Laurens Institute for Education
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WORKING TOGETHER TO EMPOWER PEOPLE THROUGH EXTRAORDINARY SERVICES FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
- Income
- $16.7 million
- Spending
- $16.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 1.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 94%
- Employees
- 394
- Volunteers
- 17
- Highest pay
- $295,451, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 54% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 253 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (4)
- $3.5 million spent. APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS & FOUNDATIONS FOR LEARNING (FORMERLY BEHAVIORAL PROGRAMMING AND SUPPORT - BPS) DEPARTMENT: APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA) IS A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO EVALUATING AND ADJUSTING THE ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES THAT EFFECT BEHAVIOR. THROUGH ASSESSMENTS AND TREATMENT, WE CAN IDENTIFY PROTOCOLS TO SHAPE SOCIALLY SIGNIFICANT BEHAVIORS AND TEACH NEW SKILLS. LAUREN'S INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION BELIEVES THAT IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE ADVOCATE FOR A TRANSDISCIPLINARY APPROACH WHEN DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING THESE PROTOCOLS. ADDITIONALLY, WE BELIEVE THAT BY PROVIDING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS FUN, EXCITING, COMPASSIONATE AND THAT INCORPORATES PLAY, WE CAN CAPITALIZE ON REINFORCEMENT STRATEGIES THAT WILL INSPIRE A CHILD TO FLOURISH. WE ESTABLISHED THIS THROUGH OUR FOUNDATIONS FOR (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) LEARNING PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM ALLOWS FOR OUR CLIENTS TO LEARN IN AN 1:1 AND GROUP SETTING WITH PEERS, OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR NATURAL SOCIALIZATION, PLAY AND GROUP ACTIVITIES.WE HAVE AN ACCREDITED PROGRAM THAT UTILIZES CURRENT BEST PRACTICES IN THE FIELD OF BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS.
- $3.2 million spent. PRIVATE ACADEMY: THE L.I.F.E. ACADEMY IS A SPECIALIZED ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT DESIGNED TO ASSIST STUDENTS IN REACHING THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL. OUR ALL-INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONAL APPROACH ADDRESSES OUR STUDENTS' COGNITIVE, EMOTIONAL, AND SOCIAL SKILLS IN A STRUCTURED AND HIGHLY MOTIVATING ENVIRONMENT. STUDENTS ARE GIVEN EVERY POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE JOYS OF COMPANIONSHIP AND SOCIAL EXPLORATION WHILE BEING GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN BASED ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL STRENGTHS AND AREAS OF NEED. L.I.F.E. BELIEVES THAT EVERY OPPORTUNITY IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND GROW. WE STRIVE TO ENSURE THAT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS GOALS ARE TAILORED TO THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS USING SPECIALIZED TREATMENT SPACES. WE FACILITATE OUR TEACHING WITH LOW CLASS RATIOS, ASSIGNING ONE TEACHER AND TWO (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) CLASSROOM PARAEDUCATORS PER CLASS. CLASSROOM SIZES AVERAGE ONE STAFF FOR EVERY FOUR STUDENTS TO OFFER MORE FOCUSED SUPPORT. WE HAVE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, ADAPTIVE MUSIC, ADAPTIVE ART, AND ADAPTIVE PHYSICAL EDUCATION WHICH ARE RUN BY OUR CLINICAL ENHANCEMENTS TEAM. WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE RECEIVED A 5-YEAR ACCREDITATION IN 2021 FROM COGNIA.
