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L I Child and Family Development Services Inc

EIN 11-2771919 · Patchogue, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

L. I. Child and Family Development Services, Inc., dba Long Island Head Start (the "Agency") is a private, non-profit corporation, which administers publicly funded early childhood education and development programs in Suffolk County, New York. The Agency's principal activity involves the Head Start Program, an early childhood education and development program funded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services ("DHHS"). In fiscal year 2024-2025, the Agency operated eighteen (18) Head Start (HS) centers, serving 1,092 four-to-five year old children and their families. The Agency also operated Early Head Start (EHS) programs in three (3) centers serving 148 families with infants and toddlers from birth to age three, including (20) twenty pregnant women.

Income
$25.9 million
Spending
$25.7 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 99%
Employees
406
Volunteers
1,389
Highest pay
$228,478, executive direc

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

Financial health

Fair: 57 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • 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

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 November 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 (2)
  1. $22.2 million spent. US DEPT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES -- HEAD START PROGRAMThe Agency's operations are almost entirely dependent upon government grants The objectives of the Agency are to develop a greater degree of competence in children, improving their everyday effectiveness in dealing with their present environment as well as later responsibilities in school and life. The Agencys programs encompass the following:Education - The children receive a variety of learning experiences to foster intellectual, social and emotional growth. Children participate in indoor and outdoor play, and are introduced to words, colors and numbers.Health - The Agency promotes a comprehensive health care program medical, dental and mental illness.Nutrition Children are served one or more hot meals and snacks each day containing at least one-third of the daily nutritional requirement. This program is part of the Child and Adult Care Food Program ("CACFP") which is administered by the New York State Department of Health ("NYS DOH").Family and Community Partnerships- Where needed, the Agencys staff refers families to local health and human services agencies to help them to obtain the services they require.Services to Children with Disabilities - Children with disabilities receive comprehensive developmental services in a mainstream environment. In addition, staff members work closely with community agencies to provide additional needed services.Parent Involvement - Parents are the most important influence at the Agency.Many parents serve as members of the Agency's Policy Council and Center Committees. Parents have a voice in administrative decisions. Many parents also serve as volunteers.Staff Development and Training - Staff members in all programs receive training to improve job performance and are given opportunities for career advancement.L. I. Child and Family Development Services, Inc., dba Long Island Head Start (the "Agency") also operates the Early Head Start Child Care Partnerships Program. This program builds on the existing strengths of Early Head Start and Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) subsidies, which allow low-income families to accesshigh-quality childcare. The Agency is serving ninety-eight infants and toddlers (98) and has five (5) partners. Through grantee partnerships with five (5) partners,EHS-CCP maximizes the impact of federal grant and subsidy dollars to expand access to high-quality childcare and comprehensive supports for low-income infants and toddlers.
  2. UPK, CACFP and other programs to support young children

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 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 November 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 August 1988.

    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.