At its annual fall gala on Thursday, September 25, The Family Counseling Center of Fulton County honored HFM BOCES District Superintendent Dr. David Ziskin with the Dr. David and Ann Lee Clough Award for his work leading regional efforts to expand mental health services for students and families of the HFM region.
Established in 2007 in honor of Dr. David and Ann Lee Clough—two founding members of the Family Counseling Center—the award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the field of behavioral health. Recipients are selected for their impact through direct services, research, education, policy planning, or advocacy.
HFM BOCES District Superintendent Dr. David Ziskin
Michael Countryman, CEO of The Family Counseling Center, observed Ziskin’s early commitment to student mental health needs during his tenure as Superintendent at Fort Plain Central School District, a focus he continued to prioritize at HFM BOCES.
“That same visionary approach at Fort Plain has continued at BOCES, where he now leads regional efforts to expand affordable school-based mental health services; develop early childhood models focused on social, emotional, and cognitive growth; and create innovative programming to support families across all three counties.”
Under Dr. Ziskin’s leadership, HFM BOCES introduced the Community Schools Resources Cooperative Service agreement, allowing local school districts to provide shared services for students’ social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs through cooperative planning, professional development, technical assistance, referral services, and coordination of services and partnerships.
Dr. Harry Brooks, a current board member and past president of the HFM BOCES Board of Education, praised Ziskin and his team’s enduring commitment to student wellness and innovation in education.
“Throughout his career as a teacher and leader, his commitment to students and their wellness has been a hallmark of his service,” said Brooks. “Dr. Ziskin and his leadership team at HFM BOCES broke new ground in launching the HFM Community Schools Resources initiative that has transformed how districts address student needs, moving beyond traditional models to tackle root causes. It is this approach, one that puts the well-being of children at the center of every decision, that sets Dr. Ziskin apart and allows every child to become all they are capable of becoming.”
With more than 30 years in education, Dr. Ziskin has served as both a teacher and administrator in several local school districts, including Amsterdam, Broadalbin-Perth, Fonda-Fultonville, and Fort Plain. In May 2019, the HFM BOCES Board of Education appointed Ziskin as District Superintendent, recognizing his vision, experience, and unwavering commitment to expanding educational opportunities across the region. His leadership has fostered environments where students can thrive both academically and emotionally, leaving a lasting imprint on each community.
“I’m deeply honored to receive the Dr. David and Ann Lee Clough Award,” said Ziskin. “Supporting the behavioral health of students and their families has always been a cornerstone of our work in education at HFM BOCES.”
Ziskin also acknowledged the collective effort behind the honor.
“This award is a tribute to the educators, counselors, and community partners throughout the HFM region who work tirelessly to create safe, supportive environments for young people. I’m humbled to be part of a collective mission that puts student well-being at the heart of everything we do.”
