Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES is part of a state-wide system of Board of Cooperative Educational Services and was one of the first four established by the New York State Legislature in 1948 under section 1950 of the NYS Education Law. There are currently 37 BOCES in New York state. BOCES functions as a link between local schools and the State Education Department. Through cooperative efforts of component school districts, BOCES offers a wide variety of educational and support services to public education agencies throughout the state. BOCES serves its component districts by offering a variety of educationally focused programs, services, and support systems including career and technical education, special and alternative education, administrative and financial services, human resources, program and professional development, information and technology support, and shared itinerant staff.