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Positive Directions-The Center for Prevention and Counseling Inc

EIN 06-0935732 · Westport, CT

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To provide leadership in the community with the aim of improving the lives and health of individuals and families through both comprehensive behavioral healthcare, including addictive behaviors, and prevention leadership.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 45%
Employees
20
Highest pay
$106,579, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 63% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $714,975 spent. TREATMENT Positive Directions operates a psychiatric outpatient and substance abuse treatment clinic for adults and adolescents, licensed by the CT Department of Public Health and Department of Children and Families. Services include individual, couples and family counseling and support groups for adults and adolescents. All major commercial and public health insurances are accepted, including Medicare and Husky, as well as sliding scale fees. A treatment fund was created in 2020-21 for those needing financial assistance. The clinical team is comprised of several masters level clinicians and 2 clinical interns throughout the year. In FY25, there were over 700 unduplicated clients served and approximately 6,000 treatment sessions were conducted by the clinical team. Our mental health services continue to include children, which lowered the age of those we treat to 10 years old.
  2. $264,780 spent. PREVENTION Positive Directions is a leading prevention organization in the region utilizing the strategic prevention framework model to lead substance abuse prevention efforts in Norwalk and Westport, CT. The agency is the lead partner running The Norwalk Partnership and the Westport Prevention Coalition and serves as one of the 12 sectors for the Fairfield Cares Community Coalition. They help build member capacity, gather data, coordinate meetings, provide training, and lead initiatives. In FY25, we engaged over 160 stakeholders in our coalition work to strengthen mental health prevent risky behaviors. We reached approximately 13,800 community members with education awareness efforts and engaged over 400 unduplicated high school-aged youth in Teen Nights Out activities.
  3. $167,403 spent. SUPPORT Our TurningPointCT.org project provides a safe online community by and for young people in CT searching for mental wellness. Support is provided online through a peer-developed website, podcasts, and multiple social media. One of our young adults offers a Queers and Peers support group for LGBTQ plus individuals. In FY25, Positive Directions served over 500 unduplicated individuals through eight free support groups. We provided free one-to-one support to 10 youth and young adults and involved 70 young people in redesigning online mental wellness project.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1976.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.