Pathway Caring for Children
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OUR MISSION IS TO HELP CHILDREN AND FAMILIES REALIZE THE POSSIBILITIES OF THEIR LIVES THROUGH FOSTER CARE, ADOPTION, AND MENTAL HEALTH. WE SERVE OVER 1,700 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN 14 NORTHEAST OHIO COUNTIES.
- Income
- $6.7 million
- Spending
- $6.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 4.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 73%
- Employees
- 99
- Volunteers
- 75
- Highest pay
- $117,239, 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
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.7 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 26% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2524 of 24 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
0 of 10Did not give 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 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 (4)
- $2.5 million spent. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES - PATHWAY'S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT PROVIDES TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND FAMILIES ACROSS MULTIPLE LOCATIONS IN NORTHEAST OHIO. SERVICES ARE OFFERED IN OUTPATIENT OFFICES, SCHOOLS, HOMES, AND COMMUNITY SETTINGS TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY AND MEET CLIENTS WHERE THEY ARE. WE PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND FAMILY THERAPY; CASE MANAGEMENT; EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATION; BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESPITE, AND SPECIALIZED CASE MANAGEMENT FOCUSED ON FAMILY EMPOWERMENT AND INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR TRANSITIONAL AGE YOUNG PEOPLE. OUR LICENSED CLINICIANS AND CASE MANAGERS USE A RANGE OF EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES TO PROMOTE HEALING AND RESILIENCE, INCLUDING TRUST-BASED RELATIONAL INTERVENTION (TBRI), TRAUMA-FOCUSED COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (TF-CBT), DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY (DBT) SKILLS, EMDR(EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING) AND OTHER NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED MODELS. THESE APPROACHES ADDRESS TRAUMA, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, FAMILY STRESSORS, AND DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS. AS A DESIGNATED ZERO SUICIDE AGENCY, WE INTEGRATE SYSTEMATIC SUICIDE RISK ASSESSMENT, SAFETY PLANNING, AND CRISIS RESPONSE INTO OUR CARE MODEL. OUR SERVICES ARE INDIVIDUALIZED AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE, EQUIPPING CLIENTS AND FAMILIES WITH TOOLS TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS, REGULATE EMOTIONS, DEVELOP COPING SKILLS, AND BUILD LONG-TERM STABILITY.IN THE PAST YEAR, WE SERVED OVER 1000 CLIENTS ACROSS OUR NORTHEAST OHIO SERVICE AREA, IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY WELL-BEING.PATHWAY PROVIDES PREVENTION SERVICES TO A POPULATION THAT RANGES FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD THROUGH ADULTHOOD AND INCLUDES FAMILIES THROUGH EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS AND OUTREACH DESIGNED TO REDUCE RISK FACTORS, STRENGTHEN PROTECTIVE FACTORS, AND PROMOTE MENTAL WELLNESS FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES. WE DELIVER SCHOOL- AND COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS SUCH AS ALL STARS, BOTVIN LIFESKILLS TRAINING, INCREDIBLE YEARS/DINA DINOSAUR, STRENGTHENING FAMILIES, TOO GOOD, AND TRIPLE P IN RURAL AND INNER CITY COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT NORTHEAST OHIO. THESE PROGRAMS BUILD SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS, IMPROVE DECISION-MAKING, AND FOSTER RESILIENCE AGAINST SUBSTANCE USE, VIOLENCE, AND OTHER HIGH-RISK BEHAVIORS. PATHWAY'S CREDENTIALED PREVENTION SPECIALISTS ALSO PARTNER WITH SCHOOLS, PARENTS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO OFFER WORKSHOPS, GROUP INTERVENTIONS, AND INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT. SERVICES ARE CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE AND DEVELOPMENTALLY TAILORED, EQUIPPING PARTICIPANTS WITH TOOLS FOR HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, EMOTIONAL REGULATION, AND POSITIVE COPING. BY PROMOTING CONNECTEDNESS, COMMUNICATION, AND SELF-ESTEEM, OUR PREVENTION SERVICES REDUCE THE NEED FOR HIGHER LEVELS OF CARE AND STRENGTHEN THE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY. IN THE PAST YEAR, WE SERVED APPROXIMATELY 800 YOUTH AND FAMILIES THROUGH STRUCTURED CURRICULUM GROUPS, CLASSROOM PRESENTATIONS, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS. OUR PREVENTION EFFORTS ALIGN WITH PATHWAY'S MISSION TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL.
