The District of Columbia Childrens Advocacy Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SAFE SHORES PROVIDES SURVIVOR-CENTERED INTERVENTION, HOPE AND HEALING FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY ABUSE, TRAUMA AND VIOLENCE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND WORKS TO PREVENT AND END CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT THROUGH PROMISING PRACTICES, POLICIES AND PARTNERSHIPS.
- Income
- $5.0 million
- Spending
- $4.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 6.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 70%
- Employees
- 42
- Highest pay
- $254,949, executive di
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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 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 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 (5)
- $1.3 million spent. CLIENT ADVOCACY SERVICES PROGRAM: SAFE SHORES' CLIENT ADVOCACY SERVICES PROGRAM IS A CHILD VICTIM'S FIRST POINT OF CONTACT WITH SAFE SHORES. IT WORKS WITH CHILDREN AND THEIR NON-OFFENDING CAREGIVERS THROUGHOUT THE CONTINUUM OF SERVICES. THIS MEANS HELPING THEM ACCESS CRITICAL INFORMATION, SHORT- AND LONG-TERM RESOURCES, AND TAILORED, INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT AS THESE YOUNG CRIME VICTIMS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS MOVE TOWARD HEALING, RECLAIMING THEIR SENSE OF AGENCY AND SELF-EFFICACY, AND RESTORING THEIR SENSE OF TRUST AND HOPE. THE CLIENT ADVOCACY SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES CRISIS SUPPORT, ONGOING ADVOCACY, FOLLOW-UP, REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY SERVICES, AND INFORMATION ON CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS AND PROGRAMS TO ASSIST CRIME VICTIMS. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, SAFE SHORES ALSO PROVIDES CHILD VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH NEW TRANSITIONAL CLOTHING, MEALS, AND EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. CLIENT ADVOCACY SERVICES PROGRAM: SAFE SHORES' CLIENT ADVOCACY SERVICES PROGRAM IS A CHILD VICTIM'S FIRST POINT OF CONTACT WITH SAFE SHORES. IT WORKS WITH CHILDREN AND THEIR NON-OFFENDING CAREGIVERS THROUGHOUT THE CONTINUUM OF SERVICES. THIS MEANS HELPING THEM ACCESS CRITICAL INFORMATION, SHORT- AND LONG-TERM RESOURCES, AND TAILORED, INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT AS THESE YOUNG CRIME VICTIMS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS MOVE TOWARD HEALING, RECLAIMING THEIR SENSE OF AGENCY AND SELF-EFFICACY, AND RESTORING THEIR SENSE OF TRUST AND HOPE. THE CLIENT ADVOCACY SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES CRISIS SUPPORT, ONGOING ADVOCACY, FOLLOW-UP, REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY SERVICES, AND INFORMATION ON CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS AND PROGRAMS TO ASSIST CRIME VICTIMS. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, SAFE SHORES ALSO PROVIDES CHILD VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH NEW TRANSITIONAL CLOTHING, MEALS, AND EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
- $795,678 spent. CLINICAL SERVICES: SAFE SHORES' CLINICAL SERVICES PROGRAM HELPS FAMILIES ON THE ROAD TO HEALING FROM TRAUMA AND ABUSE BY PROVIDING EVIDENCE-BASED TRAUMA-INFORMED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF TRAUMA- FOCUSED COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (TFCBT) THE CLINICAL SERVICES TEAM PROVIDES A SAFE SPACE FOR CHILDREN TO IDENTIFY AND OVERCOME CHALLENGES, DEVELOP POSITIVE COPING SKILLS AND BUILD HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH TALK THERAPY, PLAY THERAPY, ART THERAPY, SAND-TRAY THERAPY AND OTHER MODALITIES PROVIDED TO CHILD VICTIMS, THEIR NON-OFFENDING CAREGIVERS, AND SIBLINGS. DURING FY2020, THE CLINICAL SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDED 1,162 THERAPY SESSIONS TO 32 CHILDREN AND PROVIDED 1,172 CONSULTATIONS WITH PARENTS/CAREGIVERS, SERVING 75 CHILDREN AND 90 CAREGIVERS.
