Charity Report

  • Issued: August 2022
  • Expires: March 2025

Lifeline Connections

Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

360-397-8246

1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd Bldg 17 Ste A212
Vancouver, WA 98661-3713

https://www.lifelineconnections.org

360-397-8246

1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd Bldg 17 Ste A212
Vancouver, WA 98661-3713

https://www.lifelineconnections.org

Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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

  1. 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.

  2. 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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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

Lifeline Connections meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Lifeline Connections' physical address, 1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd Bldg 17 Ste A212, Vancouver WA 98661-3713, is not a deliverable mailing address because of its location on the Veteran's Administration campus. Any mail sent to this address will be returned.Please direct any mail to: PO Box 1678, Vancouver, WA 98668.

Purpose

  • Year, State Incorporated

    1962, WA

  • Stated Purpose

    To inspire hope and support life saving changes for people affected by substance use and mental health conditions.


Programs

Lifeline Connections provides hope, help and healing for adults, youth and children experiencing behavioral health disorders. More than 5,000 people a year receive services from Lifeline Connections in ten communities across Western Washington. The agency is licensed and certified by the Washington State Health Care Authority, Washington State Department of Health and accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Lifeline Connections is Medicaid-certified and accepts most major insurance plans.The agency’s commitment is to serve the whole person and to meet them where they are on their journeys of recovery. People receive the tools they need to live successfully in their communities, and with Lifeline clinicians create strategies that help them effectively manage their chronic disorders. Services are designed with the needs of the individual in mind, and treatment is built on evidence-based, best-practice standards and protocols. Programs include:Sobering: This program offers adults a safe environment to overcome the immediate effects of alcohol and/or other drug intoxication. The service is free to Washington State residents and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a maximum 12 hours length of stay. Admission is based on a brief assessment upon arrival. The goal is to maximize the window of opportunity in which an individual might be amenable to make life changes. The program is located in Clark County, Washington.Withdrawal Management: Lifeline Connections provides medication-assisted detoxification to help adults attain mental and physical stability without harmful side effects. Withdrawal management is a 1-5 day inpatient stay where patients are assisted by a medical team of doctors, nurses and caring support staff. The program is located in Clark County.Gender-Specific SUD Residential: The program provides individual, group and family counseling and support for adults with substance use disorders (SUD). Treatment lasts 21-45 days in an environment that includes community access and structure focused on building life skills and overall wellness. The two programs are located in Clark County.Pregnant & Parenting Women’s Residential (SUD): This program provides up to six months of residential treatment for pregnant and parenting women and their children to age five. Treatment is similar to the gender-specific residential program with an additional emphasis on parenting, family development and long-term stability. It is located in Clark County.Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT): Patients may benefit from using Suboxone® or Vivitrol® to help with their opiate or alcohol addiction. The Rapid Response program helps people get on medication the same day they seek help. MAT Rapid Response is available in Clark County, Aberdeen, Bellingham, Centralia, Mt. Vernon and South Bend, Washington.Intensive SUD Outpatient & Outpatient: Outpatient adult treatment includes individual and group therapy sessions. Treatment focuses on relapse prevention, coping skills and other tools with a goal of helping patients maintain sobriety and reintegrate into their communities. Services are available in Clark County, Aberdeen, Bellingham, Centralia, Mt. Vernon and South Bend.Mental Health & Co-Occurring Outpatient: Individual counseling, family therapy, group therapy, case management, peer support, and medication management treatment is offered for youth and adults with a mental health and/or co-occurring mental health and SUD condition. Services are available in Clark County, Aberdeen, Centralia and South Bend.Community-Based Mental Health & Care Coordination: Lifeline Connections provides a range of intensive, community-based services to adults with severe mental illness and substance use disorders. Individual, group, peer support, medication management, nursing, housing, employment, and case management services help adults gain and maintain independence and stability. Services are available in Clark County.Therapeutic Specialty Courts: Individuals accepted into Clark County’s Adult Drug Court, Substance Abuse Court, Family Treatment Court, or Juvenile Recovery Court participate in an intensive program for a minimum of one year, including receiving treatment at Lifeline Connections instead of going to jail and/or prison. The agency provides substance use disorder and mental health treatment and case management.School-Based: Lifeline Connections provides site-based counseling and referral services for youth attending Clark County high schools and middle schools who are experiencing behavioral health disorders. Youth may be referred to the agency’s main campus for additional support.Problem Gambling: This outpatient treatment program available in Bellingham and Mt. Vernon serves adults who have a gambling addiction and are experiencing the emotional and financial consequences of gambling.Recovery Resource Center: Lifeline Connections offers a community-based drop-in social support center in Clark County for people new in recovery. Staffed by volunteers, a case manager and certified recovery coaches, the center offers support, training, wellness and social activities and connections in a substance-free environment.Housing: This supportive housing program in Clark County helps people obtain and maintain housing. Services may include case management and direct housing placement, sometimes in the agency’s own housing sites.Employment: Lifeline Connections provides supported employment services in Clark County to help people obtain and maintain employment during and following treatment, sometimes in the agency’s own on-the-job training programs.Camp Mariposa: This Clark County-based camp is for children ages 9 – 12 who have been impacted by the substance use disorder of a loved one. Children attend six weekend camps year-round and learn coping skills to improve their chances of growing up without a substance use disorder of their own.UA Lab: Lifeline Connections operates a fully operational urine analysis lab in Clark County, Washington, and provides site-based UA services in Aberdeen, Centralia, Bellingham, Mt. Vernon, and South Bend. In Clark County, UA Technicians also offer UA services to other programs and businesses in the community.

For the year ended June 30, 2021, Lifeline Connections program expenses were:

Program services $18,910,889
Program Expenses $18,910,889

Governance & Staff

  • CEO

    Ms. Andrea Brooks, President/CEO

  • Board Chair

    Mr. Brian MacKenzie, Partner

  • Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation

    Gunn Law Firm PLLC

  • Board Size

    10

  • Paid Staff Size

    397

Fundraising

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fundraising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Grant proposals, Internet, Appeals via Social Media (Facebook, etc.), Solicitations for Used Cars, Solicitations for Used Clothing.

% of Related Contributions on Fundraising: 1.33%

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 Lifeline Connections's Audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021

Source of Funds
Third party insurance contract revenues $13,569,684
Grant and government assistance revenue $12,025,565
Investment income $691,882
Contribution and other income $332,078
Total Income $26,619,209

Breakdown of Expenses

Total Income $26,619,209
Total Expenses: $23,167,865
Program Expenses $18,910,889
Fundraising Expenses $164,877
Administrative Expenses $4,092,099
Other Expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $3,451,344
Beginning Net Assets $14,264,461
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $17,715,805
Total Liabilities $3,980,433
Total Assets $21,696,238

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