- $1.9 million spent. FOSTER CARE SERVICES - PATHWAY CARING FOR CHILDREN'S DEDICATED, HIGHLY TRAINED STAFF WORK DILIGENTLY TO RECRUIT, TRAIN, AND SUPPORT FAMILY AND TREATMENT FOSTER PARENTS ACROSS STARK, CUYAHOGA, SUMMIT, COLUMBIANA, PORTAGE, TUSCARAWAS, AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES. IN FY 25 THEY RECEIVED AN AVERAGE OF 75 REFERRALS PER MONTH FOR CHILDREN NEEDING FOSTER CARE DUE TO ABUSE, NEGLECT, FAMILY DISRUPTION, OR EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES. OVER THE PAST FISCAL YEAR, PATHWAY HAS SEEN A NOTABLE INCREASE IN REFERRALS DRIVEN BY A RISE IN CHILDREN WITH DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIORS AND REPEAT PLACEMENTS, A GROWING NUMBER OF NONVERBAL CHILDREN AND THOSE WITH AUTISM, OLDER YOUTH REQUIRING INTENSIVE PHYSICAL CARE, AND LARGER SIBLING GROUPS OF FIVE OR MORE, MANY OF WHOM ARE ENTERING CARE DUE TO HOUSING INSTABILITY; ADDITIONALLY, THERE HAS BEEN A SURGE IN CHILDREN WITH MULTIPLE DIAGNOSES SUCH AS ODD, ADHD, MOOD DISORDERS, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, PTSD, AND LEARNING DISABILITIES, OFTEN REQUIRING MEDICATION, AS WELL AS MORE CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM OR CHILD CARE SETTINGS AND NEED ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION OPTIONS, WITH A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER UNABLE TO SHARE ROOMS DUE TO UNSAFE, SEXUALIZED, OR AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIORS.THE STAFF THOUGHTFULLY MATCH CHILDREN WITH FAMILIES WHO CAN PROVIDE THE NECESSARY CARE AND SUPPORT. IN FY 25, A TOTAL OF 44 CHILDREN WERE PLACED, AND 111 CHILDREN WERE SERVICED WITHIN THE FOSTER NETWORK. RESPITE FOSTER PARENTS, WHO ARE FULLY TRAINED AND LICENSED, OFFER OTHER FOSTER PARENTS AND COMMUNITY PARENTS A BREAK BY CARING FOR THEIR CHILDREN FOR SHORT PERIODS, SUCH AS OVER A WEEKEND. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, 136 CHILDREN RECEIVED 471 NIGHTS OF RESPITE CARE.SERVICES PROVIDED TO FOSTER CHILDREN AND FAMILIES INCLUDE TRAUMA INFORMED SERVICES INCLUDING CASE MANAGEMENT, PARENTING SUPPORT, REFERRALS TO APPROPRIATE SERVICES, AND CRISIS INTERVENTION. TEENS PLACED IN FOSTER CARE RECEIVE INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES TO PREPARE THEM FOR INDEPENDENCE AT AGE 18.ALL FOSTER CARE OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AIM FOR THE LONG-TERM GOAL THAT EVERY CHILD WILL LEAVE PATHWAY FOR A POSITIVE REASON. IN FY 25, 65 CHILDREN WERE DISCHARGED, WITH 78% OF THOSE DISCHARGES BEING POSITIVE. 25 CHILDREN WHO WERE DISCHARGED, WERE ADOPTED BY THEIR FOSTER PARENTS. THE MONTHLY OUTCOMES MEASURED, WITH A TARGET OF 100%, ARE AS FOLLOWS:- CHILDREN WILL EXPERIENCE STABILITY IN THEIR CURRENT PLACEMENT DURING THE FIRST THREE MONTHS, EVIDENCED BY HAVING FIVE OR FEWER CIRS DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD. THIS OUTCOME WAS MET AT 100%.- CHILDREN WILL EXPERIENCE INCREASED STABILITY IN THEIR CURRENT PLACEMENT AFTER THREE MONTHS, EVIDENCED BY HAVING TWO OR FEWER CIRS DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD. THIS OUTCOME WAS MET AT 94.19%.- 100% OF YOUTH WILL HAVE FEWER THAN TWO PLACEMENT MOVES WITHIN PATHWAY AT THE TIME OF DISCHARGE. THIS OUTCOME WAS MET AT 95.71%
- $578,324 spent. PATHWAY CARING FOR CHILDREN NOW PROVIDES ESSENTIAL HOUSING AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO YOUNG ADULTS WHO LEAVE FOSTER CARE AT 18 BUT ARE NOT YET 21.BEFORE LAUNCHING IN FEBRUARY 2018, THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES (ODJFS) RESEARCHED SIMILAR PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE. THEY FORMED AN ADVISORY COUNCIL, AN INTERNAL WORKGROUP, AND CONSULTED WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCY STAFF, JUVENILE COURT STAFF, AND FORMER FOSTER YOUTH. TOGETHER, A PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED THAT: - IS YOUNG ADULT-DRIVEN: EMPOWERING PARTICIPANTS TO TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR FUTURES. - PROMOTES LASTING CONNECTIONS: BUILDING SOCIAL NETWORKS FOR LIFELONG SUCCESS. - SUPPORTS EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT: HELPING PARTICIPANTS GAIN SKILLS AND JOBS THAT MEET THEIR FINANCIAL NEEDS. - ENSURES SAFE, STABLE HOUSING: PROVIDING A SECURE ENVIRONMENT FOR GROWTH. - LINKS TO HEALTH SERVICES: CONNECTING PARTICIPANTS TO PHYSICAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCES. - TEACHES DAILY LIVING SKILLS: PREPARING YOUNG ADULTS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING. - BUILDS SELF-ADVOCACY SKILLS: ENCOURAGING PARTICIPANTS TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES.FROM JULY 2024 TO JUNE 2025, WE'VE PROUDLY SERVED 51 YOUNG ADULTS WITH THE HELP OF OUR DEDICATED FULL-TIME LIAISONS. THEIR HARD WORK AND COMMITMENT ARE TRULY MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
- $138,070 spent. PATHWAY CARING FOR CHILDREN OFFERS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE POST-ADOPTION AND KINSHIP SERVICES IN NORTHEAST OHIO. WE PROVIDE A UNIQUE, PATHWAY-DEVELOPED FAMILY EMPOWERMENT SERVICE THAT OFFERS EXTENSIVE SPECIALIZED TREATMENTS FOR ALL FAMILIES, INCLUDING ADOPTIVE AND KINSHIP. PATHWAY USES AN EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT MODEL CALLED TRUST-BASED RELATIONAL INTERVENTION (TBRI) TO DELIVER SUPPORT AND INTERVENTIONS TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY TO FORM HEALTHY ATTACHMENTS AND RESTORE RELATIONSHIPS. CHILDREN AND FAMILIES PARTICIPATE IN AGENCY-BASED SUPPORT GROUPS, INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY THERAPY, AND IN-HOME INTERVENTIONS.
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
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1973.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 2026.
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