works to improve youth functioning
at home, at school, and in the community, and provides strength-based services and supports to
youth and their families to address needs and reduce risks. Families are provided with services
from the FS/PINS program prior to filing a formal PINS complaint in court, and can continue to
receive services once adjudicated.
Placements
The chart below illustrates the number of PINS placements recorded in Herkimer County from
2000 to 2012. The number of PINS youth that have been placed outside of the home has
increased by 20% during this time period.
PINS placements doubled between 2000 (21) and 2002 (43). With services provided by the
Family Support PINS Diversion program which began in 2003, placements declined by almost
70% between 2002 (43) and 2008 (12). Since that time, placements have steadily increased
from 12 in 2008 to 26 in 2012.
PINS youth tend to require more intensive levels of care than traditional Foster Care homes can
provide, and as a result the majority of PINS youth are placed in costly alternatives such as
institutions, group homes, and non-secure detention centers.
Graph 52
127
Citizenship
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Placements 21 34 43 29 19 18 12 20 12 15 20 21 26
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Herkimer County PINS Placements 2000 to 2012

The chart below shows the number of residential and detention care days used by PINS youth
from 2002 to 2012. The number of care days in 2012 represents an overall reduction of 6,518
days, or a 53% decrease, from the 12,410 care days total in 2002.
In 2008, Herkimer entered into contract with Kids Herkimer to provide Return Home Early
home-based wraparound services for youth who would otherwise remain in placement.
Respite
The chart on the next page depicts Herkimer County PINS respite use from 2003 to 2012.
Since 2003, respite services have been available to PINS youth as an alternative to placement.
Both the number of PINS youth utilizing respite and the number of respite care days used have
increased between 2003 and 2009. Respite use has declined between 2009 and 2012.
128
Graph 53
Citizenship
12,410
10,441
8,795
5,848
4,953
6,554
6,469
5,564
7,137
6,219
5,892
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Herkimer County PINS Residential & Detention Care Days
2002 to 2012

DATA SOURCES
Juvenile Electronic Monitoring Program
In 2008, Herkimer County began to use Electronic Monitoring for PINS youth as an alternative
to placement. During 2012, seven PINS youth were placed on Electronic Monitoring as an
alternative to detention or placement. Please refer to page 120 for additional information.
Herkimer County Family Support PINS Diversion Program
*2011 & 2012 Number include both PINS & JD Respite Use
Source: Herkimer County Family Support PINS Diversion Program
Graph 54
129
Citizenship
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Respite Days 72 159 208 366 473 613 443 414 484 369
Number of Youth 22 22 42 54 72 70 42 46 48 41
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
Herkimer County PINS Respite Use 2003 to 2012

WHERE WE STAND
Incarceration can negatively impact family, employment prospects, and self-esteem. The costs
of incarceration not only take their toll on the person incarcerated and their family, but create
economic, societal and cultural impacts in the community at-large.
In January 2005, New York State prison inmates reported that they are parents to more than
66,000 children. The incarceration of a care-taking parent leaves children of incarcerated
parents vulnerable to elevated levels of anxiety, fear, loneliness, anger, and depression. They
may be stigmatized and ostracized by classmates, lose self-esteem, withdraw from relationships
with adults and peers, act out in school or become truant, and experience a decline in academic
performance. Children of incarcerated parents also face an increased risk of getting caught up
in the criminal justice system and substance abuse.
The graph below depicts the number of Herkimer County Jail inmates from 1999 to 2012. The
number of inmates remanded to the Herkimer County Correctional Facility has increased by over
23% during this time period.
Graph 55
130
Citizenship
Incarceration
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Number 626 619 621 626 685 682 717 700 717 738 535 584 629 776
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
Herkimer County Jail Inmates 1999 to 2012

The table below illustrates the number of adults that have been incarcerated in the county jail
from 1999 to 2012. The total number of adults in jail has increased by 40% during this time
period.
Adults in the Herkimer County Jail: 1999 to 2012
In addition, the number of female adults in jail almost tripled in 2012 when compared to 1999,
from 46 in 1999 to 123 in 2012. In 1999, females made up 10% of the total number of adults
incarcerated that year. In 2012, they comprised 19% of that year’s inmate population. The
yearly census of male inmates increased by 26% during this timeframe.
Table 69
131
Adults in Jail 21–29 30–39 40–54 55+ All Ages Total
1999
Male 177 132 91 7 407
453
Female 19 18 8 1 46
2000
Male 164 123 86 14 387
438
Female 14 30 5 2 51
2001
Male 171 127 68 7 373
446
Female 27 34 12 0 73
2002
Male 165 122 82 15 384
443
Female 13 39 6 1 59
2003
Male 188 119 76 19 402
469
Female 27 26 13 1 67
2004
Male 193 105 115 9 422
484
Female 16 18 25 3 62
2005
Male 216 117 99 8 440
521
Female 31 25 24 1 81
2006
Male 215 128 109 10 462
536
Female 31 21 19 3 74
2007
Male 239 97 117 8 461
544
Female 32 22 23 6 83
2008
Male 240 128 92 13 473
560
Female 36 24 23 4 87
2009
Male 190 84 74 10 358
413
Female 28 15 10 2 55
2010
Male 189 93 90 14 386
466
Female 40 13 25 2 80
2011
Male 201 114 86 22 423
513
Female 38 22 27 3 90
Citizenship
Incarceration
2012
Male 262 137 97 19 515
638
Female 64 29 29 1 123

Youths in Jail <16 16–18 19 20 All Ages Total
1999
Male and
Female
0 98 38 37 173 173
2000
Male and
Female
0 96 45 40 181 181
2001
Male and
Female
0 100 38 37 175 175
2002
Male and
Female
0 112 42 29 183 183
2003
Male 0 102 51 41 194
216
Female 0 10 5 7 22
2004
Male 0 97 30 40 167
198
Female 0 13 9 9 31
2005
Male 0 77 46 47 170
196
Female 0 10 7 9 26
2006
Male 0 70 22 36 128
164
Female 0 18 8 10 36
2007
Male 0 82 34 30 146
173
Female 0 11 10 6 27
2008
Male 0 78 43 37 158
178
Female 0 9 7 4 20
2009
Male 0 65 23 24 112
122
Female 0 5 1 4 10
2010
Male 0 46 28 33 107
118
Female 0 6 5 0 11
2011
Male 0 41 30 25 96
116
Female 0 9 7 4 20
Table 70
The table below illustrates the number of youths (16 to <21) that have been incarcerated in the
county jail from 1999 to 2012. The total number of youths in jail has seen a decrease from 173
in 1999 to 138 in 2012, a 20% decline.
Youths in the Herkimer County Jail: 1999 to 2011
The increase in the jail population has resulted in the overcrowding of the jail and the boarding
out of prisoners to other facilities. In 2012, an average of 45 prisoners were boarded out each
month to jails in other counties at a significant additional cost to taxpayers. The number of
inmates boarded out represents 63.4% of the total average daily census of 71 in 2012.
132
Citizenship
Incarceration
2012
Male 0 52 32 32 116
138
Female 0 10 4 8 22

DATA SOURCES
Graph 56
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
% Boarded Out 4.1% 22.6% 31.9% 39.0% 41.1% 46.7% 51.6% 46.3% 47.3% 49.1% 63.4%
Census 49 62 69 59 56 60 62 54 55 57 71
Boarded Out 2 14 22 23 23 28 32 25 26 28 45
In House 47 48 48 36 34 32 31 29 29 29 26
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Yearly Average Daily Census of Jail Population: 2002 to 2012
Herkimer County Sheriff’s Department
http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/crimnet/ojsa/jail_population.pdf
Source: DCJS Crimestat Report (as of 7/2/12)
133
Citizenship
Incarceration

Voting
• There is an increasing disparity between those individuals that are registered to vote and
those that actually vote in elections in Herkimer County. This change is consistent with both
state and national trends.
Engaged and Informed Citizens
• The Herkimer Telegram had a circulation of approximately 3,000 papers each day in 2012.
This is a decrease from the daily circulation of 6,000 papers reported for 2009. The Little
Falls Times had a circulation of approximately 2,000 papers each day in 2012. All local
newspapers currently maintain web sites, but no local data could be obtained to help
determine the number of residents who rely on this medium to keep up with local news.
• Between 2009 and 2011, downloadable e-books and audiobooks library circulation figures in
Herkimer County have tripled nearly across the board over 3 years.
• According to the Pew Research Center Internet and American Life Project Survey,
approximately 81% of adults surveyed in the US over the age of 18 were users of the
Internet in 2012. In Herkimer County, 96.5% of residents have access to wireless Internet
capabilities. Herkimer County ranks 45th
in New York State in terms of Internet access
speed.
• According to a survey done by the Pew Research Center in 2012, approximately 95% of youth
ages 12-17 in the US have access to the Internet. Based on the 2009 Herkimer County TAP
Survey, almost eight out of ten (79%) of teens have their own personal e-mail address, and
nearly three out of four (72%) have a personal profile page on places such as Facebook or
MySpace.
Youth Citizenship
• Almost one in six teens (16%) indicated in the 2009 survey that they felt constantly teased,
threatened or harassed by other youth. This is a decrease from 2005 when 20% said they
felt this way. Seventh graders in each survey have reported feeling constantly bullied at a
higher rate than those in ninth and eleventh grade. In 2009, 21% of the seventh graders
reported feeling this way, whereas 15% of the ninth graders and just 12% of the eleventh
graders said they felt constantly bullied.
• Fewer teens in 2009 than 2005 reported that that they have done something that they could
have been arrested for, such as shoplifting, vandalism and assault in the past year. In 2005,
one in four (25%), but by 2009—22%, reported they had done something illegal.
• Herkimer County teens are more likely than teens nationally to have: (1) sent nude or semi-
nude pictures of themselves (HC—27% vs. US—19%); (2) received nude or semi-nude pictures
that someone sent of themselves (HC—40% vs. US—31%); (3) shared nude or semi-nude
pictures they had received with someone else (HC—17% vs. US—14%); and (4) received these
types of pictures from someone who had received the pictures from someone else (HC—32%
vs. US—29%).
134
Citizenship

Firearms
• 154 Pistol Permits were issued in Herkimer County 2012, and 844 applications for pistol
permit licenses were handed out. The number of applications requested in 2012 is double the
amount requested in 2009.
• According to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, there were 15 violent
crimes committed with the use of a firearm in Herkimer County during 2010, a rate of 24.5
per 100,000 of population. This is an increase from the 8 firearm crimes committed in 2007
(rate - 12.7 per 100,000 population).
Youth Arrests
• The total number of juvenile arrests in Herkimer County has decreased by 42% between
2003 and 2011. Arrests for youth below age 16 decreased by 22% during this time period,
while arrests for youth between the ages of 16 and 18 decreased by 46%.
• The Kids Wellbeing Indicators Clearinghouse reports that the 2011 property crime arrest
rate for juveniles (under 16 years old) in Herkimer County was 34.5 per 10,000 population,
slightly lower than the Rest of State (New York State minus New York City) rate of 35.3 per
10,000. The violent crime arrest rate for juveniles in Herkimer County in 2011 was also lower
than the rate for the Rest of State (2.9 per 10,000 vs. 7.2 per 10,000 respectively).
• Herkimer County crime rates were lower than both NYS and Non-NYC rates in 2011 for all
index, violent, and property index crimes (2,093.8 per 100,000 for all index crimes, 217.6 for
violent index crimes, and 1,876.3 per 100,000 for property index crimes).
• Overall, adult arrests in Herkimer County have increased by 8.3% between 1994 and 2011.
Arrests in both the misdemeanor and felony categories have seen overall increases but have
fluctuated. DWI arrests (felony and misdemeanor) have seen declines over the time period.
Arrests for misdemeanor and felony drug offenses have experienced slight increases.
• In 2011, Herkimer County tied with Livingston County for the second highest felony convic-
tion rate (94.5%) in New York State behind Schuyler County (96.7%). The 2011 conviction
rate in New York State was 64.4% and in Upstate New York (non-NYC) it was 75.4%.
• Herkimer County’s felony incarceration rate of 37.4% in 2011 was lower than the
incarceration rate for New York State(50.6%) and Upstate New York (52.0%).
• Adult sentences to Probation for felony convictions as an alternative to incarceration in
Herkimer County in 2011 was 33.3%. The NYS rate in 2011 was 14.4% and the Upstate NY
rate was 21.3%.
DWI
• Overall total DWI arrests have declined in Herkimer County between 2000 and 2011. Misde-
meanor DWI arrests reached their peak in 2006 and have decreased since that time. Felony
DWI arrests have fluctuated but have nearly doubled. The adult arrest rate for DWI in
Herkimer County is lower than some surrounding counties but higher than the rate recorded
for New York State.
135
Citizenship

• The young adult arrest rate for DWI in Herkimer County is higher than similar counties and
New York State. In 2011, young adult DWI arrests occurred at a rate of 108.7 per 10,000,
compared to a rate of 47.0 per 10,000 for New York State (excluding NYC) and 32.2 per
10,000 for New York State. Herkimer County had the third highest DWI arrest rate for
youth ages 16 to 21 in New York State in 2011.
• Between 2004 and 2011, the use of Electronic Monitoring in Herkimer County as an
alternative to incarceration has increased (from 11 to 63), and the number of defendants
released on their own recognizance has decreased (from 20 to 0). Almost 43,000 jail days
have been saved during this five-year period due to the pretrial release option.
• The number of youth placed on the Juvenile Electronic Monitoring Program remained fairly
steady between 2008 and 2012. During this 5-year time period, Herkimer County has saved
approximately 4,100 days of detention/placement.
• Between 2004 and 2011, the number of offenders sentenced to community service as an
alternative to incarceration has more than doubled. Over 32,000 jail days have been saved
during this eight-year time period.
• The number of Herkimer County JD youth that have been placed outside the home has seen
an overall decline of one-third between 1998 (12) and 2012 (8), In 2007 the number of youth
placed rose to 16, the highest number of placements during this time period. The lowest
number of placements recorded during this time period was 6 in 2011.
• The use of JD detention and residential care days declined by over 2,200 days, or one-third,
• The number of PINS youth that have been placed outside of the home has increased by 20%
• The number of residential and detention care days used by PINS youth in 2012 was 6,518
days less, or a 53% decrease, from the 12,410 care days used in 2002.
• Respite use for PINS youth has declined between 2009 and 2012.
Incarceration
• The number of inmates remanded to the Herkimer County Correctional Facility has increased
by over 23% between 1999 and 2012. The total number of adults in jail has increased by 40%
during this time period, while youths in jail have experienced a 20% decline.
• The increase in the jail population has resulted in the overcrowding of the jail and the
boarding out of prisoners to other facilities. In 2012, an average of 45 prisoners were
boarded out each month to jails in other counties at a significant additional cost to
taxpayers. The number of inmates boarded out represents 63.4% of the total average daily
census of 71 in 2012.136
Citizenship

137
Physical & Emotional Health
New York State Prevention Agenda
The Prevention Agenda 2013-17 is New York State’s health improvement plan for 2013 through
2017, developed by the New York State Public Health and Health Planning Council (PHHPC) at
the request of the Department of Health, in partnership with more than 140 organizations
across the state. This plan involves a unique mix of organizations including local health
departments, health care providers, health plans, community- based organizations, advocacy
groups, academia, and employers, as well as state agencies, schools, and businesses whose
activities can influence the health of individuals and communities and address health disparities.
This unprecedented collaboration informs a five-year plan designed to improve the health and
quality of life for all New Yorkers. Recent natural disasters in New York State that have had an
impact on health and well-being re-emphasize the need for such a roadmap.
In addition, the Prevention Agenda will serve as a guide to local health departments as they work
with their community to develop mandated Community Health Assessments and to hospitals as
they develop mandated Community Health Assessments. It will also guide hospitals as they
develop mandated Community Service Plans and Community Health Needs Assessments required
by the Affordable Care Act over the coming year.
The Prevention Agenda vision is “New York as the Healthiest State in the Nation.” The plan
features five priority areas:
• Prevent chronic diseases
• Promote healthy and safe environments
• Promote healthy women, infants and children
• Promote mental health and prevent substance abuse
• Prevent HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, vaccine-preventable diseases and
healthcare-associated infections
The Prevention Agenda establishes goals for each priority area and defines indicators to
measure progress toward achieving these goals, including reductions in health disparities among
racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups and person with disabilities.
The Agenda also identifies interventions shown to be effective to reach each goal. These
interventions are displayed by stakeholder groups so that each sector can identify evidence-
based or promising practices they can adapt for implementation to address the specific health
issues in their communities. The interventions are also displayed by the five tiers of the Health
Impact Pyramid. The Health Impact Pyramid is a framework based on the potential reach and
relative impact of interventions. At the base are efforts to address socio-economic
determinants of health (Tier 1). In ascending order are interventions directed at the
environmental context to make individuals’ default decisions healthy (Tier 2), clinical
interventions that confer long-term protection against illness and disease (Tier 3), ongoing
direct clinical care (Tier 4), and health education and counseling (Tier 5). Interventions at lower

New York State Prevention Agenda
levels of the pyramid tend to reach broader segments of society by changing the broader
environments in which people live through policy changes. Sustaining interventions at each of
the levels within communities can achieve the maximum possible public health benefit and
address health disparities and social determinants of health.
The Prevention Agenda has five overarching goals:
• Improve health status in five priority areas and reduce racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and
other health disparities including those among persons with disabilities.
• Advance a “Health in all Policies” approach to address broad social determinants of health.
• Create and strengthen public-private and multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve public
health improvement at state and local levels.
• Increase investment in prevention and public health to improve health, control health care
costs and increase economic productivity.
• Strengthen governmental and nongovernmental public health agencies and resources at state
and local levels.
A select group of 58 Prevention Agenda objectives were chosen to be tracked annually for New
York State. Data will be available by county for 43 of these objectives, by healthcare plan for
four objectives and by hospital for two objectives. Baseline and updated data will be published
on the DOH website.
The following are the New York State Focus Areas for Public Health Priority Areas:
138
Promote a Health and Safe Environment
• Injuries, Violence and Occupational Health
• Outdoor air quality
• Built environment
• Water quality
Prevent Chronic Diseases
• Reduce obesity in children and adults
• Reduce illness, disability and death- related
to tobacco use and secondhand smoke
exposure
• Increase access to high quality chronic
disease preventative care and management in
both clinical and community settings
Prevent HIV/STDs, Vaccine Preventable
Diseases and Healthcare-Associated
Infections
• Vaccine-preventable diseases
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
• Healthcare-associated infections
Promote Mental Health & Prevent Substance
Abuse
• Promote Mental, Emotional and Behavioral
health (MEB)
• Prevent substance abuse and other MEB
disorders
• Strengthen infrastructure across systems
Promote Healthy Women/Infants/Children
• Maternal and infant health
• Child health
• Preconceptive and reproductive health

139
Strong predictors of access to quality health care include having health insurance, a higher
income level, and a regular primary care provider or other source of ongoing health care. Use of
clinical preventive services, such as early prenatal care, can serve as indicators of access to
quality health care services.
Financial, structural, and personal barriers can limit access to health care. Financial barriers
include not having health insurance, not having enough health insurance to cover needed services,
or not having the financial capacity to cover services outside a health plan or insurance program.
Persons with health insurance are more likely to have a primary care provider and to have
received appropriate preventive care such as a recent Pap test, immunization, or early prenatal
care. Adults with health insurance are twice as likely to receive a routine checkup as are adults
without health insurance.
Structural barriers include the lack of primary care providers, medical specialists, or other
health care professionals to meet special needs or the lack of health care facilities. More than
40 million Americans do not have a particular doctor’s office, clinic, health center, or other place
where they usually go to seek health care or health-related advice. Even among privately
insured persons, a significant number lacked a usual source of care or reported difficulty in
accessing needed care due to financial constraints or insurance problems. People aged 18 to 24
years were the most likely to lack a usual source of ongoing primary care.
Personal barriers include cultural or spiritual differences, language barriers, lack of
transportation, and not knowing what to do or when to seek care, or concerns about
confidentiality or discrimination.
In recent years, new scientific reports have linked poor oral health to adverse general health
outcomes. The role of chronic low-grade periodontal (gum) infections in increasing the risk for
heart and lung diseases, stroke, low birth weight and premature births is being studied. A
strong association between diabetes and periodontal infection has been observed. The effect of
early childhood caries (tooth decay) on weight gain and failure to thrive has been reported. The
impact of tooth loss on food choices is well documented. Behaviors that affect general health
such as tobacco use, excessive alcohol use and poor dietary choices are also associated with poor
oral health outcomes. The emergence of this connection between oral health and general health
and risk factors supports oral health care as an essential component of health programs and
policies.
For several types of cancer, detection at an early stage greatly increases the likelihood that
treatment will be successful, and it improves the treatment options that are available to persons
with cancer. The five-year survival rate for breast cancer that is in its earliest stages is 97.0%,
while, at late stage, it is only 23.3%. Similarly, colorectal cancer diagnosed in its earliest stage
currently has a five-year survival rate of 90.1% as opposed to later stage disease, which has a
five-year survival rate of 9.2%.

Table 58
Summary Chart: Access to Quality Healthcare Indicators
Indicator US NYS
Herkimer
County
Herkimer
County
2008
% of Adults with Health
Care Coverage 85.0%a
88.6% 85.4%* 83.4%
(2010) (2010) (2009) (2008)
% of Adults with Regular
Health Care Provider 86%a
86.6% 88.3%* 86.1%
(2008) (2010) (2009) (2008)
% of Adults Who Have
Seen a Dentist in the Past
Year 69.9%a
72.5% 65.8%* 67.2%
(2010) (2010) (2009) (2008)
Early Stage Cancer
Diagnosis:
Breast 60% 64.6% 65.9% N/A
Cervical 48% 46.1% 46.2% N/A
Colorectal 39% 45.1% 39.4% N/A
(2001–2007) (2008) (2004–2008)
a Median percent of States and DC
* Rate age-adjusted to the US 2000 Population
~ Fewer than 20 events in the numerator; rate is unstable
s Suppressed (percent could not be calculated, fewer than 3 cases per year)
140
Source: NYSDOH Herkimer County Indicators for Tracking Public Health Priority Areas
WHERE WE STAND

Table 61
Table 60
Table 59Medicaid Health Insurance Coverage 2011
As of the end of 2011, Herkimer County has a total Medicaid eligible population of 13,971.
21.77% of Herkimer County’s 2011 estimated population is Medicaid eligible. Herkimer County’s
percentage enrolled is below the State percentages in every category except SSI Blind &
Disable and Other. Herkimer County and NYS have a similar percentage of Medicaid enrollees
covered under the State’s Family Health Plus Program.
Medicare Health Insurance Coverage 2010
Herkimer County has 12,050 Medicare enrollees. Roughly one fifth of the county is currently
receiving Medicare. This is nearly the same percentage of the population on Medicaid. The
percentage of Medicaid enrollees in Herkimer County to the New York State enrollment less
New York City is less than one-percentage point.
Child Health Plus Insurance Coverage July 2012
Total Medicaid
Enrollees
SSI Aged
SSI Blind &
Disabled
Family
Health Plus
Other
New York
State 25.16% 2.25% 3.86% 2.37% .0002%
Rest of State 16.25% 2.21% 3.22% 1.38% .06%
Herkimer 21.77% 1.99% 4.36% 2.31% .05%
Medicare Total Enrollees % Total of Population
New York State excluding NYC 1,813,630 15.54%
Herkimer County 11,929 18.49%
Child Health Plus Total Enrollees
% of Population
under 18
% of Total Population
Herkimer 1,927 — —
NYS excluding NYC 231,978 — —
New York State 360,204 — —
141
Source: CMS, Medicare Enrollment Reports
Source: NYSDOH, Medicaid Enrollees by Category of Eligibility by Social Service District
Source: NYSDOH Child Health Plus Enrollment by Insurer July 2012

Table 62Uninsured Rates: Comparison
According to the most recent available estimates, only 12.7% of nonelderly Herkimer County
residents are uninsured. This does not give any insight into the percentage of the population
that is underinsured; however, 6,674 children and adults is certainly a significant portion of the
population without any form of health coverage.
Physician Supply
Herkimer County received designation as a Health Professional Shortage Area for both primary
care and mental health care in 2005. There are approximately 1,574 individuals per primary care
physician in Herkimer County. There are 41 primary care physicians in Herkimer County.
The county scored 11 out of 25
on the priority scale. Herkimer
and Oneida Counties currently
have 778 physicians of which
310 are primary care physicians
and 468 are specialists. This
results in Herkimer County
residents being required to
travel throughout the Mohawk
Valley to receive the care they
need.
While Oneida County has 92
psychiatry & neurology
providers, Herkimer County only
has four of the types of
providers.
Children
Ages 0–19 Uninsured
Adults
Total Individuals
Herkimer County 5.5% 15.4% 12.7%
New York State
excluding NYC
5.1% 14.2% 13.3%
Source: US Census Bureau, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates, 2010
142
Herkimer County Oneida County Total
Family Medicine 19 114 133
General Practice 2 6 8
Internal
Medicine
11 87 98
Obstetrics &
Gynecology
4 32 36
Pediatrics 5 30 35
Total Primary
Care Physicians
41 269 310
Table 63
Primary Care Physicians in
Herkimer & Oneida Counties
Source: CNY Health Service Agency

Transportation
Given the geographic layout of Herkimer County and the availability of physicians and specialists,
the lack of a public transportation system can limit the access an individual has to health care
given their resources. The Herkimer-Oneida Counties Transportation Study identified human
services transportation needs and gaps. The Transportation Coordination Committee prioritized
needs and gaps into high, high-medium, medium, and low importance.
High Importance
• Coordination of bus routes and service hours for employment, childcare, and medical
appointments
• Public and private agencies coordinating programs with available transportation service
• Accessible and affordable transportation options for the elderly, disabled, and low-income to
social activities, shopping, medical, and employment facilities
• Easy to obtain information on available transit services, including non-English
• Filling vehicles with clients from various agencies traveling the same routes at the same
times
High-Medium Importance
• Improved pedestrian access, safer sidewalks, crosswalks, signals, pedestrian-friendly streets
especially within walking distance to bus stops and rail stations
Medium Importance
• Getting workers to employment locations currently not served by public transit
• Provide transportation service during evenings, weekends, holidays, and non-traditional work
hours
• Guaranteed ride for commuters who regularly take public transit, vanpool, carpool, bike, or
walk to and from work in the event of an unexpected emergency
• On-demand transportation options to medical care facilities and options for adults with
limited mobility
• Rural service to local cities and to areas such as Syracuse and Cooperstown
Low Importance
• Being able to track the location of buses on computer, automate trip schedules, dispatching
and billing
As indicated in the study, “on-demand transportation options to medical care facilities and
options for adults with limited mobility” scored as being of medium importance for the two
county region (Oneida-Herkimer). However, the geography, lack of public transportation, and
roads in Herkimer County would indicate a higher level of importance, especially to individuals
who are isolated or have physical limitations.
143

To address transportation needs of particular geographic regions of the county, or particular
populations within the county, various transportation services have been initiated to meet
transportation demands.
• The Herkimer County Office for the Aging provides transportation services to senior
citizens aged 60 and older.
• Community Transportation Services, Ltd., a non-profit incorporated in 1987, exists “to assist
the elderly, disabled and disadvantaged in the Central Adirondack area by providing
necessary transportation, without cost, for medical, health and other related necessary
services”.
• The Herkimer County Department of Social Services provides medical transportation to
individuals receiving Medicaid when no other source of transportation related to medical
appointments is available.
• Catholic Charities of Herkimer County sponsors the RIDE Program utilizing RSVP volunteers
to transport elderly or disabled individuals to medical appointments.
Herkimer County Office for the Aging Transportation
The Herkimer County Office for the Aging (OFA) provides transportation services to senior
citizens aged 60 and older. This service is a demand-response system; that is, transportation
wherever the senior would like to go. Rides are provided for medical appointments, grocery
store/pharmacy, banking, hairdresser, visiting, etc. Due to the demand for services, the OFA
does not travel outside the County and basically services the valley corridor from the town of
Schuyler to Dolgeville. The OFA currently has two vehicles, both equipped with wheelchair lifts:
one vehicle operates 5 days/week and the second operates 2 days/
week.
The number of rides provided from 2005 through 2011 has not changed
significantly; this is because the buses are basically at capacity. When
the price of gasoline rose so dramatically in 2008, the demand for the
OFA transportation service also rose dramatically. Many seniors were
unable to be served because the demand was
far beyond the OFA’s capacity to absorb.
Since 2008, the number of rides has returned
to previous service levels.
During 2011, 176 seniors received
transportation from the OFA (unduplicated
count). The average number of rides per
senior served was 30 rides.
The demographics of seniors served with the
OFA transportation service during 2011 was
81% females and 19% males. The ages of
those served were 32% age 85 and older,
34% ages 75 to 84 and 35% ages 60 to 74.
Year
# of Rides
Provided
2011 5,326
2010 5,532
2009 5,403
2008 6,059
2007 5,297
2006 5,291
2005 5,659
Tables 64 & 65 Source:
Herkimer County OFA
Table 64
OFA Transportation
2005–2011
Age
#
Served
% of
Total
85+ 56 32%
75–84 59 34%
60–74 61 35%
Total 176 100%
Table 65
144
Age of Clients
Served with OFA
Transportation 2011

Herkimer County Non-Emergency MA Transportation
Mode of Transportation (One-Way Trips)
Year # of Clients Auto Van Stretcher
2008 3710 14673 4170 355
2009 3428 14518 3552 344
2010 3184 7042 1629 290
2011 3482 7777 1752 359
2012 3578 7641 1430 346
Note: excludes any ambulance trips
Catholic Charities RIDE Program
2009 2010 2011
Volunteer Drivers 22* 19** 17***
Volunteer Hours 1,702 1,976 1,514
Mileage 32,300 32,958 30,815
Rides 1,492 1,694 1,402
Passengers 746 847 701
Dispatchers 2 1†
5‡
RIDE Program
RSVP volunteers, utilizing their private vehicles, provide transportation to elderly county
residents to medical appointments when no other means of transportation is available. There
has been a reduction of volunteer providers, in part, due to the higher cost of gasoline. Catholic
Charities provides some reimbursement for gasoline but higher gas prices put the program in
jeopardy.
Medicaid Transportation
Medicaid recipients often do not have means of transportation to necessary medical
appointments. The Herkimer DSS provides medical transportation to recipients who do not have
access to a vehicle or public transportation. Some individuals with special medical problems
require specialized transport via van or stretcher. As a part of NYS’ ongoing Medicaid Redesign,
it is planned that Counties will no longer be administering this program.
Table 66
Source: Herkimer County Catholic Charities
Table 67
145
*2009 began w/24 drivers & ended w/22
**2010 began w/22 drivers & ended w/19
***2011 began w/19 drivers & ended w/17
†
2010 began w/2 dispatchers & ended w/1
‡
2011 began w/3 dispatchers & ended w/5

Community Transportation Services, Ltd.
Community Transportation Services, Ltd., was incorporated in
1987 as a not-for-profit (501, c, 3) organization. Its
Certificate of Incorporation, Article 3, states “the purpose is
to assist the elderly, disabled and disadvantaged in the
Central Adirondack area by providing necessary
transportation, without cost, for medical, health and other
related necessary services”. CTS is not a taxi service; it is a
totally volunteer organization with no payroll. CTS exists
strictly on “free will” donations.
Table 69
Destination # of Trips
Utica 195
Syracuse 22
Albany 2
Rome 3
Indian Lake 2
Barneveld 43
Ilion 1
Boonville 8
Herkimer 2
Hamilton 2
Old Forge 118
Total Trips 398
2012 Destinations
Table 68CTS Summary Data 2007–2012
2009 2008 2007201020112012
Total Trips 396 332 286466421398
# of Riders 812 676 627941797748
Medical Riders 427 376 299419436348
Riders 60+ 97% 96% 94%97%97%97%*
Total Miles 38,496 34,541 31,51639,68040,47738,663
Volunteer Drivers 34 32 30322930
Days Served/Week 7 7 7777
Areas Served
Town of Webb
Other
98%
2%
98%
2%
97%
3%
98%
2%
98%
2%
98%*
2%*
* estimated
Tables 67–68 Source: Community Transportation Services, Ltd.
146

Individuals living with chronic disease(s)
may require support services to maintain a
level of independence and remain in their
homes. Individuals may have Functional
Limitations defined as ADL’s (Activities of
Daily Living) and IADL’s (Independent
Activities of Daily Living).
A variety of services available to help
maintain individuals in their homes follow.
EISEP
EISEP stands for “Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program” and is pronounced “eye-
sep”. EISEP is a New York State Program that provides housekeeping and personal care services
to seniors aged 60 and older whose incomes fall above the Medicaid level. Services are provided
on a cost-share basis dependent on the seniors’ incomes, which determine how much the senior
must contribute toward the actual cost of aide services they are receiving. Cost-sharing can
range from zero to 100% of the aide service cost.
ADL’s include: bathing, personal hygiene,
dressing, mobility, toileting, eating and
transferring.
IADL’s include: housework, self-administration
of medications, shopping, laundry,
transportation, prepare and cook meals, handle
personal business/finances and telephone.
EISEP Clients Served by Gender
4/1/2010–3/31/2011
Gender Number Percent
Female 94 84%
Male 18 16%
Total 112 100%
Source: Tables 70-72 Herkimer County
Office for the Aging
Table 70
Of the 112 seniors that received EISEP
services during the period 4/1/10–
3/31/11, 55% were aged 85 or older and
84% were females.
The ages of consumers receiving EISEP
are somewhat younger than the age
breakdown of consumers receiving home
delivered meals.
Age Number Percent
60–74 16 14%
75–84 34 30%
85+ 62 55%
Total 112 100%
EISEP Clients by Age 4/1/2010–3/31/2011
Table 71
147
Age EISEP
Meals-on-
Wheels
60–74 14% 19%
75–84 30% 35%
85+ 56% 46%
EISEP Compared to Meals-on-Wheels
Table 72

Other Long Term Care Programs
The Alternatives in Long Term Care Program, located in the Department of Social Services,
oversees several different programs for individuals of any age. The various programs have
different age or income eligibility criteria. One thing they all have in common, however, is that
they provide in-home services to people who have functional limitations (see definitions on
previous page) and need assistance with ADL’s and/or IADL’s.
The following table lists programs, payment source (Medicaid or non-Medicaid), the number of
clients in each program, and the percentage of total consumers in each program
in December of 2012.
Individuals can receive more than one program. Although there are 247 cases, the total number
of consumers is 197.
Program Payment Source # of Consumers Percent
Care at Home (CAH)—
from birth to 18 years of age
Medicaid 4 2%
Consumer Directed Personal
Assistance Program (CDPAP)
Medicaid 44 18%
DSS Personal Emergency Response
System (PERS)
Medicaid 50 20%
EISEP Level 1—
Housekeeper/Chore (Age 60+)
Non-Medicaid 10 4%
EISEP Level 2—
Homemaker/Personal Care (Age 60+)
Non-Medicaid 62 25%
Long Term Home Health Care
Program (LTHHCP)
Medicaid 1 0%
Personal Care Aide Level 1 (PCA 1) Medicaid 36 15%
Personal Care Aide Level 2 (PCA 2) Medicaid 38 15%
Private Duty Nursing (PDN) Medicaid 2 1%
Total 247 100%
Table 73
Source: Herkimer County Office for the Aging
148

Of the total 247 current cases, 29% are non-Medicaid and 71% are Medicaid. The Alternatives
in Long Term Care Program unit is located in the Herkimer County Department of Social
Services. Staff or financial support from three separate county departments: Social Services,
Office for the Aging, and Public
Health support the unit. The
caseload as of 12/31/12 follows:
Age Number Percent
85+ 55 28%
75–84 42 21%
60–74 47 24%
<60 53 27%
Total 197 100%
Alternatives in LTC Program Caseload
by Age Breakdown 12/31/12
Table 74
Because the programs administered by the
Alternatives Unit are not limited to individuals
aged 60 and older, the age breakdown of
individuals served is dissimilar to that of Home
Delivered Meals and EISEP.
Table 75
Alternatives in LTC Program Caseload
by Marital Status Breakdown 12/31/12
Marital Status Number Percent
Divorced 35 18%
Married 33 17%
Never Married 24 12%
Separated 3 2%
Single 21 11%
Widowed 79 40%
Data Unknown 2 1%
Total 197 100%
Although all ages are served, the Alternatives
Unit caseload serves predominantly individuals
aged 60 and older, who are widowed, and living
alone.
Alternatives in LTC Program Caseload by
Living Arrangement Breakdown 12/31/12
Living Arrangement Number Percent
Alone 123 62%
With Others
(non-relative)
29 15%
With Relatives 22 11%
With Spouse Only 23 12%
Total 197 100%
Table 76
149

Catholic Charities of Herkimer County.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare Enrollment Reports.
CNY Health Service Agency.
Community Transportation Services, Ltd.
NYS Department of Health. 2008 Census Bureau Estimates of the Uninsured.
http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/prevention_agenda/access_to_health_care/
estimates_of_uninsured.htm
NYS Department of Health. Child Health Plus Enrollment by Insurer.
http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/child_health_plus/enrollment/
NYS Department of Health. Herkimer County Indicators For Tracking Public Health Priority
Areas.
http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/prevention_agenda/indicators/county/herkimer.htm
NYS Department of Health. NYS Prevention Agenda 2013–2017.
http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/prevention_agenda/2013-2017/
NYS Department of Health. Number of Medicaid Enrollees by Category of Eligibility by Social
Service District.
http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/health_care/medicaid/eligible_expenditures/el2011/2011-
cy_enrollees.htm
US Census Bureau. Small Area Health Insurance Estimates.
http://www.census.gov/did/www/sahie/
2005 Herkimer County Community Health Survey, Zogby.
http://www.herkimerhealthnet.com/pdf/2006REPORT.pdf
DATA SOURCES
150

Chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and asthma are conditions of
long duration and generally slow progression. Chronic diseases are among the leading causes of
death, disability and rising health care costs in New York State (NYS). Specifically, they
account for approximately 70 percent of all deaths in NYS and affect the quality of life for
millions of New Yorkers, causing major limitations in daily living for about one in ten residents.
Costs associated with chronic diseases and their major risk factors consume more than 75
percent of our nation’s spending on health care.
However, chronic diseases are also among the most preventable. Three modifiable risk
behaviors—lack of physical activity, unhealthy nutrition, and tobacco use—are largely
responsible for the incidence, severity and adverse outcomes of chronic disease. The World
Health Organization has estimated that if the major risk factors for chronic disease were
eliminated, at least 80 percent of all heart disease, stroke and type-2 diabetes would be
prevented, and more than 40 percent of cancer cases would be avoided.
As such, increasing physical activity, improving nutrition, and decreasing tobacco use form the
core of the Preventing Chronic Diseases Action Plan for the New York State Prevention Agenda.
Within this framework, the Action Plan places emphasis on three key areas: 1) health prevention
activities to encourage healthy living and limit the onset of chronic disease, 2) early detection
opportunities that include screening populations at risk; and 3) successful management
strategies for existing diseases and related complications. In addition, because of well-
documented and widespread disparities in chronic disease incidence and mortality among
vulnerable populations, addressing these health disparities is a focal point for the chronic
disease action plan.
It is vital that NYS address chronic diseases and their causes to effectively stem the tide of
escalating health care costs and ensure that New Yorkers lead healthy and productive lives.
Without doing so, these persistent conditions will leave in their wake a growing burden of
disability, compromised quality of life, and death, with well-considered and concerted action,
could have been prevented.
Major causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States are related to poor diet and
physical inactivity. By maintaining a healthy diet and being physically active, individuals can
achieve a healthy weight and reduce their risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart
disease and some forms of cancer. Physical activity can strengthen bones and reduce the risk of
osteoporosis. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death in New York State, killing
almost 59,000 residents each year. Diabetes is the most rapidly growing chronic disease,
affecting one out of every 12 adult New Yorkers.
151

Obesity, which may be addressed through proper nutrition and physical activity, is a major risk
factor for many chronic diseases, and has reached epidemic proportions both in New York and
across the nation. The percentage of obese adults in New York State more than doubled from
10% in 1997 to 25% in 2008 and, nationally, obesity among children and adolescents has tripled
over the past three decades. In fact, obesity costs New York State more than $6 billion
annually in direct medical expenditures for treatment of related diseases, as well as indirect
costs such as lost productivity. Physical inactivity, poor nutrition, consumption of sugar-
sweetened beverages and television viewing can contribute to excess weight gain in children and
adults. (Finkelstein EA, Fiebelkorn IC, Wang G. State-level estimates of annual medical
expenditures attributable to obesity. Obesity Research. January 2004;12(1):18-24.)
Regular physical activity:
• Increases muscle and bone strength.
• Increases lean muscle and helps decrease body fat.
• Aids in weight control and is a key part of any weight loss effort.
• Enhances psychological well-being and may even reduce the risk of developing
depression.
• Appears to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety and to improve mood.
Children and adolescents need weight-bearing exercise for normal skeletal development, and
young adults need such exercise to achieve and maintain peak bone mass. Older adults can
improve and maintain strength and agility with regular physical activity. This can reduce the risk
of falling, helping older adults maintain an independent living status. Regular physical activity
also increases the ability of people with certain chronic, disabling conditions to perform
activities of daily living.
Cigarette smoking is the single most preventable cause of disease and death in the United
States. Smoking results in more deaths each year in the United States than AIDS, alcohol,
cocaine, heroin, homicide, suicide, motor vehicle crashes, and fires—combined.
Tobacco-related deaths number more than 430,000 per year among U.S. adults, representing
more than 5 million years of potential life lost. Direct medical costs attributable to smoking
total at least $50 billion per year.
Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and chronic lung diseases—
all leading causes of death. Smoking during pregnancy can result in miscarriages, premature
delivery, and sudden infant death syndrome. Other health effects of smoking result from
injuries and environmental damage caused by fires.
152

153
Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), or secondhand smoke, among nonsmokers is
widespread. Home and workplace environments are major sources of exposure. A total of 15
million children, in the U.S., are estimated to have been exposed to secondhand smoke in their
homes in 1996. ETS increases the risk of heart disease and respiratory infections in children
and is responsible for an estimated 3,000 cancer deaths of adult nonsmokers.
Adolescents. Overall, the percentage of adolescents in grades 9 through 12 who smoked in the
past month increased in the 1990s. Every day, an estimated 3,000 young persons start smoking.
These trends are disturbing because the vast majority of adult smokers tried their first
cigarette before age 18 years; more than half of adult smokers became daily smokers before
this same age. Almost half of adolescents who continue smoking regularly will die eventually
from a smoking-related illness.
Adults. Following years of steady decline, rates of smoking among adults appear to have leveled
off in the 1990s.
There is no safe tobacco alternative to cigarettes. Spit tobacco (chew) causes cancer of the
mouth, inflammation of the gums, and tooth loss. Cigar smoking causes cancer of the mouth,
throat, and lungs and can increase the risk of heart disease and chronic lung problems.
Fire Tower on Bald Mountain, Old Forge

154
Chronic Disease Summary Chart
Indicator Data Years
Herkimer
County
New York
State
NYS 2017
Objective
Age-adjusted percentage of adults
who are obese
2008–2009
29.5
(24.6–34.5)
23.1
(21.0–25.1)
23.0
Percentage of children and
adolescents who are obese
2010–2012 17.9 17.6
NYC: 19.7
ROS: 16.7
Age-adjusted percentage of
cigarette smoking among adults
2008–2009
20.9
(16.3–25.5)
17.0
(15.3–18.8)
15.0
Percentage of adults who receive a
colorectal cancer screening based on
the most recent guidelines—Ages 50–
75 years
2008–2009
64.8
(58.9–70.2)
66.3
(63.5–69.1)
71.4
Asthma emergency department visit
rate per 10,000
2008–2010 33.5 83.7 75.1
Asthma emergency department visit
rate per 10,000—Ages 0–4 years
2008–2010 66.3 221.4 196.5
Age-adjusted heart attack
hospitalization rate per 10,000
2010 13.2 15.5 14.0
Rate of hospitalizations for short-
term complications of diabetes per
10,000—Ages 6–17 years
2008–2010 4.6 3.2 3.06
Rate of hospitalizations for short-
term complications of diabetes per
10,000—Ages 18+ years
2008–2010 4.4 5.6 4.86
Table 77
Source: NYSDOH Herkimer County Indicators For Tracking Public Health Priority Areas, 2013–2017
WHERE WE STAND

Table 79
Table 78
Indicator
Herkimer
County Rate
NYS Rate
NYS Rate
excluding NYC
Age-adjusted mortality rates
per 100,000
282.5 250.9* 244.7*
Premature death
(ages 35–64)
130.6 102.0* 95.3*
Pre-transport mortality 224.4 144.1* 155.9*
Age-adjusted hospitalization rates
per 10,000
178.1 165.6* 157.5*
Cardiovascular Disease
In relation to cardiovascular disease, Herkimer County statistically has higher rates of age-
adjusted mortality, premature death, and pre-transport mortality when compared to New York
State as a whole. When comparing to the Upstate area, excluding New York City, Herkimer
County also has statistically higher rates of hospitalizations.
Diseases of the Heart
Herkimer County statistically has higher rates of disease of the heart when compared to NYS
and NYS excluding New York City.
Source: NYSDOH Cardiovascular Disease Indicators 2008–2010—All tables on this page
Indicator
Herkimer
County Rate
NYS Rate
NYS Rate
excluding NYC
Age-adjusted Mortality rates per
100,000
230.5 207.6* 196.5*
Premature death
(ages 35–64)
112.5 83.3* 78.0*
per 10,000
126.0 113.3* 109.2*
*Indicates statistical difference
155

156
Table 81
Table 80
Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary Heart Disease occurs in Herkimer County at statistically higher rates of mortality,
premature death, pre-transport mortality, and hospitalizations when compared with the Upstate
area, excluding New York City.
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive Heart Failure occurs at statistically higher rates in Herkimer County concerning
hospitalization rates when compared with New York State and the Upstate area, excluding
New York City.
Indicator
Herkimer
County Rate
NYS Rate
NYS Rate
excluding NYC
Age-adjusted Mortality rates
per 100,000
17.9 11.3* 15.5
Premature death
(ages 35–64)
1.3** 1.6 2.0
Pre-transport mortality 9.5 7.2 10.9
Age-adjusted Hospitalization rates
per 10,000
34.8 28.9* 26.9*
Source: NYSDOH Cardiovascular Disease Indicators 2008–2010—All tables on this page
Indicator
Herkimer
County Rate
NYS Rate
NYS Rate
excluding NYC
per 100,000
164.3 169.4 145.1*
Premature death
(ages 35–64)
85.3 69.0 59.9*
per 10,000
48.3 46.9 43.7*
**Fewer than 10 events in the numerator; therefore the rate is unstable

Table 82
Table 83
Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke)
Herkimer County has higher rates of stroke mortality, premature death, pre-transport
mortality, and hospitalizations however most of these rates are not statistically higher than
New York State or the upstate region excluding New York City.
Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease (CLRD)
Herkimer County has statistically significant higher rates of Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease
(CLRD) mortality and hospitalization when compared to New York State. However these rates,
when compared to the Upstate region, excluding New York City, are not statistically significant.
Indicator
Herkimer
County Rate
NYS Rate
NYS Rate
excluding
NYC
Age-adjusted CLRD mortality
Rate per 100,000
40.9 31.1* 38.5
Age-adjusted CLRD
hospitalization rate per 10,000
31.5** 37.5* 31.7
Source: NYSDOH Respiratory Diseases Indicators 2008–2010
Indicator
Herkimer
County Rate
NYS Rate
NYS Rate
excluding NYC
per 100,000
31.5 26.7 31.9
Premature death
(ages 35–64)
6.5** 10.6 10.5
Pre-transport mortality 20.1 10.9* 16.5
per 10,000
26.0 25.1 25.3
Source: NYSDOH Cardiovascular Disease Indicators 2008–2010
157

Table 84
Table 85
Cancer Age-adjusted Incidence per 100,000
Herkimer County
has higher rates
of Lip, Oral Cavity,
and Pharynx; Colon
and Rectum; and
Lung and Bronchus
Cancer than New
York State. There
are too few cases
for accurate
comparisons of
Melanoma Cancer
when compared to
the upstate
region, excluding
New York City.
Cancer Age-adjusted Mortality Rate per 100,000
Herkimer County
has higher rates of
cancer diagnosed at
an early stage for
female breast
cancer. It has
lower rates of
cancer diagnosed at
an early stage for
lung and ovarian
cancer. All of
these rates
however are not
statistically
significant
differences.
Indicator
Herkimer
County Rate
NYS Rate
NYS Rate
excluding
NYC
Lip, Oral Cavity, & Pharynx 2.4** 2.1 2.0
Colon and Rectum 17.5 15.7 15.7
Lung and Bronchus 52.1 42.8* 49.0
Female Breast 17.1 21.7 22.2
Cervix Uteri 1.4** 2.3 1.9
Ovary 10.5 7.8 8.5
Prostate 12.8 21.6 20.8
Melanoma 1.8** 2.1 2.7
Source: NYSDOH Cancer Indicators 2007–2009—all Tables this page
Indicator
Herkimer
County Rate
NYS Rate
NYS Rate
excluding
NYC
Lip, Oral Cavity, & Pharynx 12.0 10.4 10.8
Colon and Rectum 53.2 45.8 46.2
Lung and Bronchus 70.9 63.8 72.2
Female Breast 131.1 126.9 136.1
Cervix Uteri 9.3 8.3 7.4
Ovary 12.4 12.9 13.4
Prostate 162.0 166.9 171.2
158

