Catholic Charities of Ashtabula County

What it reported doing in 2024

Protective services consists of the representative payeeship program and guardianship. The representative payeeship program is a stabilization program that manages benefits for individuals who are incapable of managing their own finances. Typically, these individuals receive supplemental security income (a federal income supplement program to assist aged, blind, and disabled people who have little or no income). The first choice for a payee would be a family member or trusted friend, but for some individuals, no appropriate person is available. Representative payeeship is a less restrictive protective service than guardianship, and the courts are not involved. However, the beneficiary is restricted from having control of his or her monthly benefit amount. Ccac actually receives the beneficiary's monthly check and distributes it. The caseworker ensures that basic shelter, food, and clothing needs are met, and that appropriate benefits are accessed; thus, providing stability to those who are vulnerable to exploitation. Clients of the representative payeeship program are typically diagnosed with mental illness, alcohol, and drug addiction and/or physical and mental disabilities. Many clients have been a victim of exploitation and abuse and may have been easily taken advantage of financially. Given these factors, funds are often misused and needs such as shelter and food go unmet, leading to homelessness, poor health, lower functioning, and hospitalization. Guardianship is a legal relationship established by the probate court between two parties: one being the guardian and the other being the ward. If, after a thorough investigation and hearing, the court finds the person incapable of managing his or her own person, it will appoint a legal guardian. The guardian protects and oversees the ward's day-to-day maintenance, which includes food, shelter, clothing, healthcare and other necessities. The guardian is the voice and decision-maker for the ward. The presence of a guardian increases accountability from care staff and medical professionals and provides protection from exploitative individuals or family in the ward's life. Guardians monitor their ward's mental, physical, emotional, material, and environmental well-being. This program has traditionally served frail, indigent individuals over the age of 60, who are deemed incompetent. Additionally, the program serves as guardians to individuals with a severe and persistent mental illness, and under the age of 60.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 93.7%; rating input score 94
• Program expense ratio: 86%; rating input score 86
• Fundraising efficiency: $391.26 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 95; 95th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 77.8%; rating input score 78; 17th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 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: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -8.9%; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.61; rating input score 28; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.54; rating input score 15; 15th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 5%; rating input score 53; 53rd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 6.2% per year; rating input score 100; 48th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 4.5% per year; rating input score 100; 40th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 6.9% per year; rating input score 100; 47th percentile among comparable filings