Catholic Social Services

Overview

Address
197 East Gay Street, 2nd Floor
Columbus OH, 43215		 Website
www.colscss.org
Phone
614/221-5891 		Contact

Established
1945


Mission

Catholic Social Services is a faith-based social service agency focused on improving the quality of life for people of all faiths and backgrounds in need throughout central and Southern Ohio. Helping vulnerable people at their most vulnerable times, Catholic Social Services strengthens families, guides individuals toward economic stability, and serves as the extended family for seniors.

Impact
2010 Accomplishments

  • We initiated the Money Management program for seniors, serving 12% more people than planned.

  • We investigated and resolved 13% more complaints in long-term care facilities than the previous year through the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program.

  • We initiated a new giving campaign, the Good Samaritan Society, resulting in an 8% increase in contributions.

  • We increased the number of clients served under the payee program. In the last five years, the client population has increased 93%, and we have doubled the amount of client assets under management to $3.9 million.

  • Through the Helping Ohioans Move, Expanding Choice (HOME Choice) program, we substantially increased transition coordination services to assist residents of long-term care facilities with locating and setting up households in independent community housing.

2011 Goals

  • We will initiate intensive, supportive case management services to women exiting the domestic violence shelter to help stably transition their children and themselves into safe, affordable, permanent housing.

  • We will initiate a liaison to local parishes and faith communities to develop volunteer-based programs to extend the reach and impact of other programs.

  • We will increase the reach of supportive services to seniors through a new collaboration with MediGold, a Medicare Advantage Plan.

  • We will continue to explore and build collaborative initiatives with other Catholic agencies and organizations.

Background
Catholic Social Services (CSS) is a faith-based agency providing a wide array of programs for individuals and families of all faiths. We serve these individuals and families throughout their life cycle. CSS has been serving the central Ohio community since 1945, working throughout 23 counties of central and southern Ohio. Offices are located in Columbus, Newark, Portsmouth, and Zanesville. Catholic Social Services is an award-winning agency, accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), which certifies that all operations and programs meet best practice standards for professional service. CSS is a member of Catholic Charities USA, a member agency of United Way of Central Ohio, and licensed by the Ohio Department of Mental Health.

Statement from Mr. Donald S. Wisler, LISW, President & CEO
In 2011, CSS will initiate services to survivors of domestic violence aimed to successfully transition them from emergency shelter into affordable independent living, safe from the abuser, by providing long-term, intensive case management to qualifying referrals. CSS offers supportive and in-home services to isolated seniors help maintain their independence and live with dignity, including case management (assistance with financial management, coordinating medical appointments, understanding insurance, and identifying available resources for transportation and housing needs), light housekeeping/homemaker services, transportation to medical appointments (Licking County), assistance with bill payment and other fiscal matters, and help with the purchase of prescriptions. Ombudsman services for residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities assure quality of care and quality of life; mental health counseling from licensed, professional counselors to help individuals and families learn how to better cope with a variety of individual and relationship issues; and pregnancy and post-pregnancy counseling to help teens and new mothers make healthy choices for themselves and their child, teaching healthy, nurturing behaviors. In Scioto County, CSS provides a structured batterers intervention program to help develop anger control strategies and learn non-violent ways to resolve problems. Emergency assistance and financial stability assistance is offered through the Our Lady of Guadalupe food pantry. With client consent, CSS acts as the named payee for client funds and become responsible to pay bills through the payee program. CSS is licensed by the Ohio Department of Mental Health, certified by the Ohio Department of Aging as the Ombudsman for long-term care facilities in eight central Ohio counties, and accredited by the Council on Accreditation to assure operations and programs meet best practices and professional standards

Statement from Mr. Jim Foley, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
With the downturn in the economy, the past few years have been particularly challenging for non-profit social service agencies. Catholic Social Services, like most other service agencies, have seen a large increase in the number of requests for services but have seen a reduction in funding from several sources. We have had to make difficult decisions about which programs to continue and which to reduce or eliminate based on those funding reductions, knowing that those decisions have real impact in real lives. With an active and committed board of directors and a positive working relationship with agency leadership, we have worked jointly to clarify our mission and vision, and focus on the most critical services. We have successfully developed a new giving campaign that has resulted in an increase in donations and unrestricted giving. I am proud of our accomplishments and the excellent services we provide to our clients within the 23 counties of the Diocese of Columbus.
Catholic Social Services

Leadership

Management
Mr. Donald S. Wisler LISW, President & CEO
Term Start: 05/2003 
Compensated: No
Donald Wisler received his Master of Social Work from St. Louis University in St. Louis, MO and his Bachelor of Arts in psychology from St. Francis College in Fort Wayne, IN. Don is a licensed independent social worker and is certified through the Academy of Certified Social Workers. A native of Bryan, OH, he most recently served as executive director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Toledo, for 12 years. He has also held the positions of executive director of Catholic Social Services of Monroe, MI and assistant director of Catholic Social Services in Fort Wayne, IN. Don was also assistant professor of social work at St. Francis College.

