Lighthouse of Pinellas Inc.

“The agency's board of directors each receive and review the form 990 return of organization exempt from income tax and approve its submission prior to filing.”

“The board of directors provides each new board member with an application packet that includes information on the conflict of interest policy and the requirement for information to be updated at least annually. In addition, board members are made aware of the agency's policy manual which includes the whistleblower and document retention and destruction policy.”

“During the annual budgeting process, the salaries of all employees, including the president & ceo, vice president & coo, the director of finance, and the director of programs are reviewed and approved by the board of directors. Salaries of key employees are based on comparable data for comparable organizations.”

“During the annual budgeting process, the salaries of all employees, including the president & ceo, vice president & coo, the director of finance, and the director of programs are reviewed and approved by the board of directors. Salaries of key employees are based on comparable data for comparable organizations.”

“The agency makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, gift policy, and financial statements available to the general public upon request or through inspection at their office. In addition, the agency's form 990 is available on the internet at www.guidestar.org.”

“For over 60 years, the lighthouse of pinellas, inc. Has provided comprehensive rehabilitation services for individuals in pinellas county who are blind or visually impaired. The lighthouse of pinellas has been continuously accredited by the national accreditation council for agencies serving people with blindness or visually impairment since 1994. Training is offered in our spacious centrally located agency as well as throughout the community in client's homes, workplaces, and other relevant locations.”

“(continued from 990, page 1, line 1) our programs are nationally accredited and are provided in the home, at the center, or in the community. Our programs enable people to maximize their independence, health and safety through training geared to each person's individual needs. This is accomplished through a continuum of comprehensive vision rehabilitation programs which are nationally accredited and provided by highly trained and credentialed professional staff.”

“(continued from 990, page 2) self-management of diabetes, as well as use of access technology are provided. This fiscal year 216 people received rehabilitative training services in the independent living program.”

“(continued from 990, page 2) counseling as well as limited job placement and supported employment services based on direct referrals from the division of blind services. This training is provided in the home, at the center, or in the community based upon the needs and goals of each person. This fiscal year 73 people received services that assisted them towards achieving their employment goals.”

“(continued from 990, page 2) developmental gaps that may exist to the greatest extent possible. Children and their families may participate in the early intervention program until the child has achieved their highest level of functioning or until the child reaches the age of 6 years. This fiscal year 36 children and 88 family members were served.”

“Children's program in february of 2016, lighthouse of pinellas launched a new year round and summer children's program for children ages 6 - 13. The program provides training in all aspects of the expanded core curriculum, including communication skills, self-advocacy skills, access technology, orientation and mobility, activities of daily living, exposure to careers and work places as well as social and recreational opportunities. The activities and experiences provided throughout the program allow the children to acquire and/or enhance the adaptive techniques and confidence needed to become successful and independent in a sighted world. The new program is offered twice a month on saturdays during the school year and a three week life skills camp is offered in the summer. This year, 18 children participated in the children's program. Transition program teenagers 14 years of age through their high school graduation are eligible to participate in this program. Services are offered once a week during the school year and for four weeks during the summer. This program helps each young person learn to become self-sufficient and prepare for college, job placement or vocational training. Once-a-month field trips are also offered. Skills such as personal, financial, and home management; how to complete a job application; interview skills and use of access technology are learned throughout the school year. The summer program gives the students the experience of visiting a college campus to learn first-hand what life on a college campus is all about. Students have the opportunity to practice home management skills in a different but realistic environment. They learn how to get around safely on the campus and how to adapt the orientation and mobility training they have received to master new experiences. Students in the summer transition program are able to participate in a paid work experience to develop job skills and gain valuable employment experience. This fiscal year 13 young people participated in the transition program. Occupational therapy low vision services program in the occupational therapy low vision services program 65 clients received highly specialized training from our occupational therapist who is dually certified as a low vision specialist and a diabetes educator. Occupational therapy services provided include functional vision assessments, training in magnification, lighting, and eccentric viewing, self-management of diabetes, and activities of daily living. 32 of the 65 clients who received occupational therapy services also accessed additional training offered through the independent living program. The alumni program the alumni program provides access to social, education, leisure, and wellness opportunities for adult and senior alumni of the lighthouse. The goals of the program are to help adult and senior alumni maintain their independence and improve their quality of life by providing programs that will mentally and physically stimulate clients to avoid isolation and depression, encourage clients to be active and independent and assist in expanding their social horizons. The program meets on the first thursday of each month from 10:00 - 2:30 and offers classes such as a book club, staying in the know, individual training and troubleshooting sessions on access technology, positive living, music appreciation, and cards and games. Approximately 15 clients attend monthly. Individual assistance individual assistance is provided to people who need one-time support from our professional program staff. Assistance provided are things such as a home visit to replace a broken white cane, or applying touch buttons to adapt a kitchen, washer and dryer or other home appliances for someone who is visually impaired. This fiscal year 36 people received one-time individual assistance services from lighthouse of pinellas professional staff.”

“Rental expenses - indirect 33,458 special event expenses -2,595 rental expenses - indirect -33,458 special event expenses 2,595”