Peace Place

What it reported doing in 2023

Peace place is a non-profit organization that provides free, licensed respite care to qualifying families. We call it "respite with a purpose," meaning the well-trained, compassionate caregivers at peace place make the most out of the time they have with the children. Through this, the children learn positive behavioral strategies and life skills (communication, socialization, self-regulation, executive functioning, motor skills, positive behavior reinforcement, etc.) at peace place, which they will be able to take with them into all other environments. Peace place also supports parents and families by giving them a much-needed break. In addition, we provide education, support, and coping tools to lessen their stressors at home. The purpose behind this is to prevent the abuse and neglect of children with special needs, which, unfortunately, occurs at a higher rate than in the general population. Morning program (ages 0 - 5): trained caregivers provide "respite with a purpose" to children five days a week for three hours. Using all safety precautions and proven educational and behavioral techniques, our caregivers facilitate social skills, self-regulation, communication skills, creative learning, and executive functioning skills. The caregivers help children to master these skills during the program, so they can begin to generalize these skills across every environment. The parent receives a break, as well as tools to help their child. Mid-day program (ages 0-12): designed for children with more intense medical needs, require more behavioral support, or children who have a higher level of sensory sensitivity, this program will have a higher staff-to-child ratio, so staff has the ability to work with a child on a one-to-one basis. After-school program (ages 5-12+): following the school day, trained caregivers provide "respite with a purpose" to this age group, as well. After a long day of structure, focus, and sitting at a desk, these kids are ready to work out their energy, engage in physical activity, think creatively, and re-regulate. Participation in the after-school program is designed to help kids return to a more relaxed, regulated state before they go home, making for a less stressful environment for the entire family. Summer camps (ages 5-12+): these camps are focused on keeping school-age children with special needs engaged and participating in constructive programs, thus giving parents opportunities for respite in the summer months. Peace place provides six different camps during the summer, including two art camps, two nature camps, a back-to-school bootcamp and a kindergarten-ready bootcamp. The bootcamps are a recent addition and are designed to help children with specialized needs who struggle with acclimating to school in the fall. They begin the process of increasing focus and attention, building endurance, practicing self-regulation, and engaging in executive functioning skills before the school year begins. The goal is to relieve stress in the children, their families, and their educators. Parent programs include a monthly circle of parents support group that incorporates education and an open discussion among parents to encourage sharing of resources and social connections, and individual parent trainings, as needed. Every program at peace place is designed to improve the lives of vulnerable children with specialized needs and their families, wrapping them in a blanket of support.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 77.9%; rating input score 78
• Program expense ratio: 76.5%; rating input score 76
• Fundraising efficiency: $19.28 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 57; 57th 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: Limited
• 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: 2 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 29
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Fail
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -1.8%; rating input score 37; 37th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.36; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.11; rating input score 27; 27th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 69; 69th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 13.4% per year; rating input score 100; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 4.4% per year; rating input score 100; 51st percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 20.6% per year; rating input score 100; 84th percentile among comparable filings