BBB Charity Report for
CHILD STUDY CENTER


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Reported on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 4:46 AM

Evaluation Conclusions

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Tax Status 501(c)(3)

This organization has been evaluated in relation to the 20 Better Business Bureau Standards for Charitable Accountability.

This organization does not meet the following standard(s):

Standard 17
Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.
CHILD STUDY CENTER does not meet this standard because its website, www.cscfw.org, does not include a link or have access to the organization's IRS Form 990
Standard 18
Address privacy concerns of donors by:
   (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, and
   (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.
CHILD STUDY CENTER does not meet this standard because it did not provide a clear, prominent, and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites.

The organization meets the remaining standards.

Purpose

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The CHILD STUDY CENTER states its purpose is to provide diagnosis and treatment services to children who have or are at risk for developmental disabilities, related behavioral problems, and emotional problems so that these children may achieve their full potential.

Programs

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- Pediatric Services: The primary function of the Pediatric Department is to provide pediatric evaluations, including neurological assessment for children with developmental disabilities, behavioral problems or specific physical problems.

- Autism and Behavior Analytic Services: An applied behavior analyst studies what influences a child to act a certain way, then designs a treatment plan to promote positive behavior responses. This behavioral approach results in individualized treatment recommendations based on direct observation and assessment of each child.

- Neonatal intensive Care Graduate Services (NIGrads): The NIGrads follow-up clinic serves infants born in area neonatal intensive care units and identified as at risk of early death, chronic illness, frequent re hospitalization or developmental delays. These children are followed through 36 months of age after the child leaves the neonatal intensive care unit.

- Psychological Services: Within the Center's Psychology Department, comprehensive diagnostic evanuations are pprded, including extensive review of historical information and school records, testing of intellectual and academic functional levels, behavioral observations, and psychiatric symptom interviews.

- Special Education Services: The CSC School was established in 1970 and offers therapeutic educational programs for children at risk for learning disabilities or behavioral disorders. The CSC School serves children from pre-kindergarren through sixth grade instructional level. The school offers a comprehensive approach to the problems faced by children with special needs.

- Supplemental Services: Supplemental services located at the CSC include speech and language evaluation and treatment, audiological evaluation, pediatric genetics, and occupational/physical therapy.

Total Program Expenses: $2,613,461

Fund Raising Methods

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Direct mail appeals, invitations to fund raising events, grant proposals

Financial Summary

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According to the IRS Form 990 for the Fiscal Year ended 12/31/2007:

Total Income $5,514,094
Total Expense $3,906,225
Gain (loss) for the year $4,563,278

Expense Breakdown
Item Amount % of Expenses
Programs $2,613,461 66.90%
Fund Raising $240,300 6.20%
Administrative $1,052,464 26.90%
Miscellaneous $0 .00%

Charity Contact and Profile

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Name:
CHILD STUDY CENTER
Phone:
(817) 336-8611
Address:
1300 W LANCASTER, FORT WORTH, TX 76102
      Google map  Mapquest map  Yahoo map
eMail:
BBB file opened:
October 01, 1992
Charity started:
January 1992
Charity started locally:
January 1992
Primary Contact:
DR JOYCE E MAUK (CEO)

Additional Locations and Phone Numbers

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(817) 390-2941

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ID: 92100028
Report as of: 11/25/2009

© 2009  BBB/Ft. Worth

Better Business Bureau Standards for Charitable Accountability
1. A board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. 2. A board of directors with a minimum of five voting members. 3. A minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. 4. Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer. 5. No transaction(s) in which any board or staff members have material conflicting interests with the charity resulting from any relationship or business affiliation. 6. Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission. 7. Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions. 8. Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities. 9. Spend no more than 35% of related contributions on fund raising. Related contributions include donations, legacies and other gifts received as a result of fund raising efforts. 10. Avoid accumulating funds that could be used for current program activities. To meet this standard, the charity's unrestricted net assets available for use should not be more than three times the size of the past year's expenses or three times the size of the current year's budget, whichever is higher. 11. Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. 12. Include in the financial statements a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fund raising, and administrative activities. 13. Accurately report the charity's expenses, including any joint cost allocations, in its financial statements. 14. Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration. 15. Have solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, that are accurate, truthful and not misleading, both in whole and in part. 16. Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets. 17. Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990. 18. Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, and
(b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information. 19. Clearly disclose how the charity benefits from the sale of products or services (i.e., cause-related marketing) that state or imply that a charity will benefit from a consumer sale or transaction. Such promotions should disclose, at the point of solicitation: (a) the actual or anticipated portion of the purchase price that will benefit the charity (e.g., 5 cents will be contributed to abc charity for every xyz company product sold), (b) the duration of the campaign (e.g., the month of October), (c) any maximum or guaranteed minimum contribution amount (e.g., up to a maximum of $200,000). 20. Respond promptly to and act on complaints brought to its attention by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and/or local Better Business Bureaus about fund raising practices, privacy policy violations and/or other issues. Copyright © 2003, CBBB

Ten Tips for Better Giving

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Most charities are honest and ethical, but questionable solicitors are counting on the fact that you won't bother to check out the charity before you give. Here is some basic wise giving advice:

  1. Watch out for similar names.
    As there are many charities raising funds for similar causes, some charity names sound the same. Be sure to look at the name carefully, because the charity soliciting you may not be the one you have in mind.
  2. Do not be pressured to make an immediate gift.
    Be wary of solicitors that demand an 'on the spot' donation. Charities should welcome your gift whenever you want to send it.
  3. Question vague appeals.
    Appeals should clearly identify the charity's programs. Watch out for appeals that are strong on identifying a problem, but weak on describing what specifically the charity intends to do about it.
  4. Do not give out personal information to phone solicitors.
    Don't give out credit card numbers, checking account numbers or any other personal information to unknown telephone solicitors.
  5. Do not give cash.
    Write a check out to the charity's full official name, not to an individual or third party that may be collecting the donation.
  6. Keep records of your donations (receipts, canceled checks and bank statements) so you can document your charitable giving at tax time. (Note: The IRS requires donations of $250 or more to be substantiated through a written receipt from the charity.)
  7. If you want a deduction, make sure the organization is a charity.
    There are many different types of soliciting nonprofit organizations. Most appeals will indicate if the organization is eligible to receive gifts deductible as charitable contributions. (To be sure, review the list of organizations in IRS Publication 78 or ask the charity for a copy of its tax exempt status determination letter.)
  8. Don't hesitate to ask the charity for written information on its programs and finances.
    This tip can be particularly helpful in responding to phone appeals from charities that interest you.
  9. To verify if a charity is registered to solicit, contact your state government.
    In most cases, this will be the state's office of the attorney general. Remember that the state registration does not mean 'approval', it means the group has filed the appropriate forms.
  10. Report bad practices.
    Contact your Better Business Bureau and your state's Attorney General office about solicitation problems.
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