Dependency Advocacy Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
DEPENDENCY ADVOCACY CENTER (DAC) PROVIDES ZEALOUS LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO INDIGENT CLIENTS IN THE JUVENILE DEPENDENCY SYSTEM TO PROMOTE TIMELY REUNIFICATION AND PRESERVATION OF FAMILIES IN A SAFE, HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT. DAC BELIEVES THAT EVERY PARENT AND (CONT. ON SCHEDULE O) CHILD ENTERING THE DEPENDENCY SYSTEM HAS A RIGHT TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY, COMPASSION, AND RESPECT.
- Income
- $4.8 million
- Spending
- $4.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 4.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 99%
- Employees
- 46
- Volunteers
- 11
- Highest pay
- $161,069, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 32% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 7 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
0 of 7Reports no 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 September 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)
- $1.9 million spent. FIRST CALL FOR FAMILIES:FIRST CALL FOR FAMILIES IS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAM RUN BY DAC. THE GOAL OF FIRST CALL IS TO PREVENT CHILDREN FROM BEING REMOVED BY CPS AND BECOMING INVOLVED IN THE FORMAL CHILD WELFARE COURT SYSTEM. THE PROGRAM'S MISSION IS TO ADVOCATE FOR THRIVING, INTACT FAMILIES ROOTED IN STRONG COMMUNITIES. THE PROGRAM IS COMPRISED OF THREE COMPONENTS: - THROUGH KNOW YOUR RIGHTS PRESENTATIONS, THE FIRST CALL TEAM PROVIDES INFORMATION TO FAMILIES ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE REMOVAL OF A CHILD BY CPS. - THE FIRST CALL WARM LINE IS A TOLL-FREE PHONE NUMBER FOR FAMILIES TO CALL FOR SUPPORT, BASIC ADVICE, AND/OR REFERRALS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. - FIRST CALL MAY ALSO PROVIDE MORE (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES WHO REQUIRE MORE SUPPORT THAN OUR OTHER SERVICES PROVIDE. THIS MAY INCLUDE SERVICES SUCH AS PEER SUPPORT, CASE MANAGEMENT, AND LEGAL ADVICE BEFORE A COURT CASE BEGINS.THE FIRST CALL FOR FAMILIES TEAM IS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM COMPRISED OF AN ATTORNEY, MENTOR PARENTS, AND A SOCIAL WORKER. THE ATTORNEY IS THE LEADER TEAM. THEY PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE AND LIMITED LEGAL ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING ON NAVIGATING A CHILD WELFARE INVESTIGATION AND RELATED CIVIL LEGAL ISSUES. THE MENTOR PARENTS HAVE HAD FORMAL INVOLVEMENT WITH THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM, AND SUCCESSFULLY REUNIFIED WITH THEIR CHILDREN. THE MENTOR PARENTS' LIVED EXPERIENCE ALLOWS THEM TO PROVIDE HOPE AND A SENSE OF AGENCY TO FAMILIES AND BREAK DOWN BARRIERS THAT ARE PREVENTING PARENTS FROM EFFECTIVELY ADVOCATING FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE SOCIAL WORKER PROVIDES CLINICAL SUPPORT TO CLIENTS. DEPENDING ON THE NEEDS OF THE PARENT AND/OR FAMILY, THE FIRST CALL SOCIAL WORKER MAY PROVIDE SERVICES SUCH AS CLINICAL RISK ASSESSMENTS, SAFETY PLANNING, CASE MANAGEMENT, SUPPORT AT CHILD AND FAMILY TEAM MEETINGS, AND/OR LINKAGE TO CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY.