159
Table 86Obesity Statistics
Source: NYSDOH Obesity Statistics for Herkimer County 2008–2010
Indicator
Herkimer County
Rate State Rate
% Adults Overweight or Obese (BMI 25+)—
Age- adjusted
61.0 59.3
% Adults Who Participated in Leisure Time
Physical Activity in Last 30 Days—
Age-adjusted
79.6 76.3
% Adults Eating 5 or More Fruits or
Vegetables per Day—Age-adjusted
20.9 27.1
% Adults with Physician Diagnosed Diabetes—
Age-adjusted
11.2 9.0
% Adults with Physician Diagnosed Angina,
Heart Attack or Stroke—Age-adjusted
6.8 7.6
% Adults with Physician Diagnosed Arthritis—
Age-adjusted
32.2 26.6

Causes of Obesity
Bigger portions
Over the years, most Americans have been consuming more calories. Between 1977 and 1996,
portion sizes grew markedly in the United States, not only at fast-food outlets/restaurants but
also in homes. The Nielsen SJ, Popkin BM study “Patterns and trends in food portion sizes 1977–
1998” revealed the following:
• Salty snacks increased from 132 calories to 225 calories.
• Soft drinks increased from 144 calories to 193 calories.
• French fries increased from 188 calories to 256 calories.
• Hamburgers increased from 389 calories to 486 calories.
Less nutrition
Most Americans do not eat enough fruits and vegetables.
• In 1980, about 50% of high school seniors reported eating green vegetables “nearly
every day or more.” By 2003, that figure had dropped to about 30%.
• In 2000, 81% of men and 73% of women reported eating fewer than five servings of
fruits and vegetables a day.
• Americans aren’t getting enough whole grains. Whole grains include whole wheat,
whole oats, barley, whole rye, and brown and wild rice. Products made with whole
grains retain more fiber and vitamins and minerals.
• Most Americans consume less than one serving of whole grains a day, but between the
early 1980s and 2000, consumption of refined grains increased.
Milk consumption is lower than it should be:
• In 1977–78 children ages 6–11 drank about four times as much milk as soda. In 2001–
2002, they drank about the same amounts of milk and soda.
Added sugars have increased in the American diet. Added sugars contain “empty” calories be-
cause they have little or no nutritional value.
• Between 1977–78 and 1994–96 for adolescents ages 12–19, Girls’ average daily con-
sumption of fruit juices rose from 2.54 to 4.73 ounces (nearly doubled), and their so-
da consumption rose from 7.34 to 13.97 ounces (nearly doubled).
• In the same timeframes, boys’ average daily consumption of fruit juices rose from
3.46 to 7.23 ounces (more than doubled), and their soda consumption rose from 7.76
to 21.45 ounces (nearly tripled).
Technology’s sedentary seduction
As individuals devote more of their free time to television, computers and video games, they’re
spending less time being physically active. A survey of young people ages 8 to 18 showed their
daily activities accounted for the following hours:
• Watching television—3 hrs. 51 min.
• Using the computer—1 hr. 2 min.
• Video games—49 min.
• Reading—43 min.
Source: Generation M: Media in the Lives of 8–18 Year Olds. Kaiser Family Foundation, 2005160

161
Physical Activity
During the past seven days, on average, how many hours per day did you watch
television?
The 2008 Smoke Free Mohawk Valley Survey has found that Herkimer County residents
statistically watch more hours of television when compared to
their county peers. In the course of a year, American
children spend more time in front of the television than in
school.
For over forty years, scientists have collected data on the
impact of electronic media on our lives. The leading factor
with the most significant impact has been the television, but
recently there is greater and greater competition with the
growing availability of electronic games, personal computers,
Hand- held devices and other tools. The effect of a growing
arsenal of personal electronics has left more people more
sedentary, more solitary and a great deal more overweight
than at any time in history. The tie-in between screen-time
and obesity are clear and based on worldwide studies.
For the first time in world history, the World Health
Organization has stated that obesity is now a bigger problem
than hunger and starvation. Children who reduce their screen
time are more likely to read well and be physically fit.
Turning off the screen also allows for more family time.
Many Herkimer County residents report inability to be
physically active due to physical, mental, or emotional problems. One in five (20%) respondents
say they are limited in activities because of physical, mental, or emotional problems, while 80%
are not limited.
Reasons given for inactivity are broken down:
Comparison
Across CNY/
WNY Counties
Daily Hours
Television
Herkimer 3.055
County A 2.424
County B 2.716
County C 2.673
County D 2.502
County E 3.055
County F 2.433
County G 2.541
County H 2.793
County I 2.699
County J 2.172
County K 2.697
County L 2.125
AVERAGE
TOTAL
2.602
Source: Smoke Free Mohawk Valley
Table 87
Impairment % Impairment %
Arthritis/Rheumatism 11% Diabetes 3%
Bone/Joint Injury 7% Lung/Breathing Problem 3%
Back/Neck Injury 6% Other 9%
Heart Problems 4% Not Sure 47%
Source: HCHN-Zogby, 2005 Herkimer County Community Assessment
Table 88

How Many Times a Week Do You Engage in Light to Moderate
Physical Activity for t Least 30 Minutes?
Twenty-eight
percent of
respondents
indicate moderate
physical activity for
at least 30 minutes
for 6 or more times
per week.
How Many Times a Week Do You Engage in Vigorous
Physical Activity for t Least 30 Minutes?
Eighteen percent of
respondents indicate
vigorous physical
activity for 30
minutes for 4 or
more days per week.
Forty-three percent
of respondents
indicate no vigorous
physical activity
whatsoever.
Graph 55
Graph 56
Source: 2005 HCHN-Zogby Herkimer County Community Health Assessment—all graphs this page
11.8%
6.9%
29.8%
23.3%
19.6%
7.6% 9.0%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
0 1 2-3 4-5 6-7 7+ NS
43.1%
16.7%
21.2%
9.8%
5.7%
2.3% 1.3%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
0 1 2-3 4-5 6-7 7+ NS
162

Table 91
The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, issued by the Federal Department of
Health and Human Services follow.
2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
Children and Adolescents (aged 6–17)
Children and adolescents should do one hour (60 minutes) or more of physical activity every day.
Most of the one hour or more a day should be either moderate or vigorous intensity aerobic
physical activity.
Children and adolescents should do vigorously intense activity on at least three days per week.
They also should do muscle strengthening and bone strengthening activity on at least three days
per week.
Adults (aged 18–64)
Adults should do two and a half hours a week of moderate intensity, or one hour and fifteen
minutes (75 minutes) a week of vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity or an equivalent
combination of moderate and vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity. Aerobic activity should
be performed in episodes of at least ten minutes, preferably spread throughout the week.
Additional health benefits are provided by increasing to five hours (300 minutes) a week of
moderate intensity aerobic physical activity, or two and a half hours a week of vigorous intensity
physical activity, or an equivalent combination of both.
Adults should also do muscle strengthening activities that involve all major muscle groups
performed on two or more days per week.
Older Adults (aged 65 and older)
Older adults should follow the adult guidelines. If this is not possible due to limiting chronic
conditions, older adults should be as physically active as their abilities allow. They should avoid
inactivity. Older adults should do exercises that maintain or improve balance if they are at risk
of falling.
Pregnant and Postpartum Women
Healthy women who are not already doing vigorous intensity physical activity should get at least
two and a half hours of moderate intensity aerobic activity a week. Preferably this activity
should be spread throughout the week.
Women who regularly engage in vigorous intensity aerobic activity or high amounts of activity can
continue their activity provided that their condition remains unchanged and they talk to their
health care provider about their activity level throughout their pregnancy.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
163

Graph 57
Source: Zogby, 2005 Herkimer County Community Health Assessment
• No changes 24% • Cut down on junk food 4%
• Better food and exercise 14% • Became vegetarian/cut out red meat 3%
• Better food choices 14% • Cut down on portion size 3%
• More exercise 13% • Diet program/lost weight 3%
• More fruits and veggies 8% • Joined a gym 1%
• Cut back on fat 7% • Always have taken care of myself 1%
• Cut sweets and sugar 5%
The 2005 Herkimer County Community Survey asked residents, With all the current literature
and media exposure regarding the issue of obesity in the United States, has your family
increased their level of activity or started making better food choices?’ 66% admitted to making
better choices or increasing their physical activity, while a third of respondents admitted to
making no changes at all.
The follow-up question to respondents indicating they had made changes shows 24% had not
actually made changes.
This inconsistency may reflect people’s reluctance to admit a problem or a difference between
perception and actions.
Nutrition
164
Yes
66%
No
33%
Not Sure
1%
Percent of People Making Better
Food Choices Based on New Information

Lack of physical activity
At least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity is recommended on most days of the week.
However, nearly 23 percent of children and nearly 40 percent of adults get no free-time
physical activity at all.
Eating out
The traditional home-cooked meal is becoming a thing of the past as more American are eating
away from home. Today, with more two-income families, there is often less time to prepare
food. Americans travel more than they used to, commute longer distances to their jobs, and
work longer hours. These factors have contributed to the increased popularity of restaurants
and fast-food outlets.
• In 1970, about 25% of total food spending occurred in restaurants. By 1995, 40% of
food dollars were spent away from home.
• On average, children ages 11–18 eat at fast-food restaurants twice a week.
Research suggests that food eaten away from home (especially fast food), tends to be higher in
total fat, saturated fat and sodium, and lower in fiber. In addition, people eating away from
home are likely to eat more foods, and in larger portions.
Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, “A Nation at Risk: Obesity in the United States A Statistical Sourcebook”
WIC Client Obesity & Breastfeeding Rates—2008–2010
Indicator
3 Year
Total
Herkimer
County
Rate
State
Rate
% of pregnant women in WIC who
were overweight pre-pregnancy but
not obese (BMI 25–less than 30)
268 22.9 26.6
% of pregnant women in WIC who
were obese pre-pregnancy (BMI 30
or higher)
352 30.1 23.4
% obese (95th
percentile or higher)
children in WIC (ages 2–4 years)
293 13.8 14.5
% of children in WIC viewing TV 2
hours or less per day (ages 0–4 years)
1600 70.3 78.6
% of WIC mothers breastfeeding at
6 months
139 18.6 39.7
Table 89
Source: NYSDOH Obesity Statistics 2008–2010
165

Herkimer County adults have higher rates of obesity compared to NYS as a whole. Herkimer
County also does worse in relation to the state in the amount of physical activity in the last 30
days.
When asked to assess
their weight in the 2009
TAP Survey, 27.3% of
Herkimer County students
reported being slightly or
very overweight. When
broken down by grade
level for slightly and very
overweight, 7th graders
report 25.3%, 9th graders
27.7% and 11th graders
28.8%. Weight gain seems
to progress as the student
grows older, If this trend
continues through
adulthood the rates of
overweight and obesity will
sky rocket over the next
10–20 years.
Students were also asked
what methods they
employed in the last 30
days to control their
weight. Responses are
shown in the adjacent
graph. Most students who
attempted to control their
weight understood the
importance of exercise
and proper nutrition. A
few, however, are choosing
methods that could
threaten overall health.
166
Source: 2009 TAP Survey—Herkimer-Oneida Comprehensive Planning Department
1.8%
11.0%
60.0%
22.7%
4.6%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Very
Underweight
Slightly
Underweight
About right Slightly
Overweight
Very
Overweight
How Would You Describe Your Weight
Graph 58
Graph 59Source: 2009 TAP Survey—Herkimer Oneida-Comprehensive Planning
44.6%
42.2%
4.0%
0.8%
0.9%
7.6%
0% 20% 40% 60%
I did not try to lose weight
or keep from gaining weight
A ate a balanced diet
and/or I exercised
I went without eating
for 24 hours or more…
I vomited after eating
or took laxatives
I used diet products
Other method not listed
During the Past 30 Days the One Method
Used Most to Control Your Weight

Student Weight Status Data
“The Student Weight Status Category Reporting System was established by amendments to
New York State Education Law in 2007 to support state and local efforts to understand and
confront the problem of childhood obesity. Amendments to Education Law required student
health certificates to include students’ body mass index (BMI) and weight status categories.
Currently, students in Kindergarten and grades 2, 4, 7 and 10 are required to have a student
health certificate completed based on a physical examination (usually performed by the
student’s personal physician). Information, including BMI and weight status category—
underweight, healthy weight, overweight or obese (based on BMI determined from measured
height and weight), is collected by each school from the student health certificate forms. A
summary from each school is reported to the District and then to the State Health Department,
using a secure reporting system.”
167
Source: NYSDOH Student Weight Status Data—both Graphs this page
Underweight
(<5th
Percentile),
2%
Healthy
Weight
(5th–49th
Percentile),
28%
Healthy
Weight
(50th–84th
Percentile),
38%
Overweight
(85th–94th
Percentile),
15%
Obese
(≥95th
Percentile),
17%
Student Weight Status
Categories, NYS
2008–2010 School Years
Underweight
(<5th
Percentile),
1%
Healthy
Weight
(5th–49th
Percentile),
28%
Healthy
Weight
(50th–84th
Percentile),
39%
Overweight
(85th–94th
Percentile),
15%
Obese
(≥95th
Percentile),
17%
Student Weight Status
Categories, NYS
Graph 60 Graph 61

Table 90
Table 91
Student Weight Status Categories, Herkimer County Totals
Student Weight Status Categories, Herkimer County by Grades
168
Less than 5th
percentile
Underweight
5th
to 84th
percentile
Healthy Weight
85th
to 94th
percentile
Overweight
95th
+
percentile
Obese
Total 0.7% 67.9% 12.5% 18.9%
Elementary
(PK, K, 2nd
, 4th
)
— 70.3% 11.6% 18.1%
Middle/High
(7th
, 10th
)
1.6% 64.8% 13.6% 20.0%
Grades
Less than 5th
percentile
Underweight
5th
to 84th
percentile
Healthy Weight
85th
to 94th
percentile
Overweight
95th
+
percentile
Obese
Second — 73.3% 11.0% 15.7%
Fourth — 67.0% 9.5% 23.6%
Seventh 2.4% 63.3% 11.0% 23.3%
Tenth 0.9% 66.1% 15.9% 17.2%
Source: NYSDOH Student Weight Status Data—both Tables this page

169
Herkimer County Meals-on-Wheels
Meals-on-Wheels & Congregate Meal Consumers
Meals-on-Wheels and congregate meals are services offered through the Herkimer County Of-
fice for the Aging. Meals on Wheels are home delivered to seniors while congregate meals are
provided at five senior housing facilities in the County.
Meals-on-Wheels and congregate meals are not income-based programs. Meals-on-Wheels are
based on the need for meals. Congregate meals are available to any senior aged 60 or older.
Meals are more of a health-related program than an economically- related program like Food
Stamps.
Meals on Wheels are home delivered to seniors who are disa-
bled due to chronic conditions or because of a temporary con-
dition such as caused by an accident or post-hospitalization
recovery.
Congregate meals are available to any senior regardless of
disability. Congregate meals are also offered to individuals
under the age of 60 if the person lives in the facility where
congregate meals are provided.
Total Consumers Served: A total of 740 people received ei-
ther home delivered Meals-on-Wheels or congregate meals
during 2011.
• 8% of those consumers were under the age of 60 (all
of the under 60s were congregate meal clients),
• 25% were between the ages of 60 and 74,
• 30% were between 75 and 84 years, and
• 37% were aged 85 or older.
The vast majority of the aged 60+ consumers receiving congregate meals meet the eligibility cri-
teria for home delivered meals. If these people did not live in the housing facility where we pro-
vide congregate meals, they would receive Meals-on-Wheels. Because they live in one of the
housing facilities, they can come downstairs and eat their meal with others at our congregate
sites.
Of the total 740 people receiving meals, 519 (70%) received Meals-on-Wheels and 221 (30%)
received congregate meals.
Herkimer County
Meals-on-Wheels and
Congregate Meal Consumers
2011
Age Number Percent
<60 59 8%
60–74 183 25%
75–84 225 30%
85+ 273 37%
Sum 740 100%
Table 92

170
Meals-on-Wheels: During the 2011 calendar year, 519 seniors received Meals-on-Wheels. With
a senior population of approximately 15,000+, this is the equivalent of about 3.5% of the senior
population.
Of these Meals-on-Wheels seniors, nearly half (46%) were aged 85 or older, 72% were females,
and 64% lived alone.
Of the Meals-on-Wheels participants who were aged 85 and older, 72% are females, and 70%
lived alone.
Congregate Meals: During the 2011 calendar year, 221 people received congregate meals. Of
these individuals, 27% were under the age of 60, 38% were ages 60 to 74, 20% were ages 75 to
84, and 15% were aged 85 or older. Sixty-one percent (61%) of congregate meal participants
lived alone.
Age Number Percent
60–74 100 19%
75–84 180 35%
85+ 239 46%
Sum 519 100%
Tables 93 & 94 Source: Herkimer County OFA
Sex Number Percent
Females 372 72%
Males 147 28%
Sum 519 100%
Table 93
Age Number Percent
<60 59 27%
60–74 83 38%
75–84 45 20%
85+ 34 15%
Sum 221 100%
Sex Number Percent
Female 150 68%
Male 71 32%
Sum 221 100%
Herkimer County Meals-on-Wheels Consumers 2011
Herkimer County Congregate Meal Consumers 2011
Table 94
Tables 93 & 94 Source: Herkimer County OFA

Table 95Summary Table Tobacco Use
The New York State Department of Health’s Tobacco Control Program works to reduce the morbidity
and mortality, and alleviate the social and economic burden caused by tobacco use in New York
through following statewide and local actions:
• Changes to the community environment that support the tobacco-free norm and reduce the social
acceptability of tobacco use;
• Cessation interventions that promote cessation from tobacco use and increase access to and
delivery of tobacco dependence treatment;
• Health communications to decrease the social acceptability of tobacco use and educate
community members and decision makers about the hazards and costs of tobacco use, as well as
effective strategies to prevent and reduce tobacco use;
• Surveillance and evaluation to monitor program progress and improve program quality; and
• Statewide coordination of these strategies.
Indicator
Prevention
Agenda 2013
Objective US NYS
Herkimer
County
Herkimer
County
2008
% Cigarette Smoking in
Adolescents (past month)
10% 19.5% 12.6% N/A N/A
(2009) (2010)
% Cigarette Smoking in
Adults
12%†
17.3%a
15.5% 20.9% 22.2%
(2010) (2010) (2009) (2008)
COPD Hospitalizations
Among Adults 18+ Years
(per 10,000)
31.0 23.4 43.4 44.8* N/A
(2008) (2009) (2007–2009)
Lung Cancer Incidence
(per 100,000)
Male 62.0* 80.5* 75.2* 93.6* N/A
Female 41.0* 54.5* 55.4* 69.0* N/A
(2007) (2008) (2004–2008)
†
Healthy People 2010 Goal
a Median percent of States and DC
* Rate age-adjusted to the US 2000 Population
~ Fewer than 20 events in the numerator; rate is unstable
s Suppressed (percent could not be calculated, fewer than 3 cases per year)
Source: NYSDOH Herkimer County Indicators For Tracking Public Health Priority Areas
171

BRiDGES to Prevent Tobacco
BRiDGES to Prevent Tobacco is a community partnership affiliated with the New York Tobacco
Control Program, a program of the New York State Department of Health, whose goals include
advocating, initiating, funding, and supporting activities that promote the prevention and
cessation of tobacco use among Herkimer County residents. Ultimately, the purpose of the
program is to better educate residents regarding the risks of tobacco use and to reduce the
rates of tobacco use and tobacco-related death and disease in the county.
The New York State Department of Health Tobacco Control Program implements evidence-based
and promising strategies to prevent and reduce tobacco use. Over time, the program has
effectively implemented a strong, clean indoor air law, maintained support for high tobacco
taxes to keep the price of tobacco high, and worked to increase access to effective cessation
services and motivate smokers to try to quit. As a result of programmatic efforts, youth and
adult smoking rates in the state are at their lowest levels on record.
The current vision, mission, and goal for the New York Tobacco Control are:
Vision: All New Yorkers living in a tobacco-free society.
Mission: To reduce morbidity and mortality and alleviate the social and economic burden caused
by tobacco use in New York State.
Goal: To reduce the prevalence of adult cigarette use to 12% and adolescent cigarette use to
10% by 2013.
To satisfy this vision and mission, and to attain this goal, the New York Tobacco Control Program
and its community partnerships have identified the following priority issues: (1) eliminating
exposure to secondhand smoke; (2) changing the community’s attitudes and policies regarding
tobacco use, thereby decreasing the social acceptability of tobacco; (3) promoting cessation of
tobacco use; (4) preventing the initiation of tobacco use among youths and adults; (5) building
and maintaining effective tobacco control infrastructure; and (6) contributing to the science of
tobacco control.
Specific current priorities that have been identified for the tobacco community partnerships
include, but are not limited to: Spreading the Message about the Dangers of Tobacco; Tobacco
Marketing; Tobacco Point of Sale; Outdoor Tobacco Policies; Smoke Free Workplace; and Smoke
Free Housing.
172

Summary of Findings of the community tobacco study completed in June 2012 regarding the
attitudes and behaviors related to tobacco among adult residents of Herkimer County:
Tobacco Marketing Findings:
1. The majority of Herkimer County adults (55.3%, not significantly different from the current
regional average of 51.0%) report that they are in favor of a policy that would ban the
display of tobacco products such as packs of cigarettes or cigars from stores (37.1%
strongly in favor and another 18.2% somewhat in favor), while only 25.6% are against such a
policy. Even among current smokers in Herkimer County, 47.1% are in favor of a policy that
would ban the display of tobacco products such as packs of cigarettes or cigars from stores.
2. Strong support for tobacco retailers being required to keep tobacco products out of the
view from customers in stores is present among Herkimer County adults—66.8% support this
potential requirement for tobacco retailers, while only 28.0% opposit (level of support is
significantly higher than the current regional average of 57.3% supporting). Notably, even
among current smokers in the county there is majority support for this potential
requirement—57.2% of current smokers believe that retailers should be required to keep
tobacco products out of view.
3. When asked their opinion about how much one agrees with the following statement, “Internet
sites, movies, and TV shows that youth use and watch should not include tobacco use or
images.”, Over two-thirds of Herkimer County adults (67.4%) agree with this statement
(46.5% strongly agree, and 20.9% somewhat agree). Level of agreement in Herkimer County
is not significantly different from the current regional average rate of 70.5% agreeing with
this statement. Even among current smokers in Herkimer County, 56.6% agree with the
notion that tobacco use and images should not be shown on screen where accessible to
youths.
Tobacco Point of Sale Findings:
4. By a large margin, Herkimer County adults believe that pharmacies should not be allowed sell
tobacco products (55.8% indicate “Should not,” while only 35.4% indicate “Should”). Belief
that pharmacies should not be allowed to sell tobacco is even evident among current
cigarette smokers with 47.6% of current smokers responding “Should not”.
5. When asked “How do you feel about tobacco products being sold in stores that are located
near schools?” the majority of adults in Herkimer County (54.6%) respond with either
“somewhat unacceptable” (16.4%) or “totally unacceptable” (38.2%). Even among current
smokers in Herkimer County, 39.7% respond with either “somewhat unacceptable” or “totally
unacceptable.”
173

6. Herkimer County adults are quite equally divided in their sentiments regarding a local or
state policy that would limit the maximum number of tobacco retailers allowed in a
neighborhood or area (46.8% voice support for this potential type of policy, while 48.8%
voice opposition.) Notably, even among current smokers in the county, 34.4% indicate “Yes”
which represents approximately one-in-three current smokers who support having a maximum
number of tobacco retailers allowed in a neighborhood or area.
Outdoor Tobacco Policies Findings:
7. There is a very high level of support among Herkimer County residents for reducing
secondhand smoke exposure at public outdoor locations, with at least 86% of the residents
supporting either restricting or completely eliminating cigarette smoking at each of the
three types of outdoor locations studied (public playgrounds; public building entryways; and
public outdoor recreation areas like parks, pools, and beaches.) More strikingly, at public
playgrounds, 77.9% of the interviewed adults in Herkimer County support complete
elimination of smoking, and similarly, at public building entryways 65.5% of the interviewed
adults support complete elimination of smoking. Support for restriction or elimination of
smoking at public outdoor locations in Herkimer County has increased significantly in the
county in the past four years.
8. Even among current cigarette smokers, there is a large degree of support for the notion of
at least restricting cigarette smoking to certain areas at public outdoor locations. At each
of the three studied public outdoor locations, at least 71% of Herkimer County current
cigarette smokers believe that smoking should be restricted or not allowed at all. Note the
high level of support among current cigarette smokers in Herkimer County for reducing
secondhand smoke exposure at public playgrounds and public building entryways—61.6% of
the smokers support complete elimination of smoking at public playgrounds, and 45.7% of the
smokers support complete elimination of smoking at public building entryways.
Smoke Free Workplace Findings:
9. Approximately one-half of the adult residents (51.6%) in Herkimer County are employed, not
significantly different from the current regional average rate of 54.2%. Among these
employed residents in Herkimer County, the majority favor a policy that prohibits smoking on
the entire grounds of their workplace—57.2% favor while only 36.3% oppose. This level of
support among currently employed individuals in Herkimer County for a smoke-free has not
changed significantly in the county between 2008 and 2012. Level of support is particularly
high among younger employed adult residents—71.0% of those who are under the age of 35
are in favor. Notably, 15.7% of the employed current smokers in Herkimer County favor a
smoking prohibition policy at their workplace.
174

Smoke Free Housing Findings:
10. Less than 10% of the participants (6.4%) in this study are residents of a multi-unit dwelling
or apartment, not significantly different from the current regional average of 10.6%. It is
common among residents in Herkimer County who live in multiple-unit dwellings (apartments)
to indicate that they support policies that prohibit indoor smoking everywhere inside the
building, including living areas—51.8% of renters currently report this to be their preference
(significantly higher than the 2006 and 2008 findings in the county, 22.3% and 44.3%,
respectively; but not significantly different from 55.9% found in the county in 2010).
Tobacco Use Findings:
11. The current cigarette smoking rate found in Herkimer County is: a total estimate of 18.9%
current smokers, with 15.3% smoking every day and 3.5% smoking on only some days. This
current cigarette smoking rate has not changed significantly from the rates found in
Herkimer County in 2006 through 2010.
Have you smoked at least 100 cigarettes in your entire life?
The current 18.9% smoking rate in Herkimer County is not significantly different from the
current regional average rate of 16.4% current cigarette smokers found among the sixteen
Northern, Central, and Western New York counties studied in December 2011–June 2012. The
New York State Department of Health published the results for the Expanded Behavioral Risk
Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in December 2009.
The adult smoking prevalence rate reported for Herkimer County in the 2009 Expanded BRFSS
was 20.9%. The 18.9% smoking rate found in Herkimer County in this June 2012 Herkimer
County adult tobacco community assessment is not significantly different from the finding in the
Expanded BRFSS.
175
Trend Analysis 2006 2008 2010 2012
Yes 49.1% 47.9% 51.3% 51.4%
No 50.9% 50.0% 48.7% 48.6%
Don’t Know/Not Sure 0.0% 2.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Table 96
Source: BRiDGES to Prevent Tobacco

Graph 62Percent Tobacco Use: Herkimer County
In the past 30 days, have you noticed advertising or information about
the dangers of tobacco or quitting smoking on the radio?
176
Source: Herkimer County Community Tobacco Survey 2006 & 2008
Graph 63
70.5
3.7
24
1.8
75.5
3.7
14
4.8
80.9
2.4
13.4
2.1
0
20
40
60
80
100
Use of No Tobacco
Products
Use of Other Tobacco
Products
Cigarettes Only Both Cigarettes and
Other Tobacco Products
2006 2008 2008 Regional Average
17.9
13
6.4 5.9
45
11.8
38.2
57.3
9.3
0
20
40
60
80
100
Yes,
every day
Yes, 2-3
Times/Week
Yes,
Once/Week
Yes,
<1 per Week
Never Don't Know
2006 2008

In the past 30
days, how often
have you noticed
cigarettes or
tobacco products
being advertised or
promoted in
newspapers?
Current Cigarette Smoking Status Among Adult Residents—Herkimer County
In the past twelve months did any doctor, nurse or healthcare professional advise
you to quit smoking? If yes, did he/she do any of the following?
Source: Herkimer County Community Tobacco Survey 2008
Herkimer
County
New York
State
Gender
Male 25.0% 19.2%
Female 17.1% 15.0%
≤ High School 26.6% 22.8%
Education Some College 21.3% 19.4%
≥ College Degree 11.8% 10.0%
Source: CDC Expanded BRFSS Report
Responses 2006 2008
Recommended nicotine patch, nicotine gum, nasal spray, an inhaler, or pills such as
Zyban 41.5% 40.2%
Suggest you set a specific date to stop smoking 18.4% 16.3%
Suggest you use a smoking cessation class, program, or counseling 18.9% 18.1%
Suggest you call a telephone quit line 16.0% 13.9%
Provide you with materials to help you quit smoking on your own 20.0% 19.4%
Schedule a follow-up visit to discuss progress 14.9% 11.8%
None of the above 0.0% 47.6%
Don't know/not Sure 0.0% 3.6%
Table 97
The Healthy People 2010 goal
for adults smoking is 12% for
adults. The Prevention Agenda
goal for teen smoking is 12%.
Herkimer County populations do
not meet these goals. This is an
area for improvement.
Table 98
Every Day
7%
Some Days
22%
Never (don't
pay attention)
60%
Not Sure
0.1
Percent of Individuals Noticing Tobacco Promotion
Graph 64
177

During the past twelve months have you stopped smoking
for one day or longer because you were trying to quit
smoking?
Less than half of smokers in Herkimer County attempted to
quit during the survey period. The average for the entire
Smoke Free Mohawk Valley region of individuals attempting
to quit was higher than that of Herkimer County smokers.
178
Comparison
Across CNY/
WNY Counties
Tried to quit in
the past year?
Yes No/DK
Herkimer 44.6% 55.4%
County A 45.7% 54.3%
County B 47.6% 52.4%
County C 49.8% 50.2%
County D 50.9% 49.1%
County E 48.6% 51.4%
County F 41.8% 51.4%
County G 67.5% 32.5%
County H 80.0% 20.0%
County I 66.9% 33.1%
County J 51.8% 48.2%
County K 44.0% 56.0%
County L 47.1% 52.9%
TOTAL 53.2% 46.8%
Table 99
Source: Herkimer County Community Tobacco
Survey 2008
32.2%
24.3%
17.3% 12.7%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
1997 2001 2005 2009
Youth Who Smoked in the Last
30 Days
Results from the
Herkimer County TAP
Survey indicated
decreased rates of
smoking among
Herkimer County teens
from 1997 through
2009. The Oneida
County TAP survey
indicates a similar
trend in that county.
Source: Herkimer County TAP Data 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009
Graph 65

The percent of youth using
chewing tobacco or snuff in
the last 30 days has
increased from 1997 until
2009. Perhaps this trend
results from youth thinking
by not smoking tobacco
they are reducing their
risk. Another factor could
result from youth
emulating professional
athletes who are
increasingly using
smokeless products.
The New York State
Smokers’ Quitline
(NYSSQL) supports the
vision of the New York
State Tobacco Control
Program for all New
Yorkers to live in a tobacco
-free society. Programs
and services provided by
the Quitline strive to help
achieve the mission to
reduce morbidity and
mortality and alleviate the
social and economic burden
caused by tobacco use in
New York State.
Quitline services include cessation coaching and information, free Nicotine Replacement Therapy
(NRT), enhanced services (additional coaching calls and NRT for uninsured and Medicaid clients),
and a referral program.
7.3%
7.8%
7.0%
9.4%
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
1997 2001 2005 2009
Youth Who Used Chewing Tobacco or
Snuff in the Last 30 Days
Source: Herkimer County TAP Data 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009
Graph 66
Source: New York State Smokers’ Quitline Annual Report 2003–2010
Graph 67
179
39 42
258
518
559
1,245
1,087
988
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
NYS Quitline Calls
Herkimer County Residents

When clients contact the Quitline they are given a variety of options. Most clients, 75%, choose
to speak with a Quit Coach while 9% listen to daily tip messages and 5% request Quitline
materials, including self help guides. Other clients, 7%, request a callback from a Quit Coach.
Clients may access more than one option.
Quitline quit rates for all clients at 3 months is 34%, and at 12 months is 36% (based upon a
seven-day point prevalence of cigarette abstinence).
Recent budget cuts to the New York State (NYS) Tobacco Control Program’s (TCP) public
service anti-smoking campaigns have resulted in fewer NYS smokers seeking Quitline help; this
includes those who are disadvantaged and who need it the most. The NYSSQL had an 11%
increase in call volume in 2011 when compared to 2010 and a 26% decrease from 2009.
In an effort to reach and recruit more smokers, the NYSSQL has engaged in several strategies.
In 2011, the NYSSQL began work with NYS hospitals to implement the Opt-to-Quit program.
The Opt-to-Quit program is a policy-driven, system-wide referral program that helps hospitals
and other health care settings meet the rapidly emerging emphasis on prevention and provider
accountability as put forth by several national initiatives. Currently the Opt-to-Quit program is
in the adoption or implementation phase in eight NYS health care facilities, and there are
several other facilities that have expressed interest.
180
Swallowtail Butterfly—woods edge, Herkimer County

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
Because of the high incidence of chronic disease in Herkimer County and the effects these
diseases have on quality of life, an intervention to improve the lives of individuals with chronic
disease was sought. The Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) is a
research based best practice program administered through workshops given two and a half
hours, once a week, in community settings. People with different chronic health problems attend
together. Workshops are facilitated by two trained leaders.
Subjects covered include:
• Techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation,
• Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and
endurance,
• Appropriate use of medications,
• Communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals,
• Nutrition, and
• How to evaluate new treatments.
It is the process in which the program is taught that makes it effective. Classes are highly
participative, where mutual support and success build the participants confidence in their ability
to manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives.
The Self-Management Program will not conflict with existing programs or treatment. It is
designed to enhance regular treatment and disease-specific education such as Better Breathers,
cardiac rehabilitation, or diabetes instruction. In addition, many people have more than one
chronic condition. The program is especially helpful for these people, as it gives them the skills
to coordinate all the things needed to manage their health, as well as to help them keep active in
their lives.
Subjects who take the CDSMP, when compared to those who did not, demonstrated significant
improvements in exercise, cognitive symptom management, communication with physicians, self-
reported general health, health distress, fatigue, disability, and social/role activities limitations.
They also spent fewer days in the hospital, and there was also a trend toward fewer outpatients
visits and hospitalizations. These data yield a cost to savings ratio of approximately 1:4.
181

DATA SOURCES
BRiDGES to Prevent Tobacco
Centers for Disease Control. Expanded Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
Herkimer County Community Tobacco Survey, 2006 & 2008
Herkimer-Oneida Counties Comprehensive Planning. TAP Survey: 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009
http://www.ocgov.net/oneida/sites/default/files/planning/PlanPdf/TAP%20FINAL%
20HERKIMER2009.pdf
New York State Department of Health. Cancer Indicators 2007–2009.
http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/chac/chai/docs/can_21.htm
New York State Department of Health. Cardiovascular Disease Indicators 2008–2010.
http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/chac/chai/docs/chr_21.htm
New York State Department of Health. Herkimer County Indicators For Tracking Public Health Priority
Areas, 2013–2017.
http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/prevention_agenda/2013-2017/indicators/2013/herkimer.htm
New York State Department of Health. New York State Prevention Agenda 2013–2017
http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/prevention_agenda/2013-2017/docs/prevent_chronic_diseases.pdf
New York State Department of Health. Obesity Statistics for Herkimer County
http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/chac/chai/docs/obs_21.htm
New York State Department of Health. Respiratory Diseases Indicators 2008–2010.
http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/chac/chai/docs/res_21.htm
New York State Department of Health. Student Weight Status Data.
http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/obesity/statistics_and_impact/student_weight_status_data.htm
New York State Smokers’ Quitline Annual Report
http://www.nysmokefree.com/download/AnnualReport2011.pdf
Smoke Free Mohawk Valley
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
http://www.health.gov/PAguidelines/guidelines/default.aspx
182

The 2013–2017 State Health Improvement Plan to “Promote a Healthy and Safe Environment” in
New York State focuses on four core areas that impact health. These are: the quality of the
water we drink, the air we breathe, and the built environments where we live, work, learn and
play; and injuries and occupational health. ‘Environment,’ as used here, incorporates all
dimensions of the physical environment that impact health and safety.
The impact of the physical environment on health is multi-faceted. While the causes of some
environmentally related health problems are well established (e.g., neurological damage due to
lead poisoning, asphyxiation due to carbon monoxide poisoning), others are indirect, multi-
factorial, chronic, and not routinely tracked (e.g., long-term impacts of various forms of energy
usage on climate change and health in New York State).
Environmental conditions can have immediate, short-term and long-term impacts on health. The
direct health benefits of some of the interventions proposed here are expected to be
measurable within the five-year timeframe of this plan. Others may not have measurable
impacts on health for many years to come.
Some environmental conditions vary markedly between regions, communities, and populations
across the State (e.g., urban vs. rural, upstate vs. downstate, children, elderly, and the poor).
Accordingly, not all interventions are appropriate for all communities.
Progress will require a multi-sector approach, involving diverse public and private partners
across housing, transportation, energy, insurance, health care and other sectors.
183
Promote a Healthy and Safe Environment

Table 100Promote a Safe & Healthy Environment Summary Chart
184
WHERE WE STAND
Indicator
Herkimer
County
New York
State
NYS 2017
Objective
Rate of hospitalizations due to falls per 10,000—
Ages 65+ years
269.4 204.6 Maintain
Rate of emergency department visits due to falls per
10,000—Ages 1–4 years
517.5 476.8 429.1
Assault-related hospitalization rate per 100,000 1.3 4.8 4.3
Ratio of Black non-Hispanics to White non-
Hispanics
0.00†
7.43 6.69
Ratio of Hispanics to White non-Hispanics 0.00†
3.06 2.75
Ratio of low income ZIP codes to non-low
income ZIP codes
1.23†
3.25 2.92
Rate of occupational injuries treated in ED per
10,000 adolescents—Ages 15–19
53.1 36.7 33.0
Percentage of population that lives in a jurisdiction
that adopted the Climate Smart Communities pledge
0.0* 26.7 32.0
Percentage of commuters who use alternative modes
of transportation
18.9 44.6 49.2
Percentage of population with low-income and low
access to a supermarket or large grocery store
4.4 2.5 2.24
Percentage of home in Health Neighborhood Program
that have fewer asthma triggers during the home
revisits
N/A 12.9 20
Percentage of residents served by community water
systems with optimally fluoridated water
5.0 71.4 78.5
*Fewer than 10 events in the numerator, therefore the rate is unstable
†
Fewer than 10 events in one or both rate numerators, therefore the ratio is unstable

Asthma
Asthma, a chronic disease of the lungs, is prevalent in more than 1.1 million New York adults.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Health Statistics Asthma occurs at any age, but is more
common in children than adults. Nationally, nearly one in 13 school-age children have asthma, and
that rate is rising more rapidly in preschool-aged children and those living in urban inner cities
than in any other group. Although there is no cure for asthma, asthma attacks can be prevented
and controlled with proper care. New York is actively working with health care providers,
community coalitions, schools, families and many others to fight asthma so people with asthma
can live a full and active life.
There were typically a few unhealthy ozone days each year at several locations across the state.
These days mainly occurred during the “ozone season” from mid-May through mid-September.
Elevated ozone levels occurred most commonly near and downwind of major cities. Herkimer
County is designated as an area with 0 to 4 days of unhealthy ozone levels yearly.
Graph 68Average Number of Days per Year
That Ozone Levels Were Unhealthy for Asthmatics, NYS, 2005–2007
185
Source: NYSDOH Asthma Surveillance Summary Report 2009
Number of Days of High Ozone Levels
Maximum 8-Hour Average >0.075 ppm
0 to 4
5 to 9
10 and Above
New York City
Area

Table 101
Table 102
Asthma
Overall, Herkimer County has lower rates of asthma for all age groups. In all stable categories
(aside from asthma mortality), Herkimer County has a lower rate of asthma hospitalizations
when compared to the Upstate region, excluding New York City and New York City as a whole.
Childhood Asthma
186
Source: NYSDOH Respiratory Diseases Indicators 2008–2010
Indicator
Herkimer
County Rate
NYS Rate
NYS Rate
excluding
NYC
Age-adjusted Asthma Hospitalization Rate
per 10,000
Ages 0–17 years 7.6 29.0* 16.1*
Ages 5–64 years 6.5 15.4* 9.5*
Ages 15–24 years 2.4** 7.5* 4.1
Ages 25–44 years 6.9 10.8* 8.1
Ages 45–64 years 8.6 21.8* 12.6*
Ages 65 years or older 18.9 32.2* 19.2
Age-adjusted Asthma Mortality Rate per
1,000,000
Crude 2.1** 1.3 0.9
Age-adjusted 1.5** 1.2 0.7
Indicator
Herkimer
County Rate
NYS Rate
NYS Rate
excluding
NYC
Asthma hospitalization rate per 10,000
Ages 0–4 years 17.3 58.8* 36.1*
Ages 5–14 years 5.3 20.9* 11.2*
Ages 0–17 years 7.6 29.0* 16.1*
Source: NYSDOH Child and Adolescent Health Indicators 2008–2010

Lead
The map below graphically depicts the variation in incidence rates among counties across the
state. Counties with the highest rates of incidence of childhood lead poisoning are highlighted
in the darkest shade, while those with the lowest incidence rates are highlighted in the lightest
shade. The statewide three-year average incidence rate for this time period was 6.7 incident
cases per 1,000 children tested. Herkimer County, with a rate of 17.6, is in the upper mid-range
of incidence rates.
Incidence Rates for Blood Lead Levels of 10 µg/dL or Higher
Among Children Under Age Six Years by County;
Three Year Average Rates, 2006–2008 Blood Lead Test Data
Statewide Rate: 6.7 per 1,000 Children Tested
Three-year average incidence rates, 2006–2008
Less than 8.8 per 1,000 Children Tested
8.8 to < 14.1 per 1,000 Children Tested
14.1 to < 27.3 per 1,000 Children Tested
27.3 and Greater per 1,000 Children Tested
Graph 69
187
Source: NYSDOH, Reducing Lead Exposure in Children: Lead Testing and Lead Poisoning Among NYS Children
2008 Report

Table 103Lead Screening Rates
The Herkimer County rate of lead screenings for children by age two is below that of New York
State, excluding New York City. Herkimer County children have a slightly higher incidence of
elevated blood lead levels compared to New York State, excluding New York City. Herkimer
County has an old housing stock which is more likely to have lead paint. This could be an area for
closer scrutiny.
Indicator
Herkimer
County
Rate
NYS
Rate
NYS Rate
excluding
NYC
% children born in 2007 with a lead screening by 9 months 1.8 6.8* 2.9
% children born in 2007 with lead screening by 18 months 69.8 69.5 65.4
% children born in 2007 with at least two lead screenings by 36
months
48.8 52.9 45.2
Incidence rate per 1,000 among children less than 72 months of
age with a confirmed blood lead level of 10 µg/dl or higher
46.6 15.8* 23.2*
Source: NYSDOH Child and Adolescent Health Indicators 2008–2010
188

Table 104Falls Hospitalization Rate per 10,000
Indicator
Herkimer
County
Rate
NYS
Rate
Significantly
Different
NYS
Excluding
NYC Rate
Significantly
Different
Falls hospitalization rate
per 10,000
Age-adjusted 41.3 36.2 Yes 36.8 Yes
Age <10 Years 7.1 10.0 No 8.5 No
Age 10–14 Years 7.5* 7.1 No 6.1 No
Age 15–24 Years 6.8 6.9 No 6.3 No
Age 25–64 Years 20.8 18.7 No 18.7 No
Age 65–74 Years 97.7 77.5 Yes 78.5 Yes
Age 75–84 Years 282.5 230.8 Yes 242.4 Yes
Age 85+ Years 666.7 567.7 Yes 617.0 No
The Herkimer County rate of falls for the population aged 75 and older remains considerably
higher than both the NYS and NYS excluding NYC rates.
The rate of alcohol-related motor vehicle injuries and deaths in Herkimer County is significantly
above the NYS rate.
Table 105Other Unintentional Injury
Source: NYSDOH Injury Indicators 2008–2010—all tables on this page
*Fewer than 10 events in the numerator; therefore the rate is unstable
189
Indicator
Herkimer
County
Rate
NYS
Rate
Significantly
Different
NYS
Excluding
NYC Rate
Significantly
Different
Motor vehicle mortality rate
per 100,000
Age-adjusted 15.2 6.0 Yes 8.0 Yes
Non-motor vehicle mortality
rate per 100,000
Age-adjusted 15.5 16.4 No 18.4 No
Traumatic brain injury
hospitalization rate per
10,000
Age-adjusted 8.9 9.4 No 9.3 No
Alcohol related motor vehicle
injuries and deaths per
100,000
47.1 36.2 Yes 50.0 No

Community Preparedness
Over the past several years ,the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has worked
closely with local health departments (LHDs) and other key partners to make sure that every
county will be ready for the unexpected. Depending on where you live, natural hazards include
blizzards and ice storms, tornadoes, floods, an occasional earthquake, and the effects of
hurricanes hugging the Atlantic coast. Such extreme contrasts pose big challenges to health
emergency preparedness planning, as does the state’s demographics:
• 13% of New Yorkers are age 65 and older;
• 15% live below the poverty level;
• 20% are foreign born;
• 28% speak a language other than English at home; and
• Seven federally-recognized and two state-recognized Indian tribes live on
reservations within New York State.
New York State’s preparedness planning assumes that in spite of our diversity, some things pose
a risk to each of us. An all-hazards approach is crucial to respond to all types of emergencies
including biological, chemical, radiological, and weather related.
No community, large or small, is immune to the effects of a natural disaster. A pathogen that
arrives with an international traveler can spread from metropolitan to rural areas in the time it
takes to board a bus or train. Chemical spills, pipeline explosions and derailments occur in rural
and urban areas, alike. And, although the threat of terrorist attacks is most keenly felt in New
York City, upstate New York, with its reservoirs, nuclear power facilities, chemical plants, rivers
and Great Lakes ports, and landmark tourist attractions is vulnerable, as well. For more
information on preparing for all types of emergencies, go to the Department of Health’s
webpage on Emergency Preparedness and Response: http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/
emergency/index.htm
Natural disasters, food-borne disease outbreaks and vaccine shortages occur more and more
often, and when they do, a quick and effective public health response is crucial to reduce injury,
prevent or control illness and save lives. For that reason, the NYSDOH Prevention Agenda
Priority for Community Preparedness aims to empower local health departments (LHDs) and
their community partners across the state to promote local readiness, foster community
resilience and ensure a comprehensive and effective response, should disaster strike.
190

191
Healthy People 2010 Goal/Prevention Agenda 2013—100% of population living within
a jurisdiction with state-approved emergency preparedness plan
Herkimer County Public Health has an approved Community Preparedness plan and additional
information helpful in emergency situations is available on the web at:
http://herkimercounty.org/content/EmergencyManagement
Mid-State EMS Information
24 Agencies providing 1st
response services
1 Ambulance Certified Agency in Herkimer County (Can provide Advanced Life Support)
1 Community Agency
2 Career Fire Departments (paid employees) (Can provide Advanced Life Support)
1 Basic Life Support
10 Paramedic Level
1 Critical Care Level (lower than paramedic)
8 Volunteer Agencies
23 Certified Transportation Vehicles in Herkimer County
2008 DOH Data
245 Pre-Hospital Providers in Herkimer County
27 Advanced Life Support Training
32 Paramedics
166 Basic EMTs
9 Intermediate Level
69 New Certifications issued

192
Herkimer County E911
Herkimer County Website (www.herkimercounty.org)
New York State Department of Health. Asthma Surveillance Summary Report 2009
http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/ny_asthma/
pdf/2009_asthma_surveillance_summary_report.pdf
New York State Department of Health. Child and Adolescent Health Indicators, 2008–2010
http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/chac/chai/docs/cah_21.htm
New York State Department of Health. Herkimer County Indicators For Tracking Public Health
Priority Areas, 2013–2017
http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/prevention_agenda/2013-2017/indicators/2013/
herkimer.htm
New York State Department of Health. Injury Indicators, 2008–2010
http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/chac/chai/docs/inj_21.htm
http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/prevention_agenda/2013-2017/docs/
healthy_environment.pdf
New York State Department of Health. Reducing Lead Exposure in Children: Lead Testing and
Lead Poisoning Among New York State Children 2008 Report
http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/lead/exposure/childhood/surveillance_report/
docs/2008_reducing_lead_exposure_children.pdf
New York State Department of Health. Respiratory Disease Indicators 2008–2010
http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/chac/chai/docs/res_21.htm
DATA SOURCES

The health and well-being of mothers and children are fundamental to overall population health.
Improving health outcomes for women, infants and children is a priority for the New York State
Prevention Agenda, aligning with goals of the state’s Medicaid program and Title V/Maternal
Child Health Services Block Grant. Of great concern, New York’s key population indicators of
maternal and child health have been stagnant or worsened during the last decade. Even for
measures with improving trends, there are striking racial, ethnic and economic disparities.
Maternal and child health encompass a broad scope of health conditions, behaviors and service
systems. There is increasing recognition that a ‘life course’ perspective is needed to promote
health and prevent disease across the lifespan. This perspective approaches health as a
continuum and considers the impact of social, economic, environmental, biological, behavioral and
psychological factors on individuals and families throughout their lives. This perspective
recognizes that more than half of all pregnancies are unplanned, underscoring the importance of
promoting women’s health across the lifespan, with increasing attention to health during
preconception (before pregnancy) and inter-conception (between pregnancies).
193
General Herkimer Statue—Meyers Park, Herkimer
Promote Healthy Women, Infants and Children

