Grief Counseling Center Executive Summary
I. Executive Summary
Grief Counseling Center (GCC) is a non-profit organization established to provide counseling services for individuals who are suffering the loss of a family member. Services will be provided at a nominal fee. The Founder of GCC not only believes in the need for this service, but also is willing to devote his time and money to help those suffering from grief.
Grief Counseling Center provides mental health services for a diversified clientele. Clientele ranges from young children to senor citizens and consist of various cultures and nationalities. Professionally trained therapists, facilitators, and volunteers, who have a passion to help others, will serve at GCC. Market research shows that while there are many counseling …show more content…
centers in and around Los Angeles, most are either too expensive or do not specialize in grief counseling. This creates a need for an organization like Grief Counseling Center.
Initial funding for Grief Counseling Center will come from its founder, and early fundraising activities. Funding for Grief Counseling Center will be maintained by charging nominal fees and supplemented by fundraising activity.
There are also plans to raise funds in the future by applying for government grants.
II. General Company Description
The Grief Counseling Center (GCC), provides mental health services to individuals and families who have suffered the loss of a family member or friend. The Center will provide its services at a nominal cost to the client, as opposed to private therapists, who may charge up to $250 per hour. Services will consist of group counseling sessions for up to ten clients.
The groups will be composed of individuals with similar life situations. "Mature" widow/widowers and young widow/widowers will comprise separate groups. Groups for children who have lost their parents will be provided, and the children will be grouped by age. In the future, sibling loss groups and other, more generalized grief groups will be established. Groups will be run primarily at GCC's planned counseling office, with an eye toward future expansion into public schools, health care centers, and senior citizen organizations. Groups in these community settings will be part of GCC's outreach program, and will be provided at no …show more content…
charge. III. Service Description
Grief groups will be led by two facilitators, at least one of which will be a trained therapist. All facilitators will undergo training at the center via a proprietary training program developed by the Executive Director. Facilitators will come from three sources:
1. Established therapists who wish to volunteer time to help the community.
2. Therapists in training, who need intern hours (under supervision of a licensed therapist) to qualify for a therapist's license.
3. Laymen who want to help others cope with loss. GCC will charge $20 per session for each client, with a sliding fee scale for those that cannot afford to pay. Groups at the Counseling Center will be held primarily after school, evenings, and Saturdays, which are convenient times for clients and facilitators. Some daytime groups will also be provided, as staffing allows.
IV.
Market Analysis and Strategy
The service GCC provides will be for all people suffering from grief. GCC's goal is to cross demographic lines and make people of all backgrounds feel welcome at their counseling sessions. The center will form focus groups, consisting of randomly contacted people to determine how beneficial GCC's services would be for this particular community. The data collected can be used to adjust the scale of operations.
Currently, there are many non-profit counseling centers available to people, but GCC is targeted towards grief. GCC does not believe there are many centers on this particular niche. Ideally, this would put GCC in a good position to obtain government grants, and raise funds from the community, to sustain costs.
GCC's general strategy is to become well known in the area so that people feel they can come to the center to receive help. GCC also plans to maximize donations, in order to expand its capacity. To do this, the center will target government organizations, local churches, and the community at large, as well as individual
therapists.
GCC will advertise cheaply and effectively, using fliers that can be placed in churches, recreation centers, public offices, corners, windshields, or inserted into local publications for newspapers that are willing to support the institution. The center will hold an annual benefit dinner to help secure additional donations to sustain operations. Other promotional campaigns include weekend pancake breakfasts and lectures at hospitals and medical schools. The center will solicit local government figures and celebrities sympathetic to its cause to speak to generate interest. GCC will also use low cost local television ads on public access television stations. This expense is not listed in the pro-forma statements, since it is a "stretch goal".
V. Operational Strategy
The primary focus of GCC's organization is to provide counseling service to more people at nominal cost. GCC services include:
1. Group counseling sessions.
2. Referrals to individual therapist, if requested.
3. Distribution of literature to interested third parties.
Each group counseling session lasts 90 minutes and is targeted toward individuals who are in similar circumstances (pain). Two facilitators will be counseling each session. One facilitator will be a specialist in the target area and the other will be a volunteer who has experienced similar pain in the past and wants to help and share with people who are in a similar situation.