- $864,243 spent. MENTOR PARENT PROGRAM:IN CONCERT WITH THE LEGAL SERVICES IT PROVIDES, DAC EMPLOYS PEER MENTORS, A CLINICAL SUPERVISOR, AND A PROGRAM DIRECTOR THROUGH ITS MENTOR PARENT PROGRAM. MENTORS ARE PARENTS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR CHILDREN REMOVED BECAUSE OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE, PARTICIPATED IN RECOVERY PROGRAMS, AND THEN SUCCESSFULLY REUNITED WITH THEIR CHILDREN PRIOR TO HAVING THEIR CASES DISMISSED. THE MENTORS SERVE AS ROLE MODELS TO CLIENTS CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM AND HELP GUIDE AND INSPIRE THEM THROUGH THE DEPENDENCY COURT PROCESS. THEY ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN ENCOURAGING CLIENTS TO PROMPTLY AND ACTIVELY ENROLL IN TREATMENT PROGRAMS TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN RETURNED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. DAC'S MENTOR PARENT PROGRAM HAS RECEIVED (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) COMMENDATIONS FROM THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE SAN JOSE CITY COUNCIL. DAC'S MENTOR PARENTS HAVE BEEN FEATURED SPEAKERS AT BOTH STATEWIDE AND NATIONAL CONFERENCES. DAC CONTINUES TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO OTHER CALIFORNIA COUNTIES THAT ARE BEGINNING TO IMPLEMENT MENTORING PROGRAMS IN THEIR JURISDICTIONS. THE MENTORS ARE INVOLVED IN VARIOUS COMMITTEES WITH SANTA CLARA COUNTY'S DEPENDENCY COURT STAKEHOLDERS SERVING AS THE IMPORTANT VOICE OF THE PARENTS. ANOTHER KEY ROLE FOR DAC'S MENTOR PARENTS IS TO TRAIN AND PROVIDE THE PARENT PERSPECTIVE TO INDIVIDUALS WORKING WITH FAMILIES INVOLVED IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM. THE MENTORS HAVE PROVIDED SUCH TRAININGS TO COUNTY SOCIAL WORKERS, CHILD ADVOCATES, AND FOSTER PARENTS.
- $224,261 spent. DEPENDENCY COURT PROGRAM:DEPENDENCY ADVOCACY CENTER (DAC) IS A CALIFORNIA NONPROFIT PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION SERVING INDIGENT PARENTS AND CHILDREN INVOLVED IN THE JUVENILE DEPENDENCY SYSTEM IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. DAC'S PRIMARY ACTIVITY IS THE PROVISION OF COURT-APPOINTED LEGAL REPRESENTATION, FREE OF CHARGE, TO INDIGENT PARENTS AND CHILDREN IN JUVENILE DEPENDENCY COURT IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY. IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY, WHEN A CHILD IS AT RISK OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT, OR WHEN THERE ARE SUBSTANTIATED ALLEGATIONS OF SUCH, THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES FILES A PETITION WITH THE COURT REQUESTING THAT THE CHILD EITHER BE REMOVED FROM THE HOME OR REMAIN IN THE HOME WITH COURT SUPERVISION. APPROXIMATELY 60 PERCENT OF (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) THESE PETITIONS INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF PARENTAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND MANY INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, PHYSICAL ABUSE, SEXUAL ABUSE, AND/OR GENERAL NEGLECT. EACH PARENT IS ENTITLED TO AN ATTORNEY IF THEY REQUEST ONE. IF THE PARENT IS INDIGENT, THE COURT APPOINTS AN ATTORNEY FOR THAT PARENT AT NO COST TO THE PARENT. THE CHILD IS ALSO APPOINTED AN ATTORNEY, FREQUENTLY AT NO COST TO THE FAMILY. AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2008, BY CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT WITH THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA (JCC), DAC IS THE PROVIDER OF THESE LEGAL SERVICES. DAC REPRESENTS PARENTS AND CHILDREN IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY'S SUPERIOR COURT, AS WELL AS IN ITS THERAPEUTIC DRUG TREATMENT COURT (DEPENDENCY WELLNESS COURT), WHICH IS A SUBSET OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY'S DEPENDENCY COURT SYSTEM, ENGAGING IN MORE SPECIALIZED AND HOLISTIC DEPENDENCY SOLUTIONS. DAC'S STAFF ATTORNEYS PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION FREE OF CHARGE THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE CASE, INCLUDING REPRESENTATION AT UNCONTESTED HEARINGS, MEDIATIONS, TRIALS, AND SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES. IN ITS CLIENT REPRESENTATION, DAC UTILIZES AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH WHICH IN ADDITION TO AN ATTORNEY, MAY INCLUDE A MENTOR PARENT AND A SOCIAL WORKER. DAC'S SOCIAL WORKERS OFFER TRAUMA-INFORMED CLINICAL SERVICES TO ITS YOUTH AND PARENT CLIENTS. DAC SOCIAL WORKERS PARTNER WITH ATTORNEYS AND PEER MENTORS TO EFFECTIVELY ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS AND EMPOWER THEM TO TAKE A PROACTIVE ROLE IN PRESERVING THEIR FAMILIES. DAC'S CLIENTS RECEIVE SKILLED, CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER SUPPORT AS THEY NAVIGATE A COMPLEX COURT SYSTEM AND