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Tlc Child & Family Services

EIN 68-0008634 · Sebastopol, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TLC Child & Family Services is a non-profit organization that annually serves over 600 children, young adults and families in Northern California. TLC provides comprehensive quality foster care and adoption services, residentially-based services, special education services, transition age youth housing and counseling.

Income
$6.5 million
Spending
$6.0 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
6.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 82%
Employees
0
Volunteers
10

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 51% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (2)
  1. $2.4 million spent. Foster Family/Adoption Agency:Foster Family Agency: The Foster Family Agency (FFA) provides treatment foster care and foster/adopt services for children between the ages of birth to eighteen. The foster children, including sibling groups, may exhibit a moderate degree of emotional and/or behavioral disturbances. The FFA's social workers in this program provide support, consultation, and adoption services to foster parents. The social worker team approach affords a wide measure of flexibility in meeting the needs of children in unique situations. Homes are located in both city and rural settings in Sonoma, Marin, Lake, Napa and Mendocino Counties. Referrals are from all regions of California.THP Program: TLC works to ensure that all foster youth and former foster youth (ages 16 - 25) have the opportunity to experience a safe, supported transition from foster care. Through the housing program, along with an academic enrichment program, counseling and community education, youth are helped to gain the skills to live independently and succeed on their own. Transitional housing programs give young adults the opportunity to learn critical life skills from trained professional staff.Adoption Services: TLC offers adoption services for children in the foster care system and from birth parents. Home studies, adoption planning, parent training seminars and support groups, and post adoption services are provided.
  2. $2.3 million spent. Journey Academy:Residential Treatment Program is an intensive co-educational treatment program for adolescents. Opening in 1975, TLC's residential program continues to provide safety, shelter, and support to adolescents. TLC promotes family involvement by including parents and siblings, relatives or significant other persons in the therapeutic process and every effort is made to achieve family reconciliation and reunification. Located in rural Sonoma County, two high level group homes serve 16 youth with a wide range of psychological and emotional needs. The homes maintain superior standards and are accredited nationally by the Joint Commission.Journey High School. This California Certified Nonpublic School is appropriate for any 9th - 12th grade student who needs special educational services. A comprehensive curriculum is tailored to eachstudent instructional need. The curriculum meets state and local graduation requirements. It is common to find that children entering TLC's programs will have experienced failure and frustration in school. The issues of learning disabilities and remedial needs are not overlooked and each student receives thorough academic tutorial assistance whenever necessary. Designated Instructional Services (DIS) are provided according to the needs of the student and agreed upon in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1984.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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.