GiveBetter x Denver

Tennyson Center for Children

Therapeutic school, day treatment and family mental-health support

Research time: ~4 min on GPT-6.1 Sol
  • Research — reviewed programs, finances and impact evidence.
  • Source audit — checked claims, assumptions and calculations.

Updated: 2026-10-07

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Summary

What do they do? Tennyson provides a therapeutic K–12 school and day treatment for children with complex behavioral and emotional needs. It also offers child and family therapy, parenting support and community-based services across Colorado. Its TREE program supports young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities preparing for more independent lives.

Why we’re interested in this organization:

  • Intensive school-based clinical, family and educational support