Table 106
Indicator
Data
Years
Herkimer
County
New York
State
NYS 2017
Objective
Percentage of preterm births
2008–2010
11.2 12.0 10.2
Ratio of Black non-Hispanics to White non-Hispanics s 1.61 1.42
Ratio of Hispanics to White non-Hispanics 0.95* 1.25 1.12
Ratio of Medicaid births to non-Medicaid births 0.98 1.10 1.00
Percentage of infants exclusively breastfed in the
hospital
2008–2010
51.9 42.5 48.1
Ratio of Black non-Hispanics to White non-Hispanics 1.50 0.50 0.57
Ratio of Hispanics to White non-Hispanics 1.39 0.55 0.64
Maternal mortality rate per 100,000 births 2008–2010 s 23.3 21.0
Percentage of children who have had the
recommended number of well child visits in
government sponsored insurance programs
2011
72.2 69.9 76.9
Ages 0–15 months 87.7 82.8 91.3
Ages 3–6 years 84.4 82.8 91.3
Ages 12–21 years 64.0 61.0 67.1
Percentage of children with any kind of health
insurance—Ages 0–19 years
2010
94.5
(93.2–95.8)
94.9
(94.5–95.3)
100
Percentage of third-grade children with evidence
of untreated tooth decay
2009–2011
42.5
(32.7–52.3)
24.0
(22.6–25.4)
21.6
Ratio of low-income children to non-low income
children
2.5 2.5 2.21
Adolescent pregnancy rate per 1,000 females—
Ages 15–17 years
2008–2010
25.0 31.1 25.6
Ratio of Black non-Hispanics to White non-Hispanics 1.08 5.74 4.90
Ratio of Hispanics to White non-Hispanics 2.56 5.16 4.10
Percentage of unintended pregnancy among live
births
2011
49.5 26.4 23.8
Ratio of Black non-Hispanics to White non-Hispanics s 2.11 1.90
Ratio of Hispanics to White non-Hispanics 0.94* 1.59 1.43
Percentage of women with health coverage—Ages
18–64 years
2010
87.0
(85.0–89.0)
86.1
(85.8–86.4)
100
Percentage of live births that occur within 24
months of a previous pregnancy
2008–2010 25.6 18.0 17.0
* Fewer than 10 events in one or both rate numerators, therefore the ratio is unstable
s Data do not meet reporting criteria
Summary Chart: Healthy Mothers, Babies & Children
194

Source: NYSDOH Maternal and Infant Health Indicators 2008–2010
Table 107
Indicator
Herkimer
County
Rate
NYS
Rate
Significantly
Different
NYS
Excluding
NYC Rate
Significantly
Different
Mortality Rates (per 1,000
Births)
Neonatal Mortality
(<28 Days)
8.2 9.6 Yes 4.0 Yes
Post-neonatal Mortality
(1 Month to 1 Year)
2.6* 1.7 No 1.7 No
Fetal Death
(>20 Weeks Gest)
3.6* 6.9 No 4.8 No
Perinatal
(20 Weeks Gest–
28 Days of Life)
11.7 10.4 No 8.8 No
Perinatal
(28 Weeks Gest–
7 Days of Life)
6.7 5.7 No 5.7 No
Maternal Mortality Rate per
100,000 Births
51.2* 23.3 No 17.6 No
*Fewer than 10 events in the numerator, therefore the rate is unstable
Infant/Neonatal Mortality Rates
The only area of significance in infant mortality rates occurs for the neonatal period. Post-
neonatal, fetal death, and maternal mortality rate per 100,000 births has an unstable rate.
195

Infant/Neonatal Death
Herkimer County rates of Infant and Neonatal Death tend to be worse than both NYS and NYS
excluding NYC.
8.9
3.1
5.6
7.8
11.9
12.6
5.8
5.6
5.5 5.4 5.3 5.1
5.9
5.5
5.9
5.8 5.6 5.6
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Infant Death Rate 2005–2010
Per 1,000 Live Births
Herkimer County New York State Rest of State (Minus NYC)
7.4
3.1
5.6
4.7
4.0
11.0
4.0
3.8
3.6 3.7 3.6 3.5
4.3
3.8
4.0 4.0 4.0 4.1
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Neonatal Death Rate 2005–2010
Per 1,000 Live Births Under 28 Days
Herkimer County New York State Rest of State (Minus NYC)
Graph 70
Graph 71
Source: NYSDOH Vital Statistics, Table XX—both Graphs this page
196

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
1st-3rd 533 489 502 519 515 499 479 494 490 460 542 477 497 496
4th-6th 123 135 135 110 130 147 169 158 126 149 138 142 141 117
7th-9th 27 17 19 17 13 24 34 24 25 23 17 16 21 14
None 4 7 4 4 3 7 4 0 0 5 7 1 4 3
NS 13 11 11 9 11 5 16 22 31 6 0 3 1 1
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
Live Births & Months Prenatal Care Began
Source: NYSDOH Vital Statistics, Table 12
Each year there are a significant number of pregnant women who wait to receive prenatal care
after their first trimester. Many wait until the seventh month or pregnancy and some don’t re-
ceive any prenatal care.
 Total Low Birthweight births in 2010—43
 Total births in 2010—635
 The rate of low Birthweight births to Herkimer County women in 2010 was 6.77%
 The rate of low Birthweight births in New York State in 2010 was 8.20%
<15 15–17 18–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45+ N.S.
Herkimer
County
0 1 6 11 15 9 1 0 0 0
Table 108
Low Birthweight Live Births (<2500 grams) by Mothers Age 2010
Graph 72
197

NYSDOHVitalStatistics,Table7
TotalBirthsbyMothers’AgeHerkimerCountyGraph73
Eachyearthereareanumberofbirthstowomenundertheageof20.Beginningmotherhoodatsuchanearly
age,manytimeswithoutthebenefitofacompleteeducationorafull-timefatherforthechildincreases,the
likelihoodofprolongedperiodsofpublicsupportandgreaterrisktothechilddevelopingintoahealthyproductive
memberofsociety.
198
<1515-1718-1920-2425-2930-3435-3940-4445+NS
200601340197204132511400
200721644192219148731700
200802034188176148631520
200902350177200144611420
201001548171183143601401
0
50
100
150
200
250

Of the teen pregnancies each year, a significant number end in abortion and a small number end
in spontaneous fetal death.
Table 109Teen Pregnancies (19 & Under) & Outcomes in
Total Rate
Live
Births
Abortions
Spontaneous
Fetal
Deaths
2010 103 41.8 63 39 1
2009 117 57.4 73 39 5
2008 101 48.3 54 40 7
2007 97 44.5 60 34 3
2006 109 50.1 53 53 3
2005 86 40.1 55 29 2
2004 131 60.7 92 36 3
2003 128 59.7 86 37 5
Source: NYSDOH Vital statistics, Table 26
Graph 74
199

According to the 2009 TAP
Survey, the rate of sexual
intercourse by 11th grade
female students in Herkimer
County is 57.7%. The rate over
the period 1997–2009 remained
above 50% except for 2005.
Of all students who had sexual intercourse, the following table provides a comparison breakdown
of methods used to prevent pregnancy in 2005 and 2009.
The number of high school students having intercourse has increased since 2005, but the
percentage not using birth control of some type has decreased by percentage of the total.
57.1% 53.2%
43.2%
57.7%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1997 2001 2005 2009
11th Grade Female Students Who Have
Had Sexual Intercourse
Graph 75
Source: TAP Survey 1997,2001,2005,2009
2005 2009
I have never had sexual intercourse 69.4% 67.6%
No method used to prevent pregnancy 3.8% 3.3%
Birth control pills 4.9% 6.8%
Condoms 16.9% 18.1%
Depro-Prevera (injectable birth control) 0.8% 0.2%
Withdrawal 2.2% 1.8%
Morning after pill 0.2% 0.3%
Some other method 0.8% 0.8%
Not sure 1.1% 1.1%
Method Used to Prevent Pregnancies in Herkimer County High School Students
Source: TAP Survey 1997,2001,2005,2009
Table 110
200

Herkimer
County has a
high ratio of
unwed women
giving birth as
a component of
total live
births in the
county each
year.
Households
headed by
single mothers,
on average,
have a lower
median
household income than either male headed households or household with two parents. (Refer to
the Economic Security section of this document page 273.)
Graph 76
Graph 77
Out of Wedlock Births by Mother’s Age
<15 15-17 18-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45+ NS
2006 0 13 40 197 204 132 51 14 0 0
2007 2 16 44 192 219 148 73 17 0 0
2008 0 20 34 188 176 148 63 15 2 0
2009 0 23 50 177 200 144 61 14 2 0
2010 0 15 48 171 183 143 60 14 0 1
0
50
100
150
200
250
Source NYSDOH Vital Statistics Table 10
201

The 25–29 age group consistently registers the most births out of wedlock by mother’s age with
the 20–24 age group coming in second, and the 30–34 age group coming in third. These age
groups represent women who might otherwise be furthering their education and ensuring a more
secure future for themselves and any children born to them at an older age.
In 2010, 48% of all live births
to Herkimer County women
were paid for by Medicaid or
other government program.
49% were paid for by private
health insurance.
2% of all live births were self-
pay.
1% of all birth had other
insurance.
This represents a high
percentage of births not
covered through private
health insurance (usually
offered through employment).
Source NYSDOH Vital Statistics Table 13
●
●
●
●
202
Graph 78

Breastfeeding
Healthy People 2020 target calls for 81.9% of infants to have been breastfed, 60.6% to be
breastfeeding at 6 months, and 34.1% at a year. It also calls for 46.2% of infants to have been
exclusively breastfed through 3 months and 25.5% at 6 months. Breastfeeding provides many
physical, medical, immunological, and psychological benefits to mothers and their children.
Human milk contains just the right amount of fatty acids, lactose, water, and amino acids for
human digestion, brain development, and growth. Breastfed babies have fewer illnesses because
human milk transfers to the infant a mother’s antibodies to disease. “Human milk also contains
immunologic agents and other compounds that act against viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Since
an infant’s immune system is not fully developed until age 2, human milk provides a distinct
advantage over formula. Mothers, too, are the recipients of many positive hormonal and physical
effects, including reducing the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Finally, breastfeeding may
save families hundreds of dollars which would have been spent on formula and medical bills.
203
Waterfall in southern Herkimer County

Dental
Dental caries, the most common chronic childhood disease, impacts children’s functioning
including eating, growth, speaking, and learning (1–3). For children, oral diseases can
jeopardize their physical growth, self-esteem and capacity to socialize. In the US, children are
estimated to lose over 51 million school hours annually because of dental problems and dental
visits.
To combat the prevalence of dental caries in Herkimer County children, Herkimer County Public
Health with HCHN support provides dental health education on appropriate dental hygiene to all
pre-k, kindergarten, fourth Grade & Head Start students in Herkimer County. Public Health also
includes the following populations: the Amish & Migrant Workers, and provides dental education
at all Prenatal Care Assistance Program Clinics, Immunization Clinics & WIC sites. Participants
receive a toothbrush, floss, a child’s coloring book & educational materials, including a copy of
The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist.
204
Ilion Marina

Table 111
Access to Dental Care
Oral Health Survey of Third Grade Children
When comparing Herkimer County with New York State and New York State excluding New York
City it is noted that Herkimer County third graders have higher rates of caries. However, on a
positive note, Herkimer County’s rate is lower than New York State and the upstate region con-
cerning untreated caries in low-socioeconomic status families. Overall, Herkimer County, while
having higher rates of caries have lower rates of untreated caries in the third grade population.
Third Grade Dental Insurance and Visits
Third graders from low socio-economic families are statistically less likely to have dental insur-
ance when compared to the New York State and U
Source: New York State Department of Health, Oral Health Indicators 2009–2010
205
Indicator
Herkimer
County
NYS
excluding NYC
% of 3rd
grade children with
caries experience
60.3 45.4*
% of 3rd
grade children with
untreated caries
42.5 24.0*
% of 3rd
grade children with dental
sealants
39.7 41.9*
% of 3rd
grade children with dental
insurance
79.5 81.8*
% of 3rd
grade children with
at least one dental visit in last year
78.9 83.4*
% of 3rd
grade children with
at least one dental visit in last year
79.5 41.9*

Table 112
Source: New York State Department of Health, Oral Health Indicators 2009–2011
Medicaid Oral Health Indicators
Herkimer County v. New York State 2008–2010
About how long has it been since you last received dental care?
According to the American Dental
Association 2007 Public Opinion
Survey of Oral Health of the US
Population, 48.7% of adults
reported having visited the dentist
less than six months ago, as
compared to 57% of Herkimer
County residents in 2005. An
additional 18.9% reported having
seen the dentist sometime between
six months and a year. Therefore,
Herkimer County’s utilization
patterns show Herkimer County
well above ADA standards for
regular dental visits. (refer to Table
58 page 126
Indicator
Herkimer
County Rate
NYS Rate
NYS Rate
excluding
NYC
% of Medicaid enrollees with at least one
dental visit within the last year
28.9 31.3* 29.4*
% of Medicaid enrollees with at least one
preventive dental visit within the last year
24.8 25.9* 23.4*
% of Medicaid enrollees (ages 2–20 years)
who had at leas one dental visit within the
last year
38.6 40.8* 40.5*
Within the
Past Six
Months
57%Within the
Past Year
16%
Within the
Past Two
Years
9%
Within the
Past Five
Years
4%
Five or More
Years
13%
No Care/Not
Sure
1%
Length of Time Since Last Dental Visit
Source: Zogby, 2005 Herkimer County Community Health Survey
206
Graph 79

Cavity Free Kids
Mohawk Valley Perinatal Network, Inc. now offers Cavity Free Kids curriculum training to
providers in Herkimer County. Cavity Free Kids is a complete oral health curriculum designed to
educate preschoolers and their families, with two additional curricula specific to pregnant
women, infants and toddlers, and child care providers. The curriculum was crafted by the
Washington Dental Service Foundation and is evidence- based. Cavity Free Kids materials place a
strong emphasis on dental caries being a preventable disease and addresses this by giving
children (through lesson plans) and parents (through newsletter articles and take home notices,
offered in a variety of languages) the steps and tools necessary to maintain optimal oral health.
This also includes guidance for providers on implementing tooth brushing while the child is in
their care and how to make referrals for dental care.
Mohawk Valley Perinatal Network has trained Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency Head
Start and home visiting staff in August 2011, and 6 child care providers affiliated with the
Family Daycare Association of Herkimer County in September 2012. Mohawk Valley Perinatal
Network continues to be available to providers interested in implementing Cavity Free Kids.
About how long has it been since your child visited a dentist or dental clinic?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) periodicity schedule states children should receive
annual oral health visits at ages
three through six and biannual
visits at ages eight and ten. It
appears that an overwhelming
majority of Herkimer County
residents are visiting their dentist
for annual and bi-annual visits.
Has your child(ren) ever
received dental sealants or
take fluoride regularly?
The American Dental Association,
American Academy of Pediatrics
and American Academy of
Pediatric Dentistry recommend
both dental sealants and fluoride
use as effective prevention from
childhood caries. Fluoride use is
recommended for children six months and older with 0.6 parts per million or less of fluoride in
207
Millers Mills Ice Festival

208
DATA SOURCES
Herkimer-Oneida Counties Comprehensive Planning. TAP Survey: 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009
http://www.ocgov.net/oneida/sites/default/files/planning/PlanPdf/TAP%20FINAL%
20HERKIMER2009.pdf
New York State Department of Health. Herkimer County Indicators For Tracking Public Health
herkimer.htm
New York State Department of Health. Maternal and Infant Health Indicators
http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/chac/chai/docs/mih_21.htm
New York State Department of Health. Oral Health Indicators.
http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/chac/chai/docs/ora_21.htm
New York State Department of Health. Oral Health Status of 3rd Grade Children: New York
State Oral Health Surveillance System
http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/dental/docs/child_oral_health_surveillance.pdf
New York State Department of Health. Vital Statistics of New York State
http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/prevention_agenda/2013-2017/docs/
healthy_women_children_infants.pdf
U.S Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2020

WHERE WE STAND
Mental and emotional well- being is essential to overall health. At any given time, almost one in
five young people nationally are affected by mental, emotional and behavioral (MEB) disorders,
including conduct disorders, depression and substance abuse. About three-fourths of all MEB
disorders are diagnosed between the ages of 14–24 years.
The best opportunities to improve the public’s mental health are interventions delivered before
a disorder manifests itself to prevent its development. Risk factors for MEB disorders are well
-established. Effective preventive interventions are available, and the first symptoms typically
precede a disorder by two to four years. These interventions can be integrated with routing
health care and wellness promotion in health care settings, as well as in schools and community
settings.
Many MEB disorders, such as substance abuse and depression, have lifelong effects that include
high psychosocial and economic costs for people, their families, schools and communities. The
financial costs nationally in terms of treatment services and lost productivity are estimated at
$247 billion annually. Beyond the financial costs, MEB disorders interfere with people’s ability
to accomplish developmental tasks, such as establishing healthy interpersonal relationships,
succeeding in school, making their way into the workforce and staying optimally functional once
there. Mental and physical health problems are interwoven. Improvements in mental health help
improve individuals and populations’ physical health.
The Herkimer County suicide rate (age adjusted) is worse than the rate for NYS. The
Prevention Agenda Objective of 5.9 is significantly below the current Herkimer County rate.
209
Summary Chart: Promote Mental Health &
Prevent Substance Abuse
Indicator
Data
Years
Herkimer
County
New York
State
NYS 2017
Objective
Age-adjusted percentage of adults with poor
mental health for 14 or more days in the last
month
10.1
(6.7-13.5)
10.2
(8.7-11.7)
10.1
2008–2009
Age-adjusted percentage of adult binge
drinking during the past month
20.2
(15.2-25.3)
18.1
(16.1-20.2)
18.4
Age-adjusted suicide death rate per 100,000 2008–2010 10.6 7.1 5.9
Table 113

210
Substance Abuse Prevalence & Services
Prevention Services
Prevention services are provided by the Herkimer County Prevention
Council, a program of Catholic Charities of Herkimer County. The
Herkimer County Prevention Council provides comprehensive
substance abuse and violence prevention education services to
individuals, families, schools and communities in Herkimer County.
Services provided include classroom education (K-12), student
assistance counseling, brief intervention, information dissemination
and referral, health fairs, and community education and training. All
education and intervention services are evidence- based programs.
The HCPC utilizes evidence- based programs
such as the Life Skills, Too Good for Drugs, and
Too Good for Violence programs. HCPC also
provides Student Assistance Counseling and
Brief Intervention (Teen Intervene) for grades
7-12 in five school districts. Three of the five
schools have a full time HCPC Prevention
Services Coordinator. HCPC has a full time
coordinator at HCCC who provides the SASSY
program, Teen Intervene, Freshmen Seminar,
group work, and a lecture series surrounding
substance abuse education.
HCPC provides educational and awareness
outreach targeting middle school youth through
the annual Drug Quiz Show, and parents
through environmental strategies such as the
“Parents who Host Lose the Most” campaign.
This County-wide campaign takes place in the
months of May and June to educate adults on
the issues surrounding the hosting of underage
drinking parties during the prom and graduation
seasons. The 2012 campaign included local
school districts, retailers of alcoholic
beverages, media coverage in local newspapers,
television commercials as well as a segment on
WKTV News Talk at 5, and an ad trailer that
ran before each movie showing at the Strand
Year Total Served
2009 5,812
2010 5,813
2011 6,504
2012 4,202
Youth and Adults Served
by Herkimer County
Prevention Council
Source: Herkimer
County Prevention
Council
Source: Herkimer County Prevention Council
Source: Herkimer County Prevention Council
2009 2010 2011 2012
Youth 4,971 3,510 3,718 1,906
Adult 514 1,877 3,257 2,034
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
Youth & Adults Receiving
Educational Services from the
Prevention Council 2009–2012
2009 2010 2011 2012
Youth 142 135 116 64
Adult 185 291 221 198
0
100
200
300
400
500
Youth & Adults Receiving
Counseling Services from the
Prevention Council 2009–2012
Table 114
Graph 80
Graph 81

Theater in Old Forge, NY. Additional educational awareness campaigns surrounding community,
school and family are Prescription Drop Box events, Red Ribbon Week, and National Drug Facts
Week.
The HCPC also uses billboards, local media outlets, and maintains a website with the most up-to-
date information on substance abuse and prevention services. Each month a newsletter is posted
regarding recent trends in alcohol and substance abuse field as they relate to our county
concerns.
In 2012, the Herkimer County Prevention Council formed a local coalition: the Community
Partnership. The partnership consists of local law enforcement and various human service
agencies within Herkimer County. The goal and function of the partnership is to collectively
tackle those issues surrounding substance abuse concerns in Herkimer County such as synthetic
drugs, underage drinking, and the prescription drug problem.
Collectively the Herkimer County Prevention Council has provided substance abuse prevention
services in some form to over 22,331 youth and adults since January of 2009.
Chemical Dependency Treatment
Herkimer County Community Health Assessment Report
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Community Health Status
Indicators (CHSI), Herkimer County has a higher rate of substance abuse hospital admissions
than neighboring Oneida County and NYS (15.5 per 100,000 vs. 13.9 and 6.3 per 100,000
respectively). NYS Department of Health, County Health Assessment Indicators report that
cirrhosis mortality rates in Herkimer County are also higher than Oneida County and NYS (10.1
per 100,000 vs. 6.7 and 6.0 per 100,000 respectively).
Service Need Profiles
The March 2011 OASAS Service Need Profile for Herkimer County indicates that 12.1% of
Herkimer County’s population over age 12 exhibits chemical dependence problems (6,478
individuals), an increase from 9% identified in March 2008. 1,818 individuals in this age group are
identified as being in need of treatment services for their addictions (28% of prevalence).
Approximately 1,200 of these individuals are adults age 18+ in need of alcohol treatment
services only, with 476 adults requiring treatment for alcohol and drug dependence. It is
estimated that 130 youths between the ages of 12 and 17 are in need of chemical dependence
treatment.
The greatest areas of unmet need are documented for crisis chemical dependence services,
methadone treatment services, and community residence living options.
Approximately half of the need for outpatient adult services and one-third of the need for
adolescent outpatient services is currently being met by the existing service capacity.
211

The November 2009 OASAS Summary of the County Profile indicates that 489 Herkimer
County residents received treatment services, and more than half of these individuals (57.7%)
received services within the county. The average daily enrollment in treatment services was 100
individuals. Total treatment costs for 2008 are estimated at slightly over one million dollars,
with $3,324 spent per person. This amount is far below the $6,488 spent per person statewide.
There were no expenditures for gambling treatment services in 2008.
Medicaid Recipient Cost Profiles
In 2010, 360 Medicaid recipients received coverage for chemical dependence services totaling
$1,127,459, an increase of 82 Medicaid recipients and $220,000 over 2008 numbers and
expenditures. Outpatient chemical dependence services were used most frequently by Medicaid
recipients in 2008 (325 individuals or 90%). These 360 recipients had a total of 3.8 million
dollars worth of total covered medical expenses for 2010.
Although the number of Medicaid recipients who have received coverage for CD services has
increased from 2008 to 2010, the per-person expenditure for those services has decreased,
from $3,255 in 2008 to $3,101 in 2010.
County Resource Data
Despite the large number of Herkimer County residents that are estimated to be in need of
services, a much lower number of individuals received treatment for alcohol and drug- related
issues, as reported in the 2008 County Resource Data Book, which includes information for
services provided between October 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007.
The high number of individuals with ASA problems who seek mental health services but not
alcohol/substance abuse treatment services may confound this data.
Between October 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007, 405 Herkimer County residents received
treatment services at a rate of 63.5 per 10,000 residents. This rate has declined from the 72.8
per 10,000 admissions reported in 2004, and is the third lowest in New York State, followed
only by neighboring Otsego (57.9) and Hamilton (28.7) counties.
During this time period ,there were 102 Herkimer County residents that were admitted to
inpatient rehabilitation treatment at a rate of 16.0 per 10,000 of the county population. This
rate is an increase from the 12.5 per 10,000 in 2004. Between October 1, 2006 and
September 30, 2007, there were 167 Herkimer County residents that were admitted to
outpatient treatment services, at a rate of 26.2 per 10,000 of the county population. This rate
is the second lowest recorded rate in New York State, and may be impacted by the change in
treatment provider that occurred during this time period.
There were 48 Herkimer County residents that were admitted to residential treatment services
between October 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007, at a rate of 7.5 per 10,000 residents. Half
of all admissions were to residential services in Herkimer County
(Herkimer County has one supportive living residential facility that serves 15 males).
212

The majority of Herkimer County residents that were admitted to Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Treatment Services between October 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007 were male (70.4%),
white (85.9%) and between the ages of 25 and 34 (30.4%). Three out of four admissions (76.1%)
were for individuals between the ages of 18 and 44. Approximately 5% of all admissions between
October 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007 were for youth below the age of 18.
The primary reason for admission during this time period was alcohol abuse (42.6%), a decrease
from 55.1% of all admissions in 2004. Other reasons for admission included marijuana abuse
(15.8%), crack abuse (15.3%) and heroin/other opiate abuse (12.9%).
Between October 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007, 30.1% of all ASA treatment services
referrals came from the criminal justice system. Over 55% of the Herkimer County residents
admitted to ASA Services between October 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007 reported being
children of alcoholics or substance abusers. Approximately 70% were high school graduates, 10%
were homeless, 5.2% were veterans, and 27.2% were employed at least part-time. More than
half of all admissions (52.2%) were involved with the criminal justice system, (71.6%) have had
prior chemical dependence treatment services and 39.7% had a diagnosis of mental illness.
Only 23.5% of all Herkimer County individuals admitted to ASA treatment had wages as their
primary source of income, down from 48% in 2005. Approximately 35% of Herkimer County
individuals discharged from ASA treatment between October 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007
had Medicaid as their primary payment source, which is less than the Rest of State rate of
40.2%. One in four individuals discharged from treatment (25%) had “None” listed as the
primary payment source, compared with 16.2% and 13.9% for NYS and the Rest of State
respectively.
Over 49% of those discharged from ASA treatment were referred to other treatment services
upon release, which is higher than the Rest of State average of 38.6%. No referral was made
for 34.2% of the Herkimer County discharges, which is similar to the Rest of State average.
The primary reason for admission during this time period was alcohol abuse (42.6%), a decrease
from 55.1% of all admissions in 2004. Other reasons for admission included marijuana abuse
(15.8%), crack abuse (15.3%) and heroin/other opiate abuse (12.9%).
Year
2009 2010 2011
DWI-Alcohol 0 11 11 0 9 9 0 7 7
DWI-Drugs 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 4 4
Source: DCJS, Uniform Crime/Incident-Based Reporting systems (as of 7/30/12)
Youth DWI Arrests 2009–2011
213
Table 115

Graph 82
Source: BRFSS
Adults Engaging in Binge Drinking
Alcohol Use
Binge drinking (5 or more drinks on one occasion for men, 4 or more drinks on one occasion for
women) is associated with many health problems including unintentional injury, alcohol poisoning,
poorly controlled diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In Herkimer County, 20.2% of adult resi-
dents engage in binge drinking. Among adults residing in New York State and New York State
exclusive of New York City, 18.1% and 19.8%, respectively, engage in binge drinking.
Self reported use of alcohol by teens in Herkimer County has decreased from 1997 to 2009, as
reported in the TAP Survey. (Refer to Graph 87 on the following page) So while reported use is
down over this time period, rates of DWI arrests are up. If the data is correct, then it appears
enforcement efforts in Herkimer County are a major factor.
Of those teens who reported drinking on the TAP Survey, the primary source of alcohol remains,
“self bought or legal aged buyer”. (Refer to Graph 88 On the following page) However, when you
look at trends from 1997 to 2009, as a percentage, alcohol obtained from “self bought or legal
aged buyer” has decreased over time. Conversely, alcohol obtained from “their house or a
friend’s house” and “their parents or a friend’s parents” has increased over the same time peri-
od. New York State law holds parents of teens liable if they serve alcohol to underage youth.
The Prevention Council works to educate parents about the ramifications of serving alcohol to
youth as a means to address this issue.
214
20.2%
18.1%
19.8%
24.0%
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
30.0%
Herkimer
County
New York State NYS Excluding
NYC
Prevention
Agenda 2013–
2017 Goal

32%
59%
14%
31%
49%
20%
32%
45%
23%
36%
41%
23%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Their House or
A Friend's House
Self Bought
or Legal Aged Buyer
Their Parents or a
Friend's Parents
1997 2001 2005 2009
1997 2001 2005 2009
Ever Used Alcohol 58% 58% 50% 43%
Used Alcohol At Least A Few
Times A Month
31% 29% 23% 19%
Been Binge Drinking In The Past
Month
28% 26% 20% 15%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Teenage Alcohol Use Graph 83
Source: Herkimer County TAP Survey 2009—All graphs on this page
Graph 84Alcohol Sources for Herkimer County Teens
215

11.9% of students reported access to illegal drugs on school property in the 2008–2009 school
year. This is the first time this question has been asked on the TAP survey, so no comparative
data over time is available. A breakdown of the Yes answers by grade shows that as students
get older the access to drugs on the school property increases.
Graph 85
216
Source: Herkimer County TAP Survey 2009
Graph 86
Source: NYSDOH County Health Assessment Indicators 2008–2010
Drug Related Hospitalizations, Herkimer County
2008-2010
During 2008-2009 School Year, Has Anyone Offered,
Sold, or Given You an Illegal Drug on School Property
11.9%
88.1%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Yes No
127
115
126
105
110
115
120
125
130
2008 2009 2010

Percent of Students Offered, Sold or Given Illegal Drugs During the 2008–2009
School Year On School Property
Breakdown by Grade
As youth progress through the grades from 7th to 11th, the percent of students offered, sold
or given illegal drugs on school property increased.
The above graph includes two additional categories in the 2009 TAP Survey; “medications not
yours” and “over the counter drugs”. While drug use in all the other categories declined from
2005 to 2009, students found additional sources of drugs to get high.
7th 9th 11th
5.4% 13.8% 16.5%
Table 116
Graph 87
44.0%
9.0% 9.0%
7.0%
6.0% 5.0%
36.9%
7.4% 7.4%
4.5%
8.5%
3.8%
15.5% 13.9%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Marijuana Cocaine Inhalents Meth Ecstacy Steroids Medications
Not Yours
Over the
Counter
Drugs
2005 2009
11th Grade Students Who Used Different Drugs
During Their Life
217

Mental Health
Below is a chart of annual
clinic visits for the
Herkimer County Mental
Health Clinic, including Jail
Services. There was an
43.6% increase in clinic
appointments from 2007-
2012. In December 2012,
there were 66 visits to
correctional facility
inmates. For the month,
we provided services to
401 persons through 603
visits. 456 individuals
were enrolled in services
at the end of the month.
Public Mental Health Services Utilization
The following charts compare percentages of adults and children who received public mental
health emergency, inpatient, outpatient, residential and support services. In Herkimer County,
Support Services mainly consist of the “Impact Program.”
Source: Patient Characteristics Survey, 2011
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Clinic
Appointments
5,575 6,435 6,773 7,022 7,292 8,006
Jail Visits* 679 700 770
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
Total Clinic Appointments & Jail Visits
2007–2012
Graph 88
Graph 89
* Program Began in 2010
Source: Herkimer County Department of Mental Health
218
Emergency Inpatient Outpatient Residential Support
Herkimer County 0.0% 0.0% 62.9% 24.9% 32.1%
NYS 2.3% 7.3% 65.7% 20.4% 23.6%
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
Public Mental Health Services by Type
Adults (18+)

219
Source: Patient Characteristics Survey. 2011
Inpatient Services Census
Below are the average daily inpatient census for the selected county of residence as reported
by licensed general hospital, private hospital and State Psychiatric facilities. Inpatient census
rates are based on the calculation: (Daily
census divided by total persons in the
county) times 10,000.
Herkimer County’s rate for inpatients
hospitalization for mental health reasons is
lower for both adults and children than the
New York State rate. The proportion is
similar between the Herkimer County and
NYS rates.
The chart on the following page is a
breakdown of the inpatient census for
Herkimer County and New York State by
type for both adults and children. Neither
Herkimer County or New York State
reported inpatient hospitalization in a
private hospital setting.
Source: Mental Health Automated Recordkeeping
System, 2010
Emergency Inpatient Outpatient Residential Support
Herkimer County 8.8% 0.0% 31.6% 0.0% 63.2%
NYS 2.7% 5.2% 79.2% 0.8% 20.0%
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
80.0%
90.0%
Public Mental Health Services by Type
Children (0-17)
Graph 90
1.7
2.3
2.6
4.8
0
2
4
6
8
Herkimer County NYS
Average Inpatient Census
Herkimer County & New York
State per 10,000
Adults 18+ Children 0-17
Graph 91

220
Source: Mental Health Automated Recordkeeping System, 2010
Patient Characteristics Survey
The PCS (Patient Characteristics Survey) includes questions on chronic medical conditions,
special education services for children, parental custody of minors, living situation and
employment in a community setting. This report displays measures relevant to client wellness and
community integration for Herkimer County and NYS.
Herkimer County results are similar to overall NYS results. Though Herkimer County patients
are more likely to have a chronic condition, live in a private residence, and have custody of a
minor. Though Herkimer County patients are less likely to need special educational services and
more apt to report that they are competitively employed.
Herkimer County New York State
Chronic Medical Condition (All Ages) 56.10% 51.30%
Adults, 18 or older, with Cardiac and Metabolic Illnesses 59.30% 47.10%
Children, 17 and younger, with Pulmonary Condition 0.00% 8.60%
Living in Private Residence 84.90% 75.10%
Children with Special Education 31.30% 56.80%
Adults, 18 or older, with Custody of Minors 17.60% 12.30%
Adults, aged 18 through 64 years old, that are Competitively Employed 16.40% 13.40%
PCS Results Herkimer County and New York State
Source: Patient Characteristics Survey, 2011
General Hospital
(Adults)
State Psych
Center (Adults)
General
Hospital
(Children)
Private Hospital
(Children)
State Psych
Center
(Children)
Herkimer County 1.4 1.2 0.1 0.2 1.4
New York State 2.7 2.1 0.8 0.6 0.9
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
Inpatient Census by Type Herkimer County &
New York State per 10,000
Graph 92
Table 117

221
Medicaid and Health Coverage
This report displays summary information about the selected county and NY State annual
Medicaid expenditures for mental health services provided to adults who were Medicaid eligible
on the date of service within the 2009 Local Fiscal Year.
Mental health services for adults are grouped into four major program categories:
While Mental health services for children are grouped into four major program categories:
Case
Management
• Blended Case Management (BCM),
• Intensive Case Management (ICM),
• Supported Case Management (SCM)
Inpatient
• Psychiatric Inpatient General (Article 28)
• Private (Article 31),
• Psychiatric Inpatient OMH (State Psych IP)
Outpatient
• Assertive Community Treatment (ACT),
• Continuing Day Treatment (CDT),
• Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP),
• Intensive Psychiatric Rehabilitation Treatment (IPRT),
• Clinic Treatment (MH Clinic),
• Partial Hospitalization (PartHosp),
• Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS),
• Recovery Services (RS - PMHP)
Residential • Community Residence Adult (CR Adult)
Case
Management
• Blended Case Management (BCM),
• Intensive Case Management (ICM),
• Supported Case Management (SCM)
Inpatient
• Psychiatric Inpatient General (Article 28),
• Private (Article 31),
• Residential Treatment Facility (RTF),
• Psychiatric Inpatient OMH (State Psych IP)
Outpatient
• Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP),
• Day Treatment (DT),
• Home and Community Based Services Waiver (HCBS Waiver),
• Clinic Treatment (MH Clinic),
• Partial Hospitalization (PartHosp)
Residential
• Family Based Treatment/Teaching Family Home (Children FBT/TFH),
• Community Residence Child (CR Child)

As a percentage of total Medicaid spending, Herkimer County spends much less on inpatient
services than New York State as a whole. For Children, Herkimer County spends approximately
same percentage on outpatient services, as the State does for both outpatient and inpatient
services.
222
Medicaid Expenditures Herkimer County & New York State
Adults (age 18 +) $1,531,653 $1,781,687,702
Case Management $15,705 $101,312,166
Inpatient $0.00 $753,860,283
Outpatient $718,453 $707,708,158
Residential $797,495 $218,807,094
Children (age 0 - 17) $239,528 $713,563,438
Case Management $24,558 $18,585,496
Inpatient $0.00 $380,838,194
Outpatient $204,853 $270,916,912
Residential $10,117 $43,222,836
Source all tables & charts on this page: DOH eMedNY Extract for OMH
Graph 93
Graph 94
Table 118

Managed Care
Below is the managed care plan enrollment in New York State and Herkimer County for managed
care plans licensed to operate in NYS. The enrollment reflects membership for organizations
under their Article 44 managed care licenses only. While organizations may have additional
membership through products under other health insurance licenses, those members are not
included in this report.
There are two types of managed care plans included in the table: health maintenance
organizations (HMOs) and prepaid health service plans, which primarily enroll Medicaid and Child
Health Plus beneficiaries. Partial capitation managed care plans, managed long-term care plans,
and HIV special needs plans are not included in this report.
The penetration rate is calculated using managed care plan enrollment divided by population
estimates from the 2000 Census provided by the State Department of Economic Development.
(Total NYS population estimate as of July 1, 2009, is 19,541,453).
223
Total Enrollment 12,115 5,746,335
HMO/POS 1,437 1,254,649
Direct Pay 2 27,672
Healthy NY 382 142,106
Medicare 68 674,637
Child Health Plus 2,175 400,804
Medicaid 6,709 2,846,861
Family Health Plus 1,342 393,688
Penetration
Population 64,519 19,378,102
Managed Care Totals 12,115 5,746,335
Penetration Rate 18.80% 29.70%
Source all tables on this page: 2010 NYS Managed Care Plan Enrollment Report
Table 120
Table 119

Depression
Untreated mental illnesses have associated human and economic costs such as diminished
productivity, work-place absenteeism, and in severe cases, an increased rate of suicide. In
Herkimer County, 10.1% of adult residents experience poor mental health for 14 or more days in
a month, according to the Expanded Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2010 Herkimer
County Report. Among adults residing in New York State and New York State exclusive of New
York City, 10.2% and 10.9%, respectively, experience poor mental health for 14 or more days in a
month.
Youth
The graphs on the following pages depict trends for suicide ideation and attempts. These
indicators have consistently improved from 1997 through 2009 for Herkimer County High School
TAP survey participants.
Graph 95
1.5
10.6
12.3
4.7
18.6
9.4
15.7
17.3 17.2 17.2
12.8
8.0
6.4
17.0
8.2
7.7 8.1 7.5 7.8 7.6 7.4 6.7 6.6 6.6
8.3
8.4
7.4
9.4
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Herkimer County Upstate New York
Suicide Death Rate Per 100,000 Population
Source: NYSDOH Vital Statistics, Table 39 *2006 data unavailable
224

Graph 96
225
Promote Mental Health and Prevent Substance AbuseSource:HerkimerCountyTAPSurvey1997,2001,2005,2009
1997200120052009
YouthSeriouslyConsideredAttemptingSuicidein
Past12Months
26.1%22.6%20.6%12.7%
YouthMadePlanstoAttemptSuicideinPast12
Months
21.6%17.8%16.3%8.0%
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
30.0%
YouthAttitudesonSuicide

1997 2001 2005 2009
0 89.4% 90.0% 87.9% 95.4%
1 Time 5.7% 5.5% 7.0% 2.2%
2 or 3 Times 2.9% 2.7% 2.7% 1.4%
4 or 5 Times 0.4% 0.5% 1.2% 0.3%
6 or More Times 1.6% 1.3% 1.2% 0.7%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
During the Past 12 Months, Number of Times Herkimer County Youth
Attempted Suicide
Source: Herkimer County TAP Survey 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009
226
Graph 97
DATA SOURCES
2010 Census
2005 Herkimer County Health Net Community Survey, Zogby International.
Herkimer County Chemical Dependence Needs Assessment 2006
Herkimer County Prevention Council
*New York State Department of Health Herkimer County Indicators For Tracking Public Health
Priority Areas
http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/prevention_agenda/indicators/county/herkimer.htm
Teen Assessment Project Survey, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009
http://www.ocgov.net/oneidacty/gov/dept/planning/humanservices.html

HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and hepatitis C (HCV) are significant public
health concerns. New York State (NYS) remains at the epicenter of the HIV epidemic in the
country, ranking first in the number of persons living with HIV/AIDS. By the end of 2010,
approximately 129,000 New Yorkers were living with HIV or AIDS, with nearly 3,950 new
diagnoses of HIV infection in 2010. Furthermore, 123,122 New Yorkers had STDs, representing
70 percent of all communicable diseases reported statewide in 2010. The number of people with
chronic or resolved cases of HCV in NYS exceeded 175,000 between 2001 and 2009. However,
many of those with chronic HCV do not know they are infected, and recently it has been noted
that more New Yorkers are dying from HCV than from HIV.
The same behaviors and community characteristics associated with HIV also place individuals
and communities at risk for STDs and viral hepatitis. STDs increase the likelihood of HIV
transmission and acquisition. Epidemiological data increasingly point to HIV, STDs and HCV as
“syndemics,” or infections which occur in similar groups of people with the same behavioral risk
factors. Notable, in the United States in 2010, the leading cause of death among people with
HIV was liver disease from co-infection with HCV.
The impact of HIV, STDs and HCV is greater in some population groups. For instance, non-
Whites have rates of infection that are several times higher than Whites. Prevention
interventions, including those that affect underlying factors such as stigma and discrimination,
are needed to address these historical inequities. People of color account for more than 75
percent of new HIV diagnoses and, for persons living with HIV, the racial/ethnic distribution is
21 percent White, 43 percent Black, 32 percent Hispanic, 1.2 percent Asian/Pacific Islander, 0.1
percent Native American and 2.8 percent more than one racial group. Data on race and ethnicity
of people with STDs and HCV suggest significant disparities exist as well. Men who have sex
with men, transgender persons and women of color continue to have much higher rates of these
diseases than the general population. Though HIV among injection drug users has decreased
steadily (due in large part to expanded access to sterile syringes), HCV among drug injectors is
prevalent.
Multiple drug regimens exist for HIV, STDs and HCV, although some are more effective than
others. A key approach to preventing more infections is to identify infected people as soon as
possible and link them to care. The health of infected people will improve, and the likelihood
they will transmit the infection to others will be reduced.
Prevent HIV, STDs, Vaccine-Preventable Diseases & Healthcare Associated Infections
227

Table 121
Infectious Disease Summary Chart
Additional information on sexually transmitted disease follows on the next page. Herkimer
County does better than New York State in rates of sexually transmitted disease in every cate-
gory.
Indicator
Data
Years
Herkimer
County
New York
State
NYS 2017
Objective
Percentage of children with 4:3:1:3:3:1:4
immunization series—Ages 19–35 months
2011 53.4 47.6 80.0
Percentage of adolescent females with 3-
dose HPV immunization—Ages 13–17 years
2011 23.5 26.0 50.0
Age-adjusted percentage of adults with flu
immunization—Ages 65+ years
2008–2009
76.3
(70.3–82.3)
75.0
(71.5–78.5)
66.2
Newly diagnosed HIV case rate per 100,000
2008–2010
5.4 21.6 14.7
Difference in rates (Black and White) of new
HIV diagnoses
s 59.4 45.7
Difference in rates (Hispanic and White) of
new HIV diagnoses
s 31.1 22.3
Gonorrhea case rate per 100,000 women—
Ages 15–44 years
2010 77.9* 203.4 183.1
Gonorrhea case rate per 100,000 men—Ages
15–44 years
2010 26.0* 221.7 199.5
Chlamydia case rate per 100,000 women—
Ages 15–44 years
2010 848.3 1619.8 1458.0
Primary and secondary syphilis case rate per
100,000 males
2010 0.0* 11.2 10.1
Primary and secondary syphilis case rate per
100,000 females
2010 0.0* 0.5 0.4
* Fewer than 10 events in the numerator, therefore the rate is unstable
228

* Fewer than 10 events in the numerator; therefore the rate is unstable
Sexually Transmitted Disease
Source: NYSDOH HIV/AIDS and Other Sexually Transmitted Infection Indicators
Table 122
Indicator
3 Year
Total
County
Rate NYS Rate Sig Dif.
NYS Rate
exc NYC Sig Dif.
HIV/AIDS
HIV case rate per 100,000 10 5.3 21.4 Yes 7.4 No
AIDS case rate per 100,000 6 3.2* 17.6 Yes 5.6 No
AIDS mortality rate per 100,000 0 0.0* 5.7 Yes 1.7 Yes
AIDS mortality rate age-adjusted 0 0.0* 5.3 Yes 1.6 Yes
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
Early Syphilis rate per 100,000 1 0.5* 12.8 Yes 2.5 No
Gonorrhea rate per 100,000
All Ages 19 10.1 89.7 Yes 55.7 Yes
15–19 years 5 37.4* 335.5 Yes 210.3 Yes
Chlamydia rate per 100,000
Males
All Ages 78 84.5 305.1 Yes 178.9 Yes
15–19 years 23 339.4 1013.5 Yes 586.9 Yes
20–24 years 36 611.9 1410.1 Yes 920.6 Yes
Females
All Ages 249 257.7 644.6 Yes 426.2 Yes
15–19 years 91 1379.6 3587.6 Yes 2334.5 Yes
20–24 years 111 1886.8 3114.6 Yes 2200.4 No
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
hospitalization rate
per 10,000 women ages 15–44 years
12 3.4 3.7 No 2.5 No
229

Table 123
Percentage of Children with 4:3:1:3:3:1:4 Immunization Series
The state has instituted an Immunization Registry, which is able to collect information on all
immunizations.
63.8% 62.5% 64.6% 68.0% 65.9%
61.8% 64.7%
70.5% 70.9%
75.0%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1999 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Persons 65 Years or Older Who Had a Flu Shot in the
Past 12 Months, New York State
Graph 98
Source: BRFSS Revised 2010
Source: National Immunization Survey
Fully immunized
children
Children ages
19–35 months Percentage
Cayuga 776 1,136 68.3
Cortland 349 725 48.1
Herkimer 496 929 53.4
Jefferson 1,126 2,473 45.5
Lewis 352 498 70.7
Madison 444 940 47.2
Oneida 2,027 3,904 51.9
Onondaga 4,866 8,139 59.8
Oswego 1,195 2,007 59.5
St. Lawrence 982 1,591 61.7
Tompkins 489 1,404 34.8
Region Total 13,102 23,746 55.2
New York State
(exclusive of NYC)
79,712 16,7622 47.6
230

*Enterohemorrhagic E. Coli non-O157 and not sero-grouped shigatoxin producing infection
**Newly reported HIV cases
Reported Cases by Selected Disease
Herkimer County v. NYS Excluding New York City 2011
Table 124
Herkimer County NYS Excluding
New York City
Oneida County
AIDS 5 736 6
Campylobacteriosis 22 2,052 38
Chlamydia 178 37,494 752
Cryptosporidiosis 4 234 14
E. Coli 0157 0 98 2
EHEC* 3 123 5
Giardiasis 9 1,144 50
Gonorrhea 12 6,240 141
Hepatitis A 0 47 1
Hepatitis B Acute 1 54 1
Hepatitis C Acute 0 44 2
Herpes Infection,
Infant <60 Days
0 12 0
HIV** 4 1,043 12
Confirmed Influenza 59 12,921 329
Legionellosis 1 400 10
Lyme Disease 12 7,276 49
Salmonellosis 5 1,423 26
Strep B 8 936 24
Strep Pneumonia 6 1,183 22
Tuberculosis 0 221 8
Source: NYSDOH 2011 Communicable Disease Annual Reports
231

DATA SOURCES
Centers for Disease Control. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
National Immunization Survey
New York State Department of Health. 2011 Communicable Disease Annual Reports
http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/diseases/communicable/2011/
New York State Department of Health. Herkimer County Indicators for Tracking Public Health
herkimer.htm
New York State Department of Health. HIV/AIDS and Other Sexually Transmitted Infection
Indicators
http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/chac/chai/docs/sti_21.htm
Tree fungus along the trail - Adirondack Park,
Herkimer County
232

