“Our employees have always taken tremendous pride in knowing that the kits they assemble can play an important role in helping law enforcement”
From the Arc Allegany Steuben,
PWI, a social enterprise of The Arc Allegany-Steuben, recently welcomed representatives from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), Office of Forensic Services, for a visit and tour of its kit assembly operation in Wellsville.
On August 19, 2026, staff from DCJS visited PWI to learn more about the operation and the dedicated workforce responsible for assembling critical evidence collection and DNA specimen kits used throughout New York State.
During their visit, the DCJS representatives toured PWI’s kit assembly operation, meeting associates and seeing firsthand the work that goes into producing the New York State Sexual Offense Evidence Collection Kit, Drug Facilitated Sexual Offense Evidence Collection Kit, and New York State DNA Databank Convicted Offender Specimen Collection Kit.
The visit also provided an opportunity to reflect on a partnership between PWI and DCJS that spans 35 years. The relationship began in 1991, when New York State became the first state in the nation to standardize its Sexual Offense Evidence Collection Kit. Through the NYSID Preferred Source Program, DCJS turned to PWI to produce the kits, making it the first program of its kind in the nation to have critical forensic evidence kits produced by people with disabilities.
That successful collaboration led to another groundbreaking partnership in 1995, when PWI was selected to produce the New York State DNA Databank Convicted Offender Specimen Collection Kit. These kits are used to securely collect DNA samples from qualifying individuals convicted of offenses in New York State. The samples become part of the New York State DNA Databank and, when eligible, are included in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), the national DNA database managed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Over the years, PWI’s work has supported significant forensic and criminal justice efforts throughout New York State and beyond. PWI also produced DNA collection kits that were utilized in identification efforts following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, supporting the unprecedented effort to identify victims in the aftermath of the attacks. Read more about that effort below:
“For 35 years, our partnership with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services has represented so much more than a contract or a business relationship,” said Christopher Koehler, Vice President of Business Operations for The Arc Allegany-Steuben. “Through the NYSID Preferred Source Program, hundreds of people with disabilities have had the opportunity to perform meaningful work while contributing to something that has a real impact across New York State and beyond.”
“Our employees have always taken tremendous pride in knowing that the kits they assemble can play an important role in helping law enforcement solve crimes, bring justice to victims, and protect our communities,” Koehler continued. “We are incredibly grateful to DCJS and NYSID for a partnership that has endured for 35 years and for the trust they have placed in PWI. We are also proud to have played a role in supporting DCJS as it has developed nationally recognized, evidence-based criminal justice practices and innovative programs.”
The August 19th visit provided an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable history of the partnership while recognizing the generations of employees whose dedication has made it possible.
What began with New York State’s groundbreaking effort to standardize sexual offense evidence collection has grown into a decades-long partnership demonstrating the power of inclusion, meaningful employment, innovation, and collaboration.
As PWI looks toward the future, the organization remains grateful for its longstanding relationship with DCJS and NYSID and proud to continue providing high-quality products and services that support New York State’s criminal justice and forensic services systems.
