Crisis Services
Accredited Charity
Meets Standards
Accredited Charity
Meets Standards
Standards Legend
- Meets Standards
- Standards Not Met
- Did Not Disclose
- Review In Progress
- Unable to Verify
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
Oversight of Operations and Staff: Standard 1
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, fundraising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.The organization meets this standard.
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Board Size
Number of Board Members: Standard 2
Description
Soliciting organizations shall have a board of directors with a minimum of five voting members.The organization meets this standard.
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Board Meetings
Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings: Standard 3
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.The organization meets this standard.
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Board Compensation
Compensated Board Members: Standard 4
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.The organization meets this standard.
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Conflict of Interest
Conflict of Interest: Standard 5
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.The organization meets this standard.
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
Board Policy on Effectiveness: Standard 6
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.The organization meets this standard.
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Effectiveness Report
Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness: Standard 7
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.The organization meets this standard.
Finances
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Program Expenses
Program Service Expense Ratio: Standard 8
Description
Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.The organization meets this standard.
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Fundraising Expenses
Fundraising Expense Ratio: Standard 9
Description
Spending should be no more than 35% of related contributions on fundraising. Related contributions include donations, legacies, and other gifts received as a result of fundraising efforts.The organization meets this standard.
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Accumulating Funds
Ending Net Assets: Standard 10
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.The organization meets this standard.
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Audit Report
Financial Statements: Standard 11
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 $1 million, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $1 million, 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.The organization meets this standard.
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses: Standard 12
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, fundraising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.The organization meets this standard.
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Accurate Expense Reporting
Accuracy of Expenses in Financial Statements: Standard 13
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 fundraising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fundraising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.The organization meets this standard.
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Budget Plan
Budget: Standard 14
Description
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fundraising, and administration.The organization meets this standard.
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
Misleading Appeals: Standard 15
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.The organization meets this standard.
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Annual Report
Annual Report: Standard 16
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, fundraising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.The organization meets this standard.
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Website Disclosures
Web Site Disclosures: Standard 17
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.The organization meets this standard.
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Donor Privacy
Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy: Standard 18
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.The organization meets this standard.
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
Cause Related Marketing: Standard 19
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).The organization meets this standard.
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Complaints
Complaints: Standard 20
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 fundraising practices, privacy policy violations and/or other issues.The organization meets this standard.
Conclusion
Crisis Services meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Purpose
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Year, State Incorporated
1968, NY
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Stated Purpose
We are a 24-hour comprehensive crisis center and community resourcewhose first responders provide support to anyone in need. We save lives by restoring safety, promotingemotional strength and reducing the impact of trauma through intervention, education, prevention and community collaboration.
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Also Known As:
Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service, Inc.
Programs
