Better Business Bureau Report for
LifeSpan, Inc.

Better Business Bureau Report issued August 2009
Better Business Bureau Report expires February 2012


This BBB Accredited charity meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability and is a Seal Holder. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: LifeSpan, Inc.
Address: 1900 Fairgrove Avenue
  Hamilton, OH 45011
Phone: (513) 868-3210
Web Address: www.lifespanohio.org
Also known as:LifeSpan Credit Counseling
LifeSpan Homecare
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1945, Ohio
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: Strengthening families and individuals who seek to improve the quality of their lives.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

LifeSpan, Inc. meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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BBB Accreditation

              

A BBB Accredited Charity since 04/25/2005.

BBB has determined that in addition to meeting BBB's 20 Standards for Charity Accountability, LifeSpan, Inc. adheres to the BBB Code of Business Practices, which includes a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any complaints.  Charities that display the BBB Accredited Charity Seal pay a fee for review / monitoring and for support of BBB's services to the public. 

BBB accreditation does not mean that the charity's programs or services have been evaluated or endorsed by BBB or that BBB has made a determination as to the charity's competency in performing services.

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Programs

              

Consumer Credit Counseling Services provides programs for individuals who are seeking confidential answers to their financial questions. Programs include budget guidance, which is for individuals who need assistance in creating a spending to keep their expenses in line with their income. Counselors assess the individual’s situation, identify potential problems, and suggest action steps. Credit Counseling is for individuals who have excessive debt and are facing possible bankruptcy. Counselors will work with the individual’s creditors to design an acceptable repayment plan. Participants then deposit funds into a trust account at LifeSpan, which is then disbursed monthly to their creditors until the situation has been resolved.

Bankruptcy Pre-filing Counseling is available for individuals weighing the decision whether to file for bankruptcy. Counselors review the basics and consequences of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies and determine whether other alternatives are available. Bankruptcy Pre-Discharge Counseling is for those who have filed for bankruptcy and the organization offers this financial management course with the approval from the U.S. Department of Justice. It is either provided on-line or in-person to assist clients as they assess their situation and strive for future financial stability.

Additional services provided by Consumer Credit Counseling include Credit Report, Money Management Education, and Homeownership Education and Counseling Clinical Counseling Services offer counseling for those struggling to meet challenges in their lives. The therapists use the “recovery model” of therapy to help clients analyze their issues and develop methods to overcome their problems.

School Based Social Work Services helps students in schools throughout Butler County remove the barriers to their academic success. Services provided include counseling, crisis intervention, and referrals to outside resources, such as medical and dental care.

The Butler County Elderly Service Program provides services for older adults who need assistance to continue living independently in their own homes. Care managers evaluate the needs to clients, set up services, and monitor them on an ongoing basis. Home Care Services can aid older and disabled adults remain safe and independent in their own homes despite physical limitations, failing health, or effects of aging. The charity offers a range of personal care and homemaking services as an alternative to costly premature placement in a nursing home.

The Family Connection Program provides the link between older adults, services they need, and other who care for them. The care managers evaluate the situation then recommend and coordinate needed services and does home visits and can accompany a client to medial visits while maintain contact and provides written updates to family members.

The Guardianship Program provides advocacy to the elderly, mentally ill, and mental disabled residents in Butler and Warren Counties who typically live in nursing homes, group homes, and in other supported living environments. Guardianship is appointed by the Probate Court to make decisions for their wards relating to health care, living arrangements, or safety issues.

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For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, LifeSpan's program expenses were:
 

I & A Case Management 1,141,981
Counseling and PASAAR 634,267
Homemaker/Personal Care 428,884
Guardianship and Payee 422,852
Consumer Credit Counseling, Education, and Money Management 281,048
School-Based Social Work 271,400
ESP ILA/Companion Family Advocacy 187,686
Total Program Expenses: $3,368,118

 

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Programs

              

Consumer Credit Counseling Services provides programs for individuals who are seeking confidential answers to their financial questions. Programs include budget guidance, which is for individuals who need assistance in creating a spending to keep their expenses in line with their income. Counselors assess the individual’s situation, identify potential problems, and suggest action steps. Credit Counseling is for individuals who have excessive debt and are facing possible bankruptcy. Counselors will work with the individual’s creditors to design an acceptable repayment plan. Participants then deposit funds into a trust account at LifeSpan, which is then disbursed monthly to their creditors until the situation has been resolved. Bankruptcy Pre-filing Counseling is available for individuals weighing the decision whether to file for bankruptcy. Counselors review the basics and consequences of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies and determine whether other alternatives are available. Bankruptcy Pre-Discharge Counseling is for those who have filed for bankruptcy and the organization offers this financial management course with the approval from the U.S. Department of Justice. It is either provided on-line or in-person to assist clients as they assess their situation and strive for future financial stability. Additional services provided by Consumer Credit Counseling include Credit Report, Money Management Education, and Homeownership Education and Counseling Clinical Counseling Services offer counseling for those struggling to meet challenges in their lives. The therapists use the “recovery model” of therapy to help clients analyze their issues and develop methods to overcome their problems. School Based Social Work Services helps students in schools throughout Butler County remove the barriers to their academic success. Services provided include counseling, crisis intervention, and referrals to outside resources, such as medical and dental care. The Butler County Elderly Service Program provides services for older adults who need assistance to continue living independently in their own homes. Care managers evaluate the needs to clients, set up services, and monitor them on an ongoing basis. Home Care Services can aid older and disabled adults remain safe and independent in their own homes despite physical limitations, failing health, or effects of aging. The organization offers a range of personal care and homemaking services as an alternative to costly premature placement in a nursing home. The Family Connection Program provides the link between older adults, services they need, and other who care for them. The care managers evaluate the situation then recommend and coordinate needed services and does home visits and can accompany a client to medial visits while maintain contact and provides written updates to family members. The Guardianship Program provides advocacy to the elderly, mentally ill, and mental disabled residents in Butler and Warren Counties who typically live in nursing homes, group homes, and in other supported living environments. Guardianship is appointed by the Probate Court to make decisions for their wards relating to health care, living arrangements, or safety issues.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, LifeSpan's program expenses were:

  
I & A Case Management 1,141,981
Counseling and PASAAR 634,267
Homemaker/Personal Care 428,884
Guardianship and Payee 422,852
Consumer Credit Counseling, Education, and Money Management 281,048
School-Based Social Work 271,400
ESP ILA/Companion Family Advocacy 187,686
Total Program Expenses: $3,368,118
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Ms. Cynthia Stever, Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*:
$100,968

Chair of the Board: Mr. Daniel Griesinger
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: 1st V.P. Commercial Loans, First National Bank

Board Size: 18

Paid Staff Size: 93

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:

direct mail, invitations to fundraising events, print advertisements, grant proposals, Internet, planned giving arrangements
Fundraising costs were 22% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $363,355, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
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Tax Status

              

This charity is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
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Financial

              

The following information is based on LifeSpan, Inc.'s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Government Service Fees 1,747,542
Government Grants 1,171,730
Service Fees 408,071
United Way Allocations 205,409
Contributions and Special Events 157,946
Net Investment Return -32,527
Total Income $3,658,171


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 86%  Fund Raising: 2%  Administrative: 12% 

Total income   $3,658,171
  Program expenses $3,368,118
  Fund raising expenses 81,158
  Administrative expenses 459,751
 
Total expenses   $3,909,027
Expenses in Excess of Income   (250,856)
Beginning net assets   2,065,095
Ending net assets   1,814,239
Total liabilities   1,187,775
Total assets   $3,002,014


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Additional Locations

              

Mason Office
5750 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 103
Mason, OH 45040
Tel: (513) 641-9377

West Chester Office
8857 Cincinnati Dayton Road, Suite 201
West Chester, OH 45069
Tel: (513) 847-4063
 
Middletown Office
1001 Grove Street
Middletown, OH 45044
Tel: (513) 424-6888
 
Oxford Office
5445 College Corner Pike, Building 2, Office 2
Oxford, OH 45056
Tel: (513) 524-9943
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