Comfort Bridge

“The executive committee shall be comprised of the chair, vice-chair, the secretary, the treasurer, and up to three at-large members drawn from the board. The executive committee may transact any business of the organization that would normally require approval of the board (except as set forth below) between regularly scheduled meetings of the board only if the business at hand is of such urgent nature as to reasonably require action prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the board and a quorum of the board cannot reasonably be assembled. In the event of such an emergency, the executive committee can act with the authority of the board, provided, however, that any such actions must be subsequently ratified by the board. The executive committee shall not have the authority to approve any of the following actions: (a) nomination of individuals to serve as a director on board; (b) any amendment to the articles or bylaws of the organization; (c) removal of a director of the organization with or without cause; or (d) approval of the organization's strategic plan.”

“The form 990 is reviewed in detail by the cfo, finance staff, and external cpa firm. A final copy is given to the full board for review prior to filing.”

“The conflict of interest policy is reviewed annually by the board of directors. Each member of the board of directors and senior management is asked to complete an independence questionnaire to disclose any business ventures, ownership interests or services that could create a conflict of interest. The existence of any potential conflict of interest shall be disclosed to board of directors, who shall determine whether a conflict of interest exists. After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she shall leave the governing board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists. In the event a conflict of interest does exists, an interested person may make a presentation to the governing board or committee, but after the presentation, he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the conflict of interest. The chairperson of the governing board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement. After exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee shall determine whether the organization can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest. If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the governing board or committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the organization's best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conforming with the above determination, it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement.”

“The executive committee of the board of directors for care synergy functions as the compensation committee. They engage an independent third-party compensation and benefits consultant to conduct a market analysis of compensation and benefits for all of the care synergy executive staff and affiliate presidents. The analysis includes comparisons of similarly sized hospice and other healthcare organizations. The consulting firm also evaluated the reasonableness of executive compensation from an intermediate sanctions perspective. Any compensation or benefits changes for care synergy executive staff and affiliate presidents are approved by the executive committee of the care synergy board of directors and documented in the committee minutes. This process is completed annually.”

“Documents are available upon request. Request forms are available at the front desk and can be requested in person or over the phone.”

“In 2022, care synergy entered into an agreement with the johns hopkins school of nursing (jhson) to become the national center for capable services, providing oversight and resources to the current licensed capable sites and to implement and expand capable services nationwide. Care synergy and jhson will immediately begin working together to transition responsibilities. Once completed, care synergy will be the national contact for both existing and new capable programs. The community aging in place, advancing better living for elders (capable) is a client-directed, home-based program, designed to increase mobility, function, and capacity to "age in place or "age in community and prevent placement in assisted living or skilled nursing facilities. Capable is a specially designed program based on research that consists of time-limited services, in a series of visits from an occupational therapist (ot), a registered nurse (rn), and a home modification service, who work in collaboration with the adult. A key component of this approach is having the participant drive the goal setting. Over the past decade, the capable program has grown from the original baltimore, maryland/jhson site to over 40 capable sites in 21 states, including some sites participating in ongoing research of the program. This expansion is ready to accelerate given population health trends and an increasing societal focus on supporting people as they age in place in their community and reducing health disparities. Care synergy as the national center will expand on the work that jhson has done to nationally scale capable by educating community organizations on the benefits of becoming a licensed provider and offering capable services in their local communities. Care synergy will support those organizations through the implementation process and as they serve clients and work collaboratively with jhson on exploring available opportunities for funding capable.”

“In 2020, an operating reserve was created at care synergy (the reserve) to support the strategic goals and operational plans of care synergy and its affiliates. The reserve was funded by affiliates with available cash flow based on their proportionate share of patient service revenue. The use of the reserve is to support unforeseen financial needs or certain strategic initiatives of care synergy and its affiliates. The reserve is not intended for capital projects, to replace a permanent loss of funds or eliminate an ongoing budget gap or shortfall. The reserve is accounted for as "board designated reserve". Utilization of the reserve requires the express approval of the care synergy board of directors.”