Access to Quality Healthcare
• The Herkimer-Oneida Counties Transportation Study identified human services
transportation needs and gaps. Including:
• Improved pedestrian access, safer sidewalks, crosswalks, signals, pedestrian-friendly
streets especially within walking distance to bus stops and rail stations, and
• Accessible and affordable transportation options for the elderly, disabled, and low-
income to social activities, shopping, medical, and employment facilities.
• Herkimer County received designation as a Health Professional Shortage Area for both
primary care and mental health care in 2005. There are approximately 1,574 individuals per
primary care physician in Herkimer county. There are 41 primary care physicians in Herkimer
County.
• Herkimer County’s Rate of hospitalizations for short-term complications of diabetes per
10,000 for residents ages 6–17 years is 4.6, above both the NYS Rate (3.2), and the
Prevention Agenda Goal of 3.06.
• 20.9% of Herkimer County Adults smoke cigarettes, above the NYS percentage of 17% and
the Prevention Agenda Goal of 15%.
• Herkimer rates of Pre-Transport Mortality and Premature Death related to Cardiovascular
Disease, Diseases of the Heart, Coronary Heart Disease, Congestive Heart Failure, Stroke
are all well above the corresponding state and NYS minus NYC rates.
• Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease Mortality Rate per 10,000 in Herkimer County (40.9) is
above the corresponding state and NYS minus NYC rates (31.1 and 38.5).
• 33.6% of 7th & 10th graders in Herkimer County are considered Overweight or Obese.
• The rate of hospitalizations due to falls per 10,000 for Herkimer County Residents aged 65+
is 269.4 well above the NYS Rate of 204.6
• The rate of emergency department visits due to falls per 10,000 for Herkimer County
Residents ages 1-4 is 517.5 well above the NYS Rate of 476.8 and the Prevention Agenda
Goal of 429.1
• Only 5% of Herkimer County Residents are served by community water systems with
optimally fluoridated water, compared to 71.4% of New Yorkers overall and the Prevention
Agenda Goal of 78.5%.
• 1.8% of Herkimer County Children born in 2007 received a lead screening by 9 months of age,
compared to 6.8% of children statewide and 2.9% in NYS minus NYC.
• 46.6 per 1,000 of children in Herkimer County less than 72 months of age have a confirmed
blood lead level of 10 µg/dl or higher as compared to 15.8 statewide and 23.2 in NYS minus
NYC.
233

• 42.5% of third-grade children in Herkimer County have evidence of untreated tooth decay as
compared to 24% of children in third grade statewide and the Prevention Agenda Goal of
21.6%
• 49.5% of live births in Herkimer County were results of an unintended pregnancy as
compared to 24% statewide and the Prevention Agenda Goal of 21.6%
• 25.6% of live births in Herkimer County occurred within 24 months of a previous pregnancy,
compared to 18% statewide and the Prevention Agenda Goal of 17%
• In 2010 the majority of births were “Out of Wedlock”, 324 to 311 and the number has been
trending up since 2005.
• 47% of the live births in Herkimer County were paid for by Medicaid and Herkimer County’s
Prenatal Clinic closed in 2012.
• 38.6% of Medicaid Enrollees in Herkimer County (ages 2-20) had one dental visit within the
last year, compared to 40.8% statewide and 40.5% in NYS minus NYC.
• The age-adjusted percentage of adult binge drinking in the past month in Herkimer County is
20.2% as compared to 18.1% statewide and the Prevention Agenda Goal of 18.4%
• The age-adjusted Suicide Death Rate for Herkimer County (2008-2010) per 100,000 is 10.6,
above the statewide rate of 7.1 and the Prevention Agenda Goal of 5.9
• Heavy utilization of “Support” services, 63.2%, for children in Herkimer County, age 0-17 as
compared to NYS utilization (20%)
• There has been an 43.6% increase in Department of Mental Health clinic appointments from
2007-2012.
• 13.4% increase in Jail Visits since the program began in 2010.
Prevent HIV, STDs, Vaccine-Preventable Diseases & Healthcare Associated
Infections
• Percentage of Herkimer Count Children (ages 19-35 months) with 4:3:1:3:3:1:4 immunization series is
53.4%, which is higher than the NYS rate but well below the Prevention Agenda Goal of 80%
• Percentage of Herkimer County adolescent females (ages 13-17 years) with the 3-dose HPV
immunization is 23.5% below the NYS percentage of 26%. Both are well below the NYS Prevention
Agenda Goal of 50%.
• Herkimer Rate rates for all Sexually Transmitted Diseases tracked by the Prevention
Agenda are well below NYS and NYS minus NYC rates.
234

Family
Household Composition
The family and the household are the most fundamental socioeconomic institutions in human
society. The principal social function of the family has historically been to bring children into
the world and to care for them until they can support themselves.
Household composition may have an impact on well-being. While two parents in a household may
be biological, step, or adoptive, their presence does not guarantee a child’s success, but it
generally indicates a greater level of resources available to children and to their well-being
(America’s Children, 2002, p.7). Children living in households with only one parent are much more
likely to have families whose incomes fall below the poverty line. In addition, marital status
affects the resources available to both women with children and women alone at any age.
(Source: The Status of Women: A Portrait of Women and Girls in Oneida & Herkimer Counties,
December 2003—Women’s Fund)
Family and Household Demographics
According to the 2008–2010 U.S. Census American Community Survey, there are 64,429 people,
26,478 households, and 17,362 families residing in Herkimer County. The following graph
illustrates the percentage of each type of household in existence in Herkimer County. As
illustrated below, almost half (49.5%) of all households in Herkimer County are married couple
families.
WHERE WE STAND
235
Graph 100

The 2008–2010 U.S. Census American Community Survey (ACS) estimates that 30.9% of all
households had children under the age of 18 living with them and 13.1% had someone living alone
who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 persons and the average
family size was 2.93 persons.
The 2008-2010 ACS shows a slight increase since 2000 in overall population and in the number
of households, families, and female householders (no spouse present) . A decrease in married
couples living together and individuals living alone is also identified.
When compared to NYS and US ACS data, Herkimer County has a higher percentage of married
couples living together and individuals living alone, and a lower percentage of female-headed
households (no spouse present) and non-family households.
Household by Type
The 2008–2010 American Community Survey estimates that 65.6% of all households in Herkimer
County are comprised of families. Half of all families (49.5%) are traditional two-parent
Family
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census & 2008–2010 American Community Survey
236
Table 125
Herkimer County Households and Families 2000 2008–2010
Population 64,427 64,429
Households 25,734 26,478
Average Household Size 2.46 2.38
Families 17,101 17,362
Average Family Size 2.99 2.93
Households With Children < 18 32.8% 30.9%
Households in
Herkimer County, NYS and US
2000 2008–2010
NYS
(2008–2010)
US
(2008–2010)
Total Households 25,734 26,478 7,221,564 114,596,927
Married Couple Family 51.2% 49.5% 44.9% 49.1%
Female (no Husband Present) 10.3% 11.6% 14.7% 12.8%
Male (no Wife Present) 5% 4.5% 4.8% 4.6%
Individuals Living Alone 27% 29.5% 29.1% 27.4%
Non-Family 6% 4.9% 6.5% 6.1%
Table 126

Family
families, a decline from 51.2% in 2000. This percentage is higher, however, than both NYS and
US percentages. Female-headed families with no male present have increased as a percent of all
families in Herkimer County, from 10.3% in 2000 to approximately 12% in 2008–2010. This
percentage is lower, however, than both NYS and US percentages. Male householders comprise
5% of all households in Herkimer County, which is higher than the percentage found in NYS and
the US. In addition, 28% of all households in Herkimer County have someone in the household
that is 65 years old or over, which is higher than the percentage found in both NYS and the US.
Family Structure
The structure of families in the County has changed over the last 50 years, as reflected in the
table on the next page. As a percentage of all families, fewer are two-parent and more are
single-parent, both female- and male-headed. Two-parent families comprised 88% of all families
in 1960; by 2010 they dropped to only 74%. Eight percent (8%) of families were female-headed
in 1960, they increased to 17% of all families by 2010. In addition, male-headed families made
up about 4% of all families from 1969 to 1990, but by 2010, they increased to 7% of all families.
Table 127
Households By Type, ACS 2008–2010 Herkimer County HC % NYS % US %
Total households 26,478 100% 7,221,564 114,596,927
Family households (families) 17,362 65.6% 64.4% 66.5%
With own children under 18 years 7,671 29.0% 29.3% 30.2%
Married-couple family 13,097 49.5% 44.9% 49.1%
Male householder, no wife present, family 1,202 4.5% 4.8% 4.6%
With own children under 18 years 675 2.5% 2.0% 2.2%
Female householder, no husband present,
family
3,063 11.6% 14.7% 12.8%
Nonfamily households 9,116 34.4% 35.6% 33.5%
Householder living alone 7,816 29.5% 29.1% 27.4%
65 years and over 3,457 13.1% 10.4% 9.5%
Households with one or more people under 18
years
8,186 30.9% 32.4% 33.5%
Households with one or more people 65 or over 7,401 28.0% 25.8% 24.4%
237

Family
Herkimer County Two Parent and Female-Headed Families, 1960–2010
The chart below illustrates the percentage of families with children in the home by family
structure. Since 1960, two-parent families have seen a steady decline in the percentage that
have children under the age of 18 in the home, while single-parent families have seen a steady
increase.
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
# % # % # % # % # % # %
2-Parent
Families 15,169 88% 14,975 87% 14,864 85% 14,511 82% 13,183 77% 12,534 74%
w/children 9,331 62% 8,156 55% 7,518 51% 6,843 47% 5,509 42% 4,765 38%
Female-
Headed
Families 1,365 8% 1,657 10% 2,071 12% 2,350 13% 2,648 16% 2,934 17%
w/children 466 34% 672 41% 999 48% 1,114 47% 1,600 60% 1,882 64%
Total
Families
17,310 100% 17,185 100% 17,565 100% 17,714 100% 17,101 100% 16,871 100%
61.5%
54.5% 50.6%
47.2%
41.8%
38.0%
34.1%
40.6%
48.2%
47.4% 60.4%
64.1%
14.0%
24.8%
33.8%
43.1%
66.3%
61.8%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Herkimer County Family Structure:
Percent of Families with Children Under 18
Present at Home
Couples with Children
Single Females with Children
Single Males with Children
Source: Herkimer Oneida Counties Comprehensive Planning Program
Table 128
Graph 101
Source: Herkimer Oneida Counties Comprehensive Planning Program
238

For two-parent families, the percentage that had children at home dropped from 61.5% in 1960
to 38% in 2010. During this same period, the percentage of all female-headed families that have
children under 18 in the home increased from 34.1% in 1960 to 64.1% in 2010. In addition, the
percentage of all male-headed families that have children climbed even faster from 14% in 1960
to 62% in 2010.
Family Composition — Youth Survey
This change in family structure can also be seen from the results of the Herkimer County TAP
Survey when students in 7th
, 9th
and 11th
grade were asked about their family composition in
1997, 2001, 2005 and 2009.
Family Composition of Herkimer County TAP Survey Participants
1997, 2001, 2005 and 2009
Question: Who do you live with most of the time?
As seen in the table above, 57.9% of the TAP Survey participants in 2009 indicated that they
lived with both of their natural or adoptive parents. This is lower than found either in the
1997 (64%) or in the 2001 (59%) TAP Survey, and slightly higher than reported in 2005 (57%).
Over the twelve year period of the four TAP Surveys, there has been a slight, but steady,
increase in the percent of those who lived in either a parent/step-parent household—
1997 (12%), 2001 (15%) , 2005 (16%), and 2009 (17%) or lived in a single-parent household—
1997 (18%), 2001 (21%), and 2005 (23%), however, a slight decline was noted in 2009 (21.1%).
Less than 4% of youth indicated that they lived with other relatives, in a foster home or alone.
Family
239
Response 1997 2001 2005 2009
Two Parents (biological or adoptive) 63.7% 59.4% 57.0% 57.9%
A Parent and a Step-parent 12.4% 15.4% 16.3% 17.2%
Father most of the time 3.6% 3.7% 4.8% 4.3%
Mother most of the time 14.4% 13.8% 14.4% 12.3%
Mother part of the time, father part of
the time
N/A 3.9% 3.9% 4.5%
With relatives (aunt, uncle, grandparents,
etc.)
2.0% 2.4% 2.6% 2.7%
Group home or foster home N/A 0.5% 0.3% 0.5%
Alone or with friends only 1.5% 0.9% 0.7% 0.6%
Source: Herkimer County TAP Survey
Table 129

Graph 102
The graph below illustrates the percentage of births to wedded and unwedded mothers in
Herkimer County between 2004 and 2010. Herkimer County has seen an increase of unwed
women giving birth as a percentage of total live births in the county each year since 2007. In
2010, the percentage of births to unwed mothers was greater than half of all births recorded.
Households headed by single mothers, on average, have a lower median household income than
both single, male-headed households and households with two parents. Additional information
pertaining to household composition and income can be found in the “Economic Security” section
of this document.
Divorces
As seen in the chart on the next page, the number of divorces, both with and without children,
has fluctuated between 2001 to 2010. In 2004, the number of total divorces and those with
children reached 230 and 139 respectively, the highest during this time period. The current
divorce rate per 1,000 persons in Herkimer County is about 3.3, which is just under the rate for
New York State (3.4 per 1,000) and well below the rate for the U.S. (4.95 per 1,000).
Family
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Out of Wedlock Births 303 257 295 294 287 313 324
Births to Wedded Mothers 395 415 356 417 359 358 311
57%
62%
55% 59% 56% 53%
49%
43%
38%
45% 41% 44% 47%
51%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
240

The number of divorces in 2010 was the third lowest number recorded in this ten year time
period.
Parents in the Workforce
The chart on the next page depicts the percentage of children in Herkimer County, New York
State and the United States that have all parents in the labor force in 2000 (US Census) and
2008–2010 (US Census, ACS estimates). As reported in the 2008–2010 American Community
Survey, Herkimer County has seen a decline in the percentage of children below the age of 18
that have all parents in the labor force (from 69.0% to 60.6% for children under age 6, and
from 74% to 69.1% for children ages 6 to 17). During this time period, NYS percentages for
both age groups have increased. When compared to New York State and the US, children below
the age of six in Herkimer County are less likely to have their parents working. Percentages are
relatively similar for HC, NYS and the US for the 6 to 17 year old age group.
For families in which both parents are working, there is a concern that family time for leisure,
recreation and socialization may get pushed aside by the demands of daily activities (Maine
Marks), which may increase stress.
Family
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Not Stated 5 0 6 5 7 3 6 5 4 6
No Children 97 95 73 86 96 91 91 104 94 90
With Children < 18 120 133 105 139 119 98 112 111 113 96
Total Divorces 222 228 184 230 222 192 209 220 211 192
0
50
100
150
200
250
Herkimer County Divorces
2001 to 2010
Graph 103
241

Senior Population
The chart on the next page depicts the percentage of seniors (over 65) that reside in a
household with others or alone (in a one person household) for 2000 and 2008–2010 (ACS
estimates). Herkimer County ACS data estimates that the percentage of seniors in both
categories has remained steady. The 2008–2010 ACS reports that a higher percentage of
seniors live with others or alone in Herkimer County (with others 29.7%, alone 13.1%) than in
NYS (with others 26.3%, alone 10.5%) or the US (with others 24.9%, alone 9.4%).
Herkimer County has a high percentage of senior citizens (age 60+). Since 1960, the total
County population has decreased by 1,851 while the senior population has increased by 3,434.
The percentage of seniors, as a portion of the total County population, increased from 17% in
1960 to 23% with the 2010 Census. Also, during this time period, the number of those aged 85
and older has more than tripled.
Family
2000 2008–2010 2000 2008–2010
Under Age 6 Age 6 to 17
Herkimer County 69.0% 60.6% 74.0% 69.1%
New York State 54.0% 62.5% 64.0% 69.9%
United States 58.6% 64.4% 71.6%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Children Having All Parents in the Labor Force
Graph 104
Not Available
242

Family
Herkimer County Senior Population 60+ and 85+
Herkimer County has a growing population of older senior citizens, and they comprise an
increasing proportion of the total population. This older population generally requires the most
care; often the caregiving responsibilities fall upon family members.
It has been estimated that in the United States, family members provide approximately 80% of
the necessary care for the elderly. However, with the rapid increase in the oldest segment of
the population, the pool of available family caregivers is shrinking. This invariably is causing
issues for the elderly regarding the lack of appropriate care.
Especially with the growing 85+ population, these seniors are much more likely to be in need of
services in order to keep them at home and out of a nursing home. Care for the elderly, and
assistance with access to services, very often falls to their adult children, who may also have
the responsibility for providing care for their own children and/or grandchildren. This
phenomenon is often referred to as being in the “sandwich generation.”
2000 2008–2010 2000 2008–2010
w/Person > 65 in Household One Person Household > 65
Herkimer County 29.7% 29.7% 13.7% 13.1%
New York State 25.0% 26.3% 10.1% 10.5%
United States 23.4% 24.9% 9.2% 9.4%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
Households With Persons Age 65 and Over
Graph 105
243

Family
Table 130
Herkimer County Senior Population 60+ and 85+
One way to assess the pressure the sandwich generation may experience in caring for elderly
parents is the parent support ratio, which is the number of oldest old (age 80+) per 100 people
ages 50–64. The higher the ratio, the fewer number of people ages 50–64 are available to help
care for those aged 80 plus. For the United States, this ratio, based on Census figures,
increased from 21 in 1990 to 22 in 2000. For Herkimer County the ratio has been steadily
increasing between 1970 and 2000: 1970 (16); 1980 (18); 1990 (26); 2000 (31); With a slight
decline noted in 2005–07 (28).
Grandparents as Care Givers
The 2000 U.S. Census asked for the first time questions about grandparents living with their
grandchildren and grandparents responsible for the care of their grandchildren. This means it
is possible to compare Herkimer County to other regions, but there is limited trend data. The
chart on the next page illustrates the percentage of persons over age 35 who live with their
grandchildren and the percentage of those that co-reside with grandchildren and are
responsible for their care for Herkimer County, New York State and the U.S.
In Herkimer County, approximately 2.9% (1,064) of all persons are grandparents co-residing with
their grandchildren. This is below the percentage for both New York State (3.5%) and for the
U.S. (3.7%). However, when compared to all the counties in New York State, Herkimer County is
similar to other upstate counties in that fewer grandparents are living with their grandchildren
than is evident in the larger counties in the state and the counties around New York City.
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
#
Persons
#
Persons
#
Persons
#
Persons
#
Persons
#
Persons
Total
Population
66,370 67,633 66,714 65,797 64,427 64,519
Population age
60+
11,588
(17.5% of total)
11,545
(17.1% of total)
13,164
(19.7% of total)
14,243
(21.6% of total)
13,781
(21.4% of total)
15,022
(23.3% of total)
Population age
85+
547
(4.7% of 60+)
740
(6.4% of 60+)
910
(6.9% of 60+)
1,157
(8.1% of 60+)
1,443
(10.5% of 60+)
1,737
(11.6% of 60+)
244

Graph 106 Graph 107
Family
Grandparents Living With Grandchildren
Of those grandparents that live with their grandchildren in Herkimer County, 47.5% (505
grandparents) care for their grandchildren; this is above the NYS and US percentage (31.4%
and 40% respectively). Though a higher percentage of grandparents in Herkimer County are
caring for their grandchildren than is true for New York State as a whole, again, Herkimer
County is near the median for all counties in the state.
There is no data available that would indicate how many grandparents that are not residing with
their grandchildren provide care for their grandchildren for a significant period of time each
day.
Herkimer County Teen Assessment Project (TAP) Survey
Herkimer-Oneida Counties Comprehensive Planning Program. Herkimer County Retrospective:
1950–2000.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census & 2008–2010 ACS—both graphs this page
245
DATA SOURCES
2000 2008–2010
Herkimer County 2.3% 2.9%
New York State 3.8% 3.5%
United States 3.6% 3.7%
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
2.5%
3.0%
3.5%
4.0%
% of grandparents co-residing with
grandchildren
2000 2008–2010
Herkimer County 42.8% 47.5%
New York State 34.7% 31.4%
United States 42.0% 40.1%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
% of grandparents co-residing with
grandchildren and responsible for
their care

Family
Maine Marks
New York State Department of Health, Vital Statistics of New York
NYS Department of Health, Vital Statistics of NYS
The Status of Women: A Portrait of Women and Girls in Oneida & Herkimer Counties, December
2003—Women’s Fund
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey
Remsen Falls—McKeever
246

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Voluntary 3 4 1 2 2 1 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 0
JD 12 14 10 13 12 10 9 13 16 15 11 7 8 6
PINS 30 36 21 34 43 32 19 18 12 17 12 12 20 21
CPS 33 22 42 36 59 26 17 35 25 17 26 33 22 33
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Family
Family Management
Poor family management practices include a lack of clear expectations for behavior, failure of
parents to monitor their children (knowing where they are and whom they are with), and
excessively severe and inconsistent punishment. Poor family management, as a risk factor, has
been shown to increase the risk of drug use, delinquency, violence, teen pregnancy and school
dropout.
Studies have shown that the strength and warmth in the parent-child relationship is related to
positive outcomes for children including higher self-esteem, better parent-child communication,
and fewer psychological and behavior problems. Conversely, receiving insufficient levels of
parental support can foster feelings of alienation, expressions of hostility and aggression,
diminished self-esteem, and antisocial and risk behaviors.
Foster Care Placements
The chart below shows the number of placements into foster care by source from 1998 to 2011.
The total admissions into foster care have fluctuated during this period of time, peaking in 2002
at 116, and decreasing in 2004 to a low of 48 admissions. Overall, there has been a 23%
reduction in the number of placements during this thirteen-year timeframe.
WHERE WE STAND
Graph 108
247
Herkimer County: Number of Foster Care Admissions by Source: 1998–2011
78 76 74
85
116
69
48
66
54
50 49 52 51
60

Family
Family Management
During 2011, 60 children were admitted into care. Of these, 33 (55%) came from Child
Protective Services (CPS), 21 (35%) were admitted as a Person In Need of Supervision (PINS),
and 6 (10%) were Juvenile Delinquents (JD). Out of the 60 foster care admissions, 36 (60%)
were males, and 24 (40%) were females.
In addition, 27 (45%) of all admissions in 2011 were pre-schoolers, age birth to 5 years, 7 (12%)
were between 6 and 11 years, and 26 (43%) were over 12 years of age.
Herkimer County, when compared to the Rest of the State (ROS = NYS – NYC), had a higher
rate of placements per 1000 children (age 0-18) in 2009: Herkimer County — 2.3 per 1000; Rest
of State – 1.6 per 1000. The median length of stay of those admitted during 2009 was shorter
for Herkimer County (9 months) than for Rest of State (10.4 months), and more as a percentage
exited care within two years in Herkimer County (69%) than in the Rest of State (65%).
Graph 109
Herkimer County Foster Care Admissions Compared to Rest of State
OUTCOME MEASURES
2.3 children per 1000 (39 kids) in the
population (under age 18) entered foster
care for the first time in 2009
(ROS—1.6)
69% of children (27 kids) enter-
ing care for the first time in
2009 exited to a permanent exit
within two years
(ROS—65%)
Median length of stay to any exit: 9
months for 2009 first admissions
(ROS—10.4 months)
15 (38%) exited to
reunification within 2 years
(ROS—45%)
3 (8%) exited to adoption
within 2 years
(ROS—4%)
9 (23%) exited to
relative/KinGAP within 2 years
(ROS—16%)
Source: NYS Office of Children and Family Services
248

Family
Family Management
The chart above illustrates the primary placement type for all youth in care for
Herkimer County and the Rest of State. Since 2007, Herkimer County has had a higher
percentage of children placed in congregate care settings than was evident for the Rest of
State. For the Rest of State, the percentage in congregate care ranged from a high of 33%
during both 2007 and 2008 to a low of 30% in 2011. For Herkimer County, the percentage in
congregate care ranged from a high of 45% during both 2009 and 2010 to a low of 34% in 2011.
Out of Home Placement Census
The graph on the next page illustrates the number of Herkimer County youth that were in an out
of home placement on the last day of the year from December 1991 to December 2011. The
number in placement has been trending down with a 46% overall reduction in census between the
highpoint (May 2003) and December 2011.
The Number of Children in Foster Care Placement at the End of the Month includes the total
number of children residing in any level of Foster Care placement (boarding home, residential or
detention care) on the last day of the month. This number includes children who entered care
due to abuse, neglect, a PINS or Juvenile Delinquency petition, or on a voluntary basis.
Graph 110
249
Source: NYS Office of Children and Family Services & CCRS Data
Primary Placement Type All Ages Herkimer County & ROS
27%
33%
39%
34%
43%
34%
45%
32%
45%
31% 34% 30%
65%
60%
56%
59%
51%
59%
49%
59%
52%
60%
64%
61%
8% 7% 4% 7% 4% 7% 5% 9%
3%
9%
2%
10%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Herkimer
County
ROS Herkimer
County
ROS Herkimer
County
ROS Herkimer
County
ROS Herkimer
County
ROS Herkimer
County
ROS
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Congregate Care Foster Boarding Home Kinship Foster Care

Family
Family Management
Children Re-Entering Foster Care
The chart below depicts the number of children re-entering Foster Care within one year in Herkimer
County & the Rest of State (ROS). In 2010, 28 children were discharged from out of home care
either to reunification with their family (23) or to a relative (5). Of the 23 reunified with their
family, four (17%) returned to care within one year. Of those five (5) discharged to a relative, one
(17%) returned to care within one year. This is similar to the Rest of State.
250
90 92
79
91
77 81
87
95
111
104
97
130
138*
122
86
98
108
96
82
72 71
64
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Youth In Foster Care Placement
Source: Herkimer County Department of Social Services *5/31/03—Highest Recorded Month
Graph 111
Children Re-Entering Foster Care within One Year
Herkimer County & Rest Of State
Graph 112
4 of 23 (17%) exits to
reunification in reentry
(ROS—16%)
1 of 5 (20%) exit to
relative resulted in
reentry
(ROS—17%)
5 of 28 (18%) children re-entered
foster care within one year of 2010
discharge
(ROS—16%)
OUTCOME MEASURE
Source: NYS CCRS Data

Family
Family Management
Support Services for Youth and their Families
As more youth are diverted or discharged from placement, the need for enhanced family and
youth supports in the home, school and community are of critical importance. The chart below
illustrates the number of Preventive & School Intervention Partnership (SIP) referrals received
School Intervention Partnership (SIP) referrals have fluctuated from a low of 89 in 2009 to a
high of 205 in 2011. The highest number of SIP cases opened was 100 in 2011. Preventive
referrals ranged from a high of 167 in 2007 and gradually decreased to a low of 123 in 2011.
The number of Mandated Preventive cases opened also declined during that time from 118 in
2007 to 85 in 2011, and the number of open Mandated Preventive cases at the end of the year
decreased from 104 in 2007 to a low of 49 in 2011.
251
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
# of SIP Referrals 128 115 116 89 127 205
# of SIP Cases Opened 65 64 51 86 74 100
# of Preventative Referrals 139 167 133 132 125 123
# of Mandated Preventatives Cases Opened 103 118 92 89 83 85
# of End of the Year Mandated Preventative
Cases
70 104 94 76 67 49
0
50
100
150
200
250
Preventative and SIP Services Caseload (2006–2011)
Graph 113

Family
Family Management
Runaway & Homeless Youth
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Program (RHYP) serves young people under the age of 21 who
have either run away, been kicked out of their home, or are homeless.
Runaway & Homeless Youth Program Statistics, 2001–2011
Runaway and Homeless Youth Program statistics for 2011 show a decrease from 2010 in the
number of calls received and the number of total intakes (cases opened). The trend continues of
serving older youth (age 18+) who do not have skills to live successfully on their own. Many end
up “couch-surfing” and contact the program when they have exhausted all of their resources.
There are no transitional residential programs in the county, and limited space is available in
neighboring Oneida County. The Runaway and Homeless Youth Program does offer temporary,
emergency shelter in a network of six community volunteer homes, but many older youth opt to
not enter a “host home” because of the 24-hour supervision and household rules. Program staff
work with the youth to obtain housing and provide on-going case management to assist with
stabilizing them.
The RHY Program has a community youth room where youth can come after school for help with
schoolwork or to attend various groups such as anger management or independent living skills
training.
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Calls
Received
86 82 93 110 101 96 103 121 85 92 74
Intakes:
Males 7 19 31 38 26 32 37 37 37 45 27
Females 16 26 35 40 39 51 58 52 42 58 41
Total
Intakes:
23 45 66 78 65 83 95 89 79 103 68
Major Problems Faced:
Parental
Conflict
22 41 79 81 75 71 85 83 65 77 43
Police
Involvement
4 10 14 17 15 13 16 10 17 8 10
School 15 26 34 41 39 62 29 53 53 29 32
Status at Discharge:
With Parent 11 20 32 42 37 40 65 58 33 48 26
Ind. Living 2 4 15 15 14 12 8 10 15 14 11
Friend /
Relative
3 10 8 5 4 16 10 14 24 20 9
Note: Youth can indicate more than one problem. Only the top three discharges are indicated
Source: Runaway and Homeless Youth Program Annual Reports (2001–2011)
Table 131
252

Family
Family Management
Healthy Families of Herkimer County
Herkimer County was selected to receive a grant from the Office of Children and Family
Services in 2007 to fund a Healthy Families program. Selection was made on the basis of
multiple risk indicators present in our communities. These indicators included high teen
pregnancy and birth rates, out of wedlock births, low birth weight infants, Medicaid births and
late or no prenatal care.
The Healthy Families program is voluntary. It is designed as a primary prevention, education and
referral program that strives to provide universal risk screening of all pregnant women, a more
in-depth review of history, strengths and needs for selected families, and intensive, long-term
home visiting for a smaller targeted group of families. The focus for families receiving home
visiting is on reducing parent stress, improving self-sufficiency and maximizing parent/child
interactions.
This program provides a new opportunity to know and understand our resident families in their
formative years. Some factors that put a family and child at risk of abuse and/or neglect and
other poor outcomes include: unmarried status, inadequate income, education under 12 years and
maternal depression.
The information gathered from universal screening and targeted group interventions indicates
that more of our families are now forming under risk conditions than are not. This may have
both social and financial implications for the community. James Heckman, Nobel laureate,
University of Chicago says, “Early advantages accumulate, just as early disadvantages do.” And,
“Schools can only work with what families give them. School comes too late in the life cycle of
child development to be the main locus of remediation for the disadvantaged.”
Healthy Families of Herkimer County: Pregnant Women Screening Data
The Herkimer County Healthy Families Program gathered information as a part of a one-year
universal screening of all pregnant women. It reflects the statistics from women who delivered
babies between September 1, 2011 and August 31. 2012. There are no duplicate screenings and
the data from this survey is from the community at large—no presorted risk pool. This includes
information from 621 women who gave birth during this time period, which could be different
from the birth number because multiple births share the same mother. The universal screening
information is derived from birth abstracts from Herkimer County Public Health & the NYS
Health Information Network (HIN) and the surveys that the women complete.
Of the 621 mothers surveyed, 374 (60%) were Not Married, 109 (18%) had a partner that was
unemployed, 356 (57%) had inadequate income, 45 (7%) had no phone, 120 (19%) had less than
12 years of education, 18 (3%) reported a history of substance abuse, 112 (18%) had late or no
prenatal care, and 128 (21%) were under 21 years of age.
253

Table 132
Family
Family Management
254
Healthy Families of Herkimer County: Program Demographics for Enrolled Participants
The tables below and on the following page illustrate select demographics for families enrolled in
the Healthy Families Program over the five years of program operation. The following are the
dates during which the demographics were collected:
• Year 1: 09/01/2007 — 08/31/2008
• Year 2: 09/01/2008 — 08/31/2009
• Year 3: 09/01/2009 — 08/31/2010
• Year 4: 09/01/2010 — 08/31/2011
• Year 5: 09/01/2011 — 08/31/2012
Education of Primary Caregiver at Enrollment
Three in ten Primary Caregivers (parents) that were enrolled in the Healthy Families Program in
Year 5 had less than 12 years of education upon entry into the program. Four in ten (40%) were
high school graduates or had a GED, and three in ten (30%) had some postsecondary education.
In Year 5, approximately one in four (26%) of the primary caretakers were employed and/or in
an education/training program (25%). If two caretakers were present in the home, at least one
caretaker was working in one out of every two homes (55%).
Employment and Training at Enrollment
Source: Herkimer County Healthy Families Home Visiting Program
Less than 12 Years High School Graduate/GED Postsecondary
Year 1 9 (28%) 16 (50%) 7 (22%)
Year 2 21 (31%) 26 (39%) 20 (30%)
Year 3 28 (35%) 28 (35%) 24 (30%)
Year 4 29 (32%) 31 (34%) 30 (33%)
Year 5 32 (30%) 42 (40%) 31 (30%)
Table 133
Primary
Caretaker 1
Employed
Primary
Caretaker 2
Employed
PC1 or PC2
Employed
PC1 in Educa-
tion/Training
Program
PC2 in Educa-
tion/Training
Program
Year 1 10 (31%) 15 (47%) 20 (63%) 7 (22%) 1 (3%)
Year 2 17 (25%) 29 (43%) 36 (54%) 14 (21%) 2 (3%)
Year 3 17 (21%) 32 (40%) 41 (51%) 20 (25%) 5 (6%)
Year 4 19 (21%) 35 (39%) 44 (49%) 21 (23%) 6 (7%)
Year 5 27 (26%) 42 (40%) 58 (55%) 26 (25%) 8 (8%)

Family
Family Management
255
Primary Caretaker Marital Status at Enrollment
As reflected in the table above, almost nine in ten Primary Caretakers that enroll in the Healthy
Families Home Visiting Program are unmarried at the time of entry into the program.
Over one half of all families enrolled in the Healthy Families Program, however, did have a
biological father in the household (44% in Year 5) or had a partner/other support living in the
household (13% in Year 5). The rate of families with a biological father or other supports in the
home decreased slightly throughout the course of this survey.
Household Composition at Enrollment
Herkimer County Healthy Families Home Visiting Program: Primary Caretaker Issues
The table on the next page depicts the percent of primary caretakers that identified that they
experienced select issues at the point of enrollment and at the end of each program year. The
data is based on self-reported information. Families may be enrolled in the program over
multiple years and progress was measured at the end of each program year enrolled.
After participation over a span of five years, the following variables decreased: mental health
issues (depression and/or other mental illness/disability), stress/emotional difficulties, legal
issues (criminal activity and/or other legal problems), resource issues (financial difficulties/
insufficient income and/or inadequate food, clothing or household goods) and social isolation/
inadequate social support.
Table 133
Married Not Married
Year 1 4 (13%) 28 (87%)
Year 2 7 (10%) 60 (90%)
Year 3 9 (11%) 71 (89%)
Year 4 11 (12%) 79 (88%)
Year 5 13 (12%) 92 (88%)
Biological Father in Household Other Support / Partner in Household
Year 1 16 (50%) 5 (16%)
Year 2 28 (42%) 13 (19%)
Year 3 36 (45%) 12 (15%)
Year 4 42 (47%) 10 (11%)
Year 5 46 (44%) 14 (13%)
Table 134

Table 135
Family
Family Management
Herkimer County Healthy Families Home Visiting Program:
Primary Caretaker Issues
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Issues
At
Enroll-
ment
Year
End
At
Enrollment
Year
End
At
Enrollment
Year
End
At
Enrollment
Year
End
At
Enrollment
Year
End
Mental Health 47% 46% 40% 43% 37% 42% 35% 21% 20% 19%
Stress/Emotional
Difficulties
94% 76% 61% 56% 49% 90% 57% 34% 34% 26%
Legal Issues 16% 10% 5% 7% 5% 6% 6% 0% 1% 1%
Resource Issues 91% 91% 90% 86% 74% 87% 76% 68% 56% 33%
Social Isolation/
Inadequate Social
Support
53% 34% 24% 23% 23% 48% 21% 10% 13% 14%
Domestic Violence 3% 1% 1% 4% 3% 0% 3% 1% 7% 4%
Marital/
Relationship
Difficulties
3% 1% 1% 4% 3% 0% 3% 1% 7% 4%
Homelessness/
Inadequate
Housing
38% 30% 26% 29% 28% 48% 22% 21% 16% 9%
256
Woodhull Lake

Family
Family Management
Vulnerable Adults — Protective Services for Adults
Protective Services for Adults (PSA) helps adults, 18 years or older, who may need protection
because they can (1) no longer care for themselves and, thus, are endangered or (2) they are
being abused or threatened by others.
The graph below shows for 2001 to 2011 three workload indicators: (1) the number of
information and referral calls (minus fuel emergency calls); (2) the number of referrals
regarding concerns of homelessness; and (3) the number of Protective Services for Adults
assessments that assess risk. As depicted in the graph, since 2006, there has been a steady
increase in both the number of information and referral calls and the number of referrals for
homelessness. In fact, since 2006, the information and referral calls increased almost
threefold from 102 to 303, and the homelessness referrals increased tenfold from 18 to 181.
The two graphs on the next page provide information on the total population of open Protective
Services for Adults (PSA) cases from 2001 through 2011. The first graph looks at the percent
with certain impairments, and the second shows the percent with certain risks or unmet needs.
257
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
# of Information & Referral 93 67 76 80 149 102 183 181 233 269 303
# of Homeless Referrals 11 13 10 19 22 18 26 46 70 145 181
# of PSA Assessments 145 143 114 135 123 119 100 101 90 88 101
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
Adult Protective Services Workload (2001–2011)
Graph 114

The graph above indicates the prevailing impairment of this population has been medical in
nature. In 2011, 52% of the impairments were medical, 17% of the impairments were
Alzheimer’s/Dementia, and one in five (19%) involved mental illness. The graph below shows that
in 2011, 35 percent of the open PSA cases had neglected their own needs; 17 percent had an
untreated medical condition; and 26 percent were living in unsafe accommodations
(environmental hazards).
Family
Family Management
258
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Medical 41% 48% 43% 54% 50% 47% 59% 36% 56% 47% 52%
Mentally Ill 23% 18% 16% 17% 14% 18% 10% 17% 6% 14% 19%
Developmentally Delayed 12% 16% 9% 9% 11% 11% 7% 16% 8% 7% 8%
Alzheimer's/Dementia 15% 26% 21% 19% 21% 24% 21% 29% 21% 27% 17%
Substance/Abuse 6% 1% 4% 2% 4% 1% 1% 2% 10% 5% 1%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Protective Services for Adults by Impairment
Graph 115
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Neglect of Their Own Needs 49% 56% 61% 66% 60% 49% 54% 40% 36% 36% 35%
Untreated Medical Condition 14% 8% 15% 10% 13% 9% 9% 10% 19% 19% 17%
Self-Endangering Behavior 10% 8% 3% 4% 9% 10% 7% 14% 18% 17% 16%
Unable to Managa Finances 18% 20% 8% 7% 6% 10% 13% 10% 3% 9% 6%
Environmental Hazards 10% 9% 14% 13% 12% 21% 16% 26% 25% 20% 26%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Protective Services for Adults by Type of Risk of Harm/Unmet Need
Graph 116

Family
Family Management
259
Homelessness
Housing is a basic need and is essential to the well being of individuals, families and the
community. Those that come to the Department of Social Services for assistance and indicate
they are housing insecure are referred to a caseworker. If it is a single individual, they are
referred to a caseworker from Adult Protective Services. In the case of a family, they are
referred to a caseworker from Preventive Services. The next two graphs show the number of
individuals referred each month for housing assistance between 2008 and 2012.
As seen in the graph above, the number of homeless individuals referred to Adult Protective
Services increased significantly in August and September of 2010. During 2008, 2009 and the
first half of 2010, the number rose above ten only once. In August 2010, it jumped up to 23 and
each month since then, except for four times, it has been above ten, and nine times it has been
above 15.
The number of homeless families referred to Preventive Services also increased in 2010.
Overall the numbers are much lower, however, than those seen in Adult Protective Services.
0
5
10
15
20
25
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Total Number of Monthly Homeless Referred to
Adult Protective Services (2008–2012)
Graph 117

Family
Family Management
DATA SOURCES
There was a significant increase in 2011 when there were 14 homeless referrals in May and 10 in
August, but the numbers went down again in 2012 when no more than three families per month
were referred as housing insecure.
Child Trends Databank
Herkimer County Healthy Families Home Visiting Program
Herkimer County Runaway and Homeless Youth Program
Herkimer County Teen Assessment Project Survey
New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Program Improvement Plan Data
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Total Number of Homeless Referred to
Preventive Services (2008–2012)
Graph 118
260

Family
Family Conflict
WHERE WE STAND
Persistent and serious conflict between primary caregivers or between caregivers and children
increases risk factors for children. Conflict between family members appears to be more
important than family structure. Whether two biological parents, a single parent, or some other
primary caregiver heads the family, children raised in families high in conflict appear to be at
risk.
Child abuse is linked to an increased risk of substance abuse, eating disorders, obesity,
depression, suicide, and sexual promiscuity later in life. Child abuse or neglect is often
associated with physical injuries, delayed physical growth, and even neurological damage. Child
maltreatment is also associated with psychological and emotional problems such as aggression,
depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Women who were victims of physical assault as
children are twice as likely to be victims of physical assault as adults. Victims of child
maltreatment are more likely than others to abuse children themselves in adulthood. (Source:
Child Trends Databank)
Child Protective Services
One indicator of family conflict is the number of child abuse and neglect reports. The State
Central Registry (SCR) is the New York State central hotline for people to report suspicions of
child abuse or neglect. Once a call is made to the SCR, the report is transferred to the county
of origin for an investigation.
The graph on the next page shows the number of Child Protective Services (CPS) reports
received in Herkimer County from 2001 to 2011. Over this period the trend has been upwards,
and in 2011 Herkimer County received 979 CPS reports, the highest number yet.
Based on data from New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), there were
1038 children involved in Herkimer County CPS reports in 2011, this represents some 7.3% of
the total population of children under age 18 (14,200). Compared to the “Rest of State,” which
is all of New York State minus New York City, this is a high rate. For the ROS, the percentage
of children in CPS reports was 5.6% in 2011.
Also based on OCFS data, Herkimer County when compared to ROS over the last three years has
had a lower indication rate, which is the percentage of all determined reports that are indicated.
For Herkimer County the rate from 2009 to 2011 has been at or under 25%; and for ROS it has
been at 27%.
261

Family
Family Conflict
As seen in the first graph on the next page, the majority of CPS reports received involve
neglect. Overall, CPS neglect reports have risen by 16%, between 2001 and 2011. CPS reports of
sexual abuse have also been trending upward during the period from 2001 to 2011, although,
since 2007, the number has decreased from a high of 110 reports down to 92 in 2011. On
average, about 10% of all CPS reports involve allegations of sexual abuse. The number of
physical abuse reports has consistently been much lower than sexual abuse reports. As the
graph shows, it is generally in the single digits. However, there appears to be a minor spike
during 2010 and 2011 when there were nine (9) and eleven (11) physical abuse reports
respectively.
The second graph on the next page illustrates the number of abuse or neglect petitions filed by
the Department of Social Services in Family Court. The number of abuse or neglect petitions
increased from 46 to a high of 71 between 2001 and 2007. Since 2007 the number of petitions
filed steadily decreased so by 2011 there were just 46, matching the number seen in 2001.
The number of children placed due to concern for their safety has fluctuated since 2001, from a
low in 2002 of just 16 to a high of 35 in 2005. Over the eleven years (2001–2011) on average
about 25 children each year were placed into out of home care due to CPS protective removals.
262
803 805
745 754
839 820
879
964
928 938
979
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Child Protective Services Reports (2001–2011)
Graph 119

Family
Family Conflict
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
# of Abuse/Neglect Petitions
Filed in Family Court
46 52 48 62 59 61 65 71 50 47 46
# of Children Placed due to
Protective Removals
23 16 28 17 35 25 16 23 34 22 32
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Child Protective Services (2001–2011)
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Physical Abuse 2 10 6 4 1 3 4 5 4 9 11
Sexual Abuse 45 98 66 69 77 82 110 100 104 103 92
Neglect 756 697 673 681 761 735 765 859 820 826 876
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Child Protective Services Report Types
Graph 121
263
Graph 120

Family
Family Conflict
Recurrence of Maltreatment
A national performance measure for child welfare services, as well as a measure for family
conflict, is the rate of “Recurrence of Maltreatment,” which measures the percent of children
that were victims in an indicated report of child abuse or neglect during a six month period that
were then victims again in another indicated report within six months.
As the graph above illustrates, the percent of recurrence has fluctuated considerably in
Herkimer County, due mostly to low numbers, during the past five years from a low of 2.3% to
the most recent percentage high of 14.5%. The median for Herkimer County is 9.7%, which is
below the median percentage for the rest of state (ROS) at 13.6%, but above the national
standard, which is set at 5.4% or less
264
Sept.
'07
Mar. '08
Sept.
'08
Mar. '09
Sept.
'09
Mar. '10 Sept. '10 Mar. '11 Sept. '11
Herkimer County 10.6% 13.5% 2.3% 14.2% 9.7% 7.3% 9.4% 4.6% 14.5%
Rest of State 13.7% 12.8% 13.5% 13.6% 14.1% 13.2% 14.3% 13.2% 13.6%
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12.0%
14.0%
16.0%
Recurrence of Maltreatment
(National Standard = 5.4%)
Graph 122

Family
Family Conflict
Family Re-Reporting Rate
A similar performance measure for child welfare services and family conflict is the “Family
Re-Reporting Rate.” Like the “Recurrence of Maltreatment,” this measures repeat involvement
in child protective services (CPS) reports; however, there are several differences.
The graph below shows the percent of all families, not child victims, of any CPS report, not just
indicated reports, during the first six months of 2009 (January-June) that then are
subsequently involved in another CPS report in six month intervals over the course of two years.
What is evident from the graph is that the percentage increases over time until well over half
(56%) are again involved in a CPS report after two years. Also evident is that the Family
Re-Reporting Rate in Herkimer County is similar to the rate for the ROS, though slightly higher.
265
6 Months 12 Months 18 Months 24 Months
Herkimer County 25.7% 40.6% 49.2% 53.4%
Rest of State 25.4% 42.3% 51.0% 56.0%
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
Family Re-Reporting Rate
(January 2009–June 2009)
Graph 123

Family
Family Conflict
Graph 124
Domestic Violence
The graph below illustrates the number of domestic violence arrests by category for 2009
through 2011. Over this time period, total domestic violence arrests, and in particular arrests
for simple assault, have increased by 20% and 21% respectively.
Domestic Violence Arrests in Herkimer County—2009 to 2011
The table on the next page depicts the annual statistics for the Herkimer County Domestic
Violence Program at Catholic Charities for the years 2001–2011. There has been a significant
increase in the number of calls made to the Domestic Violence Hotline during this time period.
These numbers have increased steadily since 2002, when there was a low of 188 calls made, until
2009, when a high of 1680 calls were made. Call volume declined in 2010 and 2011, but remains at
over 1200 per year. The number of adult victims of domestic violence receiving services has
remained over 400 since 2004. The Director of the Program attributes some of these increases
to the growing awareness about their services.
During this period there continues to be a consistent demand for program services. One area
that there does seem to be on the increase is teenagers receiving services for their own
relationships due to dating violence. There continues to be a need for the Domestic Violence
offender to be held accountable, and for affordable alternative housing for DV victims.
266
Source: DCJS, Uniform Crime Reporting system (as of 4/30/12)
2009 2010 2011
Vio. Prot. Order 15 9 13
Sex Offense 9 13 10
Simple Assault 167 163 213
Agg. Assault 18 10 18
Total 209 195 254
0
50
100
150
200
250
300

Family
Family Conflict
Domestic Violence Program Annual Statistics (2001–2011)
Teen Dating Violence
Based on the 2009 Herkimer County Teen Assessment Project (TAP) Survey, 6% of 7th
graders,
7% of 9th
graders, and 10% of 11th
graders reported they had been hit, slapped or physically
hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year.
When compared to national data from the Center for Disease Control Youth Risk Behavior
Survey, fewer 9th
graders as a percentage experience such abuse locally than found nationally
(Herkimer County – 7%; U.S. – 9%), whereas for 11th
graders it was the same at 10% both locally
and nationally.
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Calls to
domestic violence
twenty-four
hour hotline
221 188 334 342 460 1425 1365 1245 1680 1526 1209
Adult Victims
of domestic
violence receiving
services
374 374 399 459 508 489 434 421 449 411 412
Child victims/
witnesses of
domestic violence
receiving services
76 86 50 86 87 66 76 81 87 59 49
Children
sheltered in
Safe House
27 57 14 27 26 29 21 18 21 19 16
Assistance with
emergency orders
of protection
and/or custody
68 88 21 33 34 111 102 78 184 174 164
Reports made by
Domestic Violence
Program staff to
NYS Child Abuse
and Neglect
Hotline
19 14 12 17 13 3 2 6 18 13 18
Source: Herkimer County Domestic Violence Program
267
Table 136

Family
Family Conflict
Conflict in the Home
The Herkimer County Teen Assessment Project (TAP) Survey includes several questions that
broach the issue of possible conflict in the home environment. The responses to two of the
questions are illustrated in the graph below. When asked how much they worry about getting
along with their parents, the percent of teens that said they worry a “fair amount” to “a lot”
went from 52% in 1997 to 59% in 2001. About 58% said they had this level of concern in 2005,
but by 2009 the percent that worried a “fair amount” to “a lot” dropped to only 32% of all teens.
When asked how much they worry about how well their parents get along with each other, the
percentage of teens who worried a “fair amount” to “a lot” about this increased from 35% in
1997 to 53% in 2001. In 2005, the percentage remained 53% and in 2009, the percent of
teens who worry about how well their parents related to one another dropped significantly to
only 28%.
In another question, youth were asked if an adult in their home had made a serious threat in the
past year to another family member, including themselves. In 2009, 8% said yes; whereas, 18%
indicated yes in 2005. A related question asked youth if they had been physically hurt by an
adult at home in the past year, and, as the graph on the next page shows, the percentage of
teens that indicated they had been hurt increased from 5% in 1997 to 13% in 2005 and then
dipped down to 9% in 2009.
Graph 125
268
Percent of Teens That Said They Worry a Fair Amount to a Lot About…
Source: Herkimer County Teen Assessment Project (TAP) Survey
52%
35%
59%
53%
58%
52%
32%
28%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Getting Along With
Their Parents
How Well Their Parents
Get Along
2009 2005 2001 1997

Family
Family Conflict
The TAP Survey also asks a question about how safe youth feel in their home. As illustrated in
the chart below, more seventh and ninth graders appear to be concerned about home safety
than eleventh graders (5%, 6% versus 3%). Also, females seem more likely to be concerned for
their safety than males (6% versus 3%).
I feel safe in my home.
Herkimer County TAP Survey results also found that for those teens that indicated they felt
unsafe at home in contrast to those that said they felt safe, they were over twice as likely to
have felt unsafe at school (59% versus 23%); three times more likely to have missed school
because they felt unsafe (35% versus 12%); and were over three times more likely to have felt
unsafe in their community (58% versus 31%).
269
Total 2009
1997 2001 2005 2009 Male Female 7th
9th
11th
Strongly Agree 58.9% 61.3% 64.2% 67.9% 70.0% 66.0% 70.5% 65.3% 68.0%
Agree 34.3% 33.8% 29.8% 27.1% 26.3% 28.3% 24.5% 28.9% 28.6%
Disagree 3.0% 2.7% 3.8% 3.4% 2.1% 4.3% 3.7% 3.5% 2.5%
Strongly
Disagree
3.7% 2.2% 2.2% 1.5% 1.6% 1.4% 1.3% 2.2% 0.9%
N = 2275 2151 2174 1875 867 978 616 678 553
Table 138
3%
6%
8%
5%
2%
5% 5%
4%
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
1997 2001 2005 2009
Percent of Teens That Said They Have Been Physically Hurt by
an Adult at Home in the Past Year
Once More Than Once
Graph 126

Family
Family Conflict
In addition, youth that felt unsafe at home were much more likely to have smoked cigarettes
(53% versus 30%), drank alcohol (60% versus 49%), used marijuana (40% versus 21%), or tried
cocaine (18% versus 5%); and more likely to have seriously considered suicide (50% versus 19%)
and actually attempted suicide (34% versus 10%).
Family, School and Community Integration and the Relationship to Risk Behaviors
2009 TAP Survey
In another analysis done with the results of the 2009 Herkimer County TAP Survey, the
Herkimer Oneida Counties Comprehensive Planning Program looked at the percentage of youth
that appeared to experience positive integration with their family (94%), with their school
(87%) and with their community (80%). In short, they were deemed to experience positive
integration in these respective settings if they felt safe at home, in school or in their
community, and if they felt adults in these settings cared for them. What was found is that
youth with negative integration patterns were more likely than those with positive integration
patterns to participate in various risk behaviors. In addition, youth with positive community
integration were the least likely to participate in many risk behaviors, and in fact, it was a
better predictor of risk behavior avoidance than was family or school integration for all
examined behaviors except suicide and depression.
Additional information regarding the analysis is listed below.
Premise: Youth involved in bullying and violent behavior toward others lack family integration.
They tend to be the same youth that appear in family court and other legal jurisdictions in need
of services. These kids seem to come from troubled families and homes.
Question 1: Do teens that have negative family integration tend to be more involved in risk
behaviors than teens with positive family integration ?
Question 2: Do teens that have positive family integration tend to be less involved in risk
behaviors than teens with positive school and community integration ?
Measurement Tool: Simple measures of family integration, school integration and community
integration were constructed as follows:
• Family—The responses to whether a youth felt safe at home and whether they felt
they could turn to their parents if they had a serious personal problem were combined
to create a dichotomy for positive and negative family integration.
• School—The responses to whether a youth felt safe at school and whether they felt
teachers in their school cared about them were combined to create a dichotomy for
positive and negative school integration.
• Community—The responses to whether a youth felt safe in their community and
whether they felt adults in their community valued and cared about them were
combined to create a dichotomy for positive and negative community integration.
270

Family
Family Conflict
Findings: Based on these integrations measures, then, the following relationships were observed:
• There was no relationship to the strength of integration into families, schools or the
community based on sex or grade/age. Similar percentages of youth were positively
integrated in each grade and regardless of whether they were male or female as with
the general population.
• Parents/Families had the highest rate of overall positive integration at 94%. Schools
had the next highest level of overall positive integration among teens at 87%.
Communities had a positive integration rate of 80%.
• Generally, youth with negative integration patterns are more likely to participate in
various risk behaviors.
• Youth with positive community integration were least likely to participate in many risk
behaviors. In fact, positive community integration was a better predictor of risk
behavior avoidance than was family or school integration for all examined behaviors
except suicide and depression.
The table below illustrates the relationship between select youth risk behaviors and negative
integration patterns with family, school and community. As the table shows, youth that exhibit
negative integration in these areas are much more likely to participate in various risk behaviors.
Youth Risk Behaviors and Their Relationship to
Family, School and Community Integration
271
Issue
Negative Family
Integration
Negative School
Integration
Negative Community
Integration
Feel Bullied 2X as likely 2.5X as likely 2.5X as likely
Bullied Others 2X as likely 2X as likely 2X as likely
Had Violent
Relationship with
Girlfriend/Boyfriend
3X as likely 2.5X as likely 2X as likely
Source: Herkimer County Teen Assessment Project (TAP) Survey, with further analysis
done by the Herkimer-Oneida Counties Comprehensive Planning Program
Table 138

Catholic Charities Domestic Violence Program Annual Statistics
Child Trends Databank
DCJS, Uniform Crime Reporting System
http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/crimnet/ojsa/domestic-violence-data.html
Herkimer County Teen Assessment Project (TAP) Survey
NYS Office of Children and Family Services
Family
Family Conflict
DATA SOURCES
272

Family
Parental Attitudes & Family Norms
Parental attitudes and behaviors influence the attitudes and behavior of children. Children of
parents who approve or excuse the children for breaking the law are more likely to develop
problems. Children whose parents engage in violent behavior inside or outside the home are at
greater risk for exhibiting violent behaviors. Parental approval of a child’s moderate drinking,
even under parental supervision, increases the risk of the use of alcohol and other drugs.
Parents that monitor their children’s behavior, hold them accountable for their actions, and are
generally engaged in their children’s lives help to protect them against involvement in problem
behaviors.
There are several questions from the Herkimer County Teen Assessment Project Survey that
examine the relationship that teens feel they have with their parents. By looking at their
responses from the last three TAP Surveys in 2001, 2005, and 2009 it appears that most youth
have a good relationship with their parents.
WHERE WE STAND
273
Graph 126
68%
55%
81%
88%
86%
67%
51%
80%
87%
84%
67%
54%
83%
88%
84%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
….set clear rules for me
to follow
….discipline or punish
me when I break the rules
….know my friends
….ask me where I'm going
when I go out
….are interested & encourage
me in my school work
2009 2005 2001
Teens That Said Their Parents Either Often or Always. . .

