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THE WILLIAM GEORGE AGENCY FOR CHILDREN'S SERVICES INC
FREEVILLE, NY · EIN 131857994 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE F33Z · Mental Health & Crisis Intervention · Large ($10M-$50M) · wgaforchildren.org
revenue
$40.0M
expenses
$39.7M
net assets
$32.8M
employees
559
volunteers
14
program ratio
82%
mission · from form 990

TO PROVIDE THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND HIGHEST QUALITY TREATMENT TO TROUBLED YOUTH, TO HELP THEM DEVELOP THE SOCIAL SKILLS, ATTITUDES AND SELF-DIRECTION TO BECOME CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY; TO PROVIDING INTENSIVE FAMILY SERVICES, WHENEVER POSSIBLE AND APPROPRIATE; AND TO THE BELIEF THAT ALL CONSUMERS OF OUR SERVICES, INCLUDING THE CHILDREN, THEIR FAMILIES AND REFERRAL SOURCES, SHOULD BE INVOLVED WITH THE AGENCY'S PROFESSIONAL STAFF AT EVERY STEP IN THE TREATMENT PROCESS.

profile · synthesized from sources

The William George Agency for Children's Services provides residential treatment and therapeutic programs for high-need youth aged 12–21 in New York State. It offers trauma-informed, strength-based care focused on developing life skills, emotional regulation, and family reunification. The agency operates on a campus in Freeville, NY, and delivers services through interdisciplinary teams, including specialized programs for youth with dual diagnoses and those involved in the juvenile justice system.

named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Aftercare Services
Six months of post-residential support provided by Regional Family Service Coordinators across Upstate New York to aid reintegration
Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Program
Provides education, counseling, and naloxone training for youth dealing with substance use, addiction, or family-related substance issues
Pathways to Independence
Specialized program for youth with dual diagnoses of intellectual disabilities and emotional/psychiatric disturbances, focusing on adaptive daily living skills
Paws First
Animal-assisted intervention program using dog training and animal companionship to build youth confidence, self-esteem, and safety awareness
Residential Care Program
24/7 therapeutic living environment for high-risk youth aged 12–21, focusing on trauma-informed care, life skills development, and family reunification
Therapeutic After-School Program (TAP)
Community-based program for Tompkins County youth and families aimed at preventing the need for residential treatment through early intervention
activities · 12 groups

What they do

  • Youth Development and Support Services 3 activities
    • Aftercare and community reintegration support
      Provides six months of family-based aftercare services post-residential program, delivered through Regional Family Service Coordinators across Upstate New York to support youth and families during community reintegration.
    • Life skills and recreational programming
      Delivers structured and unstructured recreational activities using on-site amenities (equine center, ropes course, field house, fishing pond, nature trails, sports courts) and implements a comprehensive Life Skills curriculum to prepare youth for family reunification or independent living.
    • Specialized programming for youth with dual diagnoses
      Provides specialized supports for youth with dual diagnoses through the Pathways to Independence and Skills for Success programs, aimed at improving daily living skills and independence.
  • Animal-Assisted Support Services 1 activity
    • Animal-assisted therapeutic interventions
      Offers the Paws First animal-assisted intervention program, using dog training and animal companionship to build youth confidence, self-esteem, and safety awareness, including animal-assisted activities as part of therapy.
  • Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
    • Goal development and youth recognition
      Engages youth in goal development with interdisciplinary treatment teams and celebrates progress through recognition ceremonies and special activities.
  • Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Education 1 activity
    • Historical and legacy initiatives
      Adopted a constitution in 1898 granting girls the right to vote, created Loch Urquhart in 1968 through a youth-led vocational program, and became the first private residential treatment center in New York State licensed by OCSF in 1996 to serve youth who have engaged in sexually harmful behavior.
  • Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
    • Holiday and celebratory events for youth
      Organizes annual holiday meals at local restaurants and off-campus venues like Greek Peak Mountain Resort, and provides personalized holiday gifts to every young person in care based on individual preferences.
  • Outpatient Mental Health Clinic Services 1 activity
    • On-site medical and mental health services
      Operates an on-site licensed medical clinic (accredited as an Article 29-I facility) with doctors, nurses, licensed psychologists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners providing behavioral and physical health services to youth.
  • Substance Use Information and Referral Services 1 activity
    • Outpatient substance use disorder treatment
      Operates the Van Clef Outpatient Substance Treatment Program and a licensed outpatient program providing education, counseling, coping strategies, and naloxone training to youth affected by substance use; includes on-campus internships in this program.
  • Residential Care for At-Risk Youth 1 activity
    • Residential treatment for high-risk youth
      Provides residential care for high-risk, high-need youth in New York who have been historically underserved, offering individualized therapeutic programming through interdisciplinary treatment teams following comprehensive health assessments.
  • Special Education Support Services 1 activity
    • Special education and career development programs
      Provides special education instruction for students in grades 7–12 with a staff-to-student ratio of 6:1:1 or 6:1:2 at GJR UFSD, alongside career exploration and hands-on work experience programs across 18 disciplines.
  • School-Based Mental Health and Family Support 1 activity
    • Therapeutic After-School Program (TAP)
      Operates the Therapeutic After-School Program in Tompkins County to prevent the need for residential treatment, with participation linked to significant reductions in aggressive and concerning behaviors across home, school, and community settings.
  • Direct Mental Health Counseling and Support Services 1 activity
    • Therapeutic counseling and family services
      Provides weekly individual, group, and family counseling; assessment and intervention therapies; and services designed to maintain family connections, including intensive family services when appropriate.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Campus safety and infrastructure improvement
      Initiated a project to improve safety and security at specific locations on its 650-acre campus.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$40.01M
Contributions & grants$2.48M6%
Program service revenue$37.49M94%
Investment income$60%
Other revenue$33K
expenses
Total expenses$39.72M
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$30.48M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$39.82M
Cash$1.70M
Investments$0
Liabilities$6.98M
Net assets$32.84M
Liquid reserves0.5 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +8.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 8
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
HELEN HULINGS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $333K
ANITA FOWLER CFO 40 $251K
GABRIEL TORNUSCIOLO CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER (PART YEAR) 40 $205K
DAVID DANKERT DIRECTOR OF RESIDENTIAL SE 40 $199K
DANIELLE CHASE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS 40 $197K
WENDY F PUTNEY DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCE 40 $181K
LORI LAMONTAGNE NURSING SUPERVISOR 40 $167K
FRANK HOTALING YOUTH CARE SPECIALIST 40 $150K
board members · 14
  • ANDREW KERNAN — DIRECTOR
  • ANGUS MCDONALD — DIRECTOR
  • FREDERICK BUTLER — DIRECTOR
  • KATHERINE HASTINGS — DIRECTOR
  • MARK GLOSENGER — DIRECTOR
  • PATRICK PERRY — DIRECTOR
  • RALPH E WRIGHT — DIRECTOR
  • RICHARD BANKS — CHAIRMAN
  • ROBERT MCDONALD — VICE CHAIRMAN
  • RON ABAD — SECRETARY
  • RUSSELL S BOOTH — DIRECTOR
  • SEAN WHITTAKER — DIRECTOR
  • THOMAS FINN — DIRECTOR
  • WILLIAM CALDWELL JR — TREASURER
relationships · 14

