Charity Review

Issued: April 2017 Expires: April 2019

Charity Seal Holder

Youth Advocate Services

Meets Standards
 
(614) 258-9927 825 Grandview Ave, Columbus OH 43215-1123 www.yasohio.org
  1. Conclusions
  2. Purpose
  3. Programs
  4. Governance & Staff
  5. Fund Raising
  6. Tax Status
  7. Financial
  8. BBB Comment
Conclusions

Youth Advocate Services meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Purpose

MISSION STATEMENT:

To support children, youth, and families to realize their potential, hopes and dreams. 


VISION STATEMENT:

In order to improve every life we serve, Youth Advocate Services dedicates itself to a culture that puts customer service and quality care above all else. 

Incorporated: 1978 in OH

Programs

PROGRAMS & SERVICES:

Youth Advocate Services (YAS) has the oldest therapeutic foster care program in the State of Ohio. YAS has recently added pre- and post- adoption services for families as well. Since 1978, YAS’ Foster Care Programs have been designed to meet community needs and provide substitute care and supportive services to differing target populations. The Treatment Foster Care Program provides longer term (on average 3-9 months) foster care and treatment services to youth in central Ohio.

Outpatient Mental Health Programs provide the following services and interventions to children and families: Individual Counseling, Group Counseling, Group Counseling, Family Counseling, Family Support/ Education, Family Reunification Counseling, Community Psychiatric Supportive Treatment, Mental Health Assessment, Therapeutic Play, Independent Living Assessment, Early Childhood Mental Health, Home-based  Services, Life Book Group Activities, Full Clinical Assessment, Individual Treatment Planning, Clinical Social Work, Positive Behavioral Intervention, Individual, Group, and Reunification Counseling, Public School Special Education Testing Advocacy and Placement Consultation Advocacy Services, School-based Behavioral Interventions and Academic Support, Psychiatric Evaluation and Medication Management, Discharge Planning including Transition to Family Home or Foster Family Placement, Support for Treatment Foster Parents, and Skills Training and Supportive Therapies for youth.

The Help Me Grow (HMG) Program at YAS is a child development program that provides Home Visiting and Service Coordination to eligible children and families in and around Franklin County. The HMG Program promotes the best possible developmental outcomes for very young children and their families. Successfully operating since 2000, Help Me Grow is funded through the Franklin County Family and Children First Counsel (FCFCFC) and Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS). The services provided by Help Me Grow are primarily community based, collaborative, and always family-centered. Service Coordinators ensure that all services needed are made available as early as possible.The following home-based services are provided to families in the Help Me Grow Program caring for children ages birth to three years: Supportive Services, Consultation, Child Development, Parent Education, Linkage to Resources & Programs in the Community.

Governance & Staff

Board Chair: Ms. Aimee Stitt, Marathoner In Training (MIT)

CEO: Ms. Sarah Cochey, Chief Executive Officer

Board Size: 9

Staff: 47

Fund Raising
Method(s) used: Direct Mail Appeals Telephone Appeals Invitations to Fundraising Events Grant Proposals Internet Appeals Door-to-Door Appeals Planned Giving Arrangements Appeals via Social Media (Facebook, etc.)

% of Related Contributions on Fundraising: 1.81%

Tax Status

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

Financial

The following information is based on Youth Advocate Services's Audited Financial Statements for the fiscal year ending Thursday, June 30, 2016.

Source of Funds
Contributions $22,928
Investment Income $8,271
Franklin County Children's Services / Other Placements $2,253,810
Help Me Grow Grant $362,698
Other Income $1,571
Training Services Revenue $72,365
Mental Health Services $1,219,613
Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments ($1,255)
Investment Fees ($2,420)
Total Income: $3,937,581
 
Fusion Chart
 
Program Expenses: $3,303,743
Fundraising Expenses: $6,980
Administrative Expenses: $253,849
Total Expenses: $3,564,572
 