GCC also provides services to the clients who need more help by referring them to correspond with other private therapists, doctors, psychiatrists, or other qualified professions. Additionally, GCC also has a small library where clients can borrow books and CDs with topics related to grief counseling therapy.
GCC has a small registered office that has 2 conference rooms with a maximum occupancy of 20 in each. Normally, most sessions are conducted in these conference rooms. Sometimes, sessions will be organized in community colleges and churches, based on convenience for the clients.
As a part of future expansion, GCC will be investing in infrastructure, such as a company website. This company website will provide the online session booking capability and will also provide automatic phone booking. These two booking systems will greatly reduce the tasks of the coordinator.
VI. The Organization
The counseling center was conceived by a single founder (the "Founder"), who donated $30,000 to start the operation. The center has hired an Executive Director, who organizes the counseling center, and will coordinate volunteers and external staff.
The Executive Director will be responsible for generating grant proposals for the purpose of raising funds. Both the Chairman and the Director are licensed therapists. They will review group activities and supervise the group facilitators. They are also involved finding and training volunteers who will work with the clientele.
GCC also has a newly formed Board of Directors ("the Board"). The Board consists of five members, none of whom is a licensed therapist. Members of the Board were chosen based on their knowledge of business, and their standing in the community. GCC hopes the Board will provide guidance to the Executive Director on business matters and participate in fund raising through business connections.
Public Relations (PR)/Marketing personnel will be used part-time to help raise public awareness and secure donations. The PR person will assist in formulating a formal and ongoing marketing plan, under the guidance of the Executive Director.
An external company will be hired for each year's audit requirements. This company will only be used during tax and audit months. A law firm will also be needed. GCC hopes to find a civic-minded firm willing to offer a sliding fee scale. Liability insurance will be needed as well.
VII. Pro Forma Financial Statements Appendix A, B, and C shows the pro forma financial statements and sales forecasts for the first year of the counseling center.
VIII. Measurement of Success Quantitative measurement: Unlike many other types of community service organizations, the Grief Counseling Center lends itself to quantitative measures of success. Its purpose is to provide group counseling services to individuals and families who have lost loved ones. Its primary quantitative measure of success will be the number of individual clients served, per month, by the organization. As shown in the attached pro forma financial statements for Year 1, the center expects approximately 150 client-visits by the second month of operation (GCC conservatively assumes no client activity in the first month of operation, as groups are formed). It is estimated that this level of service provided will generate $2,000 revenue, assuming that 50% of the clients pay the normal, $20 fee, and the other 50% pay a fee on a sliding scale. The center should see a rapid increase in the number of client visits per month, with a projection of 750 client visits by year-end. This estimate is based on market research, the ubiquity of grief/loss issues in the community, and the lack of affordable specialized counseling services.
Qualitative measurement: The center will also use a qualitative measure of success. Clients who use the center's services will be asked to fill out a brief exit survey, evaluating the benefits of the program. The survey will ask for a number grade (1 through 5) regarding several aspects of the therapy sessions. Free-form comments will be solicited as well. Second, an evaluation of the sources of new referrals will be conducted. New clients will be asked how they heard about the center. The number of referrals from current/former clients and local therapists will then be tabulated, with the expectation that at least 25% of new business will be from "word of mouth" referral. A lower number will indicate that the center may not be meeting its goal of community outreach and education. Efforts in these areas will be increased, (or deceased) as necessary.
Use of data: The center will use the data to monitor the center's performance, with the expectation of being self-sustaining over the long term. If quantitative goals regarding client-visits per month are not met, the Board of Directors and Executive Director will ascertain the reasons for the shortfall. Corrective action can then be taken, in order to meet current and future expectations. The data will also be used to assess future prospects for the center, with a goal toward expanding services into other areas by the end of Year 3.
Appendix A: Pro Forma Income Statement
Appendix B: Pro Forma Balance Sheet
Appendix C: Sales Forecast
Source
Measuring Programmatic Success: Tips for Non-profit Boards. http://www.cof.org/files/Documents/Governing_Boards/Board%20Tools/boardtips.pdf. Downloaded on May 5, 2006.