CrisisServices is Buffalo and Erie County’s ONLY comprehensive crisis centerthat provides a live person to respond to crisis 24 hours a day, 365 days ayear, since 1968. Suicide, crisis intervention, domestic violence, sexualassault, elder abuse, trauma response, addiction issues, or living with mentalhealth conditions are all areas in which our staff offers their expertise andadvocacy. Crisis Services is the only accredited provider by the AmericanAssociation of Suicidology in WNY and the only designated Rape Crisis Center bythe NYS Department of Health in Erie County. We save lives by restoringsafety, promoting emotional strength and reducing the impact of trauma throughintervention, education, prevention and community collaboration.Our Crisis First Responders help approximately 100,000 residentsof our community each year when impacted by a crisis – any type of crisis – 24hours a day. Crisis Services is comprised of three main departments: 24 hour CrisisCounseling Program (CCP), Emergency Mental Health Response Services (EMHRS),and Advocate Program. Each of these departments has their own specializedbranches of service and response teams. CrisisCounseling Program (CCP)The dedicated staff who make up our Crisis Counseling Program aretrained crisis hotline counselors who assist callers 24 hours a day that are invarious types of crisis, need supportive counseling, or looking for resourcesin Erie County. CCP is the first pointof access for callers in need of more thorough services, like Crisis Services’Advocate Department or Emergency Mental Health Response services, such asMobile Outreach Response. CCP is also the continuum of care after-hours provider forconsumers of 13 local mental health and behavioral health agencies in ErieCounty. CCP also manages the 24-hour Kids Help Line in Erie County and is themental health 24-hour hotline provider for Chautauqua County. Crisis Servicesis the network center for all WNY calls made to the NationalSuicide Prevention Lifeline. On average, CCP prevents over 80% of callers inmental health crisis from using 911 or more costly emergency services.In 2016, Erie County asked Crisis Services to lead theimplementation and operation of a 24-hour addiction hotline, 716-831-7007. TheAddiction Hotline is the first voice of assistance for immediate help,education, information, referrals and assistance with linkage to treatment. TheAddiction Hotline is not only for individuals battling addiction but for familymembers or friends in need of support and guidance with those struggling withaddiction. Our Addiction Hotline Counselors will provide support, giveinformation and referrals regarding Chemical Dependency services, and may beable to provide an immediate connection to an Outpatient Chemical DependencyAgency for access to an appointment that same day. Referrals can be made toChemical/Addiction providers within Erie County and selected areas of NiagaraCounty. Whether you are calling the Addictions Hotline to obtain information orto get linked with Stabilization (Detoxification), Outpatient (same dayaccess), Inpatient, Residential services or Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)the Addiction Hotline Counselor can provide a mini screening to help determinethe appropriate level of care. HotlineCounselors can link the caller with a Peer or Family Navigator from the Addictto Addict Program at Western New Your Independent Living. A Peer Navigator fromthe Addict to Addict program can assist a caller who may need that extraspecialized attention from a Peer while going through the linkage and recoveryprocess. A family member or friend who is calling the Hotline can be linkedwith a Family Navigator to provide support and assistance in dealing with theirloved one's addiction and recovery process. As of July 1, 2018, Crisis Services’ Addiction Hotline will expand itsreach and serve as the access point for the Open Access Center model. The OpenAccess effort is coordinated via Horizon Health Services, the lead agency aspart of a NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (OASAS) grant awarded toWNY. This multi-county collaboration works to create seamless connection ofthose contacting the Addiction and Open Access Hotline with a variety oftreatment providers across the counties of Erie, Niagara, Allegany, Chautauquaand Cattaraugus.EmergencyMental Health Response Services (EMHRS) EMHRS provides 24/7 help and support to individuals experiencing amental health crisis. Specialized branches of the EMHRS Department include:MobileOutreach Response ProgramThis program’s main goal is to divert as many people as possiblefrom unnecessarily presenting to a psychiatric emergency room and diversionfrom jail by linking clients with proper mental health services. Thousands ofindividuals avoid unnecessary hospitalization or jail time thanks to theassistance of Mobile Outreach Counselors providing immediate intervention,safety planning and connection to needed resources for those presenting withharm to self or others in Erie County. On average of the 2,400 people receivingmental health interventions, about 70% of them are safely stabilized in thecommunity, saving $2800 daily per person from unnecessaryhospitalization, equaling an annual savings of over $4 million. MobileTransitional ServicesPeople recently released from a psychiatric inpatient stay at ECMCcan receive short term care from our Mobile Transitional Services counselors. Ourstaff provide clinical supportive care to these individuals until they becomesuccessfully linked with their outpatient treatment provider. This program partners with WNY IndependentLiving Center where their Peer Specialist staff work in collaboration with theclinical staff to wrap the client in needed services to support a successfultransition from inpatient back to home, work and community. This collaborativeapproach has shown success in reducing a representation to the hospital, diversionfrom jail and helps prevent suicide risk, which research has shown to be athigher risk post hospitalization. Last year, 83% of MTS Clients were stabilizedand securely linked to ongoing outpatient mental health services in thecommunity.CrisisIntervention Team Training Project (CIT)Crisis Services is the sole provider of the CIT training programfor Erie County. CIT is specialized training for law enforcement to learn howto handle situations