Income in Excess of Expenses: $373,009
 
Beginning Net Assets: $1,093,412
Ending Net Assets: $1,466,421
Total Liabilities: $218,729
Total Assets: $1,685,150

BBB Comment

A BBB Accredited Charity since November, 2004. BBB has determined that in addition to meeting BBB's 20 Standards for Charity Accountability, Youth Advocate Services, Inc. adheres to the BBB Code of Business Practices, which includes a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any complaints. Charities that display the BBB Accredited Charity Seal pay a fee for review / monitoring and for support of BBB's services to the public. BBB accreditation does not mean this charity's programs or services have been evaluated or endorsed by BBB or that BBB has made a determination as to this charity's competency in performing services.


An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

This report is not to be used for fund raising or promotional purposes.

Standards Legend

  • Meets Standards IconMeets Standards
  • Standards Not Met IconStandards Not Met
  • Did Not Disclose IconDid Not Disclose
  • Review in Progress IconReview in Progress
  • Unable to Verify IconUnable to Verify
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Standard 1: Board Oversight


Description:

Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.

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Standard 2: Board Size


Description:

Soliciting organizations shall have a board of directors with a minimum of five voting members.

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Standard 3: Board Meetings


Description:

An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.

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Standard 4: Board Compensation


Description:

Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.

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Standard 5: Conflict of Interest


Description:

No transaction(s) in which any board or staff members have material conflicting interests with the charity resulting from any relationship or business affiliation. Factors that will be considered when concluding whether or not a related party transaction constitutes a conflict of interest and if such a conflict is material, include, but are not limited to: any arm's length procedures established by the charity; the size of the transaction relative to like expenses of the charity; whether the interested party participated in the board vote on the transaction; if competitive bids were sought and whether the transaction is one-time, recurring or ongoing.

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Standard 6: Effectiveness Policy


Description:

Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

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Standard 7: Effectiveness Report


Description:

Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

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Standard 8: Program Expenses


Description:

Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.

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Standard 9: Fund Raising Expenses


Description:

Spending should be no more than 35% of related contributions on fund raising. Related contributions include donations, legacies, and other gifts received as a result of fund raising efforts.

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Standard 10: Accumulating Funds


Description:

Avoid accumulating funds that could be used for current program activities. To meet this standard, the charity's unrestricted net assets available for use should not be more than three times the size of the past year's expenses or three times the size of the current year's budget, whichever is higher.

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Standard 11: Audit Report


Description:

Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $500,000, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $500,000, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.

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Standard 12: Detailed Expense Breakdown


Description:

Include in the financial statements a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fund raising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.

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Standard 13: Accurate Expense Reporting


Description:

Accurately report the charity's expenses, including any joint cost allocations, in its financial statements. For example, audited or unaudited statements which inaccurately claim zero fund raising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fund raising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.

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Standard 14: Budget Plan


Description:

Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.

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Standard 15: Truthful Materials


Description:

Have solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, that are accurate, truthful and not misleading, both in whole and in part. Appeals that omit a clear description of program(s) for which contributions are sought will not meet this standard. A charity should also be able to substantiate that the timing and nature of its expenditures are in accordance with what is stated, expressed, or implied in the charity's solicitations.

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Standard 16: Annual Report


Description:

Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

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Standard 17: Website Disclosures


Description:

Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.

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Standard 18: Donor Privacy


Description:

Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.

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Standard 19: Cause Marketing Disclosures


Description:

Clearly disclose how the charity benefits from the sale of products or services (i.e., cause-related marketing) that state or imply that a charity will benefit from a consumer sale or transaction. Such promotions should disclose, at the point of solicitation: (a) the actual or anticipated portion of the purchase price that will benefit the charity (e.g., 5 cents will be contributed to abc charity for every xyz company product sold), (b) the duration of the campaign (e.g., the month of October), (c) any maximum or guaranteed minimum contribution amount (e.g., up to a maximum of $200,000).

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Standard 20: Complaints


Description:

Respond promptly to and act on complaints brought to its attention by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and/or local Better Business Bureaus about fund raising practices, privacy policy violations and/or other issues.