13 National Awards For CGR

In 2010, CGR won the Outstanding Policy Achievement Award from the Governmental Research Association (GRA) for a two-part study for the Village of Seneca Falls NY,  site of the first women’s rights convention. For the first study, CGR was asked to help determine how to reduce the cost of government to stimulate economic growth in the community. Our report, Strategic Alternatives for the Village & Town of Seneca Falls NY – Considerations for a New Governance Model, pointed out that consolidating the governments would offer potential for major savings for village taxpayers.

Subsequently, the village asked CGR to serve as consultant to a dissolution study committee. Working with the committee,  a second report, Village of Seneca Falls Dissolution Plan – Final Report on Dissolution & Alternatives for Dissolution, was completed. The board adopted the dissolution plan, called for a referendum, and in spring 2010, Seneca Falls (population 6,700) became the largest village in NY’s history to dissolve.

CGR values the award from GRA, the national association of professionals engaged in governmental research, because it recognizes  a valuable process we developed and implemented. As a result of our process,  parties that were reluctant to come to the table to talk were able to do so, and the greater community was able to make an informed choice about whether or not to dissolve their village.

Full Report 1 | Full Report 2 | Project Website

Previous GRA awards won by CGR:

2007: Most Distinguished Research
Strengthening Criminal Justice Practices in Chemung County NY
This award was for a comprehensive assessment of criminal justice system practices in a county. The study was funded by the county to determine the impact of various practices on the jail population. The county executive called the report “a tremendous asset in identifying steps” the county could take to streamline its service delivery system and thereby reduce costs. After the report’s release, the county immediately took steps to start down the road to implementation and action, and since then has achieved substantial cost savings.
Full Report

2003: Most Effective Education
Security and Energy Issues at the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant
CGR studied the impact of the closure of the Indian Point nuclear power plants and conducted a survey of Westchester NY area businesses on the impact of high human services prices on business competitiveness. Full Report 1 | Full Report 2

2002: Most Distinguished Research
Lead Poisoning Among Children in Monroe County
For the Monroe County (NY) Department of Health, CGR determined the extent of lead poisoning in the community, developed a model to forecast the incidence of lead poisoning, identified options for reducing lead poisoning, and described next steps for stakeholders. Full Report

2000: Award of Special Achievement
The Future is Now: Charter Schools and Rochester’s Children
The award was given for a series of CGR newsletters that examined education and education policy in Rochester NY, and also  recommended school system structural changes to improve performance.

1995: Certificate of Merit
Medicaid Cost Containment: Options for New York State
At the time of the study, NYS paid more per capita or per recipient for Medicaid than any other state. CGR identified the most costly program elements and what factors contributed to the differential between costs in NY and the rest of the U.S.

1989: Most Distinguished Research     
Early Childhood Research
CGR collected and analyzed data on the projected unmet needs and service gaps among the preschool/early childhood population. The implications from this research were assessed and CGR helped develop recommendations for decision-making concerning future preschool/early childhood programs, practices and policies in Rochester NY.

1984: Most Distinguished Research
Human Services Data Sharing Project
CGR helped the Rochester-Monroe County NY community deal with changes brought about by federal and related state budget cuts and subsequent program redirection. CGR developed some 20 reports concerning the nature and extent of cutbacks and their effect on service agencies, programs, and particularly vulnerable households.

1980: Most Distinguished Research
Developmental Disabilities Demonstration Plan
CGR was commissioned by the Monroe County (NY) Department of Mental Health to develop a demonstration plan for a single-service system that would improve the administration and delivery of services to persons with developmental disabilities.

1976: Most Distinguished Research     
Planning for Comprehensive Youth Services in Monroe County
In NYS, 1974 legislation mandated that counties embark on a process of comprehensive planning for youth services. CGR conducted the research required to complete the assessment of youth needs in the county for use as the basis of setting priorities and the development of new programs for youth.

1975: Most Effective Brief Presentation of Research                       
Research Assessment of Real Property in Monroe County
CGR developed information for taxpayers and legislators on the status of assessment systems in the county and the implications of reappraisals.

1969: Distinguished Research  
Six-Volume Report on City and County Relationships
CGR responded to state legislative policies encouraging metropolitan-wide planning as a requisite for aid to metropolitan development projects. CGR analyzed how municipalities could best partner to ensure funding of identified community projects.

1964: Most Effective Presentation of Research                   
Plan for Programming and Financing Capital Improvements in Monroe County
As a result of Monroe County NY increasing requirements for capital outlays and its concomitant problems of borrowing (and the effect on the county tax rate), CGR undertook a study of the programming, budgeting, and financing of capital improvements in the county.