Camden, New York (September 2025) – Camden Life Center welcomed Reaching Rural coaches Kathy Rowings and Rebecca (Becky) Rose on September 24th for a Strategic Partnership Planning Forum, bringing together local and county leaders to chart the next chapter of service expansion in rural western Oneida County.
The forum focused on strengthening prevention, treatment, and recovery support services over the next three to five years. Community partners explored barriers to care, identified new strategies to meet emerging needs, and shared updates on collaborative projects already underway. The discussion also highlighted upcoming funding opportunities and reinforced the importance of cross-agency collaboration.
“My time in the Reaching Rural fellowship, followed by coaching from Rulo Strategies, has been an amazing opportunity,” said Jessica Perusse, Director of Camden Life Center. “Their deep knowledge of what works in rural communities provides the encouragement and practical guidance we need to build sustainable solutions and set our communities up for success.”
About the Facilitators
- Kathy Rowings has more than a decade of experience helping communities improve justice and treatment responses, particularly in rural areas. Her work emphasizes building effective partnerships across public safety, public health, and behavioral health.
- Rebecca (Becky) Rose, Senior Director at Rulo Strategies, specializes in fostering cross-sector collaboration. She advises rural communities on securing funding, strengthening justice and health partnerships, and advancing long-term strategic planning.
Community partners in attendance included: Camden Central School District, Camden Life Center, Camden Police Department, Camden Town Court, Helio Health, Mohawk Valley Housing and Homeless Coalition NY-518, Oneida County Department of Mental Health, Oneida County Department of Public Health, and Oneida County Planning Department.
About Camden Life Center
Camden Life Center is a collaborative hub in Central New York offering integrated services including mental health support, youth programming, veteran assistance, and food access initiatives. Partner agencies—including Come to the Table Counseling, Helio Health, 50 Forward and others—work side by side to ensure that the most needed services are available right in the heart of Camden. Guided by its mission to nourish the whole person, the Center is committed to building connection, belonging, and hope for rural communities.