Strategies to Overcome Obstacles and Avoid Recidivism

What it reported doing in 2024

Sooar 2024 990 narrative sooar's universal prevention strategies focus on promoting healthy, drug- free lifestyles among youth, families, and communities throughout out-wayne county. These efforts reach a broad population regardless of risk level-to build protective factors and reduce early risk for substance use and other harmful behaviors. Through classroom-based education, community events, and outreach campaigns, sooar increases awareness about the dangers of underage drinking, tobacco use, and drug misuse while promoting positive youth development, decision-making skills, and resilience. Key activities include: o community education & outreach: hosting community presentations and youth events to raise awareness about prevention and wellness. O synar compliance checks: implementing federally required synar inspections to reduce youth access to tobacco and vaping products by ensuring retailers comply with underage sales laws. O parent & community engagement: facilitating conversations and training sessions for parents, caregivers, and community stakeholders on prevention strategies, communication skills, and early warning signs of substance use. Sooar's selective prevention strategies are designed for youth who exhibit higher-than-average risk factors-such as exposure to adverse childhood experiences (aces), family substance use, trauma, or environments with limited protective support but who are not yet showing signs of dependency or addiction. Help is down the hall - student assistance program (sap): this evidence-informed school-based prevention and early intervention program addresses academic, behavioral, and emotional challenges that interfere with student success. Sap provides structured support, early identification, screening, and referral for students struggling with substance use, grief, trauma, or other personal concerns. Services include: o individual and group support sessions o early identification and problem-solving interventions o referrals to school and community resources o collaboration with school staff and families o development of prevention and support policies within schools. Problem identification & referral services: this strategy identifies individuals who may have engaged in early or inappropriate use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs and determines whether educational interventions can reverse these behaviors. While sooar does not conduct treatment-level assessments, screenings help connect individuals to appropriate prevention or referral services. When needs exceed prevention scope (e.g., mental health or treatment services), sooar provides warm referrals to partner agencies for continued support. Through a combination of universal and selective prevention efforts, sooar strengthens community protective factors, enhances youth resilience, and ensures equitable access to prevention resources for all populations at risk. Sooar risk reduction services sooar's risk reduction program operates on the belief that every life has value and that health and safety should never depend on one's circumstances or choices. Our universal strategies are focused on reducing the risks associated with substance use, preventing overdose deaths, and increasing access to health education and resources for individuals, families, and communities across out-wayne county. Through a combination of outreach, education, and resource distribution, sooar promotes safer practices and connects individuals to critical services that support wellness and recovery. Key activities include: o community outreach & education: delivering overdose prevention and risk reduction education at community events, schools, and neighborhood gatherings. O naloxone distribution & overdose prevention: providing life-saving naloxone kits, fentanyl test strips, and risk reduction education to prevent overdose deaths. O safer substance use supply distribution: operating through our mobile "boots on the ground" outreach unit and office-based servic

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 81%; rating input score 81
• Program expense ratio: 85%; rating input score 85
• Fundraising efficiency: $63.35 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 80; 80th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th 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: 3 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 38
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Fail
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 4.7%; rating input score 50; 50th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.15; rating input score 9; 9th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.09; rating input score 27; 27th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 22.8%; rating input score 16; 16th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 19.1% per year; rating input score 100; 83rd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 20% per year; rating input score 100; 88th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 24.6% per year; rating input score 100; 88th percentile among comparable filings