- $2.3 million spent. PATHWAYS DEPARTMENT (FORMERLY DAY TREATMENT AND EMPLOYMENT DEPARTMENT - DTE): OUR PATHWAYS DEPARTMENT INCLUDES MULTIPLE PROGRAMS FUNDED BY THE DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (DDD) INCLUDING OUR ADULT DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, SUMMER PROGRAM, TRANSITION TO EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM, AND OUR GROUP SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM. SEE MORE DETAIL ON THESE SERVICES IN SCHEDULE O.PATHWAYS TO INDEPENDENCEL.I.F.E.'S PATHWAYS TO INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM WAS CREATED TO SUPPORT STUDENTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 TO 21 YEARS OLD ENROLLED IN L.I.F.E.'S PRIVATE ACADEMY WHO ARE READY TO FOCUS ON SKILLS FOR IMPROVING THEIR LIFE AND ULTIMATELY GAINING INDEPENDENCE TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITIES. IT IS OUR GOAL TO HELP OUR STUDENTS REACH THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL TO BECOME AS INDEPENDENT AS THEY CAN BE IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR LIVES, IN ORDER TO HELP THEM FEEL FULFILLED AND EMPOWERED. ALL MEMBERS IN THE PATHWAYS PROGRAM WILL FOCUS ON CORE SKILLS NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT NAVIGATING THEIR LIFE. GOALS FOR THE STUDENTS ARE INDIVIDUALIZED TO EACH STUDENT'S NEED AFTER BEING ASSESSED USING THE ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTIONAL LIVING SKILLS (AFLS). THE SKILLS ARE BROKEN DOWN INTO PRACTICE LABS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO IMITATE REAL WORLD EXPERIENCES.PATHWAYS TO ADULTHOOD (DTA)OUR ADULT DAY PROGRAM IS FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES AGE 18 AND OVER. WE USE THE ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTIONAL LIVING SKILLS TO INFORM THE CREATION OF INDIVIDUALIZED CONSUMER GOALS. THESE GOALS ARE THEN ADDRESSED IN OUR DISTINCT AND ENGAGING TREATMENT AREAS WHERE SUPPORT IS PROVIDED AS NEEDED BY DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS. DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM- AFTER SCHOOL (DTT)OUR DAY TREATMENT AND TRAINING (DTT) PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY OFFERED TO A VARIETY OF AGE GROUPS HERE AT L.I.F.E. THE PROGRAM IS CENTERED AROUND INDIVIDUALIZED DTT GOALS WHICH ARE ADDRESSED THROUGH VARIOUS FUN ACTIVITIES AND IN OUR MULTIPLE TREATMENT ENVIRONMENTS.DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM- SUMMER (UNDER THE DTT UMBRELLA NOW, FORMERLY DTS)WE HOLD AN INCLUSIVE SUMMER PROGRAM FOR THE MONTHS OF JUNE AND JULY WHERE FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES ARE ADDRESSED THROUGH PROGRAM ACTIVITIES. THE PROGRAM IS IMPLEMENTED AS A MULTI-WEEK CAMP THAT FEATURES FUN THEMES, SMALL CLASS SIZES, INCLUSION OF TYPICALLY DEVELOPING PEERS, WATER PLAY, AND OTHER ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES.PATHWAYS TO WORK (FORMERLY TRANSITITION TO EMPLOYMENT - TTE)OUR EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM IS A COMPETITIVE PROGRAM THAT ACCEPTS INDIVIDUALS 16 AND OLDER AND FOCUSES ON ENHANCING SKILLS FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT. CONSUMERS WORK ON A FULL SPECTRUM OF ACTIVITIES AND SKILLS NEEDED FOR SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYMENT FROM SURVEYS IDENTIFYING STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES TO FORMAL MOCK INTERVIEWS. THE PROGRAM ALSO CONTINUES TO ENHANCE KEY INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS SUCH AS KITCHEN AND KNIFE SAFETY, FOOD SAFETY, MEDICATION, FINANCES, AND MORE. GROUP SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT (GSE) PROGRAMOUR GSE PROGRAM IS FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE MASTERED THE SKILLS OF THE TRANSITION TO EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM. CONSUMERS IN THE GSE PROGRAM HOLD JOB POSITIONS AND ARE SUPPORTED IN THE POSITION WITH THE END GOAL OF INDEPENDENCE AND ABILITY TO SUSTAIN THAT EMPLOYMENT.
