NCCI Completes Merger with the North Country Association for the Visually Impaired
PLATTSBURGH, NY - May 15, 2025 - The North Country Center for Independence (NCCI) and the North Country Association for the Visually Impaired (NCAVI) are pleased to announce the completion of their merger, following the recent filing of their Certificate of Merger on April 22, 2025. This merger represents the culmination of a strategic partnership that began in April 2022 when NCAVI first became an affiliate of NCCI.
The unified organization will retain the North Country Center for Independence name, with NCAVI programs continuing as "NCCI Vision Services." This integration strengthens services for people with disabilities throughout Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and St. Lawrence counties.
NCCI and NCAVI merger completed, depicted as two people pushing puzzle pieces together.
"This merger ensures the sustainability of critical vision services while expanding the range of resources available to all people with disabilities in our region," said Robert Poulin, Chief Executive Officer of NCCI. "By combining our expertise and resources, we're creating a more robust organization that can better advocate for and serve our community."
The merger was driven by the shared mission of both organizations to empower individuals with disabilities to live independently. It also responds to changes in state funding models that made the partnership necessary to sustain vision services in the North Country.
Amy Collin, who previously served as Executive Director of NCAVI and facilitated the initial affiliation in 2022, will continue in her role as Chief Financial Officer at NCCI, ensuring continuity of leadership and vision services programming.
"This merger represents the culmination of a thoughtful process that began three years ago," said Collin. "Our vision services team remains dedicated to our original mission, and participants will continue to receive the same high-quality services they've come to expect, with the added benefit of access to NCCI's comprehensive independent living programs."
The newly strengthened organization will offer an expanded suite of services including:
· Vision rehabilitation and training
· Assistive technology assessment and training
· Independent living skills development
· Disability rights advocacy
· Benefits advisement
