Strategies to Overcome Obstacles and Avoid Recidivism

“The form 990 is reviewed by the management team and certain members of the board of directors before approval and electronic submisstion to the irs.”

“The board review of the executive's compensation that includes a comparision of compensation paid by peer organizations in the same geographic location to ensure that the compensation provided by the organization to its executive director is reasonable and not excessive.”

“Governing and financial documents are available upon request.”

“Sooar is a licensed community awareness information and training (cait) provider through the state of michigan department of community health substance abuse division. We are a growing and dynamic community enrichment and learning center that provides substance abuse prevention, harm reduction, hiv and hep c prevention, and life skills coaching services. We are proud of the many ways we remove barriers and improve the quality of life for participants and the community at large.”

“Sooar 2024 990 narrative sooar's universal prevention strategies focus on promoting healthy, drug- free lifestyles among youth, families, and communities throughout out-wayne county. These efforts reach a broad population regardless of risk level-to build protective factors and reduce early risk for substance use and other harmful behaviors. Through classroom-based education, community events, and outreach campaigns, sooar increases awareness about the dangers of underage drinking, tobacco use, and drug misuse while promoting positive youth development, decision-making skills, and resilience. Key activities include: o community education & outreach: hosting community presentations and youth events to raise awareness about prevention and wellness. O synar compliance checks: implementing federally required synar inspections to reduce youth access to tobacco and vaping products by ensuring retailers comply with underage sales laws. O parent & community engagement: facilitating conversations and training sessions for parents, caregivers, and community stakeholders on prevention strategies, communication skills, and early warning signs of substance use. Sooar's selective prevention strategies are designed for youth who exhibit higher-than-average risk factors-such as exposure to adverse childhood experiences (aces), family substance use, trauma, or environments with limited protective support but who are not yet showing signs of dependency or addiction. Help is down the hall - student assistance program (sap): this evidence-informed school-based prevention and early intervention program addresses academic, behavioral, and emotional challenges that interfere with student success. Sap provides structured support, early identification, screening, and referral for students struggling with substance use, grief, trauma, or other personal concerns. Services include: o individual and group support sessions o early identification and problem-solving interventions o referrals to school and community resources o collaboration with school staff and families o development of prevention and support policies within schools. Problem identification & referral services: this strategy identifies individuals who may have engaged in early or inappropriate use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs and determines whether educational interventions can reverse these behaviors. While sooar does not conduct treatment-level assessments, screenings help connect individuals to appropriate prevention or referral services. When needs exceed prevention scope (e.g., mental health or treatment services), sooar provides warm referrals to partner agencies for continued support. Through a combination of universal and selective prevention efforts, sooar strengthens community protective factors, enhances youth resilience, and ensures equitable access to prevention resources for all populations at risk. Sooar risk reduction services sooar's risk reduction program operates on the belief that every life has value and that health and safety should never depend on one's circumstances or choices. Our universal strategies are focused on reducing the risks associated with substance use, preventing overdose deaths, and increasing access to health education and resources for individuals, families, and communities across out-wayne county. Through a combination of outreach, education, and resource distribution, sooar promotes safer practices and connects individuals to critical services that support wellness and recovery. Key activities include: o community outreach & education: delivering overdose prevention and risk reduction education at community events, schools, and neighborhood gatherings. O naloxone distribution & overdose prevention: providing life-saving naloxone kits, fentanyl test strips, and risk reduction education to prevent overdose deaths. O safer substance use supply distribution: operating through our mobile "boots on the ground" outreach unit and office-based servic”

“Other contract svcs 116,301 20,524 0 payroll fee 739 131 0 total 117,040 20,655 0”