Childrens Services Foundation Dba Catalyst Center

What it reported doing in 2024

Catalyst CenterThe Catalyst Center is the operational heart of our work, delivering training, technical assistance, research, the Apprenticeship program, the Open Doors program, and a wide range of supports that strengthen child and family-serving organizations across the state. EventsThe Catalyst Center team provides the field with access to skilled technical assistance providers who build networks across California, deepen cross-sector relationships, and help ensure that communityneeds and lived experience remain central to practice and system improvement.Across this work, the Catalyst Center ensures that members are equipped with practical tools, responsive support, and data-driven insights. By building statewide networks, removing barriers to service delivery, and supporting organizations in real time, the Catalyst Center remains a vital resource for members and a cornerstone of the CA Alliances mission to improve outcomes for children, youth, and families throughout California.Technical AssistanceTechnical Assistance (TA) is an essential service we provide, ensuring that organizations across California have the support they need with complex challenges. The TA team works side by sidewith providers and county agencies, offering timely information, problem-solving, and expert consultation that strengthens care for children, youth, and families.In 2025, they delivered more than 1,000 technical assistance services, supporting agencies in 35 counties through both DHCS and CDSS contracts. Assistance spanned key areas including IMD determinations, STRTP Mental Health Program Approval, Childrens Crisis Residential Programs, PRTF development, Payment Reform, and Presumptive Transfer. More than 560 staff hours were dedicated to help organizations navigate evolving policy requirements.The TA team also facilitated 32 Youth Resource Workgroups (YRW), providing trauma-informed, youth-centered consultation on complex cases involving integration of care, educational advocacy, behavioral health supports, and gender-affirming services. Additional efforts included supporting STRTP providers through the Youth-Centered Continuous Quality Improvement Framework and launching work to build statewide infrastructure for the Childrens Crisis Continuum Pilot Program.Catalyst Learning CenterThe Catalyst Learning Center (CLC) continued to grow as a statewide resource for professional learning, delivering high-quality training and skill-building opportunities to strengthen the child and family services workforce. Through virtual courses, in-person workshops, conference sessions, and an expanding on-demand library, the CLC made accessible, practical learning available to organizations across California.The CLC continued to prioritize flexible learning through its on-demand and recorded offerings, removing barriers related to geography, scheduling, and staff capacity. These courses covered a wide range of topics, including trauma-informed practice, policy updates, mental health and wellness, andorganizational leadership. 247.5 LEARNING HRS 104 COURSES 98% SATISFACTION RATEIn 2025, the CLC delivered 247.5 total learning hours across 104 courses, supporting more than 300 community-based organizations in 44 counties. This year also saw significant growth in engagement, with 3,252 new learning accounts created and an average of 675 unique monthly users accessing courses and resources. Learner satisfaction remained exceptionally high, with a 98 percent course satisfaction rate, reflecting both the quality and relevance of the CLCs offerings.In addition to year-round programming, the CLC hosted 78 workshops, providing participants with actionable tools and CEU-eligible sessions. These workshops brought together expert trainers, policymakers, practitioners, and individuals with lived experience to ensure that learning remained grounded, practical, and aligned with needs in the field.ResearchThe Research Team is the behind-the-scenes engine, strengthening policy

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 58.2%; rating input score 58
• Program expense ratio: 96.8%; rating input score 97
• Fundraising efficiency: $274.31 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 92; 92nd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 1 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 17
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 99.9%; rating input score 100; 39th 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: 39.9%; rating input score 91; 91st percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.46; rating input score 50; 50th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.19; rating input score 60; 60th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 7.2%; rating input score 34; 34th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 63.8% per year; rating input score 100; 99th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 46.1% per year; rating input score 100; 98th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 46.5% per year; rating input score 100; 98th percentile among comparable filings