Grief Counseling Center (GCC) is a non-profit organization established to provide counseling services for individuals who are suffering the loss of a family member. Services will be provided at a nominal fee. The Founder of GCC not only believes in the need for this service, but also is willing to devote his time and money to help those suffering from grief.
Grief Counseling Center provides mental health services for a diversified clientele. Clientele ranges from young children to senor citizens and consist of various cultures and nationalities. Professionally trained therapists, facilitators, and volunteers, who have a passion to help others, will serve at GCC. Market research shows that while there are many counseling …show more content…
centers in and around Los Angeles, most are either too expensive or do not specialize in grief counseling. This creates a need for an organization like Grief Counseling Center.
Initial funding for Grief Counseling Center will come from its founder, and early fundraising activities. Funding for Grief Counseling Center will be maintained by charging nominal fees and supplemented by fundraising activity.
There are also plans to raise funds in the future by applying for government grants.
II. General Company Description
The Grief Counseling Center (GCC), provides mental health services to individuals and families who have suffered the loss of a family member or friend. The Center will provide its services at a nominal cost to the client, as opposed to private therapists, who may charge up to $250 per hour. Services will consist of group counseling sessions for up to ten clients.
The groups will be composed of individuals with similar life situations. "Mature" widow/widowers and young widow/widowers will comprise separate groups. Groups for children who have lost their parents will be provided, and the children will be grouped by age. In the future, sibling loss groups and other, more generalized grief groups will be established. Groups will be run primarily at GCC's planned counseling office, with an eye toward future expansion into public schools, health care centers, and senior citizen organizations. Groups in these community settings will be part of GCC's outreach program, and will be provided at no …show more content…
charge. III. Service Description
Grief groups will be led by two facilitators, at least one of which will be a trained therapist. All facilitators will undergo training at the center via a proprietary training program developed by the Executive Director. Facilitators will come from three sources:
1. Established therapists who wish to volunteer time to help the community.
2. Therapists in training, who need intern hours (under supervision of a licensed therapist) to qualify for a therapist's license.
3. Laymen who want to help others cope with loss. GCC will charge $20 per session for each client, with a sliding fee scale for those that cannot afford to pay. Groups at the Counseling Center will be held primarily after school, evenings, and Saturdays, which are convenient times for clients and facilitators. Some daytime groups will also be provided, as staffing allows.
IV.
Market Analysis and Strategy
The service GCC provides will be for all people suffering from grief. GCC's goal is to cross demographic lines and make people of all backgrounds feel welcome at their counseling sessions. The center will form focus groups, consisting of randomly contacted people to determine how beneficial GCC's services would be for this particular community. The data collected can be used to adjust the scale of operations.
Currently, there are many non-profit counseling centers available to people, but GCC is targeted towards grief. GCC does not believe there are many centers on this particular niche. Ideally, this would put GCC in a good position to obtain government grants, and raise funds from the community, to sustain costs.
GCC's general strategy is to become well known in the area so that people feel they can come to the center to receive help. GCC also plans to maximize donations, in order to expand its capacity. To do this, the center will target government organizations, local churches, and the community at large, as well as individual
therapists.
GCC will advertise cheaply and effectively, using fliers that can be placed in churches, recreation centers, public offices, corners, windshields, or inserted into local publications for newspapers that are willing to support the institution. The center will hold an annual benefit dinner to help secure additional donations to sustain operations. Other promotional campaigns include weekend pancake breakfasts and lectures at hospitals and medical schools. The center will solicit local government figures and celebrities sympathetic to its cause to speak to generate interest. GCC will also use low cost local television ads on public access television stations. This expense is not listed in the pro-forma statements, since it is a "stretch goal".
V. Operational Strategy
The primary focus of GCC's organization is to provide counseling service to more people at nominal cost. GCC services include:
1. Group counseling sessions.
2. Referrals to individual therapist, if requested.
3. Distribution of literature to interested third parties.
Each group counseling session lasts 90 minutes and is targeted toward individuals who are in similar circumstances (pain). Two facilitators will be counseling each session. One facilitator will be a specialist in the target area and the other will be a volunteer who has experienced similar pain in the past and wants to help and share with people who are in a similar situation.
