Alternatives Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Community services - consists of programs dedicated to servicing individuals who struggle with mental health needs as well as individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 1. The community support program (csp) serves adults with mental illness and substance abuse issues who live independently in the community. Csp serve individuals somerset and warren counties, nj on an outreach basis; the clients live in either their own housing or residences owned by the agency. All clients are offered outreach case management and clinical services such as skill building, money management, linkages to community and mental health resources, assistance with daily living skills, etc. Staff works with these clients on specific strategies to help them recover from mental health symptoms, gain employment, maintain their housing and finances, maintain a safe and stable residence, and improve their overall quality of life. During fy20, the community support programs served individuals within those two (2) counties. In addition, slots in this program are set-aside for some of the most challenging individuals, individuals who were chronically homeless prior to placement. The agency also provides affordable housing as part of the community support programs. Individuals are referred to the agency by the division of mental health and addition services (dmhas), community mental health centers, hospitals, families, and consumers themselves. 2. The community supportive living programs in warren and somerset counties, nj are funded by the nj -division of mental health and addiction services (dmhas) out of an initiative put forth under the olmstead act, which aims to move housing services to individuals who were either discharged directly from a state psychiatric hospital, or coming from an at-risk situation in the community. These clients are typically seen more frequently than the csp clients. The clients live in either their own 1-bedroom or 2-bedroom apartment with a roommate. Staff is located on site. Services are oriented towards as s is ting the individuals in transitioning from a hospital or homeless setting and integrating them into the community. Staff provide such services as skill building, money management, mental health counseling, medication education, daily living skills training, advocacy, linkages to community resources /entitlements and vocational assistance. The overall purpose of the program is to provide a safe and stable environment for individuals to learn the skills necessary to live independently, recover from their mental health symptoms and be fully integrated into the community. Individuals are referred to the agency by the division of mental health and addition services (dmhas), community mental health centers, hospitals, families, and consumers themselves. 3. The support coordination program is dedicated to providing services to adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities residing in morris and union counties. Support coordinators utilize person centered planning to develop an individualized service plan (isp) and utilize an individualized budget to locate appropriate services. Once linked to services, the agency monitors these services to assure that the clients needs are met and that they are satisfied with the service provider(s) that have been written into the isp. 4. Abilities in motion (aim) day program was opened by alternatives, inc. In 2014. Clients come together to work on life skills, vocational skills and social skills. Engaging in activities including arts and crafts, light exercise and cooking participants learn and practice skills while having fun. Weekly outings provide a sense of community for program participants. At the center, we offer teaching modalities individualized to each participant ensuring the greatest opportunity to learn. A structured daily schedule, the use of technology (ipad, wii fitness), arts and crafts, and music provide a meaningful experience for participants.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 89.9%; rating input score 90
• Program expense ratio: 90%; rating input score 90
• Fundraising efficiency: $4.25 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 17; 17th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 92.9%; rating input score 93; 10th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 2 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 33
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 0.7%; rating input score 36; 36th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.34; rating input score 9; 9th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.46; rating input score 31; 31st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 7%; rating input score 36; 36th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 4.1% per year; rating input score 100; 34th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 4.2% per year; rating input score 100; 36th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 3.9% per year; rating input score 100; 28th percentile among comparable filings