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DISABLED PERSONS ACTION ORGANIZATION INC

WATERTOWN, NY · EIN 222194058 · Form 990 · FY2025 · NTEE P82Z · Human Services · Large ($10M-$50M) · dpao.org
revenue
$11.6M
expenses
$9.7M
net assets
$10.6M
employees
338
program ratio
91%
mission · from form 990

SUPPORT SERVICES FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

profile · synthesized from sources

Disabled Persons Action Organization (DPAO) provides individualized support services for children and adults with developmental disabilities in Jefferson and Lewis Counties, New York. Founded in 1974, it operates respite care, self-direction, and employment programs to support individuals living at home and help families manage caregiving challenges. The organization serves over 500 people annually and employs more than 150 staff.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2025

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $6.43M
    FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY SERVICES PROGRAM - JEFFERSON/LEWIS COUNTIES. TO PROVIDE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLES PERSONS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MANAGE THEIR OWN SUPPORT AND SERVICES.
  2. #2 $1.17M
    FAMILY SERVICES AND FREE STANDING RESPITE CARE - JEFFERSON/LEWIS COUNTIES. TO PROVIDE FOR THE CARE OF DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED INDIVIDUALS FOR A MAXIMUM OF 45 DAYS PER YEAR.
named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Employment Program
Supports developmentally disabled individuals in securing and maintaining employment through coordination and personalized services.
Family Services
Offers supportive services to families caring for developmentally disabled loved ones, helping them manage challenges and access respite and other resources.
Free Standing Respite Care
Provides short-term care for developmentally disabled individuals of any age, with stays ranging from hourly to 30 consecutive days, up to 42 days per year. Operates in Lowville, NY, with staffed accommodations designed to be relaxing and home-like.
Self-Direction Program
Enables developmentally disabled individuals to manage their own supports and services, offering financial intermediary services to support person-centered planning and care coordination.
activities · 2 groups

What they do

  • Respite Care for Developmental Disabilities 2 activities
    • Family support services
      Provides family services to support families of developmentally disabled individuals in Jefferson and Lewis Counties, complementing direct respite care with broader family-centered assistance.
    • Respite care for developmentally disabled individuals
      Operates a respite program for developmentally disabled individuals of any age in Jefferson and Lewis Counties, offering stays ranging from hourly to multi-day visits, with limits of up to 45 days per year and no more than 30 consecutive days. Services are provided through free-standing respite care.
  • Self-Directed Disability Support Services 1 activity
    • Financial intermediary services for self-directed support
      Provides financial intermediary services that enable developmentally disabled individuals in Jefferson and Lewis Counties to manage their own supports and services, facilitating greater autonomy in care planning and delivery.
financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$11.59M
Contributions & grants$915K8%
Program service revenue$10.47M90%
Investment income$120K1%
Other revenue$85K
expenses
Total expenses$9.67M
Program expenses91%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$7.38M
Grants paid out$717K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$10.84M
Cash$6.13M
Investments$1.38M
Liabilities$216K
Net assets$10.63M
Liquid reserves9.3 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +12.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025

Who runs it

paid leadership · 3
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
TINA CUMMINGS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - CURRENT 35 $111K
DONNA DRAKE FINANCE DIRECTOR 35 $84K
CYNTHIA FITZPATRICK EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - PRIOR 35 $23K
board members · 8
  • BILL HARTMAN — DIRECTOR
  • DIXIE LEHMAN — DIRECTOR
  • DONNA DRAPER — DIRECTOR
  • JAMES MCCLUSKEY — PRESIDENT
  • JUSTIN BROTHERTON — DIRECTOR
  • KAREN JOBSON — DIRECTOR
  • KEN WEST — DIRECTOR
  • PAUL NORTON — DIRECTOR
relationships · 3

Who they work with

  • Jefferson County Government — Service delivery location for financial intermediary and respite care programs.
  • Lewis County Government — Service delivery location for financial intermediary and respite care programs.
  • Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Government — State agency that matches DPAO's fundraising and funds programs for a set number of individuals.
strategies · 2

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.

  • Holistic Respite Care for Sustained Community Living
    methodology: respite_care_model
    By providing respite care in a home-like environment for developmentally disabled individuals, the organization supports caregiver well-being and prevents burnout, thereby enabling longer-term home- and community-based care because rested caregivers can sustain high-quality support.
  • Self-Directed Support Model
    methodology: self_directed_support
    By enabling developmentally disabled individuals to self-direct their services through a financial intermediary, the organization increases personal autonomy and tailors support to individual needs, leading to more effective and dignified outcomes because control over one's care enhances engagement and well-being.