Tessa

“THE finance COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETS MONTHLY AND REVIEWS ALL FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING THE ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT. THE CEO OF THE ORGANIZATION DISTRIBUTES A PDF COPY OF THE 990 RETURN TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT PRIOR TO BEING FILED.”

“At each board meeting, if there is a discussion of selecting or engaging a vendor or service provider, all in attendance are asked to recuse themselves from this discussion if there could be a perceived conflict. Annually, the organization reviews and discusses the conflict of interest policy and requests that each board member list and acknowledge any known conflicts. Potential new board members receive all policies before joining the board.”

“TESSA USES DATA FROM CANPO (COLORADO ASSOCIATION OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS) SURVEYS FOR COMPARABILITY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND COMPENSATION. TESSA STRIVES TO BE IN THE 25TH PERCENTILE OF OUR PEERS (SIZE & SERVICES) FOR ANNUAL SALARY RATES FOR ALL POSITIONS. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REVIEWS THE cOMPENSATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. THE ORGANIZATION HAS NO OTHER PAID OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES MEETING THE IRS DEFINITION OF A KEY EMPLOYEE.”

“TESSA's governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements are available to the public upon request. Certain documents are also available on the organization's website.”

“Pre-Plea Investigation Reports. The District Attorney will refer an individual who has been arrested in a domestic violence dispute and the District Attorney has doubts whether the domestic violence was truly domestic violence or defense, particularly in cases where a woman has been arrested. The individual will pay for the case assessment $250 per case.”

“(continued) or sexual assault in el paso and teller counties.”

“(continued) we pursue three primary objectives toward our mission: to provide immediate safety for adults and their children in crisis. To empower survivors through supportive services such as our advocacy, counseling and children's programs. To create a safer community for all families through prevention education and awareness outreach.”

“Counseling program: program staff provides clinical services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, intimate partner stalking, sexual assualt and/or human trafficking. Tessa's counselors, specifically trained to treat the psychological issues that result from these types of violence, provide individual psychotherapy; psycho-educational support groups for adult victims of domestic violence; and therapeutic support groups for sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. These services encourage participants to work on self-esteem, provide education about healthy vs. Unhealthy relationships, and assist in goal setting and problem-solving. Rural advocacy program: to improve service access for victims located in isolated rural areas, tessa operates in teller county and eastern el paso county. Full-time advocates are available in both communities. A staff therapist splits time between the two. Confidential advocacy, education, outreach, and counseling are provided, while clients who require shelter are referred to tessa's safehouse program in colorado springs. Legal services program: tessa attorneys and legal advocates assist dvsa victims to obtain temporary protection orders, with family law matters, and with referrals to permanent protection order representation through our project lift program and network of pro bono attorneys. Housing first program: tessa assists dvsa and ht victims in meeting their long-term housing needs by providing rental assistance, moving assistance, emergency housing, and/or utility assistance”

“The executive committee assumes responsibility for oversight of the audit, review, and compilation of its financial statements and selection of an independent accountant. Process has not changed from prior years.”