Family
Parents, for the most part, seem to be monitoring their children’s behavior, holding them
accountable and are generally engaged in their children’s lives. For example, when asked if their
parents set clear rules for them to follow, the percent of teens that said that they did often or
always, versus never or occasionally, was 68% in 2001, 67% in 2005, and 67% again in the most
recent survey in 2009. And, the percent that said their parents often or always disciplined or
punished them when they broke the rules was 55% in 2001, 51% in 2005, and 54% in 2009—a
slight drop which then increased almost to the previous level.
There are several other questions that explore whether parents are engaged in their children’s
lives, and based on their children’s response to these question, it appears that the great
majority of parents are engaged. The 2009 TAP Survey results indicated that 83% of parents
often or always know their teen’s friends; 88% often or always ask them where they are going
when going out; and 84% often or always encourage them in their schoolwork. These numbers
are very similar to the results of the previous survey.
According to how teens responded in both the 2001 and 2005 TAP Survey, fewer than
half (45%) of parents talked at least sometimes to their children about the dangers of drinking,
smoking, using drugs; in 2009 the number remained relatively stable at 44%. In past surveys,
just over a third (35%, 37%) reported that their parents talked at least sometimes to them
about being sexually active; in 2009 that number increased slightly to 38%.
Graph 127
274
53%
37%
46%
54%
35%
45%
50%
38%
44%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
. . . their familiy's history, faith,
and/or values
. . . the risks of being sexually active
. . . the risks of smoking, drinking,
or taking drugs
Percent of Teens That Said That Their Parents at Least
Sometimes Talk to Them About . .
2009 2005 2001

Family
The degree to which teens appear to be concerned about getting along with their parents has
increased since 1997, but seems fairly level since 2001. In 1997 about 72% of all teens worried
at least a little about how they got along with their parents.
By 2001, this percentage had increased to as much as 79% of all teens. In the 2005 TAP Survey,
78% of all teens said they were at least a little concerned about how well they were relating to
their parents. However, of the teens who took the survey in 2009, the number who worried
about getting along with their parents dropped to 55%.
Almost 80% of all teens in 2005 said they could turn to their parents with a serious problem,
this number remained steady for the 2009 survey. This percentage remains just under 80%
regardless of gender or age. What is interesting to note, however, is that when asked who they
generally talk to when they have a problem, most said a friend, though the percentage relying on
friends has decreased (1997—53%, 2001—49%, 2005—47%, 2009—48%), and fewer said their
parent, though that percentage has increased (1997—21%, 2001—22%, 2005—24%, 2009—
24%).
A question was asked about what teens did when faced with a serious problem, with a focus on
thoughts about suicide. Disturbingly, the results from the 2009 survey show a dramatic
decrease in the number of youth who talk to their parent or another caring adult when they had
thoughts of committing suicide. These numbers were low in 1997 (2%) and in 2001 (1%) but
Graph 129
35%
14%
53%
22%
52%
23%
28%
18%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
. . . How well their parents get along
with each other
. . . That their parents drink or use drugs
Percent of Teens That Said They Worry A Fair Amount or a Lot About . .
2009 2005 2001 1997
275

increased to 7% in 2005. In 2009, less than 1% of teens indicated they would talk to a parent
or another caring adult when thinking about suicide. The number who said they would talk to a
friend had been decreasing (1997—7%, 2001—5%, 2005—3%) but remained at slightly over 3%
in the 2009 survey.
Youth appear to be increasingly worried about how well their parents got along with each other.
Thirty five percent (35%) of all teens worried about their parents’ relationship to one another in
1997, but slightly more than half (53% and 52% respectively) worried about this in 2001 and
2005. This number dropped to 46.7% in the 2009 survey. Youth also appear to be concerned
about whether their parents are using drugs or alcohol. About one in four teens (23%) said they
were worried a fair amount or a lot about parental use of drugs or alcohol in 2005, up from 14%
that were concerned in 1997. In the 2009 survey, this number increased again to 29%.
Finally, more youth seem to feel safe at home. The percent that indicated that they strongly
agreed with the statement that they feel safe in their home has steadily increased (1997—59%,
2001—61%, 2005—64%, 2009—68%). While overall the number of teens who felt safe at home
had not changed significantly (93% in 1997, 94% in 2005, and 95% in 2009), the strength of
their sense of being safe HAS in fact significantly increased. When asked in 1997 if they
agreed with the statement that they felt safe at home, about 59% stated that they strongly
agreed with that statement. In 2005, the number of students that strongly agreed with that
statement was 64%. The number who strongly agreed in 2009 was 68%—another increase. This
represents a significantly stronger sense of home safety in the 2009 TAP Survey for teens than
in previous surveys.
Family Meals
According to the Child Trends Data Bank, research has shown a positive relationship between
frequent family dinners and positive teen behavioral outcomes. Teens who regularly have meals
with their family not only get better nutrition and develop healthier eating habits, they also are
less likely to get into fights, think about suicide, smoke, drink, use drugs, and are more likely to
have later initiation of sexual activity, and better academic performance than teens who do not.
Even after controlling for family connectedness, more frequent family meals have been found to
be associated with less substance use, fewer depressive symptoms, and less suicide involvement,
and with better grades.
Based on the Herkimer County TAP Survey, the percentage of teens in 7th
, 9th
and 11th
grades
that said they sit down to dinner with their family at least five times a week decreased from
47% in 2001 to 43% in 2005. That number remained stable at 43% for 2009. According to a
national survey by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia
University, the percentage of 12- to 17-year-olds that said they ate dinner with their families at
least five times weekly increased from 47% in 1998 to 58% in 2005. So, over these last several
years whereas nationally the percentage of adolescents that eat dinner together with their fam-
ilies at least five times per week increased, in Herkimer County it has decreased.
Family
276

Herkimer County Teen Assessment Project (TAP) Surveys, 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2009
Family
DATA SOURCES
277

• The 2008–2010 American Community Survey (ACS) estimates that 65.6% of all households in
Herkimer County are comprised of families. Half of all families (49.5%) are traditional two-
parent families, a decline from 51.2% in 2000. This percentage is higher than both NYS and
US percentages.
• Female-headed families with no male present have increased as a percent of all families in
Herkimer County, from 10.3% in 2000 to approximately 12% in 2008–2010. This percentage
is lower than both NYS and US percentages. Male householders comprise 5% of all
households in Herkimer County according to the 2008-2010 ACS, which is higher than the
percentage found in NYS and the US.
• The 2008-2010 ACS reports that 28% of all households in Herkimer County have someone in
the household that is 65 years old or over, which is higher than in both NYS and the US.
• The structure of families in Herkimer County has changed over the last 50 years, as
reflected in U.S. Census data from 1960 to 2010. A steady decline can be seen in the
percentage of two-parent families in each ten year period, while the percentage of single-
parent families, both female- and male-headed, have steadily increased.
• Herkimer County has seen an increase of unwed women giving birth as a percentage of total
live births for each year since 2007. In 2007, 41% of all live births were to unwed mothers;
In 2010, the percentage rose to 51%, more than half of all births recorded.
• The divorce rate per 1,000 persons in Herkimer County is about 3.3, which is just under the
rate for New York State (3.4 per 1,000) and well below the rate for the US (4.95 per 1,000).
• As reported in the 2008–2010 American Community Survey, Herkimer County has seen a
decline in the percentage of children below the age of 18 that have all parents in the labor
force (from 69.0% in 2000 to 60.6% in 2008-2010 for children under age 6, and from 74%
to 69.1% for children ages 6 to 17). During this time period, NYS percentages for both age
groups have increased. When compared to New York State and the US, children below the
age of six in Herkimer County are less likely to have their parents working. Percentages are
relatively similar for HC, NYS and the US for the 6 to 17 year old age group.
• The 2008–2010 ACS reports that a higher percentage of seniors live with others or alone in
Herkimer County (with others 29.7%, alone 13.1%) than in NYS (with others 26.3%, alone
10.5%) or the US (with others 24.9%, alone 9.4%).
• Since 1960, the total County population has decreased by 1,851 while the senior population
has increased by 3,434. The percentage of seniors, as a portion of the total County
population, increased from 17% in 1960 to 23% with the 2010 Census. Also, during this time
period, the number of those aged 85 and older has more than tripled.
• In Herkimer County, approximately 2.9% (1,064) of all persons are grandparents co-residing
with their grandchildren. This is similar to other upstate counties but below the percentage
for both New York State (3.5%) and for the U.S. (3.7%).
• Of those grandparents that live with their grandchildren in Herkimer County, 47.5% (505
grandparents) care for their grandchildren; this is above the NYS and US percentage (31.4%
and 40% respectively).
Family
278

Family Management
• The total admissions into foster care in Herkimer County have fluctuated between 1998 and
2011, peaking in 2002 at 116, and decreasing in 2004 to a low of 48 admissions. Overall,
there has been a 23% reduction in the number of placements during this thirteen-year
timeframe.
• During 2011, 60 children were admitted into care. Of these, 33 (55%) came from Child
Protective Services (CPS), 21 (35%) were admitted as a Person In Need of Supervision
(PINS), and 6 (10%) were Juvenile Delinquents (JD).
• Out of the 60 foster care admissions, 36 (60%) were males, and 24 (40%) were females.
27 (45%) of all admissions in 2011 were pre-schoolers, age birth to 5 years, 7 (12%) were
between 6 and 11 years, and 26 (43%) were over 12 years of age.
• Herkimer County, when compared to the Rest of the State (ROS = NYS – NYC), had a higher
rate of placements per 1000 children (age 0-18) in 2009: Herkimer County — 2.3 per 1000;
Rest of State – 1.6 per 1000. The median length of stay of those admitted during 2009 was
shorter for Herkimer County (9 months) than for Rest of State (10.4 months), and more as a
percentage exited care within two years in Herkimer County (69%) than in the Rest of State
(65%).
• The number of Herkimer County youth that were in an out of home placement on the last day
of the year from December 1991 to December 2011 has been trending down, with a 46%
overall reduction in census between the highpoint (May 2003) and December 2011.
• School Intervention Partnership (SIP) referrals have fluctuated from a low of 89 in 2009 to
a high of 205 in 2011. The highest number of SIP cases opened was 100 in 2011. Preventive
referrals ranged from a high of 167 in 2007 and gradually decreased to a low of 123 in 2011.
• The number of Mandated Preventive cases opened also declined from 118 in 2007 to 85 in
2011, and the number of open Mandated Preventive cases at the end of the year decreased
from 104 in 2007 to a low of 49 in 2011.
• Three in ten Primary Caregivers (parents) that were enrolled in the Healthy Families Program
in Year 5 had less than 12 years of education. Four in ten (40%) were high school graduates
or had a GED, and three in ten (30%) had some postsecondary education.
• In Year 5, approximately one in four (26%) of the primary caretakers enrolled in the Healthy
Families Program were employed and/or in an education/training program (25%). If two
caretakers were present in the home, at least one caretaker was working in one out of every
two homes (55%).
• The Herkimer County Healthy Families Program gathered information as a part of a one-year
universal screening of all women who delivered babies between September 1, 2011 and August
31. 2012. Of the 621 mothers surveyed, 374 (60%) were Not Married, 109 (18%) had a
partner that was unemployed, 356 (57%) had inadequate income, 45 (7%) had no phone,
120 (19%) had less than 12 years of education, 18 (3%) reported a history of substance
abuse, 112 (18%) had late or no prenatal care, and 128 (21%) were under 21 years of age.
• Almost nine in ten Primary Caretakers that enroll in the Healthy Families Home Visiting
Program are unmarried at the time of entry into the program.
•
Family
279

• Between 2006 and 2011, Adult Protective Services has seen a steady increase in both the
number of information and referral calls and the number of referrals for homelessness. In
fact, since 2006, the information and referral calls increased almost threefold from 102 to
303, and the homelessness referrals increased tenfold from 18 to 181.
Family Conflict
• The number of Child Protective Services (CPS) reports received in Herkimer County between
2001 to 2011 have been trending upwards, and in 2011 Herkimer County received 979 CPS
reports, the highest number yet.
• Based on data from New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), there
were 1038 children involved in Herkimer County CPS reports in 2011, this represents some
7.3% of the total population of children under age 18 (14,200). Compared to the “Rest of
State,” which is all of New York State minus New York City, this is a high rate. For the ROS,
the percentage of children in CPS reports was 5.6% in 2011.
• Herkimer County, when compared to the ROS over the last three years, has had a lower
indication rate, which is the percentage of all determined reports that are indicated. For
Herkimer County the rate from 2009 to 2011 has been at or under 25%; and for ROS it has
been at 27%.
• CPS neglect reports have risen by 16%, between 2001 and 2011. CPS reports of sexual abuse
have also been trending upward during the period from 2001 to 2011, although, since 2007,
the number has decreased from a high of 110 reports down to 92 in 2011. The number of
physical abuse reports has consistently been much lower, it is generally in the single digits.
However, there appears to be an increase during 2010 and 2011 when there were nine (9) and
eleven (11) physical abuse reports respectively.
• The number of abuse or neglect petitions filed by DSS in Family Court increased from 46 to
a high of 71 between 2001 and 2007. Since 2007 the number of petitions filed steadily
decreased so by 2011 there were just 46, matching the number seen in 2001.
• The median for Recurrence of Maltreatment in Herkimer County is 9.7%, which is below the
median percentage for the rest of state (ROS) at 13.6%, but above the national standard,
which is set at 5.4% or less
• The Family Re-Reporting Rate for families involved in a CPS report increases over time until
well over half (56%) are again involved in a CPS report after two years. The Herkimer
County percentage is similar to the Rest of State (ROS) average.
• Between 2009 and 2011, total domestic violence arrests, and in particular arrests for simple
assault, have increased by 20% and 21% respectively.
• There has been a significant increase in the number of calls made to the Domestic Violence
Hotline between 2001 and 2011. These calls have increased steadily since 2002, when there
was a low of 188 calls made, until 2009, when a high of 1680 calls were made. Call volume
declined in 2010 and 2011, but remains at over 1200 per year. The number of adult victims
of domestic violence receiving services has remained over 400 since 2004.
Family
280

• Based on the 2009 Herkimer County Teen Assessment Project (TAP) Survey, 6% of 7th
graders, 7% of 9th
graders, and 10% of 11th
graders reported they had been hit, slapped or
physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year.
• The 2009 TAP Survey also asks a question about how safe youth feel in their home. More
seventh and ninth graders appear to be concerned about home safety than eleventh
graders (5%, 6% versus 3%). Also, females seem more likely to be concerned for their
safety than males (6% versus 3%).
• Herkimer County TAP Survey results also found that for those teens that indicated they
felt unsafe at home in contrast to those that said they felt safe, they were over twice as
likely to have felt unsafe at school (59% versus 23%); three times more likely to have missed
school because they felt unsafe (35% versus 12%); and were over three times more likely to
have felt unsafe in their community (58% versus 31%).
• In another analysis done with the results of the 2009 Herkimer County TAP Survey, youth
that were identified to experience negative integration patterns (did not feel safe at home,
in school or in their community, and felt adults in these settings did not care for them) were
more likely than those with positive integration patterns to participate in various risk
behaviors. In addition, youth with positive community integration were the least likely to
participate in many risk behaviors, and in fact, it was a better predictor of risk behavior
avoidance than was family or school integration for all examined behaviors except suicide and
depression.
• According to the 2001 and 2005 TAP Survey, fewer than half (45%) of parents talked at
least sometimes to their children about the dangers of drinking, smoking, using drugs; in
2009 the number remained relatively stable at 44%. In past surveys, just over a third (35%,
37%) reported that their parents talked at least sometimes to them about being sexually
active; in 2009 that number increased slightly to 38%.
• Youth appear to be increasingly worried about how well their parents get along with each
other. Thirty five percent (35%) of all teens worried about their parents’ relationship to one
another in 1997, but slightly more than half (53% and 52% respectively) worried about this
in 2001 and 2005. This number dropped to 46.7% in the 2009 survey. Youth also appear to
be concerned about whether their parents are using drugs or alcohol. About one in four
teens (23%) said they were worried a fair amount or a lot about parental use of drugs or
alcohol in 2005, up from 14% that were concerned in 1997. In the 2009 survey, this number
increased again to 29%.
• Based on the Herkimer County TAP Survey, the percentage of teens in 7th
, 9th
and 11th
grades that said they sit down to dinner with their family at least five times a week
decreased from 47% in 2001 to 43% in 2005 and 2009. According to a national survey by
the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, the
percentage of 12- to 17-year-olds that said they ate dinner with their families at least five
times weekly increased from 47% in 1998 to 58% in 2005.
Family
281

Economic Security
Income & Employment
If people are not earning a high enough wage to support themselves and their non-income earning
dependents (such as children, or elders), they must either live without some basic necessities or
they must depend on some type of public assistance. Each of those alternatives has a negative
impact on the economy. Jobs that pay below a livable wage, on balance, are not likely contributing
to economic growth.
Source: Maine Marks 2003
Many seniors are having difficulty meeting their most basic living expenses. According to the
2000 Census, 10.8% of seniors aged 65 and older were living at or below the poverty level. The
poverty level for 2012 is $930/month. The longer a person lives, the more likely they are to
outlive their savings and to see their incomes eroded by inflation. When fuel bills escalate as we
have seen in the past few years, these seniors are at high risk. Seniors also tend to have health
problems and high medical and prescription drug costs. These kinds of issues put seniors in a
very vulnerable position.
In 2008-2011, U.S. median household income is $51,222; New York State, $55,117; and Herkimer
County, $42,383. Full-time, year-round female workers earn 75¢ on the dollar as compared to
male workers locally and nationally contribute to the feminization of poverty.
According to the Herkimer-Oneida Counties Comprehensive Planning Programs (HOCCPP), income
increases are only as good as their ability to outpace rising costs of living. Matching the rising
costs of living only allows a family to maintain a level of fiscal consistency, not provide an
increased ability to save for major purchases or to prepare for any unexpected costs. Growth of
income in terms of its real buying power probably provides a more accurate picture of the
financial health of families. Income growth for each quintile was compared to the Consumer
WHERE WE STAND
Herkimer County New York State United States
2005 2005 20052008–2010* 2008–2010* 2008–2010*
Median H.H. Income $32,924 $42,383 $43,393 $55,217 $41,994 $51,222
Per Capita Income $16,141 $22,090 $23,389 $30,791 $21,587 $26,942
<$10,000 11.4% 8.8% 11.5% 8.2% 9.5% 7.4%
<$25,000 38.2% 29.7% 29.6% 23.7% 28.6% 9.0%
$100,000+ 3.7% 9.9% 15.3% 25.1% 12.3% 20.6%
Source: HOCCPP, ACS 2008–2010
282
Table 139
Median Income: Herkimer County, New York State, and United States
* 2008–2010 Estimates

Income & Employment
283
Table 140
2010
Income
Rank
2000
Income
% Change
New York State $30,791 $23,389 31.7%
Albany $30,863 10 $23,345 32.2%
Allegany $20,058 60 $14,975 33.9%
Bronx $17,575 62 $13,959 25.9%
Broome $24,314 28 $19,168 26.8%
Cattaraugus $20,824 56 $15,959 30.5%
Cayuga $22,959 40 $18,003 27.5%
Chautauqua $21,033 54 $16,840 24.9%
Chemung $23,457 35 $18,264 28.4%
Chenango $22,036 49 $16,427 34.1%
Clinton $22,660 44 $17,946 26.3%
Columbia $31,844 8 $22,265 43.0%
Cortland $22,078 48 $16,622 32.8%
Delaware $22,928 41 $17,357 32.1%
Dutchess $31,642 9 $23,940 32.2%
Erie $26,378 21 $20,357 29.6%
Essex $24,390 26 $18,194 34.1%
Franklin $19,807 61 $15,888 24.7%
Fulton $23,147 39 $16,844 37.4%
Genesee $24,323 27 $18,498 31.5%
Greene $23,461 33 $18,931 23.9%
Hamilton $29,965 12 $18,643 60.7%
Herkimer $21,908 50 $16,141 35.7%
Jefferson $21,823 51 $16,202 34.7%
Kings $23,605 32 $16,775 40.7%
Lewis $20,970 55 $14,971 40.1%
Livingston $22,923 42 $18,062 26.9%
Madison $24,311 29 $19,105 27.2%
Monroe $26,999 20 $22,821 18.3%
Montgomery $22,347 45 $17,005 31.4%
Nassau $41,387 3 $32,151 28.7%
New York $59,149 1 $42,922 37.8%
Niagara $24,224 30 $19,219 26.0%
Oneida $23,458 34 $18,516 26.7%
Onondaga $27,037 19 $21,336 26.7%
Ontario $28,950 14 $21,533 34.4%
Orange $28,944 15 $21,597 34.0%
Orleans $20,812 57 $16,457 26.5%
Oswego $21,604 53 $16,853 28.2%
Otsego $22,902 43 $16,806 36.3%
Putnam $37,915 4 $30,127 25.9%
Queens $25,553 23 $19,222 32.9%
Rensselaer $27,457 18 $21,095 30.2%
Richmond $30,843 11 $23,905 29.0%
Rockland $34,304 6 $28,082 22.2%
Saratoga $32,186 7 $23,945 34.4%
Schenectady $27,500 17 $21,992 25.0%
Schoharie $25,105 24 $17,778 41.2%
Schuyler $22,123 47 $17,039 29.8%
Seneca $21,818 52 $15,728 38.7%
St. Lawrence $20,143 59 $17,630 14.3%
Steuben $23,279 37 $18,197 27.9%
Suffolk $35,755 5 $26,577 34.5%
Sullivan $23,422 36 $18,892 24.0%
Tioga $24,596 25 $18,673 31.7%
Tompkins $25,737 22 $19,659 30.9%
Ulster $28,954 13 $20,846 38.9%
Warren $27,744 16 $20,727 33.9%
Washington $22,347 46 $17,958 24.4%
Wayne $24,092 31 $19,258 25.1%
Westchester $47,814 2 $36,726 30.2%
Wyoming $20,605 58 $17,248 19.5%
Yates $23,255 38 $16,781 38.6%
Source: ??
Income
Photos: Parker’s Ilion Clapsaddle Farm, View of the Adirondack Park, and Dolgeville
Farmers’ Market.

Economic Security
Income & Employment
Table 141
Area 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
2010
Rank
2009-10 Change
Percent Rank
New York 34,623 35,476 35,448 36,264 38,660 41,108 44,567 47,852 49,408 46,824 48,596 3.6
Albany 33,165 35,123 34,875 36,060 37,619 38,905 40,923 43,311 45,129 44,533 45,764 8 2.7 49
Allegany 19,012 19,809 19,930 20,334 21,326 22,270 23,147 24,132 26,658 25,948 26,953 62 3.7 23
Bronx 19,433 20,687 21,579 22,259 23,752 24,438 26,162 28,284 29,133 29,287 30,551 53 4.1 17
Broome 25,234 25,700 26,053 26,031 27,391 27,701 29,391 31,748 33,799 33,558 34,334 31 2.3 58
Cattaraugus 20,779 22,771 23,656 24,660 25,805 26,569 27,552 29,417 31,459 31,938 33,508 40 4.7 12
Cayuga 22,519 24,083 24,732 25,989 27,247 27,132 27,906 30,272 31,865 31,078 32,176 44 3.4 31
Chautauqua 21,175 21,988 21,837 22,607 24,007 24,910 26,021 27,773 29,950 29,306 30,543 54 4.1 19
Chemung 24,306 24,533 24,253 24,751 26,043 27,787 29,195 31,064 33,385 32,467 34,104 34 4.8 7
Chenango 21,287 22,813 23,098 23,713 25,429 26,335 27,174 28,671 30,617 30,367 31,792 48 4.5 15
Clinton 22,518 24,000 24,365 25,160 26,311 27,177 28,434 30,699 32,225 32,397 33,521 39 3.4 32
Columbia 28,293 28,672 28,091 28,902 31,473 32,407 34,108 36,547 39,253 38,023 39,490 17 3.7 24
Cortland 22,011 22,467 22,613 23,296 24,556 24,972 25,876 27,450 29,280 29,082 30,477 55 4.6 14
Delaware 21,671 22,699 22,810 23,552 24,985 25,971 26,757 27,974 29,494 29,846 31,323 51 4.7 11
Dutchess 31,384 32,834 32,209 33,058 34,796 36,788 39,269 42,255 44,012 42,367 43,730 9 3.1 38
Erie 27,690 28,465 28,963 30,140 31,612 32,354 34,284 36,576 38,437 37,961 39,369 18 3.6 28
Essex 22,078 23,061 23,394 24,185 26,017 26,772 27,717 29,491 31,652 31,728 33,088 41 4.1 18
Franklin 18,863 19,946 20,073 20,715 21,966 22,965 24,211 25,751 27,570 27,661 28,726 59 3.7 25
Fulton 23,868 24,878 25,360 26,772 28,218 28,605 29,865 31,334 32,832 32,867 33,997 35 3.3 33
Genesee 24,071 25,079 25,264 26,132 26,996 27,919 28,813 30,527 32,469 31,766 32,940 42 3.6 29
Greene 23,596 24,895 25,077 26,717 27,629 28,414 29,829 31,411 34,500 34,155 36,665 26 6.8 2
Hamilton 23,400 24,969 26,046 26,953 28,563 30,084 31,157 33,711 37,514 37,621 39,105 19 3.8 22
Herkimer 21,408 22,569 22,695 23,243 24,610 25,459 26,349 27,824 30,054 30,556 32,082 45 4.8 9
Jefferson 22,672 23,846 24,843 26,655 28,890 31,237 34,542 36,612 39,646 40,684 42,661 11 4.6 13
Kings 24,532 25,307 25,689 26,329 28,485 29,534 31,901 34,656 36,555 36,065 37,527 24 3.9 21
Lewis 19,397 20,331 21,284 21,949 23,346 24,357 25,434 27,237 29,471 29,468 31,335 50 6.0 5
Livingston 22,715 23,081 23,519 24,292 25,272 26,084 26,870 28,608 30,317 29,697 30,706 52 3.3 35
Madison 25,111 25,862 25,650 26,136 27,098 28,044 28,868 30,475 32,026 31,463 32,341 43 2.7 47
Monroe 30,826 32,133 32,432 32,789 34,493 35,792 37,594 39,686 42,104 40,562 42,083 12 3.6 27
Montgomery 24,027 24,959 25,719 26,633 27,450 27,951 29,055 30,561 31,524 31,311 31,887 46 1.8 61
Nassau 46,974 49,364 49,020 50,136 52,618 56,639 61,044 65,934 68,918 64,124 65,615 3 2.3 57
New York 83,947 82,435 81,001 81,708 87,764 98,994 112,102 118,768 118,293 104,384 111,386 1 6.3 3
Niagara 24,419 25,029 25,443 26,535 26,981 28,074 29,623 31,464 32,759 32,811 33,613 38 2.4 55
Oneida 24,137 24,906 24,956 25,670 27,177 28,168 29,543 31,714 33,716 33,546 34,560 30 2.9 42
Onondaga 28,549 29,039 29,610 30,667 31,870 33,181 34,947 37,490 39,443 38,539 39,611 16 2.7 48
Ontario 28,182 29,208 28,664 29,537 31,291 32,378 34,080 36,735 39,004 38,462 39,730 15 3.2 37
Orange 27,762 29,166 28,963 29,835 31,315 32,766 34,390 36,659 38,304 37,335 38,399 20 2.8 45
Orleans 20,620 20,914 20,953 21,719 22,775 23,893 24,772 26,038 27,624 27,628 28,381 60 2.7 50
Oswego 21,416 21,875 22,491 23,130 23,850 24,776 25,813 27,397 28,842 29,105 29,997 57 3.0 41
Otsego 21,510 22,363 22,342 23,451 24,867 25,736 27,303 28,458 31,266 30,606 31,700 49 3.5 30
Putnam 38,673 39,739 39,339 40,496 42,899 44,687 48,170 52,306 54,037 50,944 52,273 4 2.5 51
Queens 27,894 28,843 29,023 29,923 31,909 33,123 35,590 38,890 40,256 38,962 40,285 14 3.3 36
Rensselaer 27,344 28,464 29,018 29,555 30,922 31,826 33,372 35,277 37,242 37,112 37,956 22 2.2 59
Richmond 34,089 35,223 35,201 35,950 37,996 39,755 42,454 45,988 47,908 46,101 47,444 7 2.8 44
Rockland 40,764 40,721 40,749 41,131 44,352 46,022 49,593 53,450 53,862 50,773 52,030 5 2.4 52
St. Lawrence 19,614 20,424 20,590 21,436 22,548 23,056 24,096 25,536 27,250 26,894 27,809 10 3.3 34
Saratoga 30,562 31,365 31,426 32,566 34,554 36,923 39,586 41,085 43,087 42,403 43,428 13 2.4 56
Schenectady 29,136 30,919 30,821 31,932 34,368 34,604 35,958 38,139 41,023 39,794 41,025 33 3.0 39
Schoharie 23,316 23,585 23,278 24,112 25,513 26,499 27,612 29,586 32,480 32,628 34,120 37 4.4 16
Schuyler 21,749 22,428 22,766 23,865 25,243 26,808 27,870 29,768 32,075 32,071 33,873 36 5.3 6
Seneca 22,941 22,867 22,950 23,593 25,112 26,008 27,268 28,935 31,716 31,188 33,886 61 8.0 1
Steuben 28,519 27,726 26,099 26,276 27,915 29,899 33,517 33,988 35,673 35,198 37,447 25 6.0 4
Suffolk 36,910 37,424 37,181 37,766 40,529 43,023 46,509 50,755 52,085 48,791 49,994 6 2.4 53
Sullivan 25,495 26,274 26,630 27,496 29,064 30,117 30,781 32,486 35,130 34,738 35,764 27 2.9 43
Tioga 23,724 24,488 24,321 24,620 26,152 27,508 29,340 31,257 33,586 33,694 34,327 32 1.8 60
Tompkins 23,859 24,803 25,134 26,557 27,986 28,347 29,769 32,018 34,927 33,881 34,713 28 2.4 54
Ulster 25,539 26,757 26,543 27,280 28,899 30,488 32,790 35,053 37,300 36,696 37,741 23 2.8 46
Warren 26,803 27,664 28,235 28,871 30,562 31,382 32,806 34,364 37,446 36,753 38,147 21 3.7 26
Washington 21,354 21,934 22,032 22,909 24,575 25,855 26,600 28,120 30,614 30,573 31,825 47 3.9 20
Wayne 24,759 25,615 25,477 26,740 27,835 28,856 30,286 32,231 33,994 33,618 34,649 29 3.0 40
Westchester 54,600 55,736 54,554 55,455 60,186 64,805 71,559 77,165 77,741 71,857 73,159 2 1.8 62
Wyoming 19,423 20,591 21,371 22,316 24,067 25,326 25,721 27,422 28,878 27,773 29,150 58 4.7 10
Yates 20,349 20,748 20,515 20,868 22,683 24,025 24,694 26,513 29,155 28,817 30,259 56 4.8 8
New York State Counties Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars), 2000–2010
Note: Per capita personal income was computed using Census Bureau midyear population estimates. Estimates for 2000-2010 reflect county population estimates available as of
April 2012. All state and local area dollar estimates are in current dollars (not adjusted for inflation).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Regional Economic Information System 1969–2010. April 2012.
Prepared by Empire State Development, NYS Data Center, June 2012.284

Economic Security
Income & Employment
Median
Household Income
Median
Family Income
Per Capita
Income
2000* 2008–2010 2000* 2008–2010 2000* 2008–2010
City
Little Falls $31,367 $34,473 $45,264 $50,521 $19,815 $23,860
Towns
Columbia $48,111 $57,163 $57,412 $62,024 $20,406 $22,485
Danube $41,641 $38,382 $42,538 $40,000 $17,764 $17,714
Fairfield $52,491 $50,121 $58,989 $56,016 $20,422 $23,944
Frankfort $50,259 $44,472 $57,058 $54,479 $21,883 $22,609
German Flatts $42,894 $41,348 $51,543 $50,868 $19,463 $21,360
Herkimer $37,647 $31,141 $55,360 $44,681 $22,527 $18,478
Litchfield $55,501 $57,250 $63,807 $63,958 $21,506 $23,623
Little Falls $50,882 $55,972 $56,795 $67,167 $26,678 $27,351
Manheim $41,556 $45,969 $51,087 $53,724 $20,194 $23,860
Newport $48,820 $45,375 $55,329 $59,850 $22,308 $21,350
Norway $48,060 $49,271 $53,990 $60,250 $20,151 $23,603
Ohio $39,021 $38,603 $47,992 $54,583 $17,854 $21,811
Russia $46,580 $49,853 $53,463 $57,500 $22,987 $23,567
Salisbury $42,497 $40,694 $47,622 $44,485 $16,547 $18,618
Schuyler $46,301 $48,172 $55,627 $54,386 $23,828 $21,772
Stark $41,253 $39,938 $45,215 $50,972 $18,492 $19,844
Warren $47,836 $43,750 $51,200 $45,104 $18,115 $19,395
Webb $46,518 $50,083 $56,956 $53,558 $26,059 $29,153
Winfield $46,580 $51,146 $56,073 $61,875 $22,001 $25,249
* 2000 incomes have been adjusted for inflation
Source: HOCCPP/U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census
Table 142
Median Income In Herkimer County by Household, Family and Per Capita Income
285

Price Index (CPI) maintained by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A measurement of “real” in-
come growth can be observed to show that there are considerable disparities in the way each
quintile has experienced the last 40 years of income growth.
According to HOCCPP, from 1960–1980 “provided for true real income growth for all families
within Herkimer County. While those families in the middle and upper middle groups (3rd
and 4th
quintiles) saw real income growth in excess of 50%, each quintile saw their purchasing power
grow. The group experiencing the least growth was, in fact, those making the most money—those
families in the top quintile. They experienced real income growth of about 28%.” 1980–2000 saw
a shift in real income growth, HOCCPP found, “families in the top quintile were the only ones to
see an increase in real income in excess of what they experienced from 1960 to 1980. Again, this
is even more so the case if you look at the families in the top 1% of the income brackets. “The
Top Quintile experienced a growth of 40.6% from 1980–2000 and the Top 1% saw an increase of
42.9% for that period. Compared to a 28.1% & 16.2% growth respectively during the previous
twenty years. Compare this to the growth of the bottom two quintiles of 0.3% for Herkimer
County’s poorest families and 8% for the Second Quintile.
HOCCPP found that while all families in Herkimer County have experienced growth in their real
income, “this growth has been considerably different during the last half of that period, and
considerably different depending on whether a family was on the bottom of the income ladder or
on its top most rungs.”
Economic Security
Income & Employment
Source: HOCCPP/U.S. Census Bureau, 1960–2000 Censuses
Graph 129
Bottom
Quintile
2nd
Quintile
3rd
Quintile
4th
Quintile
Top
Quintile
Top 1%
Income
1960-1980 31.9% 39.6% 52.1% 59.2% 28.1% 16.2%
1980-2000 0.3% 8.0% 17.0% 28.7% 40.6% 42.9%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Real Income Growth by Herkimer County
Families
(1960-2000)
286

The Census Bureau released a report on Household Income Disparity in US Counties which shows
how each county in the U.S. ranks on the Gini Index. The Gini Index is a summary measure of
income inequality. As an index, it only has a value between 0 and 1. A value of “0” would mean
that every household had the same exact income; a value of “1” would mean that income was con-
centrated solely in a single household.
Nationally the value ranges from 0.645 in East Carroll Parish in Louisiana, to 0.207 in Loving
County in Texas. This would mean that the place where the most disparity or inequality of in-
come exists is East Carroll, LA and the county where the most equity exists is in Loving County,
TX.
In Herkimer and Oneida Counties, the Gini Index is 0.411 and 0.432 respectively. The two coun-
ties are in the middle of the range of inequity.
Economic Security
Income & Employment
287
Herkimer County
Households Families
Married-
couple
Families
Nonfamily
Households
Total Types of HHs,
Families, Etc.
26,291 17,396 13,272 8,895
Income Level
Less than $10,000 7.7% 3.5% 0.9% 17.2%
$10,000 to $14,999 7.1% 3.2% 2.1% 15.6%
$15,000 to $24,999 13.5% 10.4% 7.1% 21.0%
$25,000 to $34,999 13.9% 13.1% 10.6% 16.7%
$35,000 to $49,999 15.2% 16.8% 16.5% 11.6%
$50,000 to $74,999 20.3% 24.6% 28.1% 9.5%
$75,000 to $99,999 11.8% 13.9% 16.4% 6.2%
$100,000 to $149,000 7.8% 10.7% 13.5% 1.7%
$150,000 to $199,999 1.8% 2.6% 3.3% 0.1%
$200,000 or more 0.9% 1.2% 1.6% 0.4%
Median Income $42,318 $53,288 $60,578 $22,604
Mean Income $52,516 $61,939 $70,289 $30,990
Table 143Herkimer County Income Levels by Family Type
Source: HOCCPP/U.S. Census Bureau, 2006–2010 ACS, Table S1901

Economic Security
Income & Employment
288
Unemployment & Wages
The unemployment rate is defined as the percentage of unemployed persons in the labor force.
To be in the labor force, an individual must be 16 years of age or older and either working or
actively looking for work, regardless of whether the individual is collecting Unemployment
Insurance or not.
The unemployment rate is by residence. For example, the unemployment rate for Herkimer
County is the percentage of Herkimer County residents that are unemployed out of the number
of Herkimer County residents in the labor force. It doesn’t matter where the residents work,
but only where they reside.
Unemployment rate data from 1990 through 2012 shows...
Compared with New York State,
• Herkimer County’s unemployment rate was better (lower) than that of New York
State from 2000–2004 and again from 2009-2010, but was worse than the state rate
in all other years in this time period.
Compared with the United States,
• Herkimer County’s unemployment rate was better (lower) than that of the United
States from 2001–2003 and 2009–2011, but was worse than the United States rate in
all other years in this time period.
It appears the national recession and the effects of 9/11/2001 affected New York State and
the United States unemployment rates more than it affected Herkimer County’s rates in the
2000–2004 and 2009-2011 time periods.
Beardslee Castle—Town of Manheim

Economic Security
Income & Employment
Source:NYSDepartmentofLabor
289
19901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012
HerkimerCounty6.1%9.0%8.8%7.7%6.7%7.0%6.7%6.7%5.9%5.2%4.3%4.5%5.4%5.7%5.6%5.3%5.1%5.0%6.2%8.0%8.5%8.4%8.8%
NewYorkState5.3%7.3%8.6%7.9%6.9%6.4%6.3%6.5%5.7%5.2%4.5%4.9%6.2%6.4%5.8%5.0%4.6%4.5%5.4%8.3%8.6%8.2%8.6%
UnitedStates5.6%6.8%7.5%6.9%6.1%5.6%5.4%4.9%4.5%4.2%4.0%4.7%5.8%6.0%5.5%5.1%4.6%4.6%5.8%9.3%9.6%8.9%8.1%
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
UnemploymentRates1990–2012
Graph130

Unliketheunemploymentrate,“AverageAnnualWagesofPublicandPrivateIndustryEmployeesCoveredbytheNewYork
StateUnemploymentInsurance”isbyplaceofworkinsteadofbyplaceofresidence.Forexample,privatesectoremployees
whoworkedinHerkimerCountyin2011,hadanaverageannualwageof$31,723.Thisisanimportantstatisticbecauseit
showstheaveragewageofpublicandprivatesectorjobsinthecounty.
Ofthecomparable-sizedcounties,Herkimerhadthelowestaverageannualwageeachyearfrom2000–2011.Only3counties
hadalower2000–2011growthrateinwagesthanHerkimerCounty’swagegrowthof35.9%percent:LivingstonCounty
(+34.4%),WarrenCounty(+35.1%)andWashingtonCounty(+35.1%).
Economic Security
Income & EmploymentAverageAnnualWagesofPublic&PrivateIndustryEmployees
CoveredbyNYSUnemploymentInsuranceNewYorkState&Selected
Counties2000–2011
290
County200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011
Columbia$26,889$27,934$28,720$29,273$31,371$31,192$32,055$33,482$33,900$34,277$36,422$37,337
Genesee$24,932$25,818$25,841$26,049$26,956$28,921$30,425$31,373$32,237$32,950$33,808$35,046
Livingston$25,650$26,677$27,151$27,704$28,930$29,493$30,537$31,890$33,392$32,731$33,692$34,486
Madison$25,273$25,837$27,554$28,739$29,426$29,650$29,871$31,231$33,151$33,586$34,808$34,934
Otsego$25,584$25,995$26,437$26,862$27,867$28,480$30,950$32,642$34,660$35,310$35,810$36,643
Warren$26,795$27,016$28,269$28,676$29,468$30,924$32,041$33,087$34,172$34,867$35,505$36,190
Washington$28,779$29,760$30,401$30,886$32,237$33,836$34,096$34,736$35,691$36,325$37,559$38,887
Herkimer$23,341$24,216$25,150$25,126$26,041$27,135$28,012$29,043$29,566$30,180$30,950$31,723
MohawkValley
Region
$26,256$27,189$27,872$28,577$29,562$30,269$31,883$33,240$34,487$35,082$35,825$36,511
NewYorkState
MinusNYC
$35,171$36,237$36,875$37,919$39,366$40,496$42,518$44,232$45,462$45,749$46,858$47,821
NewYorkState$45,358$46,729$46,328$47,266$49,953$51,941$55,478$59,499$60,384$57,794$60,263$61,768
Source:NYSDepartmentofLabor,QuarterlyCensusofEmploymentandWages
Table144

Economic Security
Income & Employment
Industry
Number of
Firms
Employment Total Payroll
Avg.
Annual Pay
Total Private: 1,157 11,917 $361,563,994 $30,340
Natural Resources, Mining & Construction 161 656 $29,071,908 $44,317
Manufacturing 56 2,446 $104,052,468 $42,540
Trade, Transportation & Utilities 255 2,918 $88,452,089 $30,313
Information 21 126 $5,544,197 $44,002
Financial Activities 83 396 $13,111,076 $33,109
Professional & Business Services 119 610 $21,243,350 $34,825
Private Educational & Health Services 132 2,382 $63,433,660 $26,630
Leisure & Hospitality 186 1,832 $26,144,984 $14,271
Other Services 125 548 $10,433,963 $19,040
Unclassified 21 5 $76,299 $15,260
Total Government: 117 4,359 $154,757,606 $35,503
Federal 20 106 $5,196,739 $49,026
State 7 197 $12,416,070 $63,026
Local (includes Public Schools) 90 4,056 $137,144,797 $33,813
All Industries 1,274 16,276 $516,321,600 $31,723
Source: New York State Department of Labor, Research and Statistics Division.
Industry
Change
2006-2011
% Change
2006-2011
Total Private: -438 -3.5%
Natural Resources, Mining & Construction -55 -7.7%
Manufacturing -456 -15.7%
Trade, Transportation & Utilities -62 -2.1%
Information -182 -59.1%
Financial Activities -75 -15.9%
Professional & Business Services 47 8.3%
Private Educational & Health Services 240 11.2%
Leisure & Hospitality 166 10.0%
Other Services -2 -0.4%
Unclassified -22 -81.5%
Total Government: -205 -4.5
Federal -18 -14.5%
State -10 -4.8%
Local (includes Public Schools) -177 -4.2%
All Industries -643 -3.8
Table 145Types of Employment—Herkimer County Industries 2011
291
Herkimer County Industries Change from 2006-2011
Table 146

Economic Security
Income & Employment
Empire State Development, NYS Data Center
http://esd.ny.gov/NYSDataCenter.html
Herkimer-Oneida Counties Comprehensive Planning Program.
Maine Marks, 2003
New York State Department of Labor
U.S. Census Bureau
DATA SOURCES
292
Pinksters in flower along the Spruce Lake Channel
The tables on the previous page show the types of employment in Herkimer County in 2008 & the
amount of change in employment by sector from 2003 to 2008. Employment in both Private &
Government sectors decreased between 2003 & 2008. The sector with the largest decrease
was the Information sector, followed by the Unclassified sector. The sector with the largest
increase was the Professional & Business Services sector.
Private industry makes up 71.8% of employment and 68.7% of total payroll in Herkimer County.
Trade, Transportation & Utilities is the largest employment sector in Herkimer County followed
by the Manufacturing sector. The Manufacturing sector also has the highest average annual pay
of any private employment sector.