GCC also provides services to the clients who need more help by referring them to correspond with other private therapists, doctors, psychiatrists, or other qualified professions. Additionally, GCC also has a small library where clients can borrow books and CDs with topics related to grief counseling therapy.
GCC has a small registered office that has 2 conference rooms with a maximum occupancy of 20 in each. Normally, most sessions are conducted in these conference rooms. Sometimes, sessions will be organized in community colleges and churches, based on convenience for the clients.
As a part of future expansion, GCC will be investing in infrastructure, such as a company website. This company website will provide the online session booking capability and will also provide automatic phone booking. These two booking systems will greatly reduce the tasks of the coordinator.
VI. The Organization
The counseling center was conceived by a single founder (the "Founder"), who donated $30,000 to start the operation. The center has hired an Executive Director, who organizes the counseling center, and will coordinate volunteers and external staff.
The Executive Director will be responsible for generating grant proposals for the purpose of raising funds. Both the Chairman and the Director are licensed therapists. They will review group activities and supervise the group facilitators. They are also involved finding and training volunteers who will work with the clientele.
GCC also has a newly formed Board of Directors ("the Board"). The Board consists of five members, none of whom is a licensed therapist. Members of the Board were chosen based on their knowledge of business, and their standing in the community. GCC hopes the Board will provide guidance to the Executive Director on business matters and participate in fund raising through business connections.
Public Relations (PR)/Marketing personnel will be used part-time to help raise public awareness and secure donations. The PR person will assist in formulating a formal and ongoing marketing plan, under the guidance of the Executive Director.
An external company will be hired for each year's audit requirements. This company will only be used during tax and audit months. A law firm will also be needed. GCC hopes to find a civic-minded firm willing to offer a sliding fee scale. Liability insurance will be needed as well.
VII. Pro Forma Financial Statements Appendix A, B, and C shows the pro forma financial statements and sales forecasts for the first year of the counseling center.
VIII. Measurement of Success Quantitative measurement: Unlike many other types of community service organizations, the Grief Counseling Center lends itself to quantitative measures of success. Its purpose is to provide group counseling services to individuals and families who have lost loved ones. Its primary quantitative measure of success will be the number of individual clients served, per month, by the organization. As shown in the attached pro forma financial statements for Year 1, the center expects approximately 150 client-visits by the second month of operation (GCC conservatively assumes no client activity in the first month of operation, as groups are formed). It is estimated that this level of service provided will generate $2,000 revenue, assuming that 50% of the clients pay the normal, $20 fee, and the other 50% pay a fee on a sliding scale. The center should see a rapid increase in the number of client visits per month, with a projection of 750 client visits by year-end. This estimate is based on market research, the ubiquity of grief/loss issues in the community, and the lack of affordable specialized counseling services.
Qualitative measurement: The center will also use a qualitative measure of success. Clients who use the center's services will be asked to fill out a brief exit survey, evaluating the benefits of the program. The survey will ask for a number grade (1 through 5) regarding several aspects of the therapy sessions. Free-form comments will be solicited as well. Second, an evaluation of the sources of new referrals will be conducted. New clients will be asked how they heard about the center. The number of referrals from current/former clients and local therapists will then be tabulated, with the expectation that at least 25% of new business will be from "word of mouth" referral. A lower number will indicate that the center may not be meeting its goal of community outreach and education. Efforts in these areas will be increased, (or deceased) as necessary.
Use of data: The center will use the data to monitor the center's performance, with the expectation of being self-sustaining over the long term. If quantitative goals regarding client-visits per month are not met, the Board of Directors and Executive Director will ascertain the reasons for the shortfall. Corrective action can then be taken, in order to meet current and future expectations. The data will also be used to assess future prospects for the center, with a goal toward expanding services into other areas by the end of Year 3.
Appendix A: Pro Forma Income Statement
Appendix B: Pro Forma Balance Sheet
Appendix C: Sales Forecast
Source
Measuring Programmatic Success: Tips for Non-profit Boards. http://www.cof.org/files/Documents/Governing_Boards/Board%20Tools/boardtips.pdf. Downloaded on May 5, 2006.