There’s no shortage of ways life can get difficult — and there’s nothing that difficulties know how to do better than to pile on, multiply, and make a bad situation feel insurmountable and hopeless.
But, in communities across the country, nonprofits offer counseling and crisis support to people experiencing crises, trying to recover from trauma, or facing other mental health-related issues.
By providing support, resources, and the safe spaces needed to work through their difficulties, these organizations are a lifeline to help people take control of their lives.
These nonprofits’ services are essential, but to do it, they need insurance that fits their specific mission — and not every insurer provides it.
So, what do nonprofits that provide counseling and crisis support need most from their insurance coverage?
Meet some nonprofits provide counseling and crisis support.
We talked with some NIA-insured nonprofits whose missions include crisis support and counseling services and asked them to share what they needed most from their insurance coverage.
In their own words…
C.O.P.E. Family Support Center (Walnut Creek, CA)
“C.O.P.E. Family Support Center empowers families through culturally responsive parent education, behavioral health services, and community engagement.
We are dedicated to strengthening families, preventing child maltreatment, and promoting well-being across generations.
Our evidence-based programs support parents, caregivers, and children in building resilient, nurturing relationships that foster lifelong success and stability.”
— Natasha Paddock, CEO/Executive Director, C.O.P.E. Family Support Center
New Beginnings (Santa Barbara, CA)
“New Beginnings is a community safety net for the county of Santa Barbara, where we provide quality, affordable counseling, shelter, case management, and education to our neighbors that need our help.
Ultimately, New Beginnings can be broken down into two halves: Low-income mental health services and education, and homeless and housing services.”
— Brenda Lang, Operations Director, New Beginnings
Lamps of Light Project (Riverside, CA)
“Our mission is to empower individuals facing trauma, addictions, and other disorders through compassionate, customized care.
We educate families and communities, combat stigma, and celebrate recovery as a transformative journey. Although we specialize in serving Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, North & Sub-Saharan African (SEMENA) communities, we strive to be a beacon of hope and healing for all.”
— Tabari Zahir, Director, Lamps of Light Project
What did these counseling and crisis support nonprofits need most from their insurer?
Comprehensive coverage that safeguards the organization.
“C.O.P.E.’s most important insurance need as a nonprofit organization is comprehensive general liability insurance with professional liability (also known as malpractice or errors and omissions) coverage.
This ensures protection against claims related to client services — especially critical in behavioral health and parenting education — while also safeguarding the organization from property damage, bodily injury, and legal costs.”
— Natasha Paddock, C.O.P.E. Family Support Center
Affordable coverage for specific programs.
“For New Beginnings, finding coverage for all of our unique programs at an affordable cost was our priority when it came to insurance.”
— Brenda Lang, New Beginnings
Insurance that understands a nonprofit’s needs.
“We were looking to get coverage for a behavioral health organization that was a nonprofit. In other words, we were looking for insurance from a nonprofit who understood the needs of a fellow nonprofit.”
— Tabari Zahir, Lamps of Light Project
How did these counseling and crisis support nonprofits hear about NIA?
A broker’s recommendation.
“We were recommended by Heffernan brokerage firm.”
— Natasha Paddock, C.O.P.E. Family Support Center
A search after difficulties with past insurers.
“We have been an NIA client for many years. We had difficulty with a previous carrier that would only provide coverage for two of our programs but not our other programs.”
— Brenda Lang, New Beginnings
A nonprofit colleague’s recommendation.
“We discovered NIA from a recommendation by a friend who also runs a nonprofit (and is covered by NIA).”
— Tabari Zahir, Lamps of Light Project
Since becoming an NIA member, how has that relationship helped these counseling and crisis support nonprofits?
The confidence and protection to focus on the mission.
“As a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening families and delivering behavioral health and parent education services, C.O.P.E. Family Support Center relies on partners who understand the unique risks and responsibilities of our work.
NIA has consistently provided us with exceptional service, responsive support, and coverage tailored to the realities of nonprofit operations.
Their team’s expertise in risk management, combined with their commitment to mission-driven organizations, has given us the confidence and protection we need to focus on serving our community.
We are grateful for their partnership and highly recommend NIA to any nonprofit seeking a trusted insurance provider.”
— Natasha Paddock, C.O.P.E. Family Support Center
An insurance provider that gets nonprofits.
“I like that NIA understands that nonprofits are unique and often have specific needs. Their webinars are very relevant and informative.”
— Brenda Lang, New Beginnings
An insurer that’s easy to work with and understands nonprofits.
“NIA is a comprehensive insurance company that understands the needs of other nonprofits, is easy to work with, and one that we would easily recommend to other nonprofits.”
— Tabari Zahir, Lamps of Light Project
Nonprofits that provide counseling and crisis support need quality insurance that understands they have a mission to accomplish.
Why do counseling and crisis support nonprofits prefer to get their insurance coverage from NIA?
It’s simple: They want comprehensive coverage they can count on, from an insurer that understands that nonprofits don’t have the same needs as a for-profit business. And they need that coverage at a price that won’t break their budget.
These nonprofits support people in their communities as they’re experiencing some of the most harrowing times of their lives — and provide them the tools, care, and resources they need to get through and back on track with their lives.
These organizations deserve an insurance provider that gives them those same opportunities to succeed.