Economic Security
Poverty (Extreme Economic Deprivation)
Economic deprivation—lack of income—is a standard feature of most definitions of poverty. But
this in itself does not take into account of the myriad of social, cultural and political aspects of
the phenomenon. Poverty is not only deprivation of economic or material resources but a violation
of human dignity too.
Indeed, no social phenomenon is as comprehensive in its assault on human rights as poverty.
Poverty erodes or nullifies economic and social rights such as the right to health, adequate
housing, food and safe water, and the right to education. The same is true of civil and political
rights, such as the right to a fair trial, political participation and security of the person. This
fundamental recognition is reshaping the international community’s approach to the next
generation of poverty reduction initiatives.
Federal Poverty Guidelines
In January or February of each year the federal
government releases an official income level for
poverty called the Federal Poverty Income
Guidelines, and often informally referred to as
the “Federal Poverty Level”. The benefit levels of
many low-income assistance programs are based
on these poverty guidelines.
Most researchers agree that the poverty line
income is not sufficient to support most working
families. Basic family budgets, individualized for
communities nationwide and for type of family
(e.g., one parent/one child, two parents/two
children) offer a more realistic measure of the
income required to have a safe and decent
though basic standard of living. Economic Policy
Institute.org On an average, families need an
income equal to about two times the federal
poverty guideline to meet their most basic needs.
Families at or below this level are referred to as
low-income.
WHERE WE STAND
Year
One
Person
Four Person
Family
2012 $11,170 $23,050
2011 $10,890 $22,350
2010 $10,830 $22,050
2009 $10,830 $22,050
2008 $10,400 $21,200
2007 $10,210 $20,650
2006 $9,800 $20,000
2005 $9,570 $19,350
2004 $9,310 $18,850
2003 $8,980 $18,400
2002 $8,860 $18,100
2001 $8,590 $17,650
2000 $8,350 $17,050
1999 $8,240 $16,700
Federal Poverty Levels 1999–2012
Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
293
Table 147

As of the 2008-2010 American Community Survey, 18.2% of Children under the age of 18 and
11.4% of Adults (18-64) in Herkimer County live below the Federal Poverty level. This translates
to one out of every ten families (10.3%) in Herkimer County living in poverty. which in 2012 would
be a family of four earning $23,050 or less annually.
More than 1,500 families were determined to
be living below the poverty threshold in the
2000 Census. Just over 500 were married-
couple families and 800 were single-parent
households. As many as 24% of single-
parent families live below poverty. Among male
-headed single-parent families (with no female
present), just over 7% live in poverty. Among
female-headed single-parent families (no male
present) the rate is more than 31%.
Economic Security
Percent of Herkimer County Persons
Living Below Poverty
1990, 2000, 2008–10
1990 2000 2008–10
Children (<18) 16.8% 16.1% 18.2%
Adults (18-64) 14.8% 11.7% 11.4%
Seniors (65+) 13.9% 10.4% 10.4%
Table 148
Source: 1990–2000 Censuses & ACS 2008–2010
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census & ACS 2008–2010
Graph 131 Percent of Each Family Type in Poverty
Herkimer County 2000 v. 2006–2008
294

According to the
1950-2000
Census
Retrospective
produced by the
Herkimer-Oneida
Counties
Comprehensive
Planning Program
(HOCCPP), the
vast majority of
female-headed
families in
poverty in
Herkimer County
have children
present. HOCCPP observed that, “In 1970, about 7 out of 10 of single mom families (71%) had
children under the age of 18 present in the home.
Economic Security
Graph 133
295
60.4%
93.2% 91.4%
71.5%
93.0%
82.7%
27.7%
47.0%
40.7%
50.5%
31.8% 33.5%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Married Couples Male Headed
(no female present)
Female Headed
(no male present)
Married Couples Male Headed
(no female present)
Female Headed
(no male present)
2000 2008-2010
Percent of Herkimer County Families in Poverty
With Children in the Home
With Children Present,
Any Age
With Children,
< Age 5
Graph 132
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census & American Community Survey 2008-2010
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1970–2000 Censuses & 2008–2010 American Community Survey
71%
86% 88% 91%
83%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1970 1980 1990 2000 2008–2010
Herkimer County Female Headed Households in Poverty
with Children Present in the Home 1970–2010

Economic Security
By 2000, that number is closer to 9 out of 10 such families (91%). Census 2000 data shows that
about half of these female-headed families with children (45%) have young children, under the
age of 5, present.
Foregoing Necessities
According to the 2005 HCHN Community Survey, those who could not pay for necessities
because of a lack of money were forced to choose where to spend their money:
• 13% Were Unable to Visit a Doctor
• 11% Were Unable to receive Dental Services
• 7% Were Unable to obtain Prescription Drugs
• 7% Went Without Utilities
• 6% Utilized a Food Pantry or Meal Site
• 4% Had Difficulty Maintaining a Place to Live
The overwhelming majority of Herkimer County residents answered that they, or anyone in their
immediate family, had not gone without food for 24 hours in the last month. 2% did admit that
they or a member of their immediate family did go without food in the last month.
Cannot Pay for Necessities Because of Lack of Money
Graph 134
Source: Zogby 2005, HCHN Community Survey
296
6%
7%
11%
13%
7%
4%
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
Visited food
pantry
meal site
Couldn't obtain
prescription
drugs
Couldn't receive
dental
services
Unable to visit
doctor
Went
without utilities
Difficulty
maintaining
place to live

Economic Security
85% of those that did go without food, answered that it was due to not being able to afford
groceries.
50% of those who went
without food because of not
being able to afford
groceries live in the
northern region of Herkimer
County and have less than a
high school education.
297
Graph 135
Yes, 2%
No, 98%
Gone Without Food for 24 Hours in the Past
Month due to Lack of Food
Town of Webb Snowmobile Trails

The percentage of those in poverty in Herkimer County varies by age and geographic location, as
reflected in the following two tables.
Economic Security
298
Table 149
Poverty
Population in
Poverty Under
Age 5
Population in
Poverty Under
Age 18
Population in
Poverty Over
Age 64
Population
for Whom
Poverty
Was
Determined
Total
Persons
in
Poverty
# in
Poverty
As %
of All
those
Under
Age 5
# in
Poverty
As %
of All
those
Under
Age
18
# in
Poverty
As %
of All
those
Over
Age
64
City
Little Falls 4,873 885 14 8.0% 354 32.6% 85 9.4%
Towns
Columbia 1,709 128 36 27.1% 185 29.9% 20 11.0%
Danube 1,267 390 7 20.6% 121 44.0% 6 4.8%
Fairfield 1,669 114 5 5.2% 153 31.7% 8 5.6%
Frankfort 7,507 914 132 24.3% 647 33.0% 207 16.9%
German Flatts 13,263 1,745 105 12.3% 1,260 32.7% 128 7.0%
Herkimer 9,238 1,846 114 20.9% 835 32.9% 264 15.6%
Litchfield 1,611 92 88 57.5% 221 41.8% 18 10.3%
Little Falls 1,420 136 44 56.4% 158 37.4% 31 13.0%
Manheim 3,307 241 15 11.3% 209 27.9% 79 15.8%
Newport 2,239 244 6 5.2% 298 38.2% 30 7.4%
Norway 919 45 3 4.6% 82 25.1% 4 6.3%
Ohio 928 151 6 100.0% 88 40.0% 8 7.4%
Russia 2,500 237 45 35.4% 250 34.1% 26 8.2%
Salisbury 1,925 278 0 0.0% 177 35.3% 27 9.6%
Schuyler 3,395 200 0 0.0% 309 32.5% 26 3.8%
Stark 776 21 24 54.5% 119 39.1% 12 9.1%
Warren 1,131 142 0 0.0% 87 29.4% 16 8.1%
Webb 1,553 44 18 47.4% 77 27.0% 0 0.0%
Winfield 1,913 229 11 10.5% 218 33.1% 42 13.2%
Poverty by Herkimer County Cities & Towns

2005 Herkimer County HealthNet Community Survey, Zogby International
Economic Policy Institute
http://www.epi.org/
U.S. Census Bureau
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Economic Security
DATA SOURCES
299

Economic Security
Economic Assistance for Basic Needs
The children in families receiving AFDC/TANF are subjected to an unstable environment, at
least at that time, which may indicate that other risk factors are present in the home. Note:
AFDC was discontinued in 1997. The equivalent funded program is now called Temporary
Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
Home Energy Assistance Program
In an effort to help income-eligible households cope with the higher fuel bills of winter, New
York State participates in the federally funded “Home Energy Assistance Program” (HEAP). If
eligibility requirements are met HEAP will make a lump-sum payment directly to the energy
supplier on the clients’ behalf. This payment is known as a grant and appears as a credit on their
fuel account.
HEAP benefits are also authorized for emergencies such as; impending fuel shut offs, and
furnace replacement or repair.
Total benefits authorized in 2008 at over 2.9 million is an increase of approximately 44.5% over
2007. For 2010, HEAP had an extra regular benefit and only one emergency benefit.
WHERE WE STAND
Table 150
Source: Herkimer County DSS
300
Herkimer County HEAP Caseload Data 2008-2011
2008 2009 2010 2011
Authorized
$ Amount
Authorized
Benefits
Authorized
$ Amount
Authorized
Benefits
Authorized
$ Amount
Authorized
Benefits
Authorized
$ Amount
Authorized
Non-
Emergency 4,955 $1,880,970 6,253 $3,552,810 12,196 $3,788,999 7036 $3,279,397
Emergency
Benefits 1,853 $944,194 2009 $1,089,428 1,687 $800,100 2893 $1,595,870
Emergency
Furnace
Replacement 30 $83,918 73 $14,459 60 $176,523 82 $267,135
Furnace
Repair 5 $3,515 20 $3,563 17 $14,146 32 $19,394
Totals 6,843 $2,912,597 8,355 $4,876,920 13,960 $4,779,768 10,043 $5,161,786

Catholic Charities of Herkimer County’s Emergency Assistance Program
The Emergency Assistance Program acts as a safety net to catch those county residents who
have fallen through the cracks of the other systems in place. To be eligible for Emergency
Assistance, it must be determined that the applicant has exhausted all other available resources
including DSS, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Veterans Administration, Care and Share Program,
HEAP, FEMA, assistance from family members, etc.
No cash is dispensed. All transactions are completed by a voucher system and direct payment
from Catholic Charities of Herkimer County is made to the relevant entity. Major categories of
the Emergency Assistance Program include:
• Shelter (motels, utilities, heating fuel, household appliances, etc.)
• Transportation (Gas vouchers, bus tickets, emergency auto repairs, etc.)
• Food/Formula (Food vouchers, meal vouchers, formula, etc.)
• Clothing/Diapers
• Medical (Emergency medications, Medicaid spend-downs, adaptive equipment repair, etc.)
The Emergency Assistance Program is funded by local contributions as well as the agency’s
fundraising efforts; the budget rarely completely covers the need for services. The ability to
serve as many families in need as possible is protected by placing a cap on the amount of funding
a family may receive in any calendar year.
The table below indicates Emergency Assistance Funds and Categories for Disbursement.
2005–
2006
2006–
2007
2007–
2008
2008-
2009
2009-
2010
2010-
2011
2011-
2012
Number of
Households
158 223 152 160 195 146 116
Amount
Budgeted
$10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $13,000 $13,000
Total Disbursed $12,741 $22,258 $12,650 $11,210 $14,384 $18,568 $15,575
Shelter $7,262 $16,374 $7,242 $8,147* $9,192* $14,395* $12,556*
Transportation $3,185 $3,260 $3,253 $2,514 $3,882 $3,136 $1,491
Food/Formula $1,020 $1,119 $1,020 $171 $434 $557 $711
Clothing $637 $781 $463 $85 $313 $13 $24
Medical $637 $724 $642 $293 $572 $467 $793
*The greater proportion of shelter expenses was disbursed for utilities (electric, water, heating, fuel, etc.).
Source: Catholic Charities of Herkimer County
Households Served by Emergency Assistance Program &
Amount Budgeted & Disbursed by Category 2004–2012
Economic Security
301Table 151

ARRA at Herkimer County Catholic Charities
The reduction in the number of households served through the Emergency Assistance Program is
directly related to the number of households served by the ARRA Program which was in effect
from October 2009–November 2011. Without the ARRA Program, the need for Catholic
Charities of Herkimer County’s Emergency Assistance Program would have been much higher.
The table below indicated the number of households served by the ARRA Program at the
Catholic Charities of Herkimer County site.
Notes:
• The ARRA Program ended in November 2011.
Emergency Food & Shelter Program
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) began in 1983 with a $50 million federal
appropriation. The program was created by Congress and administered by the United States
Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The
program is designed to help meet the needs of individuals and families in economic crisis
throughout the United States and its territories by allocating federal funds for the provision of
food, shelter and utilities.
The EFS program is governed by a National Board composed of representatives of the American
Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; The Jewish Federations of North America; National Council
of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Salvation Army; and United Way Worldwide. The
Board is chaired by a representative of FEMA.
Oct. 2009-
June 2010
July 2010–
June 2011
July 2011–
Nov. 2012*
Number of
Households
62 70 22
Total Disbursed $48,841 $76,879 $25,023
Rent $12,905 $42,826 $13,629
Security $11,651 $16,230 $7,277
Motel $1,443 $10,910 $0
Utilities $3,180 $6,485 $4,117
Moving/Storage $662 $428 $0
Households Served by ARRA Served at Catholic Charities of Herkimer County Site
Table 152
Economic Security
302

Economic Security
Award amounts are determined by dividing the available funds by the number of unemployed
persons within each jurisdiction that qualifies. For funding during fiscal years 2009 to 2012,
jurisdictions qualified for funding if they met one of the following criteria:
• Number of unemployed: 300 or more with an 11.5% rate of unemployment
• Number of unemployed: 300 or more with a 14.4% rate of poverty
Jurisdictions that do not qualify under the above
formula do not receive funding directly from the
National Board but may receive funds through the
State Set-Aside (SSA) process. Jurisdictions that
do qualify for direct EFSP funding may also receive
additional funding from the SSA process.
The State Set-Aside allocation formula ranks the
needs of each jurisdiction (High, Medium and Low)
based on recent local statistics concerning
homelessness, poverty, household income,
unemployment, lay-offs and plant closings,
participation rates in WIC and school meals
programs, and the availability of emergency food.
The Emergency Food and Shelter Board of Herkimer County, similar in composition to the
National EFSP Board, allocates funds to qualifying non-profit and government agencies to
benefit emergency food, shelter and utility programs.
In order to qualify for Herkimer County EFSP funding an agency must:
• Be a non-profit or governmental agency in Herkimer County with FEIN registration.
• Have an accounting system and conduct an annual audit.
• Practice non-discrimination.
• Have demonstrated the capability to deliver the services requested. Have a volunteer
Board if they are voluntary organization.
• Must not be debarred or suspended from receiving federal funds.
• Have or apply for a DUNS Number.
TANF/Safety Net
With welfare reform that began to take effect in 1997, the number of cases (and subsequent
individuals) qualified for TANF has diminished. As a result the overall TANF/Safety Net
caseload decreased steadily until 2001 and has stabilized since. The SSI caseload remained
fairly constant from 1997-2005 but has begun to climb from 2006 to present.
Source: United Way of the Valley & Greater
Utica Area
Table 153
Emergency Food & Shelter Program
Awards in Herkimer County
2009 - 2012
2009 Phase 27 EFSP funding $45,316
2009
American Recovery &
Reinvestment Act
$20,879
2010 Phase 28 EFSP funding $36,999
2011 Phase 29 SSA funding $7,400
2012 Phase 30 SSA funding $4,927
303

Economic Security
As clients come off of the TANF program they are legislatively entitled to five months of
guaranteed Food Stamp benefits and six months of Medicaid if the case is closed due to earned
income. If the TANF case is closed due to increased Child Support income the adult case
member receives four months of Medicaid.
Under the continuous coverage guarantee children are eligible for an additional year of Medicaid
coverage. The state of the local economy has also contributed to the increase in the number of
people eligible for food stamp benefits.
TANF/Safety Net Monthly Average Eligible Individuals 1997–2011
Source: Herkimer County DSS, Income Maintenance Graph 136
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Family Health Plus 30 501 987 1,337 1,469 1,509 1,539 1,516 1,938 2,103 2,306
Safety Net Children 329 290 290 209 145 112 55 38 41 56 56 72 84 89 93
Safety Net Adults 251 300 326 304 250 248 269 309 342 401 417 531 194 196 243
TANF Children 1,845 1,816 1,830 2,137 2,663 3,246 3,956 4,414 4,553 4,170 3,998 3,954 329 376 424
TANF Adults 721 691 632 666 778 931 1,347 1,813 1,804 1,780 1,658 1,664 98 122 132
SSI Related 1,142 1,137 1,151 1,173 1,161 1,209 1,294 1,354 1,517 1,551 1,551 1,662 1,775 1,782 1,824
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
304

Economic Security
Food Stamp Program
There are two types of Food Stamps offered to Herkimer County residents:
• Temporary Assistance Food Stamps: For Residents who meet the Public Assistance
Eligibility (usually with little or no income).
• Non-temporary Assistance Food Stamps: For Residents who meet Food Stamp
Eligibility Requirements and are employed.
The Non-Temporary Assistance caseload has increased from approximately 1,931 cases in 2002
to over 3,878 in 2011. The total Food Stamps caseload increased 94.3% from 2,605 cases in
2002 to 3,418 cases in 5,062.
Nutrition Outreach & Education Program
NOEP (Nutrition Outreach & Education Program), sponsored by Catholic Charities of Herkimer
County, began its educational and prescreening outreach in January 2004. NOEP is funded by
the NYS Department of Health, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and the
USDA/FNS. The NOEP counselor provides information, confidential pre-screening, and
application assistance to those who may potentially be eligible for food stamps. Home visits are
provided for consumers unable to access the office. Through NOEP’s on-going public relations
Graph 137Food Stamp Cases by Type
Source: Herkimer County DSS, Income Maintenance
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Non-temporary Assistance 1,459 1,432 1,467 1,670 1,931 2,174 2,527 1,915 2,045 2,064 2,394 2,995 3,457 3,878
Temporary Assistance 686 687 665 676 674 705 896 906 899 921 1,024 1,068 1,103 1,184
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
Households
305

Table 154
campaign, the stereotype of food stamps being a ‘welfare program’ is vanishing. Food stamps are
seen more as an entitlement program, benefiting consumers and the community alike. Recent
changes in food stamp guidelines beginning in 2008, coupled with the downturn in the economy,
have made more individuals eligible for the program. Seniors, in particular, are now applying. In
the first six-months of 2009, 49% of individuals prescreened for food stamps by NOEP were
seniors.
Nutrition Outreach & Education Program Cases
*Calculated by the Nutrition Consortium
Source: Catholic Charities
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the new name for the Food Stamp
Program (effective August 29, 2012). SNAP issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used
like cash to purchase food at authorized retail food stores. Eligibility and benefit levels are
based on household size, income, assets and other factors. SNAP can help put healthy food on
the table. SNAP benefits help low-income working people, seniors, the disabled and others feed
their families.
Food Pantries
There are ten community-based food pantries in Herkimer County who are affiliated with the
Food Bank of Central New York: Dolgeville; Herkimer/Mohawk; Salvation Army Ministries;
Frankfort/Ilion; Little Falls; Kuyahoora; St. Bartholomew’s Old Forge; West Winfield;
Van Hornesville/Jordanville; and Pinecrest. All pantries must raise local revenue, usually equal to
or greater than the grants they receive, in order to keep the shelves stocked. For each of the
larger pantries, that is roughly between $15,000–$26,000 annually. With the cuts in FEMA
funding, the rise in food prices, the reduction of USDA due to the recent drought, pantries will
be paying more as well as raising more funds to keep pace. The demand for emergency feeding
programs has continued to climb, with 2012 being the most households, meals, and seniors served
in the history of the County. The increase can be attributed to the current recession,
unemployment rise as well as underemployment, service industry jobs continuing to replace
manufacturing positions, single head of households, high transportation, medical and utility
costs, and the increased publicity and education regarding assistance programs. Nearly all
pantries are supervised and operated by volunteers, most of whom are affiliated with the RSVP
2006–
2007
2007–
2008
2008–
2009
2009-
2010
2010-
2011
2011-
2012
Households Prescreened 297 474 771 422 445 527
Households Receiving FS* 160 219 349 265 277 288
Economic Security
306

Program of Catholic Charities. Without volunteers, food pantry operations could cease.
Between 2009–2012, 245 RSVP volunteers contributed 55,777 hours of service assisting at food
co-op and emergency feeding programs throughout Herkimer County.
Gleaning from local stores including Stewart’s, Hannaford’s, and Heidelberg’s Bakery supplement
the pantries food supply. Local farmers also donate produce throughout the summer and fall to
local pantries. Hannaford’s conducts a Fund-a-Feast program during the holidays, encouraging
patrons to purchase food boxes that are then donated to the local pantries.
In addition, there is the annual Boy Scouts and Postal Food Drives that aid in stocking food
shelves. Community dinners are provided Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights at the
Salvation Army Café, and at the Reformed Church in Herkimer on the first, third, and fifth
Tuesdays of the month. The Shepherd’s Table at the Reformed Church of Herkimer also offers
hot lunches on every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. New Life Ministries offers
paper products, toiletries, and some groceries on the last Thursday of each month to any family
in need. The usage of local pantries peeked in 2012, though is still significantly higher than
usage in 2008. Whereas once pantries were seen strictly as an ‘emergency’ safety net, they are
now being used as a ‘supplemental’ safety net, that is, on a monthly basis.
Economic Security
Number of
Children
Number of
Adults
Total
Individuals
Total
Households
Total
Meals
Dolgeville 1,874 3,846 607 6,327 2,135
Frankfort/Ilion 1,893 3,237 394 5,524 1,858
Herkimer/
Mohawk
1,456 2,984 302 4,742 1,724
Kuyahoora 2,169 2,861 349 5,379 1,622
Little Falls 2,035 3,067 439 5,541 1,877
St. Bartholomew 228 371 159 758 343
Van Hornesville/
Jordanville
872 1,007 227 2,106 594
West Winfield 1,614 2,080 882 4,576 2,582
Salvation Army 1,029 1,432 121 2,582 872
Pinecrest 570 776 1,410 430 12,690
Totals 13,740 21,661 4,890 37,965 26,297
2008 Food Pantry Use by Site
Table 156
307

Economic Security
308
Number of
Children
Number of
Adults
Total
Individuals
Total
Households
Total
Meals
Dolgeville 1,837 4,044 6,648 2,317 76,299
Frankfort/Ilion 1,603 2,721 4,729 1,675 71,249
Herkimer/
Mohawk
1,686 2,844 4,885 1,652 67,215
Kuyahoora 2,519 3,662 6,590 1,956 80,709
Little Falls 1,923 3,066 5,513 2,051 79,163
St. Bartholomew 258 392 793 314 11,895
Van Hornesville/
Jordanville
945 1,155 2,331 657 35,115
West Winfield 1,813 2,429 5,194 2,269 62,328
Salvation Army 942 1,513 2,652 922 39,630
Totals 13,526 21,826 39,335 13,813 523,603
Table 157
Number of
Children
Number of
Adults
Total
Individuals
Total
Households
Total
Meals
Dolgeville 1,835 4,407 7,144 2,519 88,899
Frankfort/Ilion 1,923 3,272 5,631 1,918 76,040
Herkimer/
Mohawk
1,356 3,033 4,775 1,677 70,151
Kuyahoora 2,388 3,622 6,429 1,920 78,903
Little Falls 2,164 3,495 6,347 2,219 84,389
St. Bartholomew 979 394 736 320 11,025
Van Hornesville/
Jordanville
979 1,206 2,378 623 35,640
West Winfield 1,778 2,157 4,832 2,220 57,435
Salvation Army 903 2,092 3,201 958 28,809
Totals 13,536 23,678 41,473 14,374 531,291
Table 158

Notes:
* Data not available
** Salvation Army data not included. Please note while cross-examining data.
Tables 156 through 159 represent figures reported to the Food Bank of Central New York from
the following emergency feeding programs operating in Herkimer County: Frankfort/Ilion Food
Pantry, Ilion; Herkimer/Mohawk Food Pantry, Herkimer; Salvation Army Ministries Food Pantry
& Gleaning Program, Herkimer; SA Café (Soup Kitchen), Herkimer; Little Falls Food Pantry, Little
Falls; Van Hornesville/Jordanville Food Pantry, Van Hornesville; Dolgeville Food Pantry,
Dolgeville; Kuyahoora Food Pantry, Newport; West Winfield Food Pantry, West Winfield; St.
Bartholomew’s Food Pantry, Old Forge; Pinecrest Food Pantry, Salisbury Center; and the
Domestic Violence Program (Shelter), Ilion.
Food Sense
Food Sense is a food co-op program affiliated with the Food Bank of Central New York. The
cost per month of the program is $15.50 per package, paid in cash or food stamps at the time of
registration. Bonus items are also offered. Currently, Old Forge and Ilion are the two sites for
registrations and distribution in Herkimer County.
Economic Security
Number of
Children
Number of
Adults
Total
Individuals
Total
Households
Total
Meals
Dolgeville 1,787 4,265 7,003 2,435 88,722
Frankfort/Ilion 1,838 3,408 5,705 1,938 77,495
Herkimer/
Mohawk
1,822 3,326 5,364 1,844 80,460
Kuyahoora 2,230 3,644 6,290 1,861 78,557
Little Falls 2,348 3,796 6,909 2,395 91,652
St. Bartholomew 211 399 717 336 10,765
Van Hornesville/
Jordanville
478 674 1,261 347 18,915
West Winfield 1,502 2,334 4,265 2,047 55,857
Salvation Army* — — — — —
Totals** 12,216 21,846 37,514 13,203 472,423
Table 159
309

Economic Security
The totals in Table 145 for
2008 represent the most
households, individuals and
meals served in the history of
the emergency feeding
programs in Herkimer County.
This can be attributed, in part,
to: families’ low income as a
result of lay-offs, injuries,
work slowdowns, single head of
households, and low-paying
service jobs; the establishment
of two pantries in the outlying
areas reaching more people in
need: Old Forge (June ’05) and
Van Hornesville/Jordanville
(Mar. ’03), the establishment of a soup kitchen (Salvation Army Café) in 2004; and the rise in
energy costs which drove individuals to seek assistance program.
Food Pantry use is broken down by age group. Based on 2011 population estimates, seniors make
up 16.7% of the total population in Herkimer County, children under age 18 are 21.9% of the
total population.
Food Co-ops continue to offer an alternative to clients. Catholic Charities’ Food Sense Program,
as well as the Angel Food Ministries Program offered through area churches, provides
wholesome foods at lower-than-retail prices.
*Note: Soup kitchens and shelters do not report households served
Source: Food Pantry/Soup Kitchen Service Report—Food Bank of Central New York
2003 2004 2005200220012000 2006 2007 2008
Children 14,880 18,074 18,56212,74017,04314,221 18,183 15,512 17,651
Adults 18,403 25,721 26,63017,22822,97217,064 28,460 26,019 32,730
Seniors 4,245 5,194 4,5123,1004,2333,013 4283 4,306 6,452
Total
People
37,528 48,989 49,70433,06844,24834,298 50,926 45,837 56,833
Total
Households
12,342 14,516 14,686 14,907 13,954 15,897
Total
Meals
397,565 474,340 508,826359,434339,886281,235 513,717 483,585 556,000
Herkimer County Food Pantry/Soup Kitchen Usage, 2000–2008
Table 160
508
688
527 517
821
988
917
965
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Food Sense Unit Totals
310
Graph 138

Economic Security
Herkimer County Poverty Among Seniors Age 65 & Over
Based on the 2006-2008 ACS, for individuals age 65 and over, the poverty rate for Herkimer
County (9.1%) is just under three percentage points lower than NYS for those below the poverty
level (11.8%). To meet their most basic needs many Seniors must utilize Food Pantries and HEAP
to supplement what they can purchase with their limited income.
In 2011, 11% of food pantry use was by Senior Citizens. The Food Pantry supplements what the
Senior can purchase with cash or Food Stamps (for those eligible for the program).
The Herkimer County Office for the Aging (OFA) processes HEAP applications for individuals
age 60+ and adults eligible for Supplemental Security Income living in their own household.
Anyone on Food Stamps would receive HEAP automatically and these individuals do not need to
apply for HEAP. Therefore Graph 138 on the following page, depicting applications processed by
OFA for individuals 60+ does not capture the total number of individuals 60+ receiving HEAP.
Income eligibility for HEAP extends beyond the poverty level, that is, the income eligibility is
set above the poverty level and does not count assets. The percentage above Federal Poverty
Level is set by HEAP each heating season. So, someone can have assets (savings & investments)
Graph 139
Elderly, 11%
Adults, 58%
Children, 31%
Food Pantry Use by Age - 2011
311

and still be eligible for HEAP as only the interest and dividends are counted as income. For
Emergency HEAP, there is an asset test however. According to the 2000 Census, 10.4% of
seniors aged 65 and over had incomes at or below the poverty level ($696 per month at that
time.) It appears then that there are many seniors in Herkimer County who are eligible for
HEAP but do not apply.
Herkimer County DSS Adult Protective Services
Since 2007, the number of cases needing information and referral services has increased
because local utility companies began making referrals to Herkimer County Adult Protective
Services when an individual was pending termination of services. In 2007, 62 referrals and in
2008, 125 referrals were received on households that had received a disconnect notice.
Economic Security
619 683
795
959 919
1,102
1,448 1,405 1,463
1,531
1,575 1,623
1,457
1,612
1,757
1,500 1,482
1,295
0
500
1000
1500
2000
94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12
HEAP Applications Processed by OFA
Clients Age 60+ & SSI
Graph 140
312

Economic Security
WhencomparingHerkimerCountyschoolstoNewYorkStateaveragesinthemostrecentdataavailable,mostdistrictsare
belowthestateaverageforfreelunchesbutabovethestateaverageforreducedlunches.Overall,thenumbersshowa
highnumberofstudentsreceivingfreeorreducedlunchinHerkimerCounty.
Sources:NYSDepartmentofEducation
2003-20042004-20052005-20062006-20072007-20082008-20092009-20102010-2011
FREE
%
RED
%
FREE
%
RED
%
FREE
%
RED
%
FREE
%
RED
%
FREE
%
RED
%
FREE
%
RED
%
FREE
%
RED
%
FREE
%
RED
%
Dolgeville25.713.125.613.8301128153212341248143913
Frankfort
-Schuyler
19.311.520.310.82381717241224925102910
Herkimer26.48.330.89.73010279328409369379
Ilion27.411.528.410.227103183112341234133411
Little
Falls
26.414.931.513.53010341331103410368349
Mohawk30.713.425.013.22412231122112113289315
Mt.
Markham
23.013.222.314.5281329152715291530113313
OwenD.
Young
32.023.830.726.4382330213513401842153615
Poland27.016.534.017.0261927152715281629153615
Townof
Webb
14.14.811.55.61610141017121991291218
West
Canada
Valley
22.09.522.312.619101691812181222152314
NYS37.07.236.67.537.08.037.08.0368398408427
PercentofHerkimerCountyStudentsonFree/ReducedLunchProgram
Table161
313

Food Bank of Central New York
NYS Department of Education
United Way
DATA SOURCES
Economic Security
Herkimer County Office Building—Mary Street
314

Economic Security
Health Coverage
People with inadequate or no health insurance often forego routine preventative care. Some
health problems may not be treated until they become more serious. This adds tremendous cost
to an already costly health care system, and can add stress to families’ lives. Parents who are
physically ill or suffer from an untreated mental illness do not function well as parents to their
children. (Maine Marks, 2003)
WHERE WE STAND
Graph 141
Medicaid Only Monthly Average Eligible Individuals by Category
2000–2011
Source: New York State Department of Health
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
SafetyNet Children 4 8 17 26 32 46 45 34 47 57 62 63
SafetyNet Adults 86 72 87 108 105 108 120 119 150 138 138 174
TANF Children 484 404 383 343 374 357 396 292 317 365 401 437
TANF Adults 188 223 181 169 164 149 128 132 145 169 184 195
SSI 1613 1571 1611 1620 1619 1655 1683 1723 1780 1802 1793 1842
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
315

Data from the NYSDOH, as of 2011, indicate 13,971 individuals were receiving some type of
services through Medicaid. Based on population estimates for 2011 this translates to about
21.8% of Herkimer County Residents.
The number of Herkimer County Residents receiving Medicaid benefits has trended up since at
least 2000. In 2000, the number of eligible individuals was just over 2,300 and increased to
about 2,700 in 2011. The largest increases were in the number of children eligible for TANF and
those eligible for Family Health Plus.
According to the 2005 Herkimer County HealthNet Community Survey, of those receiving
government assisted Healthcare, 28% said they have Medicare coverage and only 7% responded
that they receive Medicaid.
Economic Security
Health Coverage
Percent Receiving Government Assisted
Healthcare Coverage
Graph 142
28
7
5 4
55
1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Medicare Medicaid Medicare &
Medicaid
Other
Government
Program
None Not Sure
316

Table 162
HIICAP (Health Insurance Information, Counseling & Assistance Program)
HIICAP is a federally-funded program from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS). HIICAP is administered by the New York State Office for the Aging through the
Herkimer County Office for the Aging and operated by Catholic Charities of Herkimer County.
The program has been in existence in Herkimer County since 2006. The HIICAP counselors
provide information, education and counseling about Medicare and other health insurances.
Trained staff and volunteers answer questions and facilitate enrollments. The service is both
free and unbiased.
HIICAP helps clients:
• understand the Medicare prescription drug benefit (Medicare Part D) and how to select the
best plan;
• apply for Extra Help on-line, facilitate Medicare Part D, Medigap, and Medicare Advantage
Plan enrollments
• complete applications for the Medicare Savings Plan;
• apply for assistance through the Patient Assistance Programs;
• assist with enrollments into EPIC;
• choose between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans including HMOs, PPOs,
Special Needs Plans and Private Fee-for-Service-Plans;
• discover ways to fill in Medicare’s gaps in services;
• explore New York State Partnership for Long Term Care options;
• file insurance claims and deal with paperwork; advocate on behalf of the client with suppliers
and providers regarding healthcare billing and coverage.
The HIICAP program has seen a sharp increase in client contacts since 2006. This is due to on-
going changes affecting Medicare beneficiaries; EPIC changes; employers dropping coverage;
seniors needing to apply for benefits to cut costs, i.e. MSP and/or Extra Help programs; aging of
the baby-boomer generation; and word-of-mouth referrals. The HIICAP program experienced a
29% increase in client contacts for the first half of 2012 as compared to the same period in the
previous year.
The HIICAP office is located at Catholic Charities, 61 West Street, Ilion and can be reached by
calling 315-894-9917.
Economic Security
Health Coverage
HIICAP Client Contacts 2006–2012
Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Client Contacts 358 698 1,068 1,093 1,409 2,028 2,613
317

Economic Security
Health Coverage
Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program
The Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program (EPIC) is a New York State sponsored
prescription plan for senior citizens who need help paying for their prescriptions. Over 360,000
seniors already belong and are saving, on average, over 80% of the cost of their medicines. EPIC
can be used with other prescription coverage for greater benefits and savings. When purchasing
prescription drugs, the enrollee should show both of their cards at the pharmacy. There are
two plans available that seniors can participate in, based on income:
• Fee Plan: Single seniors with income up to $20,000 and married seniors with income
up to $26,000 are eligible for the Fee Plan; the cost to join this plan is based on
annual income. Seniors may pay their annual fee in quarterly installments.
• Deductible Plan: The Deductible plan is available to single seniors with income
between $20,001 and $35,000, and married seniors with income between $26,001 and
$50,000. This plan is designed to help seniors with high drug costs. There is no fee to
join the Deductible Plan. Those enrolled pay full price for their prescriptions until
they meet an annual deductible which is also based on income.
The majority of EPIC Enrollees in Herkimer County are enrolled in the Fee Plan for lower income
seniors. In 2006 only 20.7% of Seniors in Herkimer County were enrolled in the Deductible Plan
for Seniors with a higher income. In 2008 that number increased to 33.8%. Refer to chart on
the following page.
The total enrollment in EPIC for Herkimer County more than doubled from 1999–2003 and then
declined each year thereafter. Refer to chart on the following page. The reduction may be the
result of the new Medicare Part D program. When Medicare Part D was initiated, EPIC
contacted all enrollees and discovered unreported changes such as; individuals now in nursing
homes, individuals now eligible for Medicaid, and individuals who with Medicare Part D coverage
no longer required EPIC services.
Source: NYS Department of Health, EPIC Annual Reports
Table 163EPIC Enrollees in Herkimer County, 2006–2010
9/30/06 9/30/07 9/30/08 9/30/09 9/30/10
2,798
-76
2,722
-58
2,664
-30
2,634
-53
2,581Enrollees
-2.72% -2.13% -1.13% -2.01%
318

Economic Security
Health Coverage
Graph 144
EPIC Program
Total Herkimer County Enrollment
Graph 143
2,629
2,755
2,817
2,690
2,640 2,634
2,581
2,450
2,500
2,550
2,600
2,650
2,700
2,750
2,800
2,850
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
319

Economic Security
Health Coverage
Healthy New York
The Healthy NY program is designed to assist small business owners in providing their employees
and their employees’ families with the health insurance they need and deserve. In addition,
uninsured sole proprietors and workers whose employers do not provide health insurance may
also purchase comprehensive coverage directly through the Healthy NY program.
Healthy NY is designed
to encourage small
employers with 50 or
fewer employees to
offer health insurance
coverage to their
employees, dependents,
and other qualified
individuals. Healthy NY
is also available to
eligible working
uninsured individuals
including sole
proprietors. With this
program, eligible
individuals can purchase
the streamlined
benefits packages that
are available to
employees of small
businesses participating in the Healthy NY small business insurance program. The program
creates standardized health insurance benefit packages that are offered by all health
maintenance organizations (HMOs) in New York State. These packages are made more
affordable through State sponsorship, so that more uninsured small employers and uninsured
employed individuals are able to purchase health insurance coverage.
In Herkimer County residents utilizing Healthy NY has increased dramatically since 2002. In
2002, Herkimer County only had 20 Healthy NY participants. In 2011, Herkimer County had 382
participants.
Child Health Plus
New York State has a health insurance plan for kids, called Child Health Plus. Depending on the
family’s income, a child may be eligible to join either Child Health Plus A (formerly Children’s
Medicaid) or Child Health Plus B. To be eligible for either Child Health Plus A or B, children
must be under the age of 19 and be residents of New York State. Whether a child qualifies for
Source: NYSDOH, Managed Care Annual Enrollment Reports Graph 145
Herkimer County Healthy NY Enrollees, 2002-2011
20
104
232
382
460
533
255 255
403
382
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
320

Economic Security
Health Coverage
Child Health Plus A or Child Health
Plus B depends on gross family income.
Children who are not eligible for Child
Health Plus A can enroll in Child Health
Plus B, if they don’t already have
health insurance and are not eligible
for coverage under the public
employees’ state health benefits plan.
There is no monthly premium for
families whose income is less than 1.6
times the poverty level. Families with
somewhat higher incomes pay a
monthly premium per child, depending
on their income and family size. For
larger families, the monthly fee is
capped at three children. If the
family’s income is more than 2.5 times
the poverty level, they pay the full monthly premium charged by the health plan. There are no
co-payments for services under Child Health Plus.
From 2003 to 2011 the number of children on CHP increased from 1,388 to 2,203. That
represents a 58.7% increase. The increase has slowed to 3% from 2008 to 2011; from 1,914 to
2,203 enrollees.
NYS Long-Term Care Partnership Policies
In 1993, the New York State Partnership for Long-Term
Care was initiated in New York State in order to
encourage more people to purchase long term care
insurance policies. Under the Partnership program, if you
purchase a Partnership-approved long term care policy
and satisfy the duration requirements of your policy, you
can then apply for a special Medicaid program called
“Medicaid Extended Coverage”.
Long-Term Care Partnership Policies are Long-Term Care Insurance policies offered through
private carriers meeting state criteria. The policies exist in conjunction with Medicaid and when
the insurance benefits are exhausted the recipient automatically qualifies for Medicaid.
Long-term care can mean many different things but any chronic or disabling condition that
requires nursing care or constant supervision can bring on the need for long term care services.
Long term care means not only care in a nursing home, it can also mean nursing care in your own
home and help with the activities of daily living, such as dressing, eating, bathing and taking
medicine.
Source: NYS Department of Health
Table 164
2006 137
2008 167
2011 188
NYS Long-Term Care
Partnership Policies
Source: NYS Partnership for Long-Term Care
Graph 146
Herkimer County Child Health Plus Enrollees
1,388
1,206
1,477
1,823
1,914 1,979
2,141 2,175 2,203
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
321

Table 165
There are many different services that would fall under the definition of long-term care. These
services include institutional care, i.e., nursing facilities, or non-institutional care such as home
health care, personal care, adult day care, long term home health care, respite care and hospice
care.
There are other LTC insurance policies that do not classify as “partnership policies”; statistics
are not available on the number of these policies in Herkimer County. More information on LTC
insurance policies is available on the Herkimer County Office for the Aging’s web site
www.herkimercounty.org.
Herkimer County Discount Card
Herkimer County residents received their Discount Prescription Drug Program Cards May 26,
2009. Any county resident, regardless of age, income, or existing health coverage, can use the
card. There is no cost to county government or taxpayers. Herkimer County partnered with
ProAct, Inc. a regional pharmacy benefit management company, to provide the prescription drug
discount program. Participants can save 10 to 20 percent on brand name prescriptions and 20 to
50 percent on generic drugs.
New York Prescription Saver Card
NYS began to offer the New York Prescription Saver card for low-income residents ages 50 to
64 effective April 1, 2009. Low-income is defined as an annual household income of less than
$35,000 for an individual and $50,000 for a married couple. As of December 2009, there were
11,000 enrollees statewide. The average savings on prescriptions (generic and brand combined)
is 51%. The card can be used at participating pharmacies.
Economic Security
Health Coverage
Month:
Total
Claims
Total
Cards
Used
Member Rx
Cost
Avg. Member
Rx Cost
Price
Savings
Avg. Price
Savings
% Price
Savings
2009 6,305 2,411 $175,687.01 $27.86 $126,655.57 $20.09 42%
2010 16,271 4,346 $411,979.64 $25.32 $348,951.18 $21.45 46%
2011 19,804 5,272 $437,948.52 $22.11 $487,525.30 $24.62 53%
2012 22,404 4,970 $442,612.18 $19.76 $651,206.42 $29.07 60%
Totals 64,784 16,999 $1,468,227.35 $23.76* $1,614,338.47 $23.81* 50%*
* Averages
Source: ProAct Inc.
322

Health Friends
Health Friends assists uninsured income eligible individuals residents acquire prescription
medication necessary to achieve and maintain good health, through drug companies’ indigent
programs. This is accomplished by direct purchase through authorization for prescription
medication for immediate need and through application for free medication from pharmaceutical
companies for long-term need (PAPS).
Health Friends is in its tenth year of operation and has provided $3.5 million worth of
prescription medication for the uninsured in our communities.
The monthly pharmacy program now costs
approximately $5,000 plus each month.
Medication samples from doctor’s offices
obtained to assist applicants are not reflected in
these statistics, nor is Health Friends advocacy
for other medical/insurance needs.
There has been a sharp drop in the dollar value of
medication assistance to Herkimer County
residents from Health Friends in 2007 and 2008
when compared to previous years. Numerous changes in other factors have contributed to this
phenomenon:
• Many individuals now “self” re-enroll for medication assistance programs through
pharmaceutical companies (enrollment is every three months for long-term need). Now there
are fewer visits for re-enrollment. Such individuals need visit us only once a year.
• Many brand name medications have gone generic and are no longer available on patient
assistance programs.
• Wal-Mart generic programs offer many $4 prescriptions, which many individuals access
rather than go through Health Friends.
• A new program of assistance called Bridges to Access offers two months of immediate
medication assistance with a $10 coupon. Often the individual in need can afford the cost.
When they cannot, it is covered by Health Friends.
• Other programs, such as RX Outreach and the Herkimer County Drug Discount Card are
available for generic medications with a small monthly cost. Many individuals have been using
these programs to realize their prescription needs.
• A number of applications for long term need can be faxed to pharmaceutical companies for
immediate enrollment, often saving the cost of an authorization.
Economic Security
Health Coverage
Table 166 Health Friends Assistance to
Herkimer County Residents
2008 $21,709.00
2009 $27,956.00
2010 $36,786.00
2011 $39,588.00
2012 $38,240.00
Total $164,279.00
Source: Health Friends
323

While Health Friends usage is down Herkimer County residents now have access to more options
to meet their medication needs, and on the whole, this area of access to healthcare has
improved.
Economic Security
Health Coverage
Herkimer County Residents Seen by HealthFriends
Clients Visits Number of RXs Purchased
Applications for Free
Medication
2010 158 182 264 141
2011 151 164 226 170
2012 149 166 284 112
Total 458 512 774 423
Table 167
Source: Health Friends
DATA SOURCES
Economic Security
Health Coverage
Health Friends
New York State Department of Health, EPIC Annual Reports
http://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/epic/annual_reports.htm
New York State Department of Health, Managed Care Annual Enrollment Reports
http://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/managed_care/report/q_report.htm
New York State Department of Health, Medicaid Eligibles and Expenditures by County
http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/health_care/medicaid/eligible_expenditures/
New York State Partnership for Long-Term Care
http://www.nyspltc.org/policysales.htm
ProAct Inc.
324

Economic Security
Income & Employment
 U.S. median household income is $51,222; New York State, $55,217; and Herkimer County,
$42,383.
 Herkimer County ranked 45th out of 62 New York State Counties in Per Capita Personal Income.
Herkimer County experienced a 4.8% growth in this category from 2009 to 2010; the 9th largest
increase out of the 62 counties in NYS.
 28.3% of Herkimer County households have incomes under $25,000 annually.
 11% of Herkimer County residents have incomes over $100,000 annually as opposed to NYS with
24.8% and the United States with 20.8%.
 Unemployment rate data for Herkimer County from 1990 through 2012 shows;
 Herkimer County’s unemployment rate was better (lower) than that of the United States
from 2001–2003 and 2009–2011, but was worse than the United States rate in all other
years in this time period.
 Herkimer County’s unemployment rate was better (lower) than that of New York
State from 2000–2004 and again from 2009-2010, but was worse than the state rate
in all other years in this time period.
 Of the comparable-sized counties, Herkimer had the lowest average annual wage each year
from 2000–2011. Only 3 counties had a lower 2000–2011 growth rate in wages than Herkimer
County’s wage growth of 35.9% percent: Livingston County (+34.4%), Warren County (+35.1%)
and Washington County (+35.1%). Otsego County had the largest increase over the period of
43.2%. Herkimer County’s growth rate was comparable to the NYS minus NYC rate of 35.97%
but below the region rate of 39.1% and the total NYS rate of 36.2%.
 Private industry makes up 73.22% of employment and 70.02% of total payroll in Herkimer County.
Trade, Transportation & Utilities is the largest employment sector in Herkimer County followed by
the Manufacturing sector. The Natural Resources, Mining & Construction sector has the highest
average annual pay of any private employment sector.
 Employment in both Private & Government sectors decreased between 2006 & 2011 in
Herkimer County. The sector with the largest decrease was the Unclassified sector (-89.5%),
followed by the Information sector (-59.1%). The sector with the largest increase was the
Private Educational & Health Services sector (11.2%).
 As of the 2008-2010 American Community Survey, 18.2% of Children under the age of 18 and
11.4% of Adults (ages 18-64) in Herkimer County live below the Federal Poverty level. This
translates to one out of every ten families (10.3%) in Herkimer County living in poverty. which in
2012 would be a family of four earning $23,050 or less annually.
325
0…..

