City of Kingston (Winner)
County: Ulster County
Population: 10,001 to 50,000
City Hall: (845) 331-0080

In 2017, the City of Kingston and the Kingston City School District significant expanded their partnership to improve the life of the City’s most at-risk youth through a series of innovative, collaborative programming. Each component of the program utilized existing resources and/or donations. No additional taxpayer funds were necessary to support these initiatives.

City of Albany (Winner)
County: Albany County
Population: 50,000 +
City Hall: (518) 434-5100

The Truancy Abatement Program is a collaborative effort involving the City of Albany, the City School District of Albany, Albany County Probation, Albany Police Dept. and local community agencies, and is funded through NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services. The program operation consists of police officers patrolling the streets of Albany, identifying students who are not legitimately outside of school during regular school hours, and escorting them to the Truancy Abatement Center. Parents are then notified and required to return their child to school.

Village of East Hills (Winner)
County: Nassau County
Population: 5,000 to 10,000
Village Hall: (516) 621-5600

When a recent review of the registered voters revealed that many highly regarded college students had never registered to vote, the mayor and Board of Trustees developed a new plan to reverse this pattern. An internship program was developed to allow students to work side-by-side with elected officials in an effort to heighten students' interest in current events, politics, and the outcome of upcoming elections.

Village of Frankfort (Winner)
County: Herkimer County
Population: Less than 5,000
Village Hall: (315) 895-7651

The Village of Frankfort Volunteer Fire Department instituted the Firefighter School Credit Program to enhance membership among its ranks. This program was designed to give high school students, beginning at age 16, an opportunity to experience training in preparation of joining the fire company once they reached the age of 18.

City of Albany (Winner)
County: Albany County
Population: 50,000 +
City Hall: (518) 434-5100

The mayor and the City of Albany in an effort to offer a forum in which individuals could learn about the daily operations, policies, and objectives of city government, established and implemented the Citizens' Leadership College.