The Access Network Inc

What it reported doing in 2015

HIV Case Management: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Aquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) for which there is no cure. HIV has been impacting families in the Lowcountry since the early 1980s. ACCESS was created as a result of a grassroots effort by the area's first AIDS patients, their families, friends and care partners, health care workers, and concerned citizens. As anti-retroviral medications became available in the mid-1990s the number of client deaths dropped dramatically, and our caseload grew exponentially. ACCESS strives to build clients' capacity to live successfully with HIV disease by providing HIV case management, targeting core services: medical and oral health, prescriptions, substance abuse, mental illness and housing. Client success is defined in two ways: first by clients remaining healthy and not developing opportunistic infections that categorize AIDS, and second by preventing the transmission of HIV to others. According to the December 2013 South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) HIV-STD Surveillance Report, Beaufort County's HIV+ persons account for 53% (383 persons) of the total cases in the region; Colleton County 19% (143), Hampton County 15% (110) and Jasper County 13% (93 persons) of the total cases in the religion. Of those, 51% (373 persons) have developed AIDS, and of those, 356 persons have died. With the continuing stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS and the feelings of depression, shame and isolation that accompany persons living with the disease, many do not even seek treatment until the onset of symptoms. An HIV positive person and his/her family are faced with the additional economic impact of dealing with a catastrophic illness. Although the advances in science and treatment have brought us close to the end of the AIDS epidemic, reducing viral load and the risk of transmission, the cost of treatment remains high and a heavy economic impact burden for both individuals and systems of delivery. This does not account for prescriptions to prevent and/or treat opportunistic infections which can befall an HIV-positive person any time. A priority of HIV case management is to ensure clients have access to medical care and treatment and increase positive health outcomes. Efforts are being made to enroll all uninsured clients in insurance programs so that care and treatment options are available. ACCESS is a member of the SC HIV Task Force, created to mobilize a statewide advocacy and education effort bringing attention to the South Carolina legislature and media concerning the enormous economic impact HIV/AIDS has on the state resources.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 99.2%; rating input score 99
• Fundraising efficiency: $217.42 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 94; 94th 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: Limited
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 90%; rating input score 90; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 5 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 62
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Fail
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -9.8%; rating input score 15; 15th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.17; rating input score 9; 9th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.46; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 5.4%; rating input score 56; 56th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -5.1% per year; rating input score 0; 19th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2.8% per year; rating input score 100; 44th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 0.2% per year; rating input score 100; 34th percentile among comparable filings