Economic Security
 According to the 2000 Census and 2008-2010 ACS, the percent of Female-Headed Families in
poverty increased from 23.2% to 31.3%. Herkimer County Female Headed Households in
Poverty with Children Present in the Home increased from 71% in 1970 to 91% in 2000, and has
decreased to 83% according to the 2008-2010 ACS.
 HEAP benefits are authorized for emergencies such as; impending fuel shut offs, and furnace
replacement or repair. Total benefits authorized in 2011 for Herkimer County was over 5.1
million, which is an increase of 77.2% over 2008.
 The TANF/Safety Net caseload steadily increased from 2005 through 2005, then stabilized
through 2008. In 2009 it experienced a dramatic decrease and has since stabilized.
 Food Stamp cases have increased by 94.3% from 2002 through 2011 broken down as follows;
 Non-Temporary has increased 100.8% from 2002 through 2011
 Temporary has increased 75.7% from 2002 through 2011
 The usage of local pantries peeked in 2012. Pantries have been seen as a supplemental vs. an
emergency safety net for over ten years. This means that clients may access local pantries on
a monthly basis if necessary.
 In 2011, Herkimer County Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens provided 472,423 meals. In 2008
the figure was 26,297 meals. There has been a dramatic increase in demand for meals.
 In 2011, 11% of food pantry use was by Senior Citizens.
 When comparing Herkimer County schools to New York State averages in the most recent data
available, all districts are below the state average for free lunches but above the state
average for reduced lunches (with the exception of the Town of Webb & Mohawk School
Districts). Overall the numbers show a high number of students receiving free or reduced
lunch in Herkimer County.
Health Coverage
 Data from the NYSDOH, as of 2011, indicate 13,971 individuals were receiving some type of
services through Medicaid. Based on population estimates for 2011 this translates to about
21.8% of Herkimer County Residents.
 The HIICAP program has seen a sharp increase in client contacts since 2006; 358 in 2006 to
2,613 in 2012.This is due to on-going changes affecting Medicare beneficiaries; EPIC
changes; employers dropping coverage; seniors needing to apply for benefits to cut costs,
MSP’s; and Extra-Help; aging of the baby-boomer generation; and word-of-mouth referrals.
The HIICAP program experienced a 29% increase in client contacts for the 2012 calendar
year as compared to the same period in the previous year.
 The Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program (EPIC) is a New York State sponsored
prescription plan for senior citizens who need help paying for their prescriptions. The total
326

Economic Security
enrollment in EPIC for Herkimer County more than doubled from 1999-2003 and has declined
each year thereafter. As of 2010 there were 2,581 enrollees from Herkimer County, a 4%
decrease from 2007.
 From 2003 to 2011 the number of children on CHP increased from 1,388 to 2,203. That
represents a 58.7% increase. The increase has slowed to 3% from 2008 to 2011; from 1,914
to 2,203 enrollees.
 Herkimer County began a Discount Prescription Drug Program on May 26, 2009. Any county
resident, regardless of age, income, or existing health coverage, can use the card. There is no
cost to county government or taxpayers. Herkimer County partnered with ProAct, Inc. a
regional pharmacy benefit management company, to provide the prescription drug discount
program. Participants can save 10 to 20 percent on brand name prescriptions and 20 to 50
percent on generic drugs. Average savings in 2012 were 50% for participants and on average
saved 50% from 2009-2012. Additionally, the total number of cards used has doubled since
2009.
 Health Friends assists uninsured income eligible residents acquire prescription medication to
achieve and maintain good health, through drug companies’ indigent programs. From 2008 to
2012 Herkimer County residents received $164,279.00 in assistance with prescription drugs.
327

Education
K-12 Demographics & Environment
Our public schools are mandated to serve all children in grades K–12, and many local districts
provide a Pre-K experience or send children to a BOCES Pre-K program. Studying the
demographics and enrollment trends in our region is an important step in predicting staffing
needs, program needs and school budgets. With the recent educational accountability standards
set forth in the No Child Left Behind Act, there are even greater pressures on schools to
account for the effectiveness of their curricular, instructional, and assessment practices. Data-
driven decision making, therefore, becomes even more critical in our efforts to lead our schools
and help our children be all that they can be. Understanding issues regarding poor attendance,
attitudes towards school, safety concerns and completion rates is vital to identify at-risk
behaviors that interfere with successfully completing an educational program. At-risk school aged
behaviors impact all community agencies, and the community needs to work together to help
students become productive, successful citizens.
WHERE WE STAND
Source: NYS Education Department: Accountability and Overview Report
Table 168
Enrollment by Grade Level All Herkimer County School Districts
2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11
Pre-K 295 229 257 355 350 330
Kindergarten 731 743 740 749 736 696
Grade 1 768 726 781 755 755 769
Grade 2 730 756 700 721 724 748
Grade 3 715 711 752 714 729 729
Grade 4 735 727 718 736 710 736
Grade 5 772 855 746 710 751 718
Grade 6 859 782 769 737 734 750
Ungraded Elementary 57 42 29 42 42 13
Grade 7 846 906 832 795 764 773
Grade 8 882 834 926 829 817 768
Grade 9 1006 927 876 922 847 832
Grade 10 886 929 877 819 898 793
Grade 11 855 862 898 840 771 837
Grade 12 781 812 848 872 807 760
Ungraded Secondary 38 22 14 35 13 10
Total Enrollment PreK–12 10,956 10,863 10,763 10,631 10,448 10,262
328

The table on the preceding page lists the number of students that are enrolled by grade level in
Herkimer County school districts for 2005 through 2011. During this time period, pre-
Kindergarten enrollment has increased by approximately 12%. During the 2004 school year,
No Child Left Behind criteria changed regarding “ungraded students”. By grade three, when the
New York State assessments begin, all students must be aligned with a grade level and cohort
group.
The table below reflects the enrollment for all Herkimer County School Districts for the
2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2008/2009, 2009/2010, and 2010/2011 academic years.
This chart does not include pre-Kindergarten students. School districts in Herkimer County
have experienced slight fluctuations in enrollment. Overall, there has been a decline of
729 students enrolled between the 2005/2006 and 2010/2011 school years.
Education
K–12 Demographics & Environment
Enrollment by District—Herkimer County
2005–2006 2006–2007 2007–2008 2008–2009 2009–2010 2010–2011
Dolgeville 946 936 912 913 902 879
Frankfort-Schuyler 1,161 1,142 1,217 1,200 1,209 1,183
Herkimer 1,249 1,227 1,229 1,216 1,200 1,212
Ilion 1,673 1,710 1,623 1,601 1,570 1,578
Little Falls 1,140 1,155 1,179 1,157 1,162 1,178
Mohawk 957 950 935 914 875 813
Mount Markham 1,369 1,342 1,335 1,293 1,243 1,216
Owen D. Young 206 222 213 230 218 207
Poland 706 716 697 665 639 630
West Canada Valley 899 867 849 800 786 746
Town of Webb 355 312 315 287 294 290
Source: NYS Education Department: Accountability and Overview Report
Table 169
329

Thechartbelowillustratestheaverageper-pupilexpendituresforHerkimerCountyschooldistrictsandNewYorkState
fortheacademicyears2004/05through2009/10.Theper-pupilexpenditureistheratioofinstructionalexpendituresto
pupils.Districtexpendituressuchastransportationanddistrict-wideadministrationarenotincludedinthesevalues.
InstructionalexpendituresforgeneraleducationareK–12expendituresforclassroominstruction(excludingSpecial
Education),plusaprorationofbuilding-leveladministrationandinstructionalsupportservices.SpecialEducation
expendituresareK–12expendituresforstudentswithdisabilities(includingsummerSpecialEducationexpenditures)plusa
prorationofbuilding-leveladministrationandinstructionalsupportservices.Per-pupilexpenditurefiguresdonotinclude
expensesrelatedtoPre-K.
Education
Source:NYSEducationDepartment:ComprehensiveInformationReport
Graph???
Herkimer
County
NYS
Herkimer
County
NYS
Herkimer
County
NYS
Herkimer
County
NYS
Herkimer
County
NYS
Herkimer
County
NYS
2004-20052005-20062006-20072007-20082008-20092009-2010
GeneralEducation$7,778$8,787$8,236$9,168$8,536$9,485$8,537$10,257$9,171$10,874$9,288$11,105
SpecialEducation$13,806$19,320$15,399$22,354$16,045$23,898$17,300$24,479$17,938$26,551$21,055$26,888
$-
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
$25,000
$30,000
Per-PupilExpenditureGraph147
330

Source:NYSEducationDepartment:AccountabilityandOverviewReport
Table170
2004–20052006–20072007–20082008–20092009–20102005–2006
GeneralSpecialGeneralSpecialGeneralSpecialGeneralSpecialGeneralSpecialGeneralSpecial
Dolgeville$7,103$10,602$8,425$11,472$8,681$13,808$9,058$18,014$9,403$16,785$9,543$17,482
Frankfort$6,238$13,812$7,226$18,811$6,645$17,332$6,934$16,764$7,570$14,391$7,317$18,989
Herkimer$5,864$10,310$6,939$13,990$7,081$15,789$7,297$18,718$7,621$20,339$7,895$16,315
Ilion$5,864$9,739$6,943$12,919$6,662$11,218$7,277$12,137$7,933$13,233$7,788$14,376
LittleFalls$6,256$12,236$7,663$19,515$8,437$19,513$8,157$20,793$9,078$20,025$8,813$17,509
Mohawk$5,734$10,407$7,166$12,351$7,946$13,442$7,765$15,474$8,039$18,834$7,862$18,481
Mount
Markham
$5,972$17,316$7,634$18,794$9,435$16,328$8,344$19,461$8,842$19,804$8,853$22,948
OwenD.
Young
$6,332$10,445$10,489$8,906$9,344$9,655$9,012$10,228$8,881$13,126$8,667$34,551
Poland$6,348$12,868$7,884$18,705$8,035$18,441$9,185$14,531$9,588$15,274$10,419$14,562
WestCanada
Valley
$5,906$10,850$7,395$14,838$7,832$18,470$8,281$19,370$9,196$20,812$9,462$23,949
Townof
Webb
$9,283$11,743$12,837$19,090$13,795$22,496$12,600$24,811$14,732$24,697$15,548$32,439
Education
PerPupilExpenditurebyDistrict—HerkimerCounty
HerkimerCountySchools,onaverage,havehadalowerper-pupilexpenditurerateduringthistimeperiodforbothgeneral
andspecialeducationthantheaverageNYSschoolexpenditures.
In2004–2005:GeneralEducationexpendituresinNYSwere12.97%higherthanHerkimerCounty.
SpecialEducationexpendituresinNYSwere39.94%higherthanHerkimerCounty.
In2009–2010:GeneralEducationexpendituresinNYSwere19.56%higherthanHerkimerCounty.
SpecialEducationexpendituresinNYSwere27.70%higherthanHerkimerCounty.
331

School Environment
The Safe Schools Against Violence In Education (SAVE) Act enacted in November 2000 required
a Uniform Violent Incident Reporting System. School districts are required to report annually to
the New York State Education Department (NYSED) all alleged, violent and disruptive behavior
through the Violent and Disruptive Incidents Reports (VADIR). VADIR data is used to identify
schools considered “persistently dangerous”, which is a federal requirement under the No Child
Left Behind Act. Beyond the “persistently dangerous” identification, the VADIR does not
characterize or rank order schools on the basis of violence. No comparative data, therefore, is
presented here.
None of the schools within Herkimer County have been designated as persistently dangerous in
any of the years of reporting. Of the 21 categories of violent and disruptive behaviors, there
were no incidences reported across Herkimer County in the last audited year in 10 of those
categories. Many of these categories are serious crimes, such as homicide, forcible sex
offenses, and crimes committed with weapons. Below is the total number of reported incidences
(not numbers of students) for each of the 12 remaining categories:
Education
Table 171VADIR Summary 2010–2011 Herkimer County Schools
Category # Definition
Minor Altercations 215 Minor altercations involving physical contact but no physical injury.
Harassment/
Bullying
133 Intimidation, harassment, menacing or bullying with no physical contact but
intentionally placing another person in fear of imminent physical injury.
Criminal Mischief 14 Intentional or reckless damaging of school property or the property of another
person, including but not limited to vandalism and the defacing of property with
graffiti.
Endangerment 10 Subjecting individuals to danger by recklessly engaging in conduct that creates a
grave risk of death or serious injury but no actual physical injury.
Weapons
Possession
9 A list of several weapons is provided, including not only guns and knives, but
firecrackers, imitation guns and slingshots.
Larceny or Other
Theft
7 Unlawful taking and carrying away of personal property with intent to deprive the
rightful owner of property. Permanently or unlawfully withholding property from
another.
Assault with
Physical Injury
21 Intentional or reckless act causing impairment of physical condition or substantial
pain.
Drugs 29 Use, possession or sale.
Alcohol 6 Use, possession or sale.
Other Sex
Offenses
5 Involving inappropriate sexual contact (no forcible compulsion.)
False Alarm 0 Falsely activating a fire alarm or other disaster alarm.
Other Disruptive
Behaviors
515 Disruption to the educational process serious enough to lead to one or more
disciplinary consequences.
Source: NYS Education Department, Violent and Disruptive Incidents Reports 2010–11
332

Education
Source: NYS Education Department, Violent and Disruptive Incidents Reports
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
VADIR Summary 2007–2011
Herkimer County Schools
2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011
Graph 148
333

Education
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Minor Altercations Totals
2007–2011
2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011
Graph 149
334

Education
Bullying
One behavior of concern for parents, youth and schools is bullying. The 2005 Herkimer County
Teen Assessment Project (TAP) Survey reported that one in five youth felt constantly teased,
threatened or harassed by other youth. An analysis of the TAP Survey responses found that
those students who admit to having been bullied are more likely to experience unhealthy and
anti-social behaviors.
• Among those that have ever drank alcohol, those that experienced bullying were more likely
to use alcohol at least once a week (20% of teens who experienced bullying versus 13% of
those that haven’t felt bullied)
• Youth were more likely to have ever tried someone else’s prescriptions (13% versus 8%)
• Were more likely to have ever misused over the counter drugs (25% versus 13%)
• Were more likely to feel unsafe at school (45% versus 20%)
• Were more likely to have missed school in the past year because they felt unsafe (23%
versus 10%), and
• Were more likely to feel unsafe in their communities (35% versus 17%)
• Youth were also more likely to have attempted suicide in the past year (20% versus 9%)
• Among those that have tried to commit suicide in the past year, youth were more likely to
have been injured during a suicide attempt to the point it required medical attention (26%
versus 23%)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
VADIR Bullying Totals
2007–2011
2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011
Graph 150
335

Education
Negative Family, School and Community Integration
The Herkimer County Teen Assessment Project (TAP) obtains responses from 7th
, 9th
, and 11th
graders in all the school districts in Herkimer County. Results from the TAP Survey for all
school districts except West Winfield (Mt. Markham) are included in TAP results reported in
this document.
Following is a crosswalk of issues and their relationship to negative family integration, negative
school integration, and negative community integration. The issues highlighted in Table 157 are
all behaviors that impinge on the youths present/future health and well being. Youths who
experience negative family, school, or community integration in every case have a higher
prevalence of behavioral issues than youth not experiencing negative family, school and
community integration.
Issue Negative Family
Integration
Negative School
Integration
Negative Community
Integration
Ever Smoked 2X as likely 2X as likely 2X as likely
Ever Drank 1.5X as likely 1.5X as likely 1.5X as likely
Ever Used Marijuana ~2X as likely 2X as likely ~2X as likely
Cutting/Self Mutilate 3X as likely 2+X as likely 2+X as likely
Depression 3X as likely 2X as likely 2X as likely
Suicide Ideation 4X as likely 3X as likely 3X as likely
Suicide Planning 5X as likely 3X as likely 4X as likely
Suicide Attempt 5X as likely 4X as likely 4X as likely
Ever Sexually Active 1.5X as likely 1.5X as likely 1.5X as likely
Sexually Promiscuous 2.5X as likely 2.5X as likely 2.5X as likely
Feel Bullied 2X as likely 2.5X as likely 2.5X as likely
Bullied Others 2X as likely 2X as likely 2X as likely
Had Violent Relationship
GF/BF 3X as likely 2.5X as likely 2X as likely
Bullied Online 2X as likely 2X as likely 2X as likely
Bullied Others Online 2.5X as likely 2.5X as likely 2.5X as likely
Table 172
Negative Family, School and Community Integration
Crosswalk of Behavioral Issues
336

Education
Herkimer County Teen Assessment Project Survey 2009
New York State Department of Education, Comprehensive Information Report
New York State Department of Education, New York State Report Cards
https://reportcards.nysed.gov/
New York State Department of Education, Violent and Disruptive Incidents Reports
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/irs/vadir/
DATA SOURCES
McCauley Mountain Scenic Overlook
337

Education
Attendance & Completion Rates
WHERE WE STAND
High School graduates earn substantially more than persons who leave high school without
graduating. High School drop-outs have lower earnings, experience more unemployment, and are
more likely to end up on welfare and/or in prison than their peers who complete high school or
college. Women who drop out of high school are more likely to become pregnant and give birth
at a young age, and are more likely to become single parents (Maine Marks, June 2003).
The table above illustrates the Attendance and Suspension rates for all Herkimer County School
Districts for the 2003/04 through 2009/10 academic years. Herkimer County’s average
attendance rate (and every individual school district rate) was above New York State’s average
Table 173Attendance & Suspension Rates
District
2003–2004 2004–2005 2005–2006 2006–2007 2007–2008 2008–2009 2009–2010
Attend
%
Susp.
%
Attend
%
Susp.
%
Attend
%
Susp.
%
Attend
%
Susp.
%
Attend
%
Susp.
%
Attend
%
Susp.
%
Attend
%
Susp.
%
Dolgeville 95.6 3.1 95 4 95 5 96 5 96 4 95 4 95 4
Frankfort-
Schuyler
93.6 4.5 93 5 94 3 94 5 95 8 94 7 94 7
Herkimer 95 7.3 94 8 94 8 94 7 94 5 94 5 94 4
Ilion 95.6 4.1 95 7 95 6 94 5 95 9 95 7 95 2
Little Falls 94 4.2 95 9 96 6 95 7 96 3 97 5 95 5
Mohawk 93.2 3.6 94 4 93 5 93 5 93 3 93 4 93 6
Mt. Markham 95.1 3.5 95 4 95 2 95 3 95 3 95 2 95 2
Owen D.
Young
95.4 1.3 96 3 97 5 95 0 94 3 95 4 94 3
Poland 95 4.3 95 3 96 1 96 2 96 3 96 2 96 5
Town of
Webb
94.6 5.3 95 0 95 7 95 3 95 7 95 3 94 2
West Canada
Valley
96.4 3.3 96 4 96 3 95 3 96 3 96 4 95 3
Herkimer
County
Average
94.9 4.0 94.8 4.6 95.1 4.6 94.7 4.1 95.0 4.6 95.0 4.3 94.5 3.9
New York
State
Average
92.7 4.8 93 5 93 6 93 5 93 5 93 5 93 5
Source: NYS Department of Education-Accountability and Overview Report
338

Education
attendance rate for each academic year during this time period. The average suspension rate
for Herkimer County schools has also been consistently below that of the New York State rate
for the same period, although some districts within the county have higher suspension rates in a
given year when compared to the NYS average rate.
For those youth not
completing high school, having
an opportunity to obtain a
General Educational
Development (GED) is
extremely important. Table
174 lists the number of GED
classes that have been held
by Herkimer BOCES and the
number of Herkimer County
youth between the ages of 16
and 21 that were enrolled for
the academic years
1999/2000 through
2011/2012.
In 2006, the funding that
supported the GED programs
for youth age 19 to 21 was
discontinued; as a result, the
classes held during the
2006/07 academic year to
the present are for eligible school age students
only (students between the ages of 16 to 18 and
those enrolled in an Individualized Education
Program—IEP).
Project Connect began in Herkimer County in June
2001 to work with youth who had dropped out of
school and who are between the ages of 16 and 21,
economically disadvantaged, deficient in basic
skills and who were unemployed or underemployed.
Its prime goal was to return students to their
home high schools, where they could receive a
Regents Diploma. Depending upon a student’s age
and circumstances, an array of other options were
Table 174
School Year Classes Youth Per Year
1999–2000 4 60
2000–2001 4 98
2001–2002 4 92
2002–2003 4 83
2003–2004 4 120
2004–2005 4 94
2005–2006 4 69
2006–2007 2 61
2007–2008 2 60
2008–2009 2 50
2009-2010 2 62
2010-2011 2 113
2011-2012 2 115
GED Classes & Youth Per Year at Herkimer BOCES
Source: Herkimer BOCES
School Year Number of Students
2001–2002 169
2002–2003 149
2003–2004 184
2004–2005 137
2005–2006 138
2006–2007 Program Discontinued
Total 777
Table 175
Youth Enrolled in Project Connect
by School Year
339

Education
explored, from helping students to earn a GED
to gaining work experience. Project Connect was
discontinued in the fall of 2006 due to a lack of
grant funding.
Project ReConnect began in 2007 when funding,
once again, became available. Like Project
Connect, Project ReConnect is intended to be a
single point of entry for youth at least 18 years
old, who have dropped out of school and want to
improve their education and job opportunities,
and are, ideally, expected to complete the
program in a year. Each person is tested, goals
are set and an individual plan developed. Small
stipends can be paid for predetermined
milestones for WIA (Workforce Investment
Act) eligible students.
Herkimer County, on average, has a consistently better dropout rate than New York State.
Individual school district dropout rates vary. Detailed information by school district is included
in the table on the following page.
Tables 176
Youth Enrolled in Project ReConnect
by School Year
School Year Number of Students
2007–2008 77
2008–2009 86
2009-2010 70
2010-2011 72
2011-2012 85
Total 390
Graph 151
Source: NYS Department of Education: Comprehensive Information Report
4.5%
4.4%
3.2%
2.9%
2.7% 2.7% 2.7%2.7%
2.5%
1.7%
2.5%
2.2%
1.3%
1.8%
0%
1%
2%
3%
4%
5%
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Percentage of Annual High School Dropouts
NYS Herkimer County Average
340

Education
Data on dropout rates from the 2004/2005 school year and forward are based on a newly
implemented system that measures high school students as a cohort starting in 9th
grade and
continuing through the completion of 12th
grade. It is hoped that this system will more
accurately reflect the dropout rate than the previous method. Prior to this new method, only
those students who began but did not complete their senior year were counted as dropouts. The
new method still does not take into account how many of these dropouts may return to school to
obtain their GED.
SCHOOL
DISTRICT
2005–
2006
2006–
2007
2007–
2008
2008–
2009
2009–
2010
2010–
2011
Dolgeville 2 2 2 2 1 1
Frankfort-Schuyler 2 2 4 2 1 2
Herkimer 7 4 4 5 3 4
Ilion 2 3 2 3 2 2
Little Falls 3 1 5 4 2 3
Mohawk 4 3 2 3 2 1
Mount Markham 2 1 3 2 2 1
Owen D. Young 1 1 2 2 0 2
Poland 1 0 1 0 1 0
Town of Webb 2 1 0 0 0 2
West Canada
Valley
2 1 2 1 0 2
Herkimer County
Average
2.5 1.7 2.5 2.2 1.3 1.8
NYS 4.4 3.2 2.9 2.7 2.7 2.7
Percentage of High School Dropouts—Herkimer County & NYS
Table 177
341

Herkimer BOCES
New York State Department of Education, Comprehensive Information Report
DATA SOURCES
Education
SCHOOL
DISTRICT
Cohort
Entering
Graduates Percentage
Dolgeville 76 57 75.0%
Frankfort-Schuyler 99 80 80.8%
Herkimer 108 74 68.5%
Ilion 117 94 80.3%
Little Falls 97 79 81.4%
Mohawk 78 58 74.4%
Mount Markham 112 92 82.1%
Owen D. Young 24 21 87.5%
Poland 66 51 77.3%
Town of Webb 27 26 96.3%
West Canada Valley 60 44 73.3%
Total 864 676 78.2%
Four Year Completion by District 2007–2011
Source: NYS Department of Education
Table 178
342

Education
Academic Proficiency
WHERE WE STAND
Research overwhelmingly reveals that the early childhood years are the single most important
period of time during which literacy development occurs in a person’s life (National Association
for the Education of Young Children, 1998; Slegers, 1996). Young children’s literacy learning
benefits greatly from adults who are responsive to their interests and sensitive to their current
level of language development (Slegers, 1996). Young children also need adults to play with, talk
with, sing to, and with whom to do finger plays and other learning games. This can be facilitated
in preschool, as can positive and nurturing relationships with teachers who can model reading and
writing behaviors, engage in responsive conversations, and foster children’s interests in learning
to read and write (NAEYC, 1998; Teale & Yokota, 2000).
Beginning in the late elementary grades, academic failure increases the risk that youth will
engage in problem behaviors. Children fail for many reasons, yet it seems that the experience of
failure, not necessarily the lack of ability, increases risk.
The table below identifies the number of pre-Kindergarten students that were enrolled in a
Pre-K program operated by Herkimer BOCES. Full Day enrollment is every other day, M/W or
T/TH plus every other Friday. Half day enrollment is every day (M–F).
Schools are meant to provide educational opportunities for all children, to enhance their chances
to succeed and learn, regardless of a child’s needs for support. For children with special
learning-related needs, being ready to enter school and to succeed in school partly depends upon
having had early intervention and perhaps having ongoing supports in place at the time of school
entry for the child and family (Maine Marks, June 2003).
Full Day Half Day
2003–2004 137 94
2004–2005 153 95
2005–2006 159 92
2006–2007 145 104
2007–2008 92 64
2008–2009 86 72
2009–2010 94 66
2010–2011 101 63
2011–2012 98 64
Pre-K Students for Herkimer BOCES
Table 179
343

Children Receiving Preschool Special Education Programs 2003–2013
The table above illustrates the number of Herkimer County children that have received
preschool special education services from 2003–2013. Preschool Special Education Services are
provided to children ages 3 and 4 that are found to be qualified to receive these services after
a multidisciplinary evaluation. Services range from in-home therapies to intensive facility-based
programs. Costs for these services can range from $20,000 to $44,000 per child per year, not
including transportation costs.
Testing Proficiency
The New York State Department of Education requires that every 4th
, 5th
, 6th
, 7th
and 8th
grade
student be tested in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics and Science. The tests’ results
are broken down into the following categories:
• Level 1: These students have serious academic deficiencies.
• Level 2: These students need extra help to meet the standards and pass the Regents exam.
• Level 3: These students meet the standards and, with continued steady growth, should pass
the Regents exam.
• Level 4: These students exceed the standards and are moving toward high performance on
the Regents exam.
A student is deemed to have proficiency in the subject area if they score at Level 3 or Level 4.
The charts on the next few pages describe the results of the 4th
and 8th
grade tests for
students in Herkimer County School Districts and New York State.
Education
Total
Children
Half Day
BOCES
Full Day
BOCES
Half Day
out of
County
Promise 1:1 Aide
EIP
Referral
Out of
County
Referral
Full Day
out of
County
2012-13 31 6 25 0 2 N/A 35 N/A N/A
2011-12 32 8 24 1 2 N/A 3 N/A N/A
2010-11 36 11 25 1 2 N/A 6.5 N/A N/A
2009-10 46 12 34 0 0 4 6 24 N/A
2008-09 41.75 12 29 0 0.75 5 5.5 25 N/A
2007-08 30 12 17 0 1 4 4.5 27 N/A
2006-07 30.25 12 18 0 3 3 25 30.25
2005-06 28 11 14 0.5 4 4.5 41 12.5
2004-05 30 11 18 0 0 5.5 N/A N/A1
2003-04 22.5 6.5 15 0 1 N/A 4 N/A N/A
Source: Herkimer BOCES & Herkimer County Public Health Table 180
344

Education
Table 181
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Dolgeville 53% 57% 60% 53% 65% 64% 34% 50%
Frankfort 75% 76% 80% 69% 70% 85% 74% 78%
Herkimer 70% 82% 68% 78% 82% 83% 57% 53%
Ilion 52% 65% 69% 67% 69% 74% 52% 53%
Little Falls 58% 71% 73% 71% 76% 75% 55% 49%
Mohawk 55% 69% 66% 74% 78% 78% 50% 49%
Mount Markham 56% 71% 61% 69% 65% 78% 47% 59%
Owen D. Young 91% 75% 75% 88% 92% 80% 50% 61%
Poland 47% 75% 72% 59% 81% 76% 56% 43%
West Canada Valley 60% 74% 67% 67% 69% 75% 72% 50%
Town of Webb 70% 74% 89% 83% 87% 100% 69% 44%
Source: NYSED: Accountability and Overview Report
62.5%
71.3% 70.9% 70.7%
75.8% 78.9%
56.0%
53.5%
64.3%
62.2%
70.4%
68.0%
70.0%
77.0%
57.0% 57.0%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Percent Proficient in English Language Arts
Grade 4
Herkimer NYS
Graph 152Source: NYSED: Accountability and Overview Report
345

Education
Table 182
84.8%
89.1%
83.6% 85.2%
87.5%
88.6%
61.0%
66.0%
79.0%
85.0%
78.0%
80.0% 84.0%
87.0%
64.0%
67.0%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Percentage Proficient in Math Grade 4
Herkimer NYS
Graph 153
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Dolgeville 80% 86% 89% 79% 89% 77% 54% 68%
Frankfort 90% 86% 80% 86% 87% 97% 79% 89%
Herkimer 87% 90% 86% 89% 91% 88% 61% 57%
Ilion 73% 83% 74% 71% 82% 82% 50% 67%
Little Falls 79% 85% 78% 82% 81% 77% 53% 51%
Mohawk 74% 87% 82% 90% 88% 96% 71% 46%
Mount Markham 73% 89% 76% 88% 80% 88% 65% 76%
Owen D. Young 100% 100% 75% 100% 92% 90% 43% 87%
Poland 91% 89% 92% 80% 94% 87% 59% 44%
Town of Webb 100% 92% 95% 92% 97% 100% 56% 61%
346

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Dolgeville 85% 84% 98% 95% 93% 81% 82% 95%
Frankfort 93% 83% 98% 98% 92% 97% 98% 96%
Herkimer 92% 90% 96% 96% 91% 91% 93% 90%
Ilion 79% 79% 88% 83% 86% 90% 89% 88%
Little Falls 93% 94% 94% 96% 87% 94% 95% 88%
Mohawk 86% 94% 93% 98% 93% 91% 90% 87%
Mount Markham 82% 89% 91% 91% 84% 91% 94% 94%
Owen D. Young 100% 94% 100% 100% 93% 95% 100% 96%
Poland 96% 89% 96% 94% 96% 89% 95% 87%
Town of Webb 97% 97% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 89%
Table 183
Education
90.6% 89.5%
95.7% 95.1%
90.8% 92.1%
94.0% 91.3%
78.8% 80.2%
86.0% 85.0%
70.0%
88.0% 88.0% 88.0%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Percentage Proficient in Science Grade 4
Herkimer NYS
Graph 154
347

At the Grade 4 level:
• For English Language Arts, Herkimer County students performed better, on average,
than all the students in NYS commencing in 2004 and each year thereafter until 2010.
• For Math, Herkimer County students performed better, on average, than all the stu-
dents in NYS for 2004 and each year thereafter until 2010.
• For Science, Herkimer County students performed better, on average, than all the
students in NYS for 2004 and each year thereafter.
At Grade 8 Level:
• For English and Math, Herkimer County students, on average, did worse than the NYS
rate except for 2008 and 2009 when rates were about the same.
• For Science, Herkimer County students, on average, were consistently better than the
NYS rate in every year.
Education
General Herkimer Home Historic Site
348

Education
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Dolgeville 47% 34% 42% 42% 58% 60% 51% 36%
Frankfort 47% 51% 55% 63% 57% 74% 55% 51%
Herkimer 45% 47% 33% 44% 60% 61% 42% 49%
Ilion 36% 47% 33% 48% 46% 66% 49% 41%
Little Falls 50% 40% 51% 51% 48% 73% 47% 48%
Mohawk 41% 45% 46% 54% 53% 81% 59% 54%
Mount Markham 41% 52% 66% 58% 56% 79% 59% 48%
Owen D. Young 46% 44% 25% 30% 80% 54% 52% 35%
Poland 34% 36% 39% 57% 50% 73% 61% 41%
Town of Webb 41% 52% 63% 43% 61% 64% 52% 61%
Table 184
43.3% 42.1%
46.3%
49.5%
55.7%
69.1%
53.5%
46.4%47.0% 48.0% 49.0%
57.0% 56.0%
69.0%
51.0%
47.0%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Percentage Proficient in English Language Arts
Grade 8
Herkimer NYS
Graph 155
349

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Dolgeville 71% 40% 54% 46% 76% 90% 44% 50%
Frankfort 46% 48% 52% 66% 70% 78% 54% 60%
Herkimer 60% 54% 25% 43% 70% 74% 40% 44%
Ilion 57% 52% 61% 64% 70% 83% 47% 35%
Little Falls 69% 56% 70% 59% 68% 90% 38% 48%
Mohawk 52% 35% 30% 49% 53% 82% 31% 54%
Mount Markham 54% 45% 57% 50% 64% 85% 53% 54%
Owen D. Young 46% 20% 20% 25% 80% 83% 17% 29%
Poland 61% 60% 40% 52% 62% 78% 43% 33%
Town of Webb 72% 73% 64% 43% 64% 88% 62% 65%
Table 185
Education
59.3%
49.4% 48.7%
52.6%
69.3%
84.4%
46.7%
50.2%
58.0% 56.0% 54.0% 59.0%
70.0%
80.0%
55.0%
60.0%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Percent Proficient in Math Grade 8
Herkimer NYS
Graph 156
350

Table 186
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Dolgeville 80% 81% 81% 59% 74% 70% 89% 75%
Frankfort 78% 84% 80% 78% 90% 79% 87% 77%
Herkimer 77% 86% 70% 69% 81% 72% 60% 77%
Ilion 77% 79% 80% 67% 71% 72% 73% 67%
Little Falls 89% 89% 90% 95% 88% 86% 77% 80%
Mohawk 74% 76% 73% 70% 80% 86% 68% 73%
Mount Markham 83% 78% 82% 72% 80% 85% 82% 80%
Owen D. Young 100% 87% 70% 90% 100% 85% 83% 76%
Poland 91% 87% 84% 92% 96% 88% 82% 98%
Town of Webb 100% 94% 92% 92% 82% 94% 90% 100%
Graph 157
Education
85.9%
84.5%
80.4%
78.9%
83.9% 82.4%
80.6% 81.3%
68.0% 68.0%
64.0%
68.0%
73.0%
68.0%
71.0%
69.0%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Percent Proficient in Science Grade 8
Herkimer NYS
351

Education
Source:NYSEducationDepartment:ComprehensiveInformationReport
Graph148
Asaresultofstatemandates,morestudentsaretakingregentsexamstofulfillgraduationrequirements.Theabove
graphreflectstheincreasednumbersofstudentsparticipatinginregentsexamsbyeachsubjectoverafive-yearperiod
2007–2011.TheexceptionisMathA,whichhasseenadeclineinnumbers.IntegratedAlgebrawasaddedin2008.
EnglishMathAMathB
Integrated
Algebra
Geometry
Algebra
2/Trigonom
etry
Global
History
&
Georgraphy
USHistory
&
Government
Living
Environment
Earth
Science
ChemistryPhysics
2007805759482000871768924755417145
2008874719479669001008865828824447200
20097662204547933930926804888748473187
20107780226829511286938769750749450176
201183600986593445957842760741473159
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
RegentsParticipationGraph158
352

According to the United States Department of Education, each public school child who receives
special education and related services must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Each IEP must be designed for one student and must be a truly individualized document. The
IEP creates an opportunity for teachers, parents, school administrators, related services
personnel, and students (when appropriate) to work together to improve educational results for
children with disabilities. The IEP is the cornerstone of a quality education for each child with a
disability.
Vocational Education
The primary goal of vocational education is to prepare youth and adults for employment.
Changing demographics in combination with technological developments have placed the
education and training of the work force on the national agenda.
Given their changing expectations for employees, it is significant to note that both national and
state studies of employers’ perceptions of vocational education that were conducted prior to
1985 revealed that, on the whole, employers were satisfied with vocational graduates. Results
of studies conducted since 1985 found that when respondents hired high school graduates for
entry-level positions, over 60 percent had a strong preference for vocationally trained
individuals. Respondents reported that vocational education graduates are more enthusiastic,
require less training, and are preferred over college- or military-trained persons as well as
individuals with several years’ work experience. (ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult Career and Vocational
Education Columbus OH, ED312454)
Education
449
533
501
552
572
615
592 595
0
209 207
246
263 272 279
246
42 46 46 52 40 47 50
28
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011
Regents and Local Diplomas
RegentsDiploma Regentsw/ Advanced Designation Receiving an IEP Diploma
* Graduates with IEP Diplomas were not required to be included until the 2004/2005 school year
Source: NYS Education Department: Comprehensive Information Report
Graph 159
353

Number of Herkimer County High School Students in
Vocational Education At BOCES by School District
Education
2003-
2004
2004-
2005
2005-
2006
2006-
2007
2007-
2008
2008-
2009
2009-
2010
2010-
2011
2011-
2012
Dolgeville 62 55 53 51 46 56 50 35 34
Frankfort-
Schuyler
54 48 61 54 54 52 65 75 65
Herkimer 68 74 61 56 69 74 82 75 81
Ilion 110 90 101 102 96 92 85 87 96
Little Falls 54 52 56 56 55 55 42 42 56
Mohawk 60 67 55 50 54 42 44 51 47
Mt. Markham 56 69 74 88 71 43 33 44 46
Owen D.
Young
19 15 12 10 14 18 21 13 9
Poland 29 23 35 40 30 34 47 50 54
Town of
Webb
13 12 16 18 9 5 * * *
West Canada
Valley
34 44 57 47 40 36 36 44 42
Total 559 549 581 572 538 507 505** 516** 530**
*Data Unavailable
**Total minus Town of Webb numbers.
Source: Herkimer & Jefferson-Lewis BOCES
Table 187
The table above illustrates the number of high school students that were enrolled in Vocational
Education at Herkimer or Jefferson-Lewis BOCES by individual school district for the years
2003/04 to 2008/09. Enrollment peaked in 2005/06, then began a four year decline, before
increasing again in 2010/2011 and 2011/2012.
354

Indicators of BOCES Performance
Career & Technical Education (CTE)
BOCES CTE classes, offered primarily on a half-day basis, prepare high school students from
component districts for skilled work force careers. Most CTE programs require two years to
complete.
Education
Table 188
Number of 11th
/12th
grade students
enrolled in a CTE two-year sequence:
2009–2010 2010–2011
General
Education
Students
Students
with
Disabilities
General
Education
Students
Students
with
Disabilities
First-year students 213 105 211 118
Second-year students 172 66 145 68
Second-year students completing 163 63 143 59
Completers with technical endorsement 48 6 77 22
Number of 11th
/12th
grade students
enrolled in one-year programs:
“New Vision” 0 0 4 0
Participated 1 year of a CTE Program 6 4 2 6
Other one-year programs 5 59 0 31
ELA Regents
Success
Math Regents
Success
Technical
Assessment
HS Completion
State Performance Target 72.25% 73.25% 57.27% 72.00%
All CTE Students 76.41% 76.29% 69.01% 96.15%
Students w/Disabilities 28.00% 38.00% 40.63% 90.00%
0.00%
20.00%
40.00%
60.00%
80.00%
100.00%
CTE Student Performance on Perkins Indicators
Who Left School in 2010
Graph 160
355

DATA SOURCES
Herkimer BOCES Survey of Career & Technical Education Graduates
Status Six Months Post-Program Completion (2008)
BOCES Surveys CTE concentrators six months after they last attended their CTE program to
determine if they are employed or continuing their education
Herkimer & Jefferson-Lewis BOCESBOCES
Source: NYS Education Department: Comprehensive Information Report
NAEYC, 1998; Slegers, 1996; Teale & Yokota, 2000
Education
0.00%
5.00%
10.00%
15.00%
20.00%
25.00%
30.00%
35.00%
40.00%
45.00%
50.00%
Employed Military Pursuring Post-
Secondary Education
Unemployed Other
2009-2010 All Graduates (General Education and Students with Disabilities)
2009-2010 Students with Disabilities
Graph 161
356

Education
Perceptions & Attitudes Towards School
Students’ perceptions of and experiences in the school influence the development of their self-
esteem, self-perception and health behaviors. Although the school is not the only formative
influence on children and adolescents, it provides direct access to young people for educational
programs and is in itself an environment which is amenable to intervention—with or without
reference to other major influences on health status such as families, peers and the media. The
school can be both a risk and a resource for the development of students’ health behaviors and
general health. The risk is most obvious when examining students with negative perceptions of
school. Those students who dislike school are also those most likely to be failing academically,
and those at greatest risk of adopting unhealthy behaviors, exhibiting psychosomatic problems
and experiencing reduced quality of life (Epstein, 1981a; Calabrese, 1987a; Kasen et al., 1990;
Nordlohne and Hurrelmann, 1990; Jessor, 1991; Nutbeam and Aaro, 1991; Nutbeam et al., 1993).
(O. Samdal, D. Nutbeam1, B. Wold and and L. Kannas)
The percent of Herkimer County High School Students that go on to college increased fairly
steadily from 1996 until 2004. Since then the rate has decreased from 84.5% to 81.9%. This
does not take into account preparedness for college or the percent that go on to complete
college.
WHERE WE STAND
84.5%
82.3%
83.8%
75.9%
79.9% 80.3%
78.2%
81.9%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011
Percent Attending 2 or 4 Year College Post
Graduation
Graph 162
357

Education
High school
students who
enjoy going
to school has
increased
from 1997 to
2009. In
2009, 61.6%
of 7th
, 9th
,
and 11th
grade
students
reported
strongly
agreeing or
agreeing they
enjoy going
to school.
How much they enjoy going to school varies from 7th
to 9th
and 11th
grades.
Graph 163
63.0%
58.1%
63.7%
37.0%
41.9%
36.3%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
7th Graders 9th Graders 11th Graders
Herkimer County Students Who Enjoy Going to School
by Grade - 2009
Strongly Agree & Agree Disagree & Strongly Disagree
48.2%
51.0%
49.1%
61.6%
34.7%
40.8% 41.4% 38.4%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1997 2001 2005 2009
Students Who Enjoy Going to School
Strongly Agree & Agree Disagree & Strongly Disagree
Graph 164
358

Education
When asked if
the rules in their
school are the
same for
everyone, as the
students
progress
through 7th
, 9th
,
and 11th
grades
the percentage
agreeing rules
are the same for
everyone
decreases.
When comparing
2005 with 2009,
the results for
2009 show more
students feel
the rules are the
same for everyone than they did in 2005 in each grade.
81% of
students in
Herkimer
County
generally
believe that
their
teachers
care about
them, care
about how
well they do
in school,
and have
high
expectations
of the
students.Source: Herkimer County TAP Survey 2009
Graph 165
Graph 166
Source Herkimer County TAP Survey 2009
Strongly Agree &
Agree, 81.5%
Disagree &
Strongly
Disagree, 18.5%
Teachers Generally Have High Expectations of
Me, Care About Me, and How Well I Do
359

Education
76% of
Herkimer
County
students feel
safe in their
schools. This
is an increase
over 2001
and 2005
results, but
not as high as
1997 when
78.4% of
students
reported
feeling safe
in their
schools. This
could result
from events on 9/11/2001 and all that has ensued since that time.
The results in
this graph
indicate
students are
not missing
school, for the
most part,
because they
felt unsafe at
school or while
traveling to
and from
school. 2009
results show an
improvement
over 2005,
which was an
improvement
over 2001.
Graph 167Source: Herkimer County TAP Survey 2009
Graph 168
78.4%
70.3%
74.5% 76.0%
21.6%
29.7%
25.5% 24.0%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1997 2001 2005 2009
Students Who Feel Safe in Their School
StronglyAgree, Agree Disagree, StronglyDisagree
84.8%
7.2%
2.9% 1.7%
86.5%
7.6%
2.8% 3.1%
92.1%
6.1%
1.1% 0.7%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Never Once Several Times Many Times
2001 2005 2009
Students Who Missed School Because They Felt:
Unsafe at School or Unsafe Traveling To and From School
360

Education
DATA SOURCES
About half of the teens in both 1997 and 2001 admitted they did one hour or less of homework
or studying per week. In 2009, even more (63%) reported they spent just one hour or less on
homework.
Herkimer County’s Teen Assessment Project (TAP) Survey: 1997, 2001, 2005 & 2009
12.7%
37.9% 41.6%
5.5% 2.4%
10.5%
37.8%
43.2%
6.7%
1.8%
14.8%
48.1%
33.3%
3.0% 0.9%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
None About 1 Hour 2-10 Hours 11-20 Hours More Than 20
Hours
1997 2001 2009
How Much Time Do You Spend Doing Homework Or Studying
After School Or On Weekends
Source: TAP Survey 2009 Graph 169
361

Education
Continuing & Adult Education
Adult illiteracy is a growing problem despite efforts to curb it. Each year, an estimated
2.3 million persons join the pool of those 23 million adults considered to be functionally
illiterate. This number includes high school dropouts and “push-outs,” legal and illegal immigrants,
and refugees (United States Department of Education). The cost of illiteracy in increased
participation in welfare programs and unemployment compensation is estimated to be $6 billion a
year (Wellborn 1982). ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult Career and Vocational Education Columbus OH, ED259210.
WHERE WE STAND
The table below illustrates the number of adults enrolled in continuing education programs
through Herkimer BOCES between the 2003/2004 and 2011/2012 academic years. There has
been a decrease in the number of adults enrolled in these programs with few increases in the
2008/2009 and 2010/2011 academic years, particularly due to the lack of funding to support
those below the age of 21 to receive these services. Funding to support that age group was
discontinued as of 12/31/06.
Those enrolled reflect students that entered a program after assessment. Upon entry,
students are assessed in reading and math. Often students come in with a goal of getting their
diploma, but they lack the skills to enter a diploma program.
Adult Basis Education (ABE) programs are for students who score at an 8.9 grade equivalent or
below. Diploma programs, the General Educational Diploma (GED) or External Diploma Program
(EDP), have an entry requirement of a 9th
grade equivalent. After a time of instruction on their
individual needs, the student is post-tested. When a student reaches a 9th
grade skill level, they
may choose a diploma program. For an EDP, the student must be over 21 years old.
2003-2004 2004–2005 2005–2006 2006–2007 2007–2008 2008–2009 2011-20122009-2010 2010-2011
ABE 215 212 167 236 214 265 240247 222
GED 133 (77)* 148 (76) 150 (81) 111 (61) 97 (56) 90 (61) 92 (66)87 (53) 99 (58)
EDP 95 (43) 85 (35) 95 (55) 104 (42) 92 (49) 83 (48) 88 (47)73 (35) 112 (61)
ESL 23 24 22 23 14 4 32 0
Total 466 469 427 377 324 359 335336 341
Adults Enrolled in Continuing Education Programs by Year
Source: NYS Department of Education: CTEDS-2
* The numbers in parenthesis represent graduates.
ABE—Adult Basic Education GED—General Educational EDP— External Diploma ESL— English As A Second Language
Table 189
362

The chart below identifies BOCES Adult Literacy Students by age cohort. Beginning with the
2006–2007 school year, the age brackets were changed which precludes comparing data prior to
that school year.
Herkimer BOCES
New York State Department of Education
ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult Career and Vocational Education
Columbus OH, ED259210.
Education
DATA SOURCES
19
101
168
74
16
52
90
132
45
10
61
115
141
34
8
39
111
140
36
10
56
111
126
44
4
62
112
125
33
3
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
16-18 19-24 25-44 45-59 60+
Herkimer BOCES Adult Literacy Students by Age Cohort
2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012
Graph 170
363

Education
Continuing & Adult Education: Community College
Herkimer County Community College, founded in 1966, plays a vital role in providing accessible
and affordable higher education and training through its credit and non-credit programs. In
2010, the college generated a $75 million economic impact in the county. This translates to a
$17.30 return to the public for each dollar of support received from state and county
taxpayers.
Total enrollment is comprised of full- and part-time students, as reflected in the above graph.
There was a slight dip in enrollments in 2006 and 2007 but enrollment numbers recovered in
2008.
HCCC offers more than 40 degree programs. Through their Internet Academy, there are one-
year certificate programs and 18 full degree programs that are offered completely on line.
HCCC continues to develop new academic programs to meet
the changing needs of the workplace, (most recently, Music
Industry and Medical Coding/Transcriptionist) and continues
to attract students to programs in Cybersecurity, Business
Administration, Radio-TV Broadcasting, EMT/Paramedic,
Physical Therapist Assistant and more.
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Part-Time 1,249 1,277 1,171 1,200 1,173 1,198 1,192 1,209
Full-Time 2,223 2,272 2,183 2,128 2,393 2,527 2,582 2,470
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
Herkimer County Community College
Enrollment
Source: NYSED Office of Research and Information Systems
Graph 171
Herkimer County Community College Campus
364

Education
Approximately 60% of the student body hails from outside Herkimer County, including all areas
of New York State, other states and several foreign countries. The following graphs
demonstrate the origin of full-time students at HCCC in both 2008 and 2010. The student origin
for full-time students at HCCC is quite different from that of other community colleges across
the state, which have a higher percentage from the home county and contiguous counties.
As a result, HCCC offered on-campus housing to 620 students in the 2009–2010 academic year,
making HCCC one of the largest residential community colleges in the state. Another 350
students reside in off-campus housing in the area, and approximately 1,880 commute to the
campus daily.
Internet Academy
The College recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of its Internet Academy. Current
enrollment for the Fall 2009 semester stands at 702 (mostly part-time students). The College’s
Internet Academy currently offers 19 degrees and four certificate programs completely online.
College Now
The College’s concurrent enrollment program, College Now, has grown considerably with 13
school districts participating (including all the districts in Herkimer County) and 504 high school
students enrolled with the Fall 2009 semester. College Now allows high school seniors to take
college courses and receive college credit.
Professional Development
HCCC offers a variety of non-credit courses and professional development workshops, as well as
Source: NYSED Office of Higher Education Research and Information Systems
Graph 172 Graph 173
365

contract courses and programs for businesses. Additionally, the Hummel Corporate and
Professional Education Center provides a venue for businesses and organizations to hold events,
conferences and meetings. The Executive Breakfast Series continued this year, with innovative
community leaders sharing expertise with members of the local business community.
Transfer to Four Year Educational Institutions
Sixty percent of students transfer to baccalaureate-level programs following graduation. HCCC
has established transfer agreements with four-year colleges and universities to provide a
seamless transfer of credits. The State University of New York has established a transfer
policy which guarantees all holders of the A.A. and A.S. degree admission to a four-year unit of
the university. Entrance within a particular institution is not guaranteed.
Remediation
Incoming freshmen are evaluated for Math and English proficiency utilizing a tool entitled
ASSET. Freshmen scoring poorly on the evaluation receive remedial Math and English
instruction to correct deficits and improve their chances for success in the community college.
Forty-four percent of all freshmen require such remediation each year. This statistic holds
true for all incoming community college freshmen across the state.
Education
366

