Hitops Inc.

“The finance committee of the organization reviews the form 990 and provides comments to its independent CPA before filing the return.”

“Prior to each annual meeting of the board, each director, officer, advisory committee members and/or committee member shall complete, sign and submit to the president the disclosure form approved by the board of directors. Each director must keep such form current and take appropriate action with regard to his/her potential for conflicted interest, including disclosure, discussion, recusal or resignation.”

“Annually, the board of directors determines the executive director's compensation by reviewing executive director salaries of similar type and size organizations. This process is documented in the board minutes. There are no other officers or key employees who are compensated.”

“The organization makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements available upon request.”

“HiTOPS' mission is to promote adolescent health and well-being. HiTOPS envisions a world in which youth have the resources they need to live healthy, responsible and empowered lives. HiTOPS helps adolescents clarify their values and make responsible decisions regarding their health and actions, and provides the parents, teachers and caregivers of adolescents with the tools they need to best support and guide the young people they nurture. The mission and vision are achieved in four ways: 1. Innovative, comprehensive expert- and peer-led educational programs in schools, community-based organizations, homes and juvenile justice centers throughout New Jersey for youth, parents, educators, and health professionals; 2. Wellness and preventative healthcare services to youth; 3. Emotional and psychological support services to fragile adolescent populations, including survivors of sexual assault and LGBTQ youth; 4. training, consultation and education products to local, regional, state, and national organizations serving the holistic health needs of adolescents.”

“In December of 2014, HiTops ended the Health Services program.”

“HiTops believes that all young people have the right to be safe, affirmed and supported. For many years, youth and parents have come to HiTops for supportive educational conversations. In 2015, HiTops added a group for trans youth and another for their parents. -10 meetings for Parents of LGBT youth: the local chapter meeting of Parents, Families/Friends of Lesbians and Gays and T-NET, specifically for parents of Transgender adolescents. -21 meetings of the new Trans* Youth Group and 17 meetings of First & Third, a bimonthly LGBT youth group Youth participants said: -I feel safe and it makes talking about issues that are relevant to me easier. -I enjoyed making friends and meeting people who are like me. -I benefitted from hearing the experiences of others my age who were going through similar situations. TRAINING FOR PEER EDUCATORS/LEADERS LGBT Clubs: 461 middle and high school-aged youth were trained on how to establish a club for LGBT youth in their school. Many participants received this training at the annual GSA Forum, a statewide conference to provide education, information, inspiration and resources for LGBT youth and their allies. HiTops co-produces this event with its long-time partner, GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network). Teen PEP (Teen Prevention Education Program) is a school-based peer education initiative to promote sexual health among high school students that was developed in 1995 through a collaboration of HiTops, The Center for Supportive Schools and the New Jersey Department of Health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adolescent Health, completed its fifth and final year of funding the implementation and evaluation of Teen PEP. For that project, Teen PEP was implemented in 7 high schools in North Carolina. Participating students completed a survey to rate the extent to which Teen PEP helped them in 3 domains: knowledge about sexual health resources, cognitive and behaviors skills and school engagement. 81% reported knowing how to correctly use birth control 79% reported knowing where to go for STI/HIV testing 76% reported knowing where to go to get birth control Students were also asked to report on their likelihood of engaging in specific behaviors: 49% said they were more likely to abstain from sexual intercourse; 80% were more likely to use birth control; and 77% were more likely to use condoms. It is particularly notable that nearly 70% of participants indicated that Teen PEP helped them to care more about graduating from high school. HiTops' Teen Council -20 high school Peer Educators + 50 trainings = 39 workshops for 1,600 youth in Hunterdon, Middlesex, Mercer, Burlington and Somerset -53% of Teen Council's programs benefitted incarcerated and high risk youth HiTops' Teen Council is a peer leadership and education training program that promotes the public health model of comprehensive sexuality education (medically accurate, age-appropriate information) to their peers. Through a competitive process, 20-22 high school seniors from public and private schools are selected to participate in the one-year/300-hour leadership development program filled with opportunities, learning experiences and support designed to help them feel connected, prepared and engaged. New Jersey Department of Health allocates grant funding for HiTops to implement peer-to-peer education on New Jersey Core Curriculum topics, most specifically on HIV risk reduction.”

“The organization had no change in the audit oversight process or the process of selecting an independent accountant.”