- $4.2 million spent. COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT: L.I.F.E. OFFERS CONSUMERS AND THEIR FAMILIES SEVERAL DIFFERENT OPTIONS TO RECEIVE CARE SERVICES IN-HOME AND WITHIN THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING HABILITATION (HAH), RESPITE (RSP), AND ATTENDANT CARE (ATC). HABILITATION CONSISTS OF A DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL (DSP) PROVIDING TEACHING METHODS TO HELP A CONSUMER BE MORE INDEPENDENT. RESPITE INVOLVES A DSP PROVIDING SUPERVISION AND CARE FOR A CONSUMER FOR SHORT PERIODS TO GIVE REGULAR CAREGIVERS A BREAK. ATTENDANT CARE INCLUDES A DSP ASSISTING A CONSUMER WITH PERSONAL HYGIENE TASKS (E.G., DRESSING, BRUSHING TEETH, TOILETING) AND ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING (E.G., EATING, HOUSEKEEPING CHORES) TO ASSIST A CONSUMER IN MAINTAINING THEIR HEALTH AND HEALTHY LIVING CONDITIONS.THERAPY DEPARTMENT: WE HAVE MULTIPLE THERAPY DISCIPLINES ALL UNDER ONE ROOF WHICH IS CONVENIENT FOR CAREGIVERS AND ALLOWS US TO PROVIDE A TRUE TEAM APPROACH TO THERAPY. OUR THERAPISTS SERVE CONSUMERS THAT COME TO L.I.F.E. EXCLUSIVELY FOR THERAPY SERVICES AS WELL AS CONSUMERS ENROLLED IN OUR ACADEMY AND OUR ADULT DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM. WE PROVIDE MUSIC THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, PHYSICAL THERAPY, SPEECH THERAPY, AND FEEDING THERAPY. SEE MORE DETAIL ON THESE SERVICES IN SCHEDULE O.MUSIC THERAPYMUSIC THERAPY ADDRESSES FUNCTIONAL GOALS IN THE AREAS OF COMMUNICATION, SOCIALIZATION, MOTOR MOVEMENTS, ATTENTION SPAN, AND EMOTIONAL AWARENESS THROUGH USE OF MUSICAL INTERVENTIONS SUCH AS CREATING, SINGING, MOVING TO, AND/OR LISTENING TO MUSIC. FOR EXAMPLE, FOR A CONSUMER WITH A GOAL TO INCREASE THEIR NUMBER OF SPOKEN WORDS, THE MUSIC THERAPIST MAY USE SONGS THAT PROMOTE VERBAL PARTICIPATION AT SPECIFIC TIMES IN A SONG. OCCUPATIONAL THERAPYOCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS LOOK AT WHAT ELEMENTS SUPPORT OR HINDER SUCCESSFUL PARTICIPATION FOR A CONSUMER, WHICH OFTEN INCLUDES THE ENVIRONMENT, SENSORY PROCESSING, BEHAVIOR, MOTOR SKILLS, LANGUAGE, AND COGNITIVE SKILL DEVELOPMENT. THEY THEN CREATE INDIVIDUALIZED ACTIVITIES FOR EACH CONSUMER TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE INDEPENDENCE AND WELL-BEING. FOR EXAMPLE, THEY MAY WORK ON HAND MUSCLE STRENGTHENING USING PUTTY SO THAT A CONSUMER CAN SUCCESSFULLY BUTTON A SHIRT.PHYSICAL THERAPYPHYSICAL THERAPY HELPS CONSUMERS IMPROVE IN THE AREAS OF GROSS MOTOR SKILLS. PHYSICAL THERAPISTS LOOK AT WHETHER A CONSUMER IS FUNCTIONING AT AGE-APPROPRIATE LEVEL IN PHYSICAL SKILLS SUCH AS MOBILITY, COORDINATION, AND STRENGTH AND THEN DETERMINE INTERVENTIONS TO HELP ADDRESS AREAS OF CONCERN. FOR EXAMPLE, THEY MAY USE THERAPY BALL ACTIVITIES TO STRENGTHEN A CONSUMER'S CORE MUSCLES SO THAT THEY CAN LEARN TO ROLL OR MAINTAIN THEIR BALANCE WHEN RIDING A BIKE.SPEECH THERAPYSPEECH/LANGUAGE THERAPY FOCUSES ON REMEDIATING SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND SOCIAL COMMUNICATION. A SPEECH DISORDER INVOLVES DIFFICULTIES PRODUCING SOUNDS IN WORDS, WHEREAS A LANGUAGE DISORDER INVOLVES DIFFICULTIES UNDERSTANDING WORDS/SENTENCES AND COMMUNICATING WANTS AND NEEDS. FOR EXAMPLE, A SPEECH THERAPIST MAY PRACTICE WITH A CONSUMER ON DIFFERENT WAYS TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES TO OTHERS IF THEY HAVE A GOAL OF IMPROVED SOCIAL COMMUNICATION. FEEDING THERAPYFEEDING THERAPY IS PROVIDED BY OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS OR ASSISTANTS OR SPEECH THERAPISTS OR ASSISTANTS THAT HAVE OBTAINED ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN THE SPECIALTY OF FEEDING THERAPY. THESE THERAPISTS USE CAREFULLY CHOSEN INTERVENTIONS TO ADDRESS CONCERNS SUCH AS ONLY EATING A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OR TYPE OF FOOD AND/OR TO IMPROVE ORAL MOTOR SKILLS TO REDUCE CONCERNS LIKE GAGGING, CHOKING, OR ASPIRATION.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2007.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 2026.
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