Senior Staff
Ms. Karen J. Washbush, Director of Development and Marketing
Karen Washbush is responsible for overseeing all aspects of development (annual giving, special events, major and corporate giving, and charitable estate planning), marketing, and public relations for Catholic Social Services. Karen has served for six years as director of development and marketing for CSS. Previously, Karen was director of marketing for Corporate Finance Associates. She is the former director of major and leadership gifts at Children's Hospital Foundation where she played an instrumental role in the success of the $85 million "For Our Children" campaign, which exceeded its goal by $22 million. Karen served as a donor services officer with The Columbus Foundation where she was responsible for maintaining communications with more than 800 donors and grew major giving by over $5.8 million and planned gifts to more than $12.8 million in a four-year time-frame. She also held the position of senior district executive, corporate relations/career development with Boy Scouts of America where she was nationally and regionally recognized for growth of programs, retention, training, and quality assurance. Karen is a "Top 40 Under 40" award recipient, a "Who’s Who of American Women" award recipient, served for 10 years on the Columbus State Bar Foundation's grants committee, and is a charter board member of Women in New Growth Stages. She is a member of the Central Ohio Planned Giving Council, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and Leadership Columbus class of '95. Karen currently serves on the alumni board of Big Brothers Big Sisters, having previously served as a volunteer big sister, tutored at Pilgrim Elementary School, volunteered for Christmas in April, and has been involved in several community festivals. A native of Columbus, Karen received a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Bowling Green State University and is currently a graduate scholarship recipient pursuing her Master in Nonprofit Management at Regis University in Denver, CO.
 
Ms. Angela Keener, Director of Programs
Angela Keener is a licensed independent social worker and has been employed with Catholic Social Services for 13 years. She is responsible for overseeing the organization and implementation of outreach programs serving older adults in Franklin and surrounding counties, including homemaker, transportation, supportive services, senior companion, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Angela is also responsible for continuous quality improvement at Catholic Social Services. Angela has served for the past three years as division director of family supportive services at CSS. Prior to that, she was the director of the senior care and senior companion programs for CSS. She also held the position of volunteer coordinator for the senior companion program. Angela has served as the secretary for the National Association of Senior Companion Directors. While obtaining her Master of Science in social administration from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH, she worked as a case aide and a service coordinator with Catholic Social Services' homemaker program. She received a Bachelor of Arts in sociology with a concentration in gerontology from John Carroll University in University Heights, OH. She worked in her field placement for the Tremont Older Person's Program of the Salvation Army in Cleveland, OH. She has volunteer experience with Light of Hearts Villa Retirement Community, Meals-on-Wheels for the homeless, and Christmas in April for home improvement projects for the elderly.
 
Number of Full-Time Staff: 46 
Number of Part-Time Staff: 16 
Number of Volunteers: 235 
Staff Retention Rate: 92% 

Policies
Directors and Officers Insurance Policy No
  Fundraising Plan No
  Management Succession/Training Plan No
  Organization Policies and Procedures No
Strategic Plan No
   
Goverment Licences
Mental Health Care/Facilities.
 
National Accreditations
Council on Accreditation (COA) [for Children and Family Services] - Accreditation.
 
National Affiliations
Catholic Charities USA.
 
Catholic Social Services

Leadership

Regional Governing Board
 
Board Chair: Mr. Jim Foley, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
Board Chair Term: 06/ 2008 - 06/ 2011
Board Members
Mr. D. P. Beirne, Winchester Fabricators
Mr. George D. Berardi, Berardi + Partners
Mr. Paul Bittner, Schottenstein, Zox & Dunn
Mr. William E. Blaine Esq., Private Law Practice
Dr. Marcia Chambers, Chambers Consulting Services, Inc.
Mr. James (JB) Hadden, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP
Sr. Barbara Hahl, Mount Carmel Health System
Mr. Mark Huddy, Caltholic Diocese of Columbus
Ms. Marian Hutson, Bishop Watterson High School
Mr. Steve Kerber, Bricker & Eckler
Mr. Matthew Kollar, Crane Plastics Company
Mr. Richard Kurth, Community Leader
Mr. Michael Lisi, Motorists Insurance Company
Mr. Vincent Mason, Nationwide Children's Hospital
Ms. Kathy McGinnis, Human Resources Consultant
Ms. Brenda Murdock, Community Volunteer
Mr. Jim Negron, Corna/Kokosing
Fr. Paul Noble, Diocese of Columbus
Mr. Thomas J. Reis, Karlsberger Companies
Mr. Peter Roche, Community Leader
Ms. Sandy Sanese, Magnolia House
Ms. Mary Schell, Wendy's/Arby's Group, Inc.
Mr. Roger St. Cyr, Fifth Third Bank
Mr. Steve Warren, Consultant, Diversity Management
Ms. Vera White, Diocesan Council of Catholc Women Representatives