- $718,949 spent. FORENSIC SERVICES: SAFE SHORES' FORENSIC SERVICES PROGRAM (FSP)COORDINATES AND CONDUCTS NEUTRAL, FACT-FINDING AND DEVELOPMENTALLY-SENSITIVE (FORENSIC) INTERVIEWS WITH CHILDREN AFFECTED BY ABUSE AND CHILD WITNESSES TO VIOLENCE ON BEHALF OF FELLOW MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM MEMBER AGENCIES. THE GOAL OF FORENSIC INTERVIEWS IS TO ENSURE THAT CHILDRENS' VOICES ARE HEARD AND TO MINIMIZE THE NUMBER OF TIMES A CHILD MUST RECOUNT ANY INCIDENT OF ABUSE. FORENSIC SERVICES ALSO SUPPORTS MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM COLLABORATION, UPDATING PROTOCOLS AND ENSURING BEST PRACTICES. IN FY 2019, 702 FORENSIC INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED BY SAFE SHORES, WITH CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS THREE-YEARS-OLD UP TO ADOLESCENTS AGED 17. ON OCCASION UPON REQUEST BY LAW ENFORCEMENT, FSP CONDUCTS FORENSIC INTERVIEWS WITH INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED ADULTS. FORENSIC SERVICES: SAFE SHORES' FORENSIC SERVICES PROGRAM (FSP)COORDINATES AND CONDUCTS NEUTRAL, FACT-FINDING AND DEVELOPMENTALLY-SENSITIVE (FORENSIC) INTERVIEWS WITH CHILDREN AFFECTED BY ABUSE AND CHILD WITNESSES TO VIOLENCE ON BEHALF OF FELLOW MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM MEMBER AGENCIES. THE GOAL OF FORENSIC INTERVIEWS IS TO ENSURE THAT CHILDRENS' VOICES ARE HEARD AND TO MINIMIZE THE NUMBER OF TIMES A CHILD MUST RECOUNT ANY INCIDENT OF ABUSE. FORENSIC SERVICES ALSO SUPPORTS MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM COLLABORATION, UPDATING PROTOCOLS AND ENSURING BEST PRACTICES. IN FY 2019, 702 FORENSIC INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED BY SAFE SHORES, WITH CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS THREE-YEARS-OLD UP TO ADOLESCENTS AGED 17. ON OCCASION UPON REQUEST BY LAW ENFORCEMENT, FSP CONDUCTS FORENSIC INTERVIEWS WITH INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED ADULTS.
- $1.1 million spent. TEEN ADVOCACY INITIATIVE ADOLESCENTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 13 TO 17 WHO HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HAVE THE RIGHT TO AN ADVOCATE PURSUANT TO DC'S SEXUAL ASSAULT AND VICTIMS' RIGHTS AMENDMENT ACT OF 2019. SAFE SHORES TEEN ADVOCATES ARE ON CALL AROUND THE CLOCK TO BE DISPATCHED TO HELP TEEN SURVIVORS IN THE MIDST OF CRISIS UNDERSTAND THEIR OPTIONS AND SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR CHOICES. TEEN ADVOCATES TRAVEL TO WHERE THE SURVIVORS IS--AT A HOSPITAL OR ELSEWHERE IN THE COMMUNITY, AS SOON AS THE CRIME IS REPORTED. EXAMPLES OF THE SUPPORT A TEEN ADVOCATE MIGHT PROVIDE INCLUDE REFERRALS TO MEDICAL CARE, MENTAL HEALTH CARE, OR LEGAL AID. PREVENTION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM - SAFE SHORES' PREVENTION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM IS ROOTED IN THE BELIEF THAT ADULTS ARE THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE IN PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM ABUSE. DEPLOYING EVIDENCE-INFORMED TRAINING CURRICULA AND ALSO BY PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY EVENTS TO PROVIDE BASIC INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC, SAFE SHORES PROVIDES ADULTS WHO WORK WITH AND/OR CARE FOR CHILDREN IN VARIOUS SETTINGS WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE IMPACT OF CHILD ABUSE AND CHILD TRAUMA AND EQUIPS THEM WITH SKILLS TO RECOGNIZE, RESPOND TO, AND PREVENT ABUSE. MDT ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT PROGRAM -SAFE SHORES SERVES AS THE HUB OF THE WHEEL OF DC'S LEGALLY MANDATED, MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM (MDT) RESPONSE TO CHILDREN IMPACTED BY ABUSE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SAFE SHORES' COORDINATION OF THE MDT'S JOINT WORK WITH CHILD VICTIMS AND CULTIVATION OF COLLABORATIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE VARIOUS MDT AGENCIES IMPROVES THE PUBLIC SYSTEM'S RESPONSE TO CHILD ABUSE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. BY HELPING PUBLIC AGENCIES WITH DIFFERENT MANDATES AND PROFESSIONAL CULTURES WORK TOGETHER MORE EFFECTIVELY AND PROVIDING THEM WITH UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT CHANGES IN THE FIELD OF CHILD PROTECTION AND UPDATED KNOWLEDGE ABOUT CHILD HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, SAFE SHORES STRENGTHENS THESE PROFESSIONALS' SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE, THEREBY FOSTERING ENHANCED AND COST-SAVING SYSTEM EFFICIENCY WHILE KEEPING THE NEEDS OF CHILD VICTIMS AT THE CENTER OF THIS WORK. MAINTAINING A HEALTHY MDT PARTNERSHIP FOR NEARLY THREE DECADES REQUIRES CONSTANT AND FOCUSED ATTENTION, PARTICULARLY SINCE PERSONNEL AND LEADERSHIP AT PUBLIC AGENCIES CHANGE REGULARLY. THERE IS A NEED FOR ONGOING ORIENTATION, TRAINING, AND RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING TO ACHIEVE OPTIMAL OUTCOMES FOR VICTIMIZED CHILDREN. OUR MDT ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO MEETING THIS NEED.
