Another organization of note, the Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet, originally co-chaired by Rolison, who was city of Poughkeepsie mayor at the time, as well as former Poughkeepsie City School District Superintendent Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, was another aspect of the area working to "put children first," Rolison said, through "coordinated" effort and a cradle-to-career path.

Now, the cabinet is co-chaired by City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Yvonne Flowers and Superintendent of Schools for the Poughkeepsie City School District Greg Mott, but "coordination" of citywide systems of support and services to help children and families in the city thrive.

"Eighty percent of a child's time is spent outside of the school building," Rolison said, and the combined effort of these organizations, now including the pilot program, is "so important for the future of our community."