FACE THE POSSIBILITY OF PERMANENT FAMILY SEPARATION. A SOCIAL WORKER'S TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, AND ROLE GREATLY DIFFER FROM THAT OF THE ATTORNEY, AND THEIR CLINICAL EXPERTISE IS AN INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE ADVOCACY OUR CLIENTS RECEIVE. SERVICES BY DAC SOCIAL WORKERS INCLUDE PROVIDING LIMITED OR ONGOING CASE MANAGEMENT, MAKING REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY SERVICES, GENERATING ASSESSMENTS AND WRITTEN REPORTS TO ATTORNEYS AND THE COURT, INTERFACING WITH OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS PROVIDING DIRECT SERVICES TO CLIENTS, PARTICIPATING IN ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION FORUMS AND ATTEND COURT HEARINGS, ATTENDING VISITATION BETWEEN PARENT AND CHILD AS PART OF AN ASSESSMENT, AND OFFERING EXPERT TESTIMONY.ALONG WITH THE DIRECT REPRESENTATION OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN, DAC PARTICIPATES IN MONTHLY MEETINGS DURING WHICH THE DEPENDENCY COURT STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGE IN OPEN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT POLICY ISSUES AND COLLABORATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF BEST PRACTICES FOR SERVING FAMILIES IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM. DAC ALSO PARTICIPATES IN TRAININGS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND RELATED TO DEPENDENCY, INCLUDING TRAININGS FOR SOCIAL WORKERS, CHILD ADVOCATES, AND MEDIATORS. THROUGHOUT THE YEARS OF OPERATION, DAC MADE GREAT STRIDES IN ESTABLISHING ITSELF AS AN IMPORTANT STAKEHOLDER IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY'S JUVENILE DEPENDENCY SYSTEM. DAC ATTORNEYS HAVE BEEN PERSISTENT AND ZEALOUS IN THEIR CLIENT ADVOCACY WHICH HAS LED TO A MORE FREQUENT USE OF EXPERTS AND AN INCREASE IN DESIRED OUTCOMES FOR THEIR CLIENTS BOTH AT TRIAL AND THROUGH SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS. DAC HAS TAKEN LEADERSHIP ROLES IN VARIOUS COMMITTEES TO IMPROVE SERVICES PROVIDED TO OUR CLIENTS AND HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN ORGANIZING AND PARTICIPATING IN EDUCATIONAL TRAININGS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND STATE. SINCE ITS INCEPTION, DAC'S SUPERVISORS, ATTORNEYS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND MENTORS HAVE TAKEN ACTIVE STEPS TOWARD EDUCATING PROFESSIONALS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE DEPENDENCY SYSTEM.
- $1.3 million spent. IN 2017, DAC FORMED A COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH SANTA CLARA COUNTY'S PROBATION DEPARTMENT OUT OF A COUNTY WIDE INITIATIVE TO STRENGTHEN SYSTEMS OF CARE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IMPACTED BY INCARCERATION. DAC AND PROBATION ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO IMPROVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY OUTCOMES FOR PREGNANT AND/OR CUSTODIAL PARENTS OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE OR HAD CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT TO MINIMIZE MULTIPLE SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT (BOTH CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CHILD WELFARE), SUPPORT FAMILY REUNIFICATION, AND PREVENT REENTRY FOR THIS AT-RISK POPULATION. TWO POPULATIONS ARE SERVED BY THE CORRIDOR PROGRAM: PARENTS WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE HISTORIES WITH OPEN JUVENILE DEPENDENCY CASES, AND PARENTS WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE HISTORIES WHO ARE AT RISK OF HAVING AN OPEN JUVENILE DEPENDENCY COURT CASE. DAC'S SERVICE UTILIZES A SPECIALIZED MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM COMPRISED OF AN ATTORNEY, SOCIAL WORKER, AND MENTOR PARENT. SERVICES INCLUDE: LEGAL SERVICES TO THOSE PARENTS INVOLVED IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY'S CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM; PROVIDING SUPPORT, GUIDANCE, AND MOTIVATION TO THOSE PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN OR ARE CURRENTLY AT RISK OF BEING REMOVED FROM THEIR CARE; ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS AND ENCOURAGE CLIENTS TO EMPOWER THEMSELVES BY TALKING A PROACTIVE ROLE IN REUNIFYING WITH THEIR CHILDREN; DEVELOPING A SAFETY PLAN FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN IN CASE OF RELAPSE, ARREST, OR INCARCERATION; LINKING PARENTS TO APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES AND RESOURCES.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 October 13, 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 September 2025.
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 January 2009.
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 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.