Board Meetings Annually 6 
Board Meeting Attendance 65% 
Board Member Monetary Contributions 384%
Board Member In-kind Contributions 0%
 
Demographics
Gender Male 69%
  Female 30%
Race African-American/Black 13%
  Asian-American/Pacific Islander 0%
  Caucasian 82%
  Hispanic/Latino 4%
  Native American/American Indian 0%
  Multi-Racial 0%
  Other 0%

Catholic Social Services

Programs

Programs

Counseling

Licensed staff, trained in a variety of therapies, help individuals, couples, and families address a wide range of life challenges, including relationship problems; anxiety; depression; grief; panic attacks; phobias; child abuse; sexual abuse; domestic violence; parent-child conflict; and issues related to life stages, infertility, post-abortion, and adult adoptee concerns. Counseling and education is also provided for those experiencing an unplanned pregnancy to help explore options and make life-affirming choices. Services available for pregnant and parenting teens include counseling and education regarding pregnancy, adoption, parent education, and support.

Food Pantry

The Our Lady of Guadalupe Center serves the needs of the growing Hispanic community by providing emergency food assistance; health screenings; information on nutrition, housing, legal aide, and finances; and guidance in acquiring basic necessities. The Guadalupe Center has set itself apart from other local food pantries by operating as a "choice" food pantry. At our "choice" food pantry, rather than being handed a pre-selected box of food, clients are given points, based on family size, to spend by hand-selecting food items of their choice, much like they would in a grocery store. CSS' choice food pantry offers a twofold benefit. Allowing the families to select the foods they need helps eliminate waste of unwanted foods, foods that are not needed, and foods they do not know how to prepare. Using a point system teaches the clients how to assess needs, prioritize, and budget, all necessary skills for managing a household.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Advocacy for recipients of long-term care is available in eight central Ohio counties through community and provider education, resident and family council development, service selection assistance, as well as explaining benefits, rights, and regulations. Ombudsmen investigate and resolve complaints regarding quality of life and quality of care concerns. The program also provides transition coordination services to select residents leaving the nursing home to re-enter the community through the Medicaid funded Helping Ohioans Move, Expanding Choice (HOME Choice) project.

Payee Services

Individualized financial management for those who are unable to manage their own financial affairs due to a disability or for those who just need help in effectively handling their fiscal matters. With client consent, as the named payee for the person's income, Payee Services accounts for all income and pays monthly bills on time on behalf of the client. Our services help people avoid getting behind or building debt that can not be resolved. Payee Services assists clients to better understand and meet their financial obligations and helps each individual establish a budget to manage monthly expenses. Payee Services annually manages in excess of $3.9 million in client benefits, while handling more than 53,500 financial transactions for 395 clients.

Senior Programs

Licensed social workers provide ongoing, in-home needs assessment, care planning, and consultation to help vulnerable seniors maintain their independence. To reduce isolation, trained older volunteers offer peer companionship and homemaker assistance to elderly and disabled clients. Transportation is also available to qualifying seniors and veterans for medical appointments.


Catholic Social Services

Financials

Current Fiscal Year
Projected Revenue
Projected Expense
Endowment Fund
Current Capital Campaign?
Anticipate a capital campaign in next 5 years? No

Revenue by Source

2009   2008   2007  
Total Direct Support $597,166  $507,013  $642,673 
Direct Support Foundations 0  0  0 
Direct Support Corporations 0  0  0 
Direct Support Individuals 0  0  0 
Direct Support Unspecified $597,166  $507,013  $642,673 
Government $2,105,375  $2,205,978  $2,560,881 
Indirect Public Support $701,285  $914,281  $1,075,435 
Earned Revenue $242,810  $172,281  $146,986 
Interest and Dividends $252,849  -$309,087  $143,267 
Membership Dues 0  0  0 
Special Events $173,709  $208,267  $113,940 
In-kind 0  0  0 
Other $6,321  -$1,478  $3,904 
TOTAL REVENUE $4,079,515  $3,697,255  $4,687,086 

Expense by Type

2009   2008   2007  
Programs $3,049,557  $3,385,093  $3,586,633 
Administration $583,248  $492,975  $523,355 
Fundraising $163,949  $237,597  $191,786 
Payment to Affiliates 0  0  0 
TOTAL EXPENSES $3,796,754  $4,115,665  $4,301,774 

Assets and Liabilities

2009   2008   2007  
Total Assets $3,973,373  $3,642,740  $1,364,851 
Current Assets $1,359,699  $1,624,933  $1,958,295 
Total Liabilities 0  0  $525,449 
Current Liabilities 0  0  $484,350 
NET ASSETS $3,973,373  $3,642,740  $839,402 

Financial Documents Available:

FY 2009
  • Form 990 or 990EZ
  • Annual Audit
FY 2008
  • Form 990 or 990EZ
  • Annual Audit
FY 2007
  • Form 990 or 990EZ
  • Annual Audit