About Cortland Counts
From 2001 to 2020, Seven Valleys Health Coalition (SVHC) led the Cortland Counts initiative, a comprehensive community assessment effort that brought together stakeholders from health, economic development, government, youth, education, and faith-based sectors. This collaboration underscored the deep connections between these areas in shaping our community’s well-being.
With advancements in technology and changes from the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH), the approach to community health assessment has shifted. The Cortland County Health Department now oversees the Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), and accessing health data online has become more efficient than ever.
Our Future Focus: NYS 2025-30 Prevention Agenda
As we move forward, SVHC remains committed to fostering community dialogue and engagement. Since 2024, we have aligned our efforts with the NYS 2025-30 Prevention Agenda Priority Areas, ensuring our work remains relevant and impactful. We will continue to convene stakeholders and community members annually in a Cortland Counts Community Forum to discuss pressing local issues in order to share information, collaborate across sectors, and drive meaningful change.
2026 Community forum
Thank you to everyone who attended and presented at the 2026 Cortland Counts Community Forum on Friday, March 13 at the Cortland Repertory Theatre Downtown! Special thanks to NYS Deparment of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald for offering the keynote presentation, to Senator Lea Webb for offering welcoming remarks, to Assemblymember Anna Kelles for offering closing remarks, and to our panelists addressing food insecurity.
2026 Community Forum Presentations
Community Health Assessment (CHA) & Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and Lived Experiences in Cortland County
Hinal Patel, Cortland County Health Department, and Greg Richards, CAPCO
Economic Outlook in Cortland County
Michael Ponticiello, Cortland County Administrator, and Melanie Vilardi, Cortland County IDA/BDC
Housing Needs Assessment
Trisha Hiemstra, Cortland County Planning Department
Cortland County Housing Updates
Cathy Bischoff, Cortland County Legislator
Keynote Presentation: 2025-2030 NYS Prevention Agenda
Dr. James McDonald, MD, MPH, Commissioner, NYS Department of Health
Updates to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Billie MacNabb, Cortland County Department of Social Services
Work is Not Just Work: Building Community Through Employment
Laura Maurer, Cortland Works Career Center, & Alex Mikowski, Access to Independence
From Challenges to Prevention: Family Health Network’s Commitment to Rural Health Care
Kim Osborne & Kate O’Brien, Family Health Network
Home Visiting Programs as Primary Prevention
Deanna Pace, CAPCO, & Malinda Rees, Child Development Council
Prevention in Practice: What’s Working in Cortland County
Melissa Simmons, Cortland Prevention Services
Alcohol and Cannabis Use in Cortland’s Disability Community: Local Data and Strategies
Alison McCabe & Stefania Buta, CANDLE Coalition
For the Community, By the Community: Increasing Equity and Autonomy through Client-led Programming
Bryn Carr, Cortland Collective Impact Initiatives
2026 event sponsors
Health Champion Sponsors
Community Supporter Sponsors
Family Health Network
Friend of the Forum Sponsors
Access to Independence
Cortland Chiropractic, Dr. Kristopher Brandt
COMMUNITY FORUM PHOTOS: PAST & PRESENT
ARCHIVED REPORT CARDS
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
In addition to the yearly report cards (see above), the comprehensive report, Cortland Counts: An Assessment of Health and Well-Being in Cortland County, historically was revised and issued every four years. Publication coincided with New York State Department of Health mandates for county-wide Community Health Assessments by the County Health Department and Community Service Plans by Guthrie Cortland Medical Center, both of which are currently updated on a four-year cycle.
2013
2009
2005
Connect with Us
Please connect with Carol Costell Corbin for additional support and assistance with Cortland Counts.
Phone: (607) 756-4198
Email: carol@sevenvalleyshealth.org