Cares Center Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BY PROVIDING A CONTINUUM OF COMPASSIONATE, MEASURABLE, AND EFFECTIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
- Income
- $23.1 million
- Spending
- $25.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 88%
- Employees
- 347
- Volunteers
- 396
- Highest pay
- $515,738, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 64% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2525 of 25 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, 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)
- $9.7 million spent. CARES CENTER PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY FOR ADOLESCENTS AGES 6 TO 17 WITH SEVERE EMOTIONAL AND/OR BEHAVIORAL DISTURBANCES. THE 60 BED FACILITY INCLUDES COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES INCLUDING INTENSIVE INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND FAMILY THERAPY; MEDICAL SERVICES, THERAPEUTIC RECREATION; EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTIONS; AND SOCIAL SKILL TRAINING. 204 INDIVIDUALS WERE SERVED DURING 2025.
- $8.2 million spent. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES - CARES SCHOOLS IN JACKSON, HATTIESBURG AND BILOXI ARE ACCREDITED, NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS DESIGNED TO MEET THE EDUCATIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS WHOSE BEHAVIOR PROHIBITS PARTICIPATION IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SETTING. THE CANOPY SCHOOL IS A FULLY-ACCREDITED SCHOOL THAT EMPOWERS THE DIVERSE ABILITIES OF CHILDREN THROUGH AN INDIVIDUALIZED APPROACH TO EDUCATION IN A SUPPORTIVE, INNOVATIVE AND TRANSFORMATIVE ENVIRONMENT. 335 INDIVIDUALS WERE SERVED DURING 2025.
- $1.8 million spent. THE EARLY INTERVENTION AUTISM CLINICS - EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMS UTILIZING APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA) FOR CHILDREN 18 MONTHS TO 8 YEARS OLD DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. 27 CHILDREN SERVED DURING 2025.
- $19,147 spent. CANOPY PROPERTY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 July 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.
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.