Who they work with

  • 30 colleges and universities Partner — Partners with nearly 30 colleges and universities to provide clinical internships in social work, mental health counseling, and substance use disorder counseling.
  • American Kennel Club Partner — Collaborates with the American Kennel Club for the Paws First program, where teams earn AKC Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog titles.
  • CDC Partner — Source of evidence-based strategies for youth substance use prevention shared by WGA.
  • Chimera Integrations Partner — Selected as the lowest bidder for the 2025 Safety and Security Enhancements project.
  • Committee on Special Education Partner — School CSE serves as a referring agency for youth admission into WGA residential programs.
  • Council on Accreditation Government — Accrediting body that granted WGA accreditation in 2019 based on international best practice standards.
  • Department of Social Services Partner — County DSS serves as a sponsoring agency that refers youth for admission to WGA residential programs.
  • Ithaca Agway Ace Hardware Partner — Supported the Holiday Cottage Appeal in 2025.
  • Mirabito Partner — Supported the Holiday Cottage Appeal in 2025.
  • National Child Traumatic Stress Network Partner — Provides trauma and substance abuse resources that WGA shares to support youth and families.
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse Partner — Provides educational resources on drug misuse and addiction that WGA shares with its community.
  • Office of Children and Family Services Partner — OCFS serves as a sponsoring agency that refers youth for admission to WGA residential programs.
  • SAMHSA Government — Source of national survey data and overdose prevention resources referenced and shared by WGA.
  • WGA Regional Care Managers Partner — Provides aftercare services to support youth and families during community reintegration.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Early Family Engagement for Reunification
    methodology: early_family_engagement
    By initiating family outreach at the start of residential care, the organization increases the likelihood of successful reunification because early intervention prevents attachment erosion and enables timely repair of family relationships.
  • Individualized, Holistic Reintegration Planning
    methodology: holistic_reintegration_planning
    By combining individualized treatment planning with transitional support and holistic services, the organization sustains treatment gains and prepares youth for independent living because coordinated clinical, educational, and vocational supports address the multifaceted challenges of reintegration.
  • Relational and Environmental Therapeutic Model
    methodology: relational_therapeutic_environment
    By providing a safe, nurturing, and therapeutically structured environment with positive adult and peer modeling, the organization supports behavioral change and emotional growth because formative relational experiences shape developmental trajectories.
  • Strength-Based, Trauma-Informed Care Model
    methodology: strength_based_trauma_informed_care
    By focusing on youth strengths and integrating trauma-informed practices, the organization fosters confidence, self-efficacy, and long-term success because this approach validates lived experience while building resilience and autonomy.
  • Youth Self-Governance and Responsibility Model
    methodology: self_governance_model
    By involving youth in democratic self-governance and assigning labor-based responsibilities, the organization promotes character development and accountability because structured autonomy builds citizenship and internalized behavioral norms.