- TEEN ADVOCACY INITIATIVE ADOLESCENTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 13 TO 17 WHO HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HAVE THE RIGHT TO AN ADVOCATE PURSUANT TO DC'S SEXUAL ASSAULT AND VICTIMS' RIGHTS AMENDMENT ACT OF 2019. SAFE SHORES TEEN ADVOCATES ARE ON CALL AROUND THE CLOCK TO BE DISPATCHED TO HELP TEEN SURVIVORS IN THE MIDST OF CRISIS UNDERSTAND THEIR OPTIONS AND SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR CHOICES. TEEN ADVOCATES TRAVEL TO WHERE THE SURVIVORS IS--AT A HOSPITAL OR ELSEWHERE IN THE COMMUNITY, AS SOON AS THE CRIME IS REPORTED. EXAMPLES OF THE SUPPORT A TEEN ADVOCATE MIGHT PROVIDE INCLUDE REFERRALS TO MEDICAL CARE, MENTAL HEALTH CARE, OR LEGAL AID. PREVENTION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM - SAFE SHORES' PREVENTION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM IS ROOTED IN THE BELIEF THAT ADULTS ARE THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE IN PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM ABUSE. DEPLOYING EVIDENCE-INFORMED TRAINING CURRICULA AND ALSO BY PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY EVENTS TO PROVIDE BASIC INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC, SAFE SHORES PROVIDES ADULTS WHO WORK WITH AND/OR CARE FOR CHILDREN IN VARIOUS SETTINGS WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE IMPACT OF CHILD ABUSE AND CHILD TRAUMA AND EQUIPS THEM WITH SKILLS TO RECOGNIZE, RESPOND TO, AND PREVENT ABUSE. MDT ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT PROGRAM -SAFE SHORES SERVES AS THE HUB OF THE WHEEL OF DC'S LEGALLY MANDATED, MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM (MDT) RESPONSE TO CHILDREN IMPACTED BY ABUSE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SAFE SHORES' COORDINATION OF THE MDT'S JOINT WORK WITH CHILD VICTIMS AND CULTIVATION OF COLLABORATIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE VARIOUS MDT AGENCIES IMPROVES THE PUBLIC SYSTEM'S RESPONSE TO CHILD ABUSE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. BY HELPING PUBLIC AGENCIES WITH DIFFERENT MANDATES AND PROFESSIONAL CULTURES WORK TOGETHER MORE EFFECTIVELY AND PROVIDING THEM WITH UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT CHANGES IN THE FIELD OF CHILD PROTECTION AND UPDATED KNOWLEDGE ABOUT CHILD HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, SAFE SHORES STRENGTHENS THESE PROFESSIONALS' SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE, THEREBY FOSTERING ENHANCED AND COST-SAVING SYSTEM EFFICIENCY WHILE KEEPING THE NEEDS OF CHILD VICTIMS AT THE CENTER OF THIS WORK. MAINTAINING A HEALTHY MDT PARTNERSHIP FOR NEARLY THREE DECADES REQUIRES CONSTANT AND FOCUSED ATTENTION, PARTICULARLY SINCE PERSONNEL AND LEADERSHIP AT PUBLIC AGENCIES CHANGE REGULARLY. THERE IS A NEED FOR ONGOING ORIENTATION, TRAINING, AND RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING TO ACHIEVE OPTIMAL OUTCOMES FOR VICTIMIZED CHILDREN. OUR MDT ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO MEETING THIS NEED.
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 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 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 1995.
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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