Education
# in Cohort 2 Years 3 Years Still Enrolled
2003 1,079 12.3% 22.2% 10.7%
2004 1,187 11.4% 23.5% 11.1%
2005 1,362 13.3% 24.4% 8.7%
2006 1,401 11.1% 21.3% 10.1%
2007 1,394 11.3% 21.0% —
2008 1,361 12.1% 21.8% 11.5%
2009 1,400 11.4% 21.3% —
2010 1,380 10.0% 21.7% —
# in Cohort 2 Years 3 Years Still Enrolled
2003 772 18.9% 31.9% 4.9%
2004 783 19.3% 31.9% 4.9%
2005 826 19.1% 30.5% 5.0%
2006 805 19.8% 32.0% 5.7%
2007 817 19.2% 30.2% 4.4%
2008 918 20.7% 32.0% 4.4%
2009 793 18.4% 27.9% —
2010 850 17.6% 29.9% —
Cohort Completion Percentages
Source Tables XXX & XXX: NYSED Office of Research and Information Systems
Tables 174 and 175 show
Graduation Rates for First-Time
Full-Time Students entering a
less than Baccalaureate level
program and earning a degree
from the same institution
through the spring of Year Two
or Year Three from date of
original enrollment. Students
not completing their program
within three years of admission
are not included in the cohort.
When comparing HCCC and
MVCC cohort completion
percentages, it should be noted
that Mohawk Valley Community
College, unlike Herkimer County
Community College, offers
practicum courses which extend
the time to graduation for some
degree programs and may skew
its two and three year
completion data.
Cohort Completion in Three Years or Less at
Mohawk Valley Community College
Cohort Completion in Three Years or Less at
Table 191
Table 190
367

Education
http://www.herkimer.edu
NYS Department of Education: CTEDS-2 Report
*New York State Education Department, Office of Higher Education, Research and Information
System
http://www.highered.nysed.gov/oris/
DATA SOURCES
Lock 17 Erie Canal—Little Falls
368

Education
 Overall enrollment in Herkimer County Schools has decreased steadily from the 2005–2006
to 2010–2011 academic years from 10,661 to 9,932.
 Per pupil expenditure for the average of all school districts in Herkimer County has been less
than the NYS average for every academic year from 2004–2005 through 2009-2010.
This is true for both general education and special education.
 According to the 2010-2011 Violent and Disruptive Incidents Reports (VADIR), none of the
schools within Herkimer County have been designated as persistently dangerous in any of the
years of reporting. Of the 22 categories of violent and disruptive behaviors, there were no
incidences reported across Herkimer County in the last audited year in 10 of those
categories. Many of these categories are serious crimes, such as homicide, forcible sex
offenses, and crimes committed with weapons.
 Youths who experience negative family, school, or community integration in every case have a
higher prevalence of behavioral issues (smoking, marijuana use, self mutilation, depression,
suicide ideation and attempts, sexual promiscuity, bullied someone or felt bullied, violent
boyfriend/ girlfriend relationship) than youth not experiencing negative family, school and
community integration.
 Herkimer County’s average attendance rate (and every individual school district rate) was
above New York State’s average attendance rate for each academic year during the period
2003-2004 to 2009-2010. The average Suspension rate for Herkimer County schools has
also been consistently below that of the New York State rate for the same period, although
some districts within the county have higher suspension rates in a given year when compared
to the NYS average rate.
 The average drop out rate for Herkimer County school districts was below the NYS rate for
each academic year from 2005 to 2011, and has trended down, overall, since 2008; although
some districts within the county have a higher percentage of dropouts in a given year when
compared to the NYS percentage.
 A higher percentage of students in Herkimer County entering high school in 2007 within in
four years when compared to the New State Percentage. However, some individual schools’
percentages were below the overall New York State level.
 Academic proficiency for English, Math and Science based on uniform state tests, from
2004 through 2011, indicate in Grade 4 that:
 Herkimer County students, on average, performed better than the NYS rate in
English and Math in six of those eight years, and science in all eight years.
369

Education
 Academic proficiency for English, Math and Science based on uniform state tests, from
2004 through 2011, indicate in Grade 8 that:
 For English, Herkimer County students, on average, only outperformed the NYS rate
from 2008 through 2010,
 For Math, Herkimer County students, on average, only outperformed the NYS Rate in
2004 and again in 2009,
 For Science, Herkimer County students, on average, outperformed the NYS rate for
every year.
 Fewer students have been taking vocational education. In 2003-2004 there were 559
Herkimer County vocational education students and 530 in 2011-2012. Though their has been
an increase over the last two years.
 The percent of Herkimer County High School Students that go on to college increased fairly
steadily from 1996 until 2004. Since then the rate has decreased from 84.5% to 81.9%.
This does not take into account preparedness for college or the percent that go on to
complete college.
 High school students who enjoy going to school has increased from 1997 to 2009. In 2009,
61.6% of 7th
, 9th
, and 11th
grade students reported strongly agreeing or agreeing they enjoy
going to school.
 The 2009 TAP survey reveals that when comparing 2005 with 2009, the results for 2009
show more students feel the rules are the same for everyone in school than they did in 2005
in each grade, though there is still a 23.9% drop between 7th and 11th graders.
 According to the 2009 TAP Survey, 76% of Herkimer County students feel safe in their
schools. This is an increase over 2001 and 2005 results, but not as high as 1997 when 78.4%
of students reported feeling safe in their schools.
 About half of the teens in both 1997 and 2001 admitted they did one hour or less of
homework or studying per week. In 2009, even more (63%) reported they spent just one
hour or less on homework.
 Adults enrolled in continuing education programs for the period 2003–2004 through 2011–
2012 has decreased from 466 to 335. This figure is the total of adults in adult basic
education, general education, external diploma, and English as a second language.
 The largest component of Herkimer BOCES adult literacy students by age cohort is the 25–
44 age group followed by the 19–24 age group, then the 45–59 age group, the 16–18 age
group and finally the 60 + age group. The 25-44 age group has been trending down since
2008-2009 and the 16-18 age group has been trending up since 2009-2010.
 70% of the Herkimer County Community College student body hails from outside Herkimer
370

County, including all areas of NYS, other states & several foreign countries.
 Forty-four percent of all incoming freshmen at HCCC require remediation each year in Math
and English. This statistic holds true for all incoming community college freshmen across the
state.
 Sixty percent of HCCC students transfer to baccalaureate-level programs following
graduation.
Education
Historic Fort Herkimer Church
371

Tables
Community
 Table 1: Herkimer County Demographics: 2000 & 2010 Census Community
Survey………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………. 5
 Table 2: Herkimer County, NYS & US by Age: 2010 American Community
Survey……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..5
 Table 3: Herkimer County, NYS and US by Race & Ancestry…………………………………………….6
 Table 4: Herkimer County, NYS & US by Income………………………………………………………………...6
 Table 5: Percent of Persons Living Below Poverty: Herkimer County, NYS, US…………….7
 Table 6: Herkimer County Households & Families…………………………………………………………………7
 Table 7: Number of Farms & Acreage Used in Farming, Herkimer County……………………..8
 Table 8: Top Livestock & Value of Sales, Herkimer County……………………………………………….9
 Table 9: Herkimer County Benchmarks: 2007 and 2010 Expenditures, Tax Rates &
Debt Per Capita..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………..10
 Table 10: Median Age of Males & Females (1950—2010 …………………………………………….……13
 Table 11: Herkimer County Births By Municipality 2002-2010………………………….…………...15
 Table 12: Herkimer County Births By Village 2002-2010…………………………………….…………..16
 Table 13: Live Births in Herkimer County by Mother’s Age 2000-2010………….…………….16
 Table 14: Herkimer County Age & Municipality Data Census 2000 & 2010.…………….…..19
 Table 15: Municipalities by Race, 2000 & 2010 Censuses….…………………………………………….20
 Table 16: Herkimer County Population Changes (2000-2010)………………………………………...21
 Table 17: Herkimer County Senior Citizen Population,,,,,,,,,,,,,………………………………………..24
 Table 18: Herkimer County Population Changes by Age Group………...……..……………………..25
 Table 19: Population Projections for Herkimer County 2010 to 2040….……………………….26
 Table 20: Median Year of Construction for Year-Round Housing..………………………………...29
 Table 21: Selected Monthly Owner Costs, Herkimer County…………………………………………..30
 Table 22: Monthly Owner Costs as a Percentage of Household Income, Herkimer
County & US: 2006-2008……………………………………………………………..…………………………………………..30
 Table 23: Gross Rent Paid, Herkimer County: 2008-2010.……………………………………………….31
 Table 24: Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income,
Herkimer County and U.S.: 2008-2010………………………………...………………………………………………..31
Index of Tables & Graphs
374

 Table 25: Sales of Existing Single-Family Homes 2008–2010………………………………………...32
 Table 26: Median Sales Price of Existing Single-Family Homes 2008–2010….…..………..32
 Table 27: Herkimer County Churches and Synagogues 1980-2010………………………………...34
 Table 28: Religious Affiliation-Herkimer County, 1980-2010……………………….…………………35
 Table 29: Herkimer County–Household Size & Vehicles Available (2000& 2010)…..…..36
 Table 30: Means of Transportation to Work………………………………………………………………………37
 Table 31: RSVP RIDE Program Statistics 2003-2012.……………………………………………………..40
 Table 32: OFA Transportation 2005-2011…………………………………………………………………………..41
 Table 33: Age of Clients Served with OFA Transportation 2011…………………………………...41
 Table 34: Webb Community Transportation Service…………………………………………………………42
 Table 35: Herkimer County Labor Statistics 1990—2011………………………………………………..43
 Table 36: Unemployment Rates 1990-2011: Herkimer County, NYS & US…………………..44
 Table 37: Types of Employment—Herkimer County Industries 2011…….………………………46
 Table 38: Employment Projections Herkimer County 2006-2016 ………………………………...49
 Table 39: Occupational Projections 2006-2016 Mohawk Valley Region……………………….50
 Table 40: List of Tracks and Trails in Herkimer County……………………..…………………………..53
 Table 41: Playgrounds………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………....54
 Table 42: Public Beaches……………………………………………………………………………………………….…………..54
 Table 43: Tennis Courts………………………………………………………………………………………………….………….55
 Table 44: Work Investment Act (W.I.A) Funding Allocation to Herkimer Count……...67
 Table 45: Number of Youth ETA Summer Youth Programs in Herkimer County 2007 -
2012……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….68
 Table 46: Number of Adults and Dislocated Workers in OJT/CRT Programs in
Herkimer County: 2009-2011……………………………………………………………………………………………………69
 Table 47: 2013 Supply of Regulated Child Care in Herkimer County……………………………..71
 Table 48:Child Care Rate by Modality in Herkimer County…………………….………………………..75
Citizenship
 Table 49: Number & Percentage of Votes Cast– Herkimer County 1982 to 2012……...80
 Table 50: Herkimer County Library Circulation– 2005 to 2011………………………...…………..85
 Table 51: Library Programs and Attendence-2006 to 2011…………………………………………….87
 Table 52: Public Computer Usage Statistics– 2009 to 2011…………………………………………….88
 Table 53: Do you feel constantly teased, threatened or harassed by other youth……93
375

 Table 54: In the past year, have you ever done something that you could have been
arrested for such as shoplifting, vandalism, assault, etc.?..................................................94
 Table 55 Herkimer County Youth Arrests by Violation 2006-2008……………………………..101
 Table 56 Herkimer County Youth Arrests by Violation 2009-2011……………………………..102
 Table 57: Herkimer County Index Crime Summary– 2005-2011……………………………..…...105
 Table 58: Adult Arrests by Category in Herkimer County 1994-2011……..………………….106
 Table 59: Felony Arrests Disposed, Conviction and Incarceration Rates in Herkimer
County……………………………………………………………………………………………...………………………………………….108
 Table 60: Misdemeanor Arrests Disposed, Conviction and Incarceration Rates
 in Herkimer County - 2007 to 2011………………………………………………………………………..……………109
 Table 61: Automobile Crash Fatalities in New York State– 2008 to 2010……….. ………114
 Table 62: Probation Investigations Completed in Herkimer County 2009-2011…………115
 Table 63 Total Number of Probationers Supervised– 2009 to 2011…………………………....117
 Table 64: Pretrial Release and Jail Time Saved: 2004 to 2011 Herkimer County……..118
 Table 65: Community Service and Jail Time Saved: 2004 to 2011 Herkimer County..119
 Table 66: Electronic Monitoring Program– 2004 to 2012 Herkimer County……………….120
 Table 67: Juvenile Electronic Monitoring Program– 2008 to 2012 Herkimer
County………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……...120
 Table 68: JD Residential and Detention Care Days……………………….………………..….………….125
 Table 69: Adults in the Herkimer County Jail: 1999 to 2012………………………………………...131
 Table 70: Youths in Herkimer County Jail: 1999 to 2011………………………………………………..132
 Table 58: Summary Chart: Access to Quality Healthcare Indicators…………………………140
 Table 59: Medicaid Health Insurance Coverage 2011..…………………………………………………….141
 Table 60: Medicare Health Insurance Coverage 2010……………………………………………………..141
 Table 61: Child Health Plus Insurance Coverage July 2012.……………………………………………141
 Table 62: Uninsured Rates: Comparison……………………………………………………………………………..142
 Table 63: Primary Care Physicians in Herkimer & Oneida Counties.………………..…………..142
 Table 64: OFA Transportation 2005–2011……………………………………..…….……………………………144
 Table 65: Age of Clients Served with OFA Transportation 2011………………………………….144
 Table 66: Catholic Charities RIDE Program……………………………………………………………………….145
 Table 67: Herkimer County Non-Emergency MA Transportation………………………………….145
376

 Table 68: CTS Summary Date 2007-2012………………………………………………………...……………….146
 Table 69: 2012 Destinations………………………………………………………………………………………………….146
 Table 70: EISEP Clients Served by Gender 4/1/210-3/31/2011 ………………………………...147
 Table 71: EISEP Clients by Age 4/1/210-3/31/2011……………………………………………………….147
 Table 72: EISEP Compared to Meals– on-Wheels…………………………….…………………………..…147
 Table 73: Other Long Term Programs………………………………………………………………………………..148
 Table 74: Alternatives in LTC Program Caseload by Age Breakdown 12/31/12…….….149
 Table 75: Alternatives in LTC Program Caseload by Martial Status Breakdown
12/31/12……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..149
 Table 76:Alternatives in LTC Program Caseload by Living Arrangement Breakdown
12/31/12……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..149
 Table 77: Chronic Disease Summary Chart………………………………...…………………………………….154
 Table 78: Cardiovascular Disease………………………………………………………………………………………...155
 Table 79: Disease of the Heart…….……………………………………………………………………………………..155
 Table 80: Coronary Heart Disease………………...…………………………………………………………………….156
 Table 81: Congestive Heart Failure……………………………………...…………………………………………….156
 Table 82: Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke)..…………………………………………………………………..157
 Table 83 Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease (CLRD)………………………………………………………157
 Table 84: Cancer Age-adjusted Incidence per 100,000………………………………………………….158
 Table 85: Cancer Age– adjusted Mortality Rate per 100,00.…..…………………………………...158
 Table 86: Obesity Statistics………………………………………………………………………...………………………159
 Table 87: During the past seven days, on average, how many hours per day did you
watch television………………………………………………………………………......…………………………………………...161
 Table 88: Reasons given for inactivity are broken down…..…………………………………………….161
 Table 89: WIC Client Obesity & Breastfeeding Rates 2008-2010……………………………...165
 Table 90: Student Weight Status Categories, Herkimer County Totals 2008-2010
School Years……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...168
 Table 91: Student Weight Status Categories, Herkimer County by Grades 2008-2010
School Years…………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………………… 168
 Table 92: Herkimer County Meals– on– Wheels and Congregate Meal Consumers
2011…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...………………….…….169
 Table 93: Herkimer County Meals on Wheels Consumers 2011..…………………………………...170
 Table 94 : Herkimer County Congregate Meal Consumers 2011…………………………………...170
377

 Table 95: Summary Table Tobacco Use...............................................................…………………171
 Table 96: Have you smoked at least 100 cigarettes in your entire life?.......................175
 Table 97: Current Cigarette Smoking Status Among Adult Residents– Herkimer
County………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….177
 Table 98: In the Past twelve months did any doctor, nurse or healthcare professional
advise you to quit smoking? If yes, did he/she do any of the following?......................177
 Table 99: During the past twelve months have you stopped smoking for one day or
longer because you were trying to quit smoking?.................................................................178
 Table 100: Promote a Safe & Healthy Environment Summary Chart…………………………..184
 Table 101: Asthma…………………...…………………………………………………………………………………………….186
 Table 102: Childhood Asthma……………………………………………………………………………………………….186
 Table 103: Lead Screening Rates………………………………………..……………………………………………….188
 Table 104: Falls Hospitalization Rate Per 10,000…………………………………………………………….189
 Table 105: Other Unintentional Injury……………………………………………...………………………………189
 Table 106: Summary Chart: Healthy Mothers, Babies & Children………………………………..194
 Table 107: Infant/ Neonatal Mortality Rates…………………………………………………………………..195
 Table 108: Low Birthweight Live Births (<2500 grams) by Mothers Age 2010…………197
 Table 109: Teen Pregnancies (19& Under) & Outcomes in Herkimer County 2003-
2010……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..199
 Table 110: Method Used to Prevent Pregnancies in Herkimer County High School
Students…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….200
 Table 111: Oral Health Survey of Third Grade Children……………………………………………….205
 Table 112: Medicaid Oral Health Indicators Herkimer County v. New York State
2008-2010……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..206
 Table 113: Summary Chart: Promote Mental Health & Prevent Substance Abuse…..209
 Table 114: Youth and Adults Served by Herkimer County Prevention Council………….210
 Table 115: Youth DWI Arrests 2009-2011………….…………………………………………………………...213
 Table 116: Percent of Students offered, sold, or given illegal drugs during the –2008
-2009 School year on school property breakdown by grade…………..……………………………...217
 Table 117: PCS Results Herkimer County and New York State………………….………………..220
 Table 118: Medicaid Expenditures Herkimer County & New York State………………..…222
 Table 119: Managed Care………….………………………………………………………………….……………………….223
 Table 120: Penetration……………………………………………………….………………………………………………….223
378

 Table 121: Infectious Disease Summary Chart……………………………………………………………....228
 Table 122: Transmitted Disease………………………………………………………………………………………...229
 Table 123: Percentage of Children with 4:3:1:3:3:1:4 Immunization Series…………….230
 Table 124: Reported Cases by Selected Disease Herkimer County v. NYS Excluding
New York City 2011…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..231
Family
 Table 125: Herkimer County Households & Families 2000 & 2008-2010…………………..236
 Table 126: Households: Herkimer County, NYS & US 2000 & 2008-2010………………..236
 Table 127: Households by Type: HC, NYS, US 2008-2010……………………………………...…..237
 Table 128: Herkimer County Two Parent and Female-Headed Families, 1960–
2010……………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………..238
 Table 129: Who do you live with most of the time?...........................................................239
 Table 130: Herkimer County Senior Population 60+ and 85+.………………………………………244
 Table 131: Runaway & Homeless Youth Program Statistics, 2001–2011...…………………252
 Table 132: Education of Primary Caregiver at Enrollment…….……………………………………...254
 Table 133: Primary Caretaker Marital Status at Enrollment.………………………………..…….255
 Table 134: Household Composition at Enrollment……………………………………………………..…….255
 Table 135: Herkimer County Healthy Families Home Visiting Program: Primary
Caretaker Issues……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...256
 Table 136: Domestic Violence Program Annual Statistics (2001– 2011)…………………….267
 Table 137: I feel Safe in my home……………………………………………………………………………………..269
 Table 138: Youth Risk Behaviors and Their Relationship to Family, School, and
Community Integration……………………………………………………………………………………….…………………..271
Economic Security
 Table 139: Median Income: Herkimer County, New York State & United States……282
 Table 140: Income…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..283
 Table 141: New York State Counties Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars), 2000–2010
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….284
 Table 142: Median Income In Herkimer County by Household, Family and Per Capita
Income ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....285
 Table 143: Herkimer County Income Levels by Family Type…………………………………………287
379

 Table 144: Average Annual Wages of Public & Private Industry Employees Covered By
NYS Unemployment Insurance New York State & Selected Counties 2000-2011…...290
 Table 145: Types of Employment– Herkimer County Industries 2011………………………...291
 Table 146: Herkimer County Industries Change from 2006-2011…………………………..…..291
 Table 147: Federal Poverty Levels 1999-2012………………………………………………………………...293
 Table 148: Percent of Herkimer County Persons Living Below Poverty 1990, 2000,
2008-10……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...294
 Table 149: Poverty By Herkimer County Cities & Towns………………………………………………..298
 Table 150: Herkimer County HEAP Caseload Date 2008-2011…..…………………………………300
 Table 151: Households Served by Emergency Assistance Program Amount Budgeted &
Disbursed by Category 2004-2012……………………………………………………….……………………………..301
 Table 152: Households Served by ARRA at Catholic Charities of Herkimer County
Site …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………….. ….……….302
 Table 153: Emergency Food & Shelter Program Awards in Herkimer County 2009-
2012…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….303
 Table 154: Nutrition Outreach & Education Cases……………………………………………..…………..306
 Table 156: 2008 Food Pantry Use by Site………………………………………………………………………..307
 Table 157: 2009 Food Pantry Use by Site…………………….………………………………………………….308
 Table 158: 2010 Food Pantry Use by Site………………………………………..……….……………………308
 Table 159: 2011 Food Pantry Use by Site………………………………………………………………………….309
 Table 160: Herkimer County Food Pantry/ Soup Kitchen Usage, 2000-2008……..……310
 Table 161: Percent of Herkimer County Students on Free/ Reduced Lunch
Program……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….313
 Table 162: HIICAP Client Contacts 2006-2012…………..…………………………………………………..317
 Table 163: EPIC Enrollees in Herkimer County, 2006-2010……….………………………………..318
 Table 164: NYS Long– Term Care Partnership Policies…………………………………………………..321
 Table 165: Herkimer County Discount Care………………………………………………………………………322
 Table 166: Health Friends Assistance to Herkimer County Residents……………………..323
 Table 167: Herkimer County Residents Seen by HealthFriends…………………………………324
Education
 Table 168: Enrollment by Grade Level All Herkimer County School Districts………….328
 Table 169: Enrollment by District– Herkimer County………………………………………..……….329
380

 Table 170: Per Pupil Expenditure by District—Herkimer County…………….…….…………….331
 Table 171: VADIR Summary 2010-2011 Herkimer County Schools……………………………..332
 Table 172: Negative Family, School and Community Integration Crosswalk of
Behavioral Issues……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..336
 Table 173: Attendance & Suspension Rates……………………………………………………...……………..338
 Table 174: GED Classes & Youth Per Year At Herkimer BOCES…………………………….…...339
 Table 175: Youth Enrolled in Project Connect by School Year……………………………………..339
 Table 176: Youth Enrolled in Project ReConnect by School Year…………………………………340
 Table 177: Percentage of High School Dropouts - Herkimer County & NYS…………….341
 Table 178: Four Year Completion by District 2007-2011………………………………………..…….342
 Table 179: Pre-K Students for Herkimer BOCES…………………………………………………………...343
 Table 180: Children Receiving Preschool Education Programs 2003-2013………….……..344
 Table 181: Percent Proficient in English Language Arts Grade 4………………………………..345
 Table 182: Percent Proficient in Math Grade 4…..…………………………………………………………..346
 Table 183: Percentage Proficient in Science Grade 4…………………………………………………….347
 Table 184: Percent Proficient in English Language Arts Grade 8…….………………………….349
 Table 185: Percent Proficient in Science Grade 8…………………………………………………………..350
 Table 186: Percent Proficient in Science Grade 8…………………………………………………………..351
 Table 187: Number of Herkimer County High School Students in Vocational Education
At BOCES by School District……………………………………………………………………………………... ……...354
 Table 188: Indicators of BOCES Performance Career & Technical Education (CTE)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..355
 Table 189: Adults Enrolled in Continuing Education Programs by Year……………………..362
 Table 190: Cohort Completion in Three Years or Less at Herkimer County Community
College………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..367
 Table 191: Cohort Completion in Three Years or Less at Mohawk Valley Community
College………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...367
Graphs
Community
 Graph 1: Herkimer County Population 1950-2010…………………………………..…….…………………....12
 Graph 2: Herkimer County Median Age 1950-2010………………………………………….…..…………….13
 Graph 3: Herkimer County Population by Age……………………………………………………………………...14
381

 Graph 4: Trends Among Selected Age Groups 1950-2010…………………………...…………………..14
 Graph 5: Out of Wedlock Births v. Births to Wedded Mothers.…………………………………….17
 Graph 6: The Decline of Herkimer County Post-College and Early Employment Cohorts:
 A Comparison of Cohort Changes Between Censuses (1980–90, 1990–2000 and 2000–
10)……………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………….…………………….18
 Graph 7: Place of Residence; Herkimer County 2010………………………………….………………………19
 Graph 8: Percentage of Seniors(60+) 1960 to 2010…………………………………………………………..25
 Graph 9: Population Projections Herkimer County 2010-2040…………………………………………27
 Graph 10: Housing Units in Herkimer County 2010…………………….……………………………………..28
 Graph 11: No Vehicle Available by Household Size…………………………………………………………...37
 Graph 12: Travel Time to Work (minutes)…………………………………….……………………………………..38
 Graph 13: Top 5 Counties Where Herkimer County Residents Work...………………………...45
 Graph 14: Herkimer County Manufacturing Jobs 2003-2011.…………………………………………47
 Graph 15: Wages– Herkimer County Manufacturing vs. Non-Manufacturing
Employment…………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………...48
 Graph 16: New York State Art Grants…………………………………………………………………………………56
 Graph 17: What is the best thing about this area………………………….………………………………...57
 Graph 18: What is the worst thing about the area……………………………...…………………………..58
 Graph 19: The Percentage of Teens in Herkimer County That Agree That In Their
Communities…………………………………………………………………………………….....……………………………………….60
 Graph 20: It is Important to Contribute to My Community………………………………...………....61
 Graph 21: Herkimer County Summer Youth Employment Program 2003-2012…………….64
 Graph 22: Herkimer County Summer Youth Employment Program by Age of the Youth
2003-2012………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………….………65
 Graph 23: Old Forge Transportation Program Transportation Numbers by Pick Up
Site………………………………………………………………………………………...…………………………………………………….66
 Graph 24: Old Forge Area Transportation Program Age of Participants 2003-
2012……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………67
 Graph 25: Child Care Slots By Age Group Herkimer County-2013………………….………………72
 Graph 26: Need for Child Care in Herkimer County……………………………………..…………………...73
 Graph 27: Need for Child Care Children 6 wks. To 5 yrs…..………………………………………..…..73
 Graph 28: Child Care Program Utilization……………………………..……………………………………………..74
 Graph 29: Child Care Center Utilization…………………………………………………………………....………...74
382

Citizenship
 Graph 30: Number of Registered Herkimer County Voters & Votes Cast 1982-
2012………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………….81
 Graph 31: Political Party Affiliation Herkimer County 11/2012…………………………….………..82
 Graph 32: Downloadable E-Books and Audiobooks……………………………………………………………..86
 Graph 33: Internet Connectivity Options………………………………..………….……………………………….89
 Graph 34: Percent of Teens that Have………………………………………………..……………………………….90
 Graph 35: Percent of Teens that Agree….…………………………………………………………….……………..93
 Graph 36: Percent of Teens that Have Sent, Received, Shared Nude or Semi– Nude
Pictures via Cell Phone, Email. Etc……………………………………………………...…………………………………..95
 Graph 37: Pistol Permits Issued in Herkimer County 1999-2012……………………………………97
 Graph 38: Applications Handed Out 2010-2012………………...………………………………………………98
 Graph 39: Youth Arrests in Herkimer County 2003-2011………………………………………………100
 Graph 40 Index Crime Rate Across New York State……………………………………..……………….104
 Graph 41 Herkimer County Index Crime 2005-2011…………………………...………………………….105
 Graph 42 Adult Arrests in Herkimer County—1994 to 2011………………………………………….107
 Graph 43: DWI Arrests in Herkimer County…………………………………………….……………………....111
 Graph 44: Do You Believe There Is A Problem With Drinking & Driving in Herkimer
County…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..112
 Graph 45: Herkimer County Youth DWI Arrest Rates per 10,000 population…………..113
 Graph 46: Herkimer County Youth Drug Arrest Rates per 10,000 population…………...113
 Graph 47: Total Number of Supervised Probationers Herkimer County……………………..116
 Graph 48: Total Number of Adult Criminal Supervisors as of 12/31 to Each Year……116
 Graph 49: Herkimer County Juvenile Delinquency Intakes 2002-2012……………..……….123
 Graph 50: JD Youth Placed: Herkimer County 1998 to 2012…………………………..…………….124
 Graph 51: Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) by Age 2002-2012……….……………...126
 Graph 52: Herkimer County PINS Placements 2000 to 2012………………………………………..127
 Graph 53: Herkimer County PINS Residential & Detention Care Days 2002-2012….128
 Graph 54: Herkimer County PINS Respite Use 2003-2012………..………………………………….129
 Graph 55: Herkimer County Jail Inmates 1999– 2012……..……………………………………………..130
 Graph 56: Yearly Average Daily Census of Jail Population 2002-2012…..…………………..133
383

 Graph 55: How Many Times a Week Do You Engage to Moderate Physical Activity for
at least 30 Minutes……………………………………………………….………………………………………………………...162
 Graph 56: How Many Times a Week do You Engage in Vigorous Physical Activity for at
Least 30 Minutes?............................................................................………………………………………...162
 Graph 57: Percent of People Making Better Food Choices Based on New
Information………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..164
 Graph 58: How Would You Describe Your Weight……………………………………………………………166
 Graph 59: During the Past 30 Days the One Method Used Most to Control Your
Weight……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….166
 Graph 60: Student Weight Status Categories, NYS 2008-2009 School Years.……….167
 Graph 61: Student Weight Status Categories, NYS 200-2010 School Year…….……….167
 Graph 62: Percent Tobacco Use: Herkimer County.………………………………………………………...176
 Graph 63: In the past 30 Days, have you noticed adverting or information about the
dangers of tobacco or quitting smoking on the radio……………………………………………………….176
 Graph 64: Percent of Individuals Noticing Tobacco Promotion…...……………………………….177
 Graph 65: Youth Who Smoke in the Last 30 Days…………………………………………………………...178
 Graph 66: Youth Who Used Chewing Tobacco or Snuff in the Last 30 Days……….……179
 Graph 67: NYS Quitline Calls Herkimer County Residents…………………………………………….179
 Graph 68: Average Number of Days per Year That Ozone Levels Were Unhealthy for
Asthmatics, NYS, 2005-2007……………………………………………………………………………………………... 185
 Graph 69: Incidence Rates for Blood Lead Levels of 10/dl or Higher………………………...187
 Graph 70: Infant Death Rate 2005-2010 Per 1,000 Live Births…………………………………..196
 Graph 71: Neonatal Death Rate 2005-2010 Per 1,000 Live Births Under 28 Days..196
 Graph 72: Live Births & Months Prenatal Care Began…………………….……………………………….197
 Graph 73: Total Births by Mothers’ Age Herkimer County……………….…………………………..198
 Graph 74: Pregnancies to Herkimer County School Age Females V. All Other Age
Groups………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….199
 Graph 75: 11th Grade Female Students Who Have Had Sexual Intercourse…….……..200
 Graph 76: Out of Wedlock Births v. Births to Wedded Mothers……………………………..….201
 Graph 77: Out of Wedlock Births by Mother’s Age………………………………………………………...201
 Graph 78: Herkimer County Live Births by Payment Type 2010………………………..…………202
 Graph 79: Length of Time Since Last Dental Visit………………………….……………………………….206
384

 Graph 80: Youth & Adults Receiving Educational Services from the Prevention Council
2009-2012………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….210
 Graph 81: Youth & Adults Served by Herkimer County Prevention Council……………….210
 Graph 82: Adults Engaging in Binge Drinking..…………………………………………………………………..214
 Graph 83: Teenage Alcohol Use……………………………………………….…………………………………………..215
 Graph 84: Alcohol Sourced for Herkimer County Teens……….……………………………………….215
 Graph 85: During 2008-2009 School Year, Has Anyone Offered, Sold, or Given You an
Illegal Drug on School Property………………………………………………….…………………………………………216
 Graph 86: Drug Related Hospitalizations, Herkimer County 2008-2010……………….……216
 Graph 87: 11th Grade Students Who Used Different Drugs During Their Life………..217
 Graph 88: Total Clinic Appointments & Jail Visits 2007-2012…………...………………………...218
 Graph 89: Public Mental Health Services by Type Adults (18+)……………………………………218
 Graph 90: Public Mental Health Services by Type Children (0-17)……………………………..219
 Graph 91: Average Inpatient Census Herkimer County & New York State per
10,000………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...219
 Graph 92: Inpatient Census by Type Herkimer County & New York State per
10,000……………………………………………………………………………...…………………………………………………………220
 Graph 93: Percentage Medicaid Expenditures Adults 18+ New York State………………222
 Graph 94: Percentage Medicaid Expenditures Children 0-17 New York State...........222
 Graph 95 Suicide Death Rate Per 100,000 Population……………………...………………………..224
 Graph 96: Youth Attitudes on Suicide……………………………………………………………………..………..225
 Graph 97: During the Past 12 Months, Number of Times Herkimer County Youth
Attempted Suicide…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..226
 Graph 98:Persons 65 Years or Older Who Had a Flu Shot in the Past 12 Month, New
York State………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...230
Family
 Graph 100: Households in Herkimer County 2008-2010………………………………………………..235
 Graph 101: Herkimer County Family Structure: Percent of Families with Children
Under 18 Present at Home…………………………………………………………………………………………….……….238
 Graph 102: Out of Wedlock Births v. Births to Wedded Mother..……………………………..240
 Graph 103: Herkimer County Divorces…………………………………...………………………………………….241
 Graph 104: Children Having All Parents in the Labor Force..……………………………….……….242
385

 Graph 105: Households With Persons Age 65 and Over………………………………………………..243
 Graph 106: % of Grandparents Living with Grandchildren……..…………………………….…….242
 Graph 107: % of grandparents co-residing with grandchildren and responsible for
their care…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..245
 Graph 108: Herkimer County: Number of Foster Care Admissions by Source: 1998-
2011……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..247
 Graph 109: Herkimer County Foster Care Admissions Compared to Rest of
State……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...…………………..248
 Graph 110: Primary Placement Type All Ages County & ROS………………………….…………….249
 Graph 111: Youth In Foster Care Placement Herkimer County 1991-2011………………..250
 Graph 112: Children Re-Entering Foster Care Within One Year Herkimer County &
Rest of State…………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………….………….250
 Graph 113: Herkimer County Department of Social Services Preventative and SIP
Services Caseload (2006-2011)………………………………………………………………………………..……………251
 Graph 114: Adult Protective Services Workload (2001-2011)……………………………………..257
 Graph 115: Protective Services for Adults by Impairment…………………………………………..258
 Graph 116: Protective Services for Adults by Type of Risk of Harm/Unmet
Need…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….258
 Graph 117: Total Number of Monthly Homeless Referred to Adult Protective
Services (2008-2012)……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..259
 Graph 118: Total Number of Homeless Referred to Preventive Services (2008-2012)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..260
 Graph 119: Herkimer County Department of Social Services Child Protective Services
Reports (2001-2011)………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..262
Report Types……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..263
(2001-2011)………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..263
 Graph 122: Recurrence of Maltreatment……………………………………………………..…………………264
 Graph 123: Family Re-Reporting Rate (January 2009-June 2009)…………………………...265
 Graph 124: Domestic Violence Arrests in Herkimer County –2009 to 2011…………….266
 Graph 125: Percent of Teens That Said They Worry a Fair Amount to a Lot
About…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..268
386

 Graph 126: Percent of Teens That Said They Have Been Physically Hurt by an Adult
at Home in the Past Year……………………………………………………………………………………………………....269
 Graph 127: Teens that Said Their Parents Either Often or Always………………………….273
 Graph 128:Percent of Teens That Said That Their Parents at Least Sometimes Talk
to Them About………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….274
 Graph 129: Percent of Teens That Said They Worry A Fair Amount or Lot
About…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..275
Economic Security
 Graph 129: Real Income Growth by Herkimer County Families 1960—2000…….……….286
 Graph 130: Unemployment Rates 1990-2012…………………………………………………………………….289
 Graph 131: Percent of Each Family Type in Poverty Herkimer County 2000 v. 2006-
2008…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….294
 Graph 132: Percent of Herkimer County Families in Poverty With Children in the
Home…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...295
 Graph 133: Herkimer County Female Headed Households in Poverty with Children
Present in the Home 1970-2010…………………………………………………………………………………………...295
 Graph 134: Cannot Pay for Necessities Because of Lack of Money…………………………….296
 Graph 135: Gone Without Food for 24 Hours in the Past Month due to Lack of
Food……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….297
 Graph 136: TANF/ Safety Net Monthly Average Eligible Individuals 1997-2011……304
 Graph 137: Food Stamp Cases by Type……………………………………………………………………………...305
 Graph 138: Food Sense Unit Totals…………………………………………………………………………………….310
 Graph 139: Food Pantry Use by Age– 2011………………………………………………………………………...311
 Graph 140: HEAP Applications Processed by OFA Clients Age 60+ & SSI………………..312
 Graph 141: Medicaid Only Monthly Average Eligible Individuals by Category 2000-
2011……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...315
 Graph 142: Percent Receiving Government Assisted Healthcare coverage……………....316
 Graph 143: EPIC Enrollment Trends– Herkimer County………………………………………………...319
 Graph 144: EPIC Program Total Herkimer County Enrollment………………………………….…..319
 Graph 145: Herkimer County Healthy NY Enrollees, 2002-2011………………………………….320
 Graph 146: Herkimer County Child Health Plus Enrollees……………………………………………..321
387

Education
 Graph 147: Per-Pupil Expenditure……………………………………………………………………………………….330
 Graph 148: VADIR Summary 2007-2011………………………………………..………………………………….333
 Graph 149: Minor Altercations Totals 2007-2011…………………………………………………………..334
 Graph 150: VADIR Bullying Totals 2007-2011…………………………...…………………………………….335
 Graph 151: Percentage of Annual High School Dropouts……………………………………………….340
 Graph 152: Percent Proficient in English Language Arts Grade 4……………………………….345
 Graph 153: Percent Proficient in Math Grade 4………………………….….……………………………….346
 Graph 154: Percent Proficient in Science Grade 4……………………...………………………………….347
 Graph 155: Percent Proficient in English Language Arts Grade 8……………………………….349
 Graph 156: Percent Proficient in Math Grade 8……………………………………………………………...350
 Graph 157: Percent Proficient in Science Grade 8………………………………………………………….351
 Graph 158: Regents Participation……………………………………………………...………………..……………..352
 Graph 159: Regents and Local Diplomas…………………………………………………………………...……….353
 Graph 160: CTE Student Performance on Perkins Indicators Who Left School in
2010…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….355
 Graph 161: Herkimer BOCES Survey of Career & Technical Education Graduates
Status Six Months Post-Program Completion (2008)………………………………………………………356
 Graph 162: Percent Attending 2 or 4 Year College Past Graduation…………………………..357
 Graph 163: Students Who Enjoy Going to School…………………………………………………………...358
 Graph 164 Herkimer County Students Who Enjoy Going to School by Grade-
2009…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….358
 Graph 165: Herkimer County Students Who Agree Rules in Their School Are The
Same For Everyone By Grade………………………………………………………………………………………………..359
 Graph 166: Teachers Generally Have High Expectations of Me, Care About Me, and
How Well I Do……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………359
 Graph 167: Students Who Feel Safe in Their School…………………………………………………….360
 Graph 168: Students Who Missed School Because They Felt Unsafe at School or
Unsafe Traveling To and From School………………………………………………………………………………...360
 Graph 169: How Much Time Do You Spend Doing Homework Or Studying After
School or On Weekends………………………………………………………………………………………………………….361
 Graph 170: Herkimer BOCES Adult Literacy Students by Age Cohort……………………..363
 Graph 171: Herkimer County Community College Enrollment……….……………………………….364
388

 Graph 172: HCCC Full– Time Enrollment by Student Origin, 2008……………………………...365
 Graph 173: HCCC Full– Time Enrollment by Student Origin, 2010……………………………..365
389

390
Human Resource Planning Team
(Integrated County Planning Steering Committee)
Name Organization
Tim Seymour
Commissioner, Co-Chair
Gina Giacovelli
Executive Director, Co-Chair
Herkimer County Youth Bureau
James Wallace Jr.
County Administrator
Herkimer County
Ed Scudder
Director
Herkimer County Department of Mental Health
Christina Cain
Acting Director
Josephine Sohnn
Director
Kathy Fox
Director
Karin Zipko
Director
Herkimer County Employment & Training Administration
Joanne Favat
Director of Services
Mark Vivacqua
Superintendent
Herkimer BOCES
Adam Hutchinson
Executive Director
Chip Bassett
Principal Planner
Herkimer-Oneida Counties Comprehensive
Planning Program
Darlene Haman
Strategic Planning Coordinator

Community Focus Group Attendees
March 28, 2013
Name Organization
Kaylyne Edick
Cornell Cooperative Extension Herkimer County
Community Health Intern
Elyse Enea Herkimer County HealthNet, Inc.
Mark Feane Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency
Kathy Fox Herkimer County Office for the Aging
Gina Giacovelli Herkimer County Youth Bureau
Dale Miller Herkimer-Oneida Counties Comprehensive Planning Program
Sally Miller Herkimer County Employment & Training
Ellen Olson Child Care Council of Cornell Cooperative Extension
Linda Robbins Cornell Cooperative Extension Herkimer County
Josephine Sohn Herkimer County Probation Department
Alison Swartz Herkimer County HealthNet, Inc.
391

392
Citizenship Focus Group Attendees
March 27, 2013
Name Organization
Daniel Adamek Intern, Regional Program for Excellence Student
Lisa Burdick Herkimer County Department of Social Services
Brandi Candido Kids Herkimer
Kim Conley Herkimer BOCES
Megan Dack Catholic Charities Herkimer County —Domestic Violence Program
Steve Dietz Herkimer County Family Support PINS Diversion Program
Kaylyne Edick
Joanne Gueverra YWCA of the Mohawk Valley
Matt Hawes Herkimer County Community College
Jan Harris Herkimer County Family Support PINS Diversion Program
Stuart Joseph Center for Family Life & Recovery
Tim Rogers Herkimer County Community College—Public Safety
Mike Scalise Herkimer County Probation Department
Jenna Shibley Kids Herkimer—Intern
Josephine Sohn Herkimer County Probation Department
Jackie Ward Catholic Charities Herkimer County—Domestic Violence Program

393
Physical & Emotional Health Focus Group Attendees
March 28, 2013
Name Organization
Christina Cain Herkimer County Public Health Department
Brenda Chapman Herkimer County WIC Program
Kim DeBuono CNY Diabetes Program—Faxton-St. Luke’s Health Center
Kaylyne Edick
Phyllis Ellis St. Elizabeth Medical Center
Elyse Enea Herkimer County HealthNet, Inc.
Diana Haldenwang Mohawk Valley Perinatal Network
Jan Harris Herkimer County Family Support PINS Diversion Program
Meenakshi Malhotra Faxton—St. Luke’s Hospital
Caitlin McCann Faxton—St. Luke’s Hospital
Liz Pritchard Upstate Cerebral Palsy
Kate Reese Little Falls Hospital
Linda Robbins Cornell Cooperative Extension Herkimer County
Angelina Roche Faxton—St. Luke’s Hospital
Jean Schifano Bassett Healthcare—Herkimer Health Center
Ed Scudder Herkimer County Mental Health Department
Sandra Soroka Neighborhood Center
Alison Swartz Herkimer County HealthNet, Inc.
Carolyn Trimbach CAP-21, Town of Webb
Julie Wells Faxton—St. Luke’s Hospital

Family Focus Group Attendees
March 27, 2013
Name Organization
Daniel Adamek Intern, Regional Program for Excellence Student
Rachel Case
Catholic Charities Herkimer Coutny—Runaway & Homeless Youth
Program
Anne Dickquist Herkimer County Department of Social Services
Kaylyne Edick
Marie Grose Herkimer ARC
Members Herkimer County Human Development Committee
Wendy Iamele Healthy Families—Herkimer County
Dorothy Massinger Herkimer County Department of Social Services
Kathryn Moss Center for Family Life and Recovery
Robin Robinson United Way of the Valley & Greater Utica Area
Carolyn Trimbach CAP-21, Town of Webb
Jackie Ward Catholic Charities Herkimer County—Domestic Violence Program
394

Economic Security Focus Group Attendees
March 27, 2013
Name Organization
Mark Barbano NYS Department of Labor
Beth Bunce Herkimer County Employment & Training
Kaylyne Edick
Diana Haldenwang Mohawk Valley Perinatal Network
Patricia Lawson Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency
Lisa Monahan Herkimer County Department of Social Services
Lydia Sexton Catholic Charities Herkimer County
Debbie Smith Herkimer County Department of Social Services
395

Education Focus Group Attendees
March 19, 2013
Name Organization
Dawn Bernholz Herkimer County Department of Social Services
Chris Farber Herkimer County Sheriff
Barbara Henderson The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties
Mary Kline Herkimer BOCES
Patricia Lawson Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency
Lara Sepanski-Pimentel Literacy Coalition of Herkimer-Oneida Counties
Timothy Seymour Herkimer County Department of Social Services
Christine Spano Upstate Cerebral Palsy
Michael Werenczak Herkimer County Employment & Training
396

Understanding the ACS
In the past, every ten years the Census Bureau conducted our decennial census to provide
information to Congress and policymakers about the country. This was done through two
forms – the short form (with only 7 or 8 basic questions) and the long form (which had
lots of questions on everything from in-come to education).
Beginning in 2010, the decennial census was ONLY done with what amounted to the short
form. In place of the long form, a new tool called the American Communities Survey was
fully implemented in 2005. The American Community Survey (ACS) is a nationwide survey
designed to provide communities a fresh look at how they are changing.
With the ACS, the Census Bureau now collects and produces population and housing
information every year, instead of every ten years. About three million housing unit
addresses are sampled each year throughout the United States and Puerto Rico to
produce this data.
Beginning with the 2005 ACS (and continuing every year thereafter), a variety of
demographic, social, economic and housing data for each year was made available for
geographic areas with a population of 65,000 or more. These are called the “1-year
estimates” – they are based on a single year’s sampling of our local population. Because
these “1-year estimates” were only released for communities with populations of 65,000
or more, in our region this only covered Oneida County as a whole.
In 2008, however, the ACS began releasing its first multi-year estimates based on ACS
data collected from 2005 through 2007. These are called the “3-year estimates”. The “3-
year estimates” of demo-graphic, social, economic and housing characteristics are
available for geographic areas with a population of 20,000 or more. For our region, this
now means 3-year estimates of data are available for Oneida County, Herkimer County,
Utica, Rome and the Town of New Hartford.
In 2011, data was also made available for less populated areas (areas under 20,000
population) when the “5-year estimates” were finally released in 2010. These are the last
version of the ACS to come out. The 5-year estimates are similar to the other forms of
the ACS data being released, but will be based on ACS data collected from five year
periods, for example from 2005 to 2009.
These multi-year estimates require slightly different thinking about the data they
contain. These estimates are called “period estimates”. So when discussing child poverty
data, for example, the best way to characterize this information would be along the
following lines: “The child poverty rate for Oneida County over the period 2005 to 2007
was X percent.”
397

If comparing across geographic areas (like between two towns or two counties), make
sure you are comparing apples to apples. That is, compare 1-year estimates to 1-year
estimates, or 3-year estimates to 3-year estimates, and 5-year estimates to 5-year
estimates. DO NOT compare one-year estimates with multi-year estimates across
geographies.
If comparing data for a single area (like just one town or one county to itself) over
time, this can be done but it must be done with caution. Comparing the 2000 Census
for Herkimer County to the 2005-2007 three year estimate for Herkimer County is
acceptable, but keep in mind there can be problems with differences in residency rules,
reference period differences, and question wording changes.
If you are more interested in current data, 1-year estimates are the better source
to use; if precision is more important, then use the 3 or 5 year estimates. The multi
-year estimates represent a larger sample size over a longer period of time so they have
more reliability, especially for smaller areas.
398

2012 Herkimer County Risk Assessment Profile

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