with individuals with mental illness. Since 2013, CrisisServices has trained over 400 policeofficers in the CIT model. This training provides advanced skills inde-escalation, empathy and engagement with mental health services as analternative to hospital or jail. CITCrisis Case ManagementCrisis Services CIT Case Managers are assigned to CIT trainedpolice departments. The Crisis Case Managers provide services to individualswith mental illness who repeatedly encounter law enforcement. The goal of theprogram is to provide support and engage the client into services that willprevent unnecessary hospital visits or jail time. This program also provides aPeer to work alongside the Crisis Case Manager with clients. Nearly 75% of individuals who work with aCrisis Case Manager are successfully connected to ongoing outpatient mentalhealth services.AdvocateProgram The Advocate Program provides 24/7 confidential response and crisisintervention for survivors of rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, familyviolence and elder abuse at all Erie County emergency departments when asurvivor presents there. Ninety percentof sexual and domestic violence victims treated at local hospitals receiveintervention from our Advocate staff within 45 minutes of contact. Clients can access case management services, safety planning, supportivecounseling, criminal justice advocacy & accompaniment to court proceedings,linkage to NYS Office of Victim Services compensation, and connection andreferrals to community resources. Survivors of sexual assault and elder abuse are offered free therapyservices by our licensed social worker. Casemanagers are co-located at several different police departments and severalcollege campuses within Erie County. The campus advocates also assist studentsurvivors with on-campus adjudication, providing advocacy, accompaniments, andadvisement through their on-campus process. Crisis Services has been the operator of the NYS Domestic &Sexual Violence Hotline on behalf of the New York State Office for thePrevention of Domestic Violence since 2010, and also operates the Erie CountyDomestic Violence helpline. Our HotlineCounselors answer approximately 10,000 calls annually on these lines alone. The Advocate Program houses a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner(SAFE) Program that partners with area hospitals to provide on-site forensicservices to people, 12 years old and older, who have been sexually assaultedwithin a 96-hour period and seeking help. The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner(SANE) Team works with both Kaleida and Catholic Health Systems, covering ninehospitals in Erie and Niagara Counties. The SAFE Program is celebrating 15years of service to the community.The Advocate Program also offers community education, training,and sexual violence prevention programming. Crisis Services was chosen as thelead agency on a tri-county NYS Dept. of Health initiative addressing sexualviolence prevention, known as the Region 6 Sexual Violence PreventionCollaborative, or R6. R6 focuses on strategies to engage and empowerindividuals and community partners to create sustainable behavioral andcultural change, overall contributing to healthy school and campusenvironments, healthy nightlife, and safer overall communities. CollaborativeInitiatives In addition to our specialized programs and departments, CrisisServices is a vital partner in helping to improve and enhance the systemresponse in our community. We are the leader of these crucial collaborativeinitiatives in our community: RapeCrisis Advisory Committee, The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Erie County, andthe Police/Mental Health Coordination Project. Though these initiatives allsupport different agendas, there is a common bond: raising awareness todecrease tragedy through collaboration. By educating our community we are ableto implement prevention tactics and general awareness where it may havepreviously been lacking.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, Crisis Services program expenses were:
| Programs | $5,844,624 |
| Program Expenses | $5,844,624 |
Governance & Staff
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CEO
Jessica Pirro, President/CEO
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Compensation*
¤143,463.00
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Board Chair
Jessica Brown, Comptroller
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Erie County Water Authority
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Board Size
15
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Paid Staff Size
80
Governance
* Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts and other allowances.
Fundraising
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fundraising events, Grant proposals, Internet, Appeals via Social Media (Facebook, etc.).
% of Related Contributions on Fundraising: 21.57%
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 Crisis Services's Audited financial statements - consolidated for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022
| Source of Funds | |
|---|---|
| Program Service Fees | $5,684,776 |
| Fee for Service | $640,370 |
| SANE Fees and Administration | $208,391 |
| Contributions | $201,414 |
| After Hours Phone Program | $153,702 |
| Fundraising | $71,614 |
| Contributed Nonfinancial Assets | $60,102 |
| Training | $2,668 |
| Miscellaneous | $1,792 |
| Total Income | $7,024,829 |
Breakdown of Expenses
| Total Income | $7,024,829 |
| Total Expenses: | $6,380,434 |
| Program Expenses | $5,844,624 |
| Fundraising Expenses | $105,021 |
| Administrative Expenses | $430,789 |
| Other Expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $644,395 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $1,170,286 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $1,814,681 |
| Total Liabilities | $1,642,942 |
| Total Assets | $3,457,623 |
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