Easter Seals Greater Houston

Conclusion

Easter Seals Greater Houston meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Purpose

Stated Purpose:
Help, hope, answers.  Providing multiple life-changing services to babies, children and adults with disabilities and their families, as well as veterans and their families, so they can live, learn, work and play in our community.

Year, State Incorporated:
1951, TX

Programs

Easter Seals Greater Houston served more than 15,000 families in 2023 through multiple life-changing programs as follows: 

Adult Services offers recreational opportunities to older adults/seniors and younger adults with  disabilities  through  bi-weekly meetings, bowling, field trips, education, self-advocacy, skills training and touch-based technology training. This program offers many of its clients their only opportunity for socializing and provides respite for the adult participant’s caregivers.

BridgingApps is a community of parents, therapists, doctors, teachers and people with disabilities who share information on how apps and mobile devices can help people of all abilities reach their highest levels of physical, social, and cognitive development. Available locally, in the Rio Grande Valley, Fort Worth and Austin or through the website, www.BridgingApps.org.

Camps and Case Management includes Camp Buckaroo (day camp), Camp Smiles (overnight camp) and Camp MOST for teens (overnight camp) as well as Family Day Out (Houston, Fort Bend and Woodlands) which provide recreation and socialization for the child as well as respite for the caregiver. Case management provides community connection, referral to resources and emotional support for people with disabilities, their caregivers and siblings. Other connections include limited emergency assistance and CLASS Case Management.

Children’s Therapy Services are physical, occupational and speech therapy for children birth to eighteen including intensive therapy for potentially life-changing results as well as AAC/AT assessments and evaluations. Houston Clinic.

ECI/Infant Program provides comprehensive Early Childhood Intervention Services for children 0 to age thirty-six months including physical, occupational, speech and vision therapy as well as case management services, community resource referral services in Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Liberty, Walker, Grimes, Washington, Madison, Brazos, Burleson, Leon and Robertson Counties.

High School/High Tech is a community-based partnership of parents, educators, rehabilitation professionals and business representatives working together to encourage  high school  students with disabilities to explore the fields of science,  engineering  and technology.    This  program  is  1  of  5  in  the  United States  to  offer  Ready  to  Achieve  Mentoring Program (RAMP) with mentoring, job skills, transition and internships for at-risk teens with disabilities. Includes campus meetings, company tours and internships.

Housing Initiative / Financial Coaching assists low-income adults with disabilities or a family with a child with a disability realize the dream of owning their first home through financial coaching, credit boot camp, home buyers education, down payment assistance. The program is a proud partner of THRIVE which works to break the cycle of poverty through collaboration. Harris, Fort Bend, Liberty and Montgomery counties.

Respite Services provides relief options to parents who provide ongoing care of their family member who has a disability, through vouchers for in-home respite care, Lifespan, Parent Night Out and Respitality to reduce stress, prevent divorce, abuse, and institutionalization of individuals with disabilities.

The Caroline School is an option for parents of children with significant disabilities who are seeking availability of a private alternative to  existing public school special education programs.   The focus is on meeting the physical, cognitive and social needs of the      child including available physical, occupational, speech therapy, touch based technology and music/dance therapy on site.

Toy/Tech and Play Therapy offers a lending library of specially adapted toys and AT&T Assistive Technology Lab, Karate, dance, art, adapted PlayAPalooza, yoga, pet therapy, play groups, counseling, and other educational experiences to help the development and integration of children with disabilities into their families, school and the community.

Transition/Employment Services offering a full range of services for youth with autism and co-occurring mental illness; vocational training through Texas Workforce Solutions for people with all types of disabilities.

Veteran Services is a program offering service and companion dogs for veterans with disabilities; case management and referral to other needed services for active service, veterans and their families. Texas Veterans + Family Alliance Collaborative includes outreach and direct services to veterans and their families through counseling, case management, technology, telemedicine, and other   supports that will increase access to mental health services and provide a consistent, trusted place where the veteran/family members can turn when issues arise.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, Easter Seals Greater Houston's program expenses were:

Governance & Staff

Chief Executive
Elizabeth Hough

Chair of the Board
Mrs. Elizabeth Deluca, Volunteer, mother of child with disability, advocate

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation

Board Size
16

Paid Staff Size
250

Fundraising

Method(s) Used:
Appeals by mail, Phone appeals, Email appeals, Appeals on the Internet, Special events, Individual face-to-face appeals, Foundation grants

Tax Status

This organization 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.

Financial

The following information is based on Easter Seals Greater Houston's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Source of Funds

Programs: 95% Fundraising: 3% Administrative: 2%