Direct Center for Independence Inc.

“The Form 990 is reviewed first by an outside accounting consultant, Operations Administrator and the Executive Director, and next by the Board of Directors Finance Committee, which gives their approval prior to filing.”

“The conflict of interest policy covers members of the Board of Directors. Conflicts of interest include board members or their relatives or partners having investments in companies dealing with DIRECT, being employed by companies with which DIRECT does business, or having relatives, family members or partners employed by DIRECT. DIRECT shall not enter into any transaction which the Board of Directors is aware that any director has a material interest by virtue of his other association with the other party to the transaction unless the Board of Directors has determined in good faith that the following tests have been met:1> DIRECT is entering into the transaction for its own benefit;2> The transaction is fair and reasonable;3> The transaction has received the approval of the Board of Directors, acting in good faith, by a vote of a majority of the directors then in office without counting the vote of interested directors;4> Such vote has taken place with knowledge of all of the material facts concerning the transaction and of the interest of the directors possessing a material financial interest; and5> Prior to the vote, the Board of Directors has determined in good faith and after reasonable investigation that DIRECT could not have obtained a more advantageous agreement with reasonable effort.”

“The Board of Directors sets the Executive Directors salary and approves any increases and/or bonuses. Cost of living increases are approved by the Board of Directors as part of the budget approval process.”

“Increases and/or bonuses for staff may be made by the Executive Director, in accordance with budget and policies and procedures. DIRECT maintains a salary schedule for all positions.”

“Governing documents are available to the public upon request.”

“Part III Line 4a, Statement of Program Accomplishments:DIRECT Center for Independence, now doing business as Direct Advocacy & Resource Center (Direct), dedicates its efforts to advocating for the equality, empowerment, and emancipation of people with disabilities. Serving Southern Arizona (Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Santa Cruz counties) for over 40 years, our team connected with nearly 2,400 individuals this reporting year a 26% increase over last year. Services include advocacy, independent living skills training (e.g., Cooking, Orientation and Mobility, Money Management, Braille), peer mentoring and support, transitioning, Linkages (linking employers to qualified disabled candidates), home accessibility modifications, information and referral, and and Counseling DIRECTions (affiliated behavioral health counseling entity). Within these services:> 2,092 connected with essential community resources (physical/mental health, housing, transportation)> 377 gained employment > 72 learned skills to live in their own home (cooking, money management, self-advocacy, Braille, Orientation & Mobility)> 69 continued to live in their own homes with accessibility modifications (wheelchair ramps, converting bathtubs into walk-in/roll-in showers, widening doorways)> 49 participated in counseling services, with goals such as reducing anxiety, preventing/reducing isolation, increasing self-sufficiency, and increasing assertiveness to make healthy and independent choicesIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Direct offered virtual trainings and tele-health counseling services, as well as expanded its community support through:> securing nearly $20,000 in emergency assistance funds supporting 23 individuals by purchasing essential items (groceries, cleaning supplies, PPE) and paying for rent/mortgage and utilities> launching a weekly virtual social connections group reaching 19 individuals who experienced increased social isolation and depression> calling participants for wellness checks and following up as requested with additional community resources, emergency assistance funds, advocacy, or further services through DirectAll programs and services are free and confidential, and prioritize informed choice, consumer control/self-determination, dignity of risk, and community integration.”