National Health Council Names Easter Seals First Among its Members for the Percentage of Program Dollars Spent Providing Direct Client Services

Easter Seals (National Easter Seal Society)
Friday, 1 May 1998

Chicago – May 1998 - For the past 18 years, Easter Seals has ranked first among the National Health Council's members representing voluntary health agencies for its allocations of 94 percent of program dollars, or $314 million to provide direct client services. This is more than the total amount spent on patient services by all other member organizations nationwide.

The National Health Council's annual study, Report on Voluntary Health Agency Revenue and Expenses: A Consumer's Guide to Wise Philanthropic Giving, provides key financial information on its 42 member agencies. Released in April 1998, it reports that American voluntary health agencies spent a record $5.5 billion to combat disease and disability in FY 1996, the last year for which uniform audited data are available.

The audited financial report shows that Easter Seals spent 94 percent of its total program expenses on direct client services — helping people of all ages and disabilities achieve greater independence. This is 32 percent more than the next member organization, which allocated 62 percent of its program dollars to direct services for clients.

According to James E. Williams, Jr., president, Easter Seals, "Easter Seals is proud to head this list and will continue to grow its services to better serve the needs of children and adults with disabilities seeking greater independence." Williams explains that Easter Seals could not do this without the enormous support the organization receives from individuals and corporations.

Easter Seals is a nonprofit, community-based health agency with affiliates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. More than a million people of all ages with disabilities resulting from any cause receive assistance through Easter Seals physical, occupational and speech-language therapies; vocational evaluation and training; children's early intervention and child care; respite care; computer-assistive technologies; camping and recreating; and psychological counseling and support.

For more information, or to contact Easter Seals (National Easter Seal Society), see their website at: www.easter-seals.org