Next UCBASA Training Session – City of Kingston – October 29th
Kingston, NY- The National Association of Counties (“NACo”) has recognized Ulster County with a 2018 Achievement Award for its new program titled Ulster County Bystanders Against Sexual Assault (UCBASA) in the category of Human Services. The NACo awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents. NACo President Roy Charles Brooks said, “Counties seize opportunities to deliver services more efficiently and build stronger communities every day. Achievement Award-winning programs are examples for counties that are determined to enhance services for our residents.”
The UCBASA is a ground-breaking program that provides bystander training for restaurant/bar staff as it aims to prevent sexual assaults before they occur and reduce the overall number of sexual assaults that take place. It is the first such program in New York State and can serve as a model for the development of a state-wide initiative. The Ulster County Crime Victims Assistance Program launched UCBASA in New Paltz earlier this year and has so far trained 45 staff at 7 bars. Establishments that complete the training receive a certificate. Ulster County is currently offering training sessions in the City of Kingston. The next UCBASA training session will be held on October 29, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. at the Kingston Center at SUNY Ulster. The UCBASA initiative will also be expanding to the Town of Saugerties. To register please call 845-340-3800 or email jrll[at]co.ulster.ny[dot]us.
Michael P. Hein, Ulster County Executive
“I am honored that NACo has recognized the Ulster County Bystanders Against Sexual Assault Program and I want to thank the National Association of Counties for this important recognition,” said County Executive Hein. “UCBASA is a cutting edge preventative measure in its ability to teach bar staff how and why sex offenders offend, what qualifies as sexual assault and why consent is vital. This program would not be possible without the critical efforts of Nancy Schmidt, Director of our Probation Department, and our Crime Victims Assistance staff, Sarah Kramer-Harrison and Cynthia Craft. The work they do is exceptional, developing a curriculum and providing training to educate bar staff about this serious issue. I hope this program can serve as a model for other communities, and we look forward to providing this essential training in other areas of the County.”
Nancy Schmidt, Ulster County Director of Probation
“I am very proud of the UCBASA program developed by two members of our Crime Victim's Assistance Program staff Cynthia Craft and Sarah Kramer-Harrison,” said Nancy Schmidt, Director of Probation. “This prevention and education program has been a big success in the Village of New Paltz, and as we expand to the City of Kingston and elsewhere in the County we hope establishments realize the importance of this training for their staff. We are very grateful for the support and encouragement of County Executive Mike Hein who helped get this program underway. His continued support and promotion of this program has helped to get more bar staff trained which is the key to successful implementation. We are also grateful to New Paltz Police Chief Joe Snyder and New Paltz Bar and Tavern Association President Mike Beck for their efforts to engage bar staff and owners in this program, as well as City of Kingston Mayor Steve Noble and City of Kingston Police Chief Egidio Tinti for their assistance in Kingston. It is hoped that providing this program to bar staff will improve the safety of men and women in Ulster County. I am very pleased that Ulster County was awarded the NACO award in recognition of this outstanding program.”
Sarah Kramer-Harrison, M.Ed., Ulster County Crime Victims Counselor/Educator
“Unfortunately, for too many decades, society has looked to the victim to prevent sexual assault. What we know now is that a person is only at risk of sexual assault when they are in the presence of someone looking to commit a sexual assault,” said Sarah Kremer-Harrison, M.Ed., Ulster County Crime Victims Counselor/Educator. “Cynthia Craft and I thought it was important to create a program that identifies offender behavior and arms bar staff with skills to appropriately intervene. This program creates a community-minded approach to preventing sexual assault. Ulster County Executive Michael Hein saw the potential of this program and provided us with the support to make it a reality.”
For more information or to register for the UCBASA training on October 29, 2018 at 2:30 pm at the Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster, 94 Mary’s Avenue, Kingston, NY, please call 845-340-3800 or email jrll[at]co.ulster.ny[dot]us.
NACo’s annual Achievement Awards program began in 1970 and is designed to recognize county government innovations. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received. Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.
The National Association of Counties (NACo) unites America’s 3,069 county governments. Founded in 1935, NACo brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on national policy, exchange ideas and build new leadership skills, pursue transformational county solutions, enrich the public’s understanding of county government and exercise exemplary leadership in public service. Learn more at www.naco.org
Attachment: Photo (from left) - Sarah Kramer-Harrison and Cynthia Craft of Ulster County Crime Victims Assistance Program; County Executive Mike Hein; Nancy Schmidt, Director of Ulster County Department of Probation; and Town of New Paltz Police Chief Joseph Snyder.
