Oswego County Participatory Budgeting

1. Process Design: We are partnering with a consultant and community leaders to create the rules and engagement plan.
2. Brainstorm Ideas: Through meetings and online tools, residents will share and discuss ideas for projects.
3. Develop Proposals: Groups of volunteers will develop the ideas into feasible proposals.
4. Vote: Volunteers vote on the proposals that most serve the community’s needs.
5. Fund Winning Project: The Community Foundation will fund the winning idea(s) with a pool of $75,000 in grant dollars.

May 2026 – Oswego County

Sessions 1 & 2 –  Topic Ideas & Voting | May 5 & 6 2026 – 5:00-7:30pm
Location: Camp Zerbe (253 NY 104, Williamstown NY 13493)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Session 3 – Virtual Proposal Presentation Night | May 27, 2026 – 5:30-7:30pm (Held via zoom)

Session 3 is where community ideas come to life. During this virtual session, participants will hear proposal ideas that were developed based on the community’s top priorities, ask questions, and share feedback. It’s a chance to learn more about each idea, understand its potential impact, and help shape what moves forward to the final vote the following day.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://cnycf-org.zoom.us/j/85104765688

Meeting ID: 851 0476 5688

Session 4 – Voting Night | May 28, 2026 – 5:00-7:30pm
Location: The Children’s Museum of Oswego County (7 W Bridge St, Oswego NY 13126) *Polls open online at 9am and close at 7:00pm
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

VOTING IS NOW LIVE!

All Oswego County residents aged 14 or older are eligible to vote online. Use the official voting link here to cast your vote. Two-factor authentication will be used to help ensure that each participant votes only once. Individuals who are unable to vote online will have the opportunity to vote in person during the evening celebration.

Voting closes TONIGHT (May 28) at 7pm.

Oswego Health Foundation Inc. — Targeted Mental Health Services and support for Oswego County youth ($75,000)

Oswego Health has made youth mental health a priority because early intervention and accessible treatment are critical to improving long-term outcomes for children and adolescents. Through outpatient behavioral health programs, school-based therapy services, and our Teen Wellness Group, we provide timely, compassionate, and accessible care in settings where youth feel safe and supported. This project will address the growing need for expanded behavioral health services for youth ages 11–20 in Oswego County. Youth ages 11–18 will be served through our Center for Mental Health & Wellness for Youth, while transition-age youth ages 18–20 will receive services through the Adult Program to ensure continuity of care during the transition to adulthood. By helping youth build resilience, coping skills, emotional regulation, and healthy social connections, Oswego Health aims to improve emotional well-being, strengthen family support systems, reduce stigma, and connect more youth with the care and resources needed to thrive. We plan to: Expand staffing and service availability in existing school-based clinics located in Hannibal, Fulton, and Oswego; Build upon our recent expansion into the CiTi BOCES program in Mexico, where a mental health provider recently began delivering services to students; Continue discussions regarding development of a broader satellite location at CiTi BOCES that could include counseling services, psychiatric medication management, and potentially primary care services; Increase early intervention opportunities for students experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and other behavioral health concerns; Explore supportive community-based partnerships, including collaboration with the YMCA and programs such as Girls Rock to provide additional emotional wellness support for young women. Over the following 12–24 months, our goal is to expand school-based mental health programming into additional school districts across Oswego County while continuing to evaluate staffing, access, and service gaps. We are also assessing opportunities to provide additional tools and resources to Emergency Department staff to better support pediatric behavioral health patients presenting in crisis. Grant funding would help sustain and expand these services while ensuring children continue receiving care regardless of their ability to pay.

Haven of Hope — Project Park (Positive Approach to Reaching Kids) ($75,000)

Haven of Hope Project PARK will implement a coordinated set of activities to provide prevention, education, and direct mental health support to youth ages 11–20 and their families across Oswego County. The project will deliver weekly, trauma-informed in-school presentations covering mental health awareness, bullying prevention, suicide prevention, substance use, and homelessness. These sessions will be interactive and led by Haven of Hope staff, trained volunteers, and a licensed clinical therapist specializing in youth and trauma. To ensure access to direct care, Project PARK will offer no-cost weekly group therapy sessions and limited one-on-one counseling for youth with higher needs. Services will be accessible regardless of ability to pay. The project will also provide Mental Health First Aid training for youth, families, educators, and community members, equipping participants with the skills to recognize and respond to mental health challenges. Outdoor enrichment activities will be incorporated to promote wellness, connection, and engagement, including summer launch events and ongoing recreational opportunities. Project PARK will host one community event in each school district, creating opportunities for families to connect with providers, access resources, and engage in a supportive, stigma-free environment. Youth will be actively involved as thought partners and peer ambassadors, helping shape programming and promote participation. A multi-layered outreach strategy—including school partnerships, community collaboration, and social media—will ensure broad access and engagement. The project will also develop and distribute educational materials and resource guides and utilize data from CNYCF’s Life Needs Assessment 100 along with ongoing evaluation to measure impact and continuously improve programming. Anticipated Impact: Project PARK is expected to reach a broad population of youth and families across the county, resulting in increased knowledge, improved attitudes toward mental health, and stronger support systems. We anticipate a measurable increase in youth willingness to seek help, reduced stigma, and greater family participation in support services. Over time, this proactive approach is expected to contribute to improved school climate, reduced social isolation, and earlier intervention for at-risk youth.

Fulton Public Library – Youth Ambassador Wellness Network ($75,000)

The Youth Ambassador Wellness Network A Peer-Led Mental Health Sanctuary for Oswego County Youth The Fulton Public Library is looking forward to providing mental health support for residents aged 11–20. Recognizing that youth in crisis turn to their friends first, the program shifts the library from a quiet space for books into a vibrant, active network of peer support and care. This project empowers young people to move from being passive recipients of care to becoming the architects of their own wellness. Key Program Pillars: Youth as Leaders: We will recruit and stipend 15 Youth Ambassadors (ages 14–20). These leaders will earn Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) certification, serving as “thought partners” who co-design every library wellness initiative to ensure it resonates with their peers. Strategic Partnerships: We are uniting the community by building collaborative partnerships with the Fulton City School District, Oswego County Opportunities, the Child Advocacy Center, and Liberty Resources as well as Public Libraries across the county to create a seamless referral network. Wellness in the Wild: We believe healing happens outdoors. Our “Wellness in the Wild” series offers accessible nature hikes and outdoor activities designed to reduce stress and promote mental clarity. Family-Centered Support: Monthly “Bridge Workshops” provide a relaxed environment for families to engage directly with mental health providers, breaking down generational stigmas. Measurable Impact: Using the CNYCF Life Needs Assessment (LNA) 100, we can transform real-time data into targeted action. We are committed to the following: Outputs: 15 certified peer leaders; 12 family engagement events; and 200+ youth served through direct programming and library resources focused on mental well-being. Outcomes: A measurable increase in mental health literacy and a reduction in barriers to care as reported by youth participants via the LNA.

Residents who need transportation assistance may contact Ride Oswego County’s Office of Mobility Management at rideoc@oswegocounty.com or 315.746.4222.