PbS Learning Institute Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Performance-based Standards (PbS) Implementation & CoachingCIYJ provides continuous quality improvement services to juvenile justice facilities nationally serving thousands of youth annually through our fee-for-service membership model. Facilities collect standardized data on safety, security, programming, health, mental health, and reentry preparation. Our coaches conduct on-site and virtual visits, analyze facility data against national benchmarks, and provide targeted technical assistance. Member facilities reported measurable improvements in reducing restraints, enhancing educational programming, and improving mental health services. PbS coaching helps facilities shift from reactive crisis management to proactive, data-informed operations prioritizing youth safety and development. This earned revenue model creates organizational sustainability while keeping evidence-based services affordable for agencies committed to reform.National Database & ResearchCIYJ maintains the nation's most comprehensive database on conditions of confinement and youth outcomes, containing 25 years of data from 49 states. We conduct analysis and produce research reports informing policy, practice, and advocacy nationally. Our database enables facilities to benchmark performance against peers, identify trends, and measure progress. We published findings on effective reentry practices and trauma-informed care impacts. We make our database available to researchers to inform decision-makers and advance national discussions on youth justice reform.Training & Technical AssistanceSupported by Federal Grants (OJJDP Cooperative Agreement)CIYJ trained over 500 juvenile justice professionals through webinars, workshops, and convenings on trauma-informed care, positive youth development, de-escalation, educational programming, and reentry planning. Our national office provides ongoing technical assistance via phone, email, and virtual consultations on policy development, program design, and evidence-based practice implementation. We facilitate peer learning networks connecting facilities working on similar challenges. Through our OJJDP cooperative agreement with the National Center for Juvenile Justice, we provide specialized technical assistance helping agencies implement Reentry Standards and build data capacity to measure and improve outcomes across 11 reentry domains.Education & Employment FoundationSupported by Federal Grants and Organizational Resources | Direct Assistance Provided: $70,000+CIYJ operates programs addressing critical barriers justice-involved youth face, having provided over $70,000 in scholarships and employment assistance: Mentoring: Connects youth with trained caring adults providing consistent support during confinement and transition to workforce or higher education. Mentors help youth set goals, navigate challenges, build confidence, and provide stable relationships throughout the transition to adulthood.Employment Matching Awards: Promotes work experience during confinement by matching youth earnings up to $1,000. In 2024, 14 young people gained valuable work experience in facility operations, building skills and resumes for future employment.Reentry Awards: Provides financial assistance for essential necessities during transition to independent living, appropriate clothing, basic household items, personal care products, and identification documents that prevent crisis during vulnerable reentry period.Scholarships: Removes financial barriers to education, supporting youth pursuing vocational programs, community colleges, and universities.Over 100 justice-impacted youth served through these programs, receiving both tangible support and caring adult relationships critical for successful community transition.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 69.1%; rating input score 69
• Program expense ratio: 65.5%; rating input score 66
• Fundraising efficiency: $7.7 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 29; 29th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• 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: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd 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: -5.1%; rating input score 24; 24th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.91; rating input score 40; 40th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.3; rating input score 25; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 34.9%; rating input score 5; 5th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 0.6% per year; rating input score 100; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2.1% per year; rating input score 100; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 4.9% per year; rating input score 100; 38th percentile among comparable filings