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BLOCK INSTITUTE INC
BROOKLYN, NY · EIN 112416320 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE P820 · Human Services · Large ($10M-$50M) · blockinstitute.org
revenue
$24.7M
expenses
$26.7M
net assets
$7.7M
employees
377
volunteers
8
program ratio
91%
mission · from form 990

TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH OUR VAST ARRAY OF INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICES.

profile · synthesized from sources

Nonprofit organization based in Brooklyn, NY, established in 1962, dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Provides individualized services including adult day programs, clinical therapies, and housing subsidy support. Operates under New York State's OPWDD system and serves children and adults through a whole-person approach.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $6.67M
    ADULT DAY PROGRAMS - THROUGH ITS DAY TREATMENT AND DAY HABILITATION PROGRAMS, BLOCK INSTITUTE ASSISTED 197 INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES INCREASE THEIR LIFE SKILLS, INDEPENDENCE, INDIVIDUALITY, PRODUCTIVITY, AND COMMUNITY INCLUSION BY UTILIZING A WIDE ARRAY OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES INCLUDING VOLUNTEERING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
  2. #2 $2.09M
    THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED 4,585 UNITS OF SERVICE IN ITS ARTICLE 16 CLINIC TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, INCLUDING OCCUPATIONAL, PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND SPEECH THERAPY SESSIONS AND EVALUATIONS.
named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Adult Day Programs
Day treatment and day habilitation programs that assist individuals with developmental disabilities in increasing life skills, independence, productivity, and community inclusion through volunteering and recreational activities
Article 16 Clinic
Provides comprehensive clinical services including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language pathology, psychotherapy, psychiatry, and specialized evaluations for children and adults with developmental disabilities
OPWDD Housing Subsidy Program
Supports individuals with developmental disabilities to live independently in community housing by providing rental assistance; includes tenant support and partnerships with landlords to facilitate apartment access
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Residential Support for Developmental Disabilities 2 activities
    • Providing individualized education, day habilitation, and residential services for children and adults with developmental disabilities
      Delivers comprehensive, individualized services to approximately 1,400 children and adults with developmental disabilities annually through special education programs (ages 3–5), adult day habilitation in Brooklyn, and residential care (ages 18+). Services include life skills development, community inclusion, and access to clinical and therapeutic supports.
    • Providing residential services and housing support for adults with developmental disabilities
      Operates Intermediate Care Facilities and Individual Residential Alternatives offering 24/7 residential care with medical, nutritional, and psychological support. Also provides housing subsidy assistance, partnerships with community landlords, and tenancy education for OPWDD-eligible individuals.
  • Specialized Therapy for Children with Disabilities 1 activity
    • Delivering clinical and therapeutic services for developmental disabilities
      Provides a full range of Article 16 clinical services, including psychological and psychosocial evaluations, behavior support, and 4,585 units of therapeutic interventions annually such as occupational, physical, speech, and psychological therapy, delivered at the main clinic and satellite locations.
  • Mentorship and Professional Development Programs 1 activity
    • Hosting hiring events and providing career advancement for Direct Support Professionals
      Conducts weekly hiring events for Direct Support Professionals and offers management training programs to support career advancement within the organization.
  • Healthcare Compliance and Ethics Programs 1 activity
    • Implementing organizational compliance and training programs
      Maintains a Compliance Program with a designated Compliance Officer and Committee, conducts periodic audits, and delivers required training on the Compliance Plan and Code of Conduct to staff and relevant parties.
  • Senior Social & Enrichment Programming 1 activity
    • Offering enrichment and community engagement activities for adults
      Provides adult day program participants and residents with enrichment opportunities including community outings, special events, and workshops led by guest instructors to promote socialization and community inclusion.
  • Special Education Preschool Programs 1 activity
    • Operating Block Academy for expanded early childhood and integrated services
      Runs Block Academy, a school serving up to 160 additional children annually with low student-to-staff ratios (8:1:2 and 9:1:3), integrated therapies (speech, occupational, physical), and evidence-based approaches including ABA, sensory integration, and augmentative communication.
  • Animal-Assisted Support Services 1 activity
    • Running pet-assisted and innovative therapeutic programming
      Operates the Pals with Paws Pet Assisted Therapy Program and other innovative therapies including aquatics, yoga, music, and art to support speech, motor, emotional, and social development. Programs use multisensory methods and are delivered in individual and group settings, including water therapy in an accessible heated pool.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$24.71M
Contributions & grants$61K0%
Program service revenue$24.62M100%
Investment income$15K0%
Other revenue$16K
expenses
Total expenses$26.74M
Program expenses91%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$15.52M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$12.84M
Cash$369K
Investments$0
Liabilities$5.17M
Net assets$7.67M
Liquid reserves0.2 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +1.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 7
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
SCOTT BARKIN PHD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 26 $507K
AMARIS ORTIZ DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS 35 $204K
CHRISTINE M JOSEPH DIRECTOR OF FINANCE 26 $176K
STARLEEN OLIVIER DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM 35 $146K
JINS ALUMOOTTIL IT MANAGER 26 $142K
OLIVY GEORGE PAYROLL ADMINISTRATOR 35 $136K
VINCENT CIARDULLO DSP 35 $123K
board members · 8
  • ANDREA ALGAZE — SECRETARY
  • DAVID WOLFSON — BOARD MEMBER
  • JAY GREENBAUM — TREASURER
  • JILL ZELENKO CPA — PRESIDENT
  • KATELYNN TIMMERMANS — BOARD MEMBER
  • MAMIE STATHATOS-FULGIERI — BOARD MEMBER
  • STEVEN FRIEDMAN — VICE PRESIDENT
  • SUSAN FEINSTEIN — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 8

Who they work with

  • Jill Zelenko Partner — Board President providing governance leadership.
  • Medicaid Government — Accepted insurance provider for Article 16 clinical program services.
  • Medicare Government — Accepted insurance provider for Article 16 clinical program services.
  • National Association of Special Education Teachers Network — Recognized by NASET for five consecutive years for excellence in special education.
  • OPWDD Government — Administers the Housing Subsidy program that Block Institute supports individuals in accessing.
  • Parents/Guardians/Correspondents Partner — Collaborates with family members and legal guardians in the development and implementation of individualized support plans.
  • Scott L. Barkin Partner — Executive Director leading organizational strategy and operations.
  • private sector individuals and organizations Partner — Collaborates with individuals and organizations in the private sector whose generosity supports programs for people with developmental disabilities.
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Interdisciplinary Team-Based Support
    methodology: interdisciplinary_holistic_support
    By combining expertise from psychology, special education, technology, and the arts in team-based care, the organization improves assessment accuracy and service effectiveness, because diverse professional perspectives lead to more holistic understanding and planning.
  • Person-Centered Care Model
    methodology: person-centered care
    By placing the individual’s needs, identity, and developmental stage at the center of service design and delivery, BLOCK INSTITUTE INC produces more effective support and greater independence, because services are aligned with personal goals and lived experience.
  • Relationship-Driven Community Integration
    methodology: relationship-driven care
    By embedding community resources like volunteering and recreation into programs and fostering deep relational connections, the organization enhances independence and belonging, because meaningful relationships and real-world engagement drive skill development and social inclusion.
  • Whole-Person Holistic Approach
    methodology: whole_person_approach
    By integrating psychological, biological, environmental, and sociological factors into treatment planning, the organization creates more effective and balanced interventions, because comprehensive assessment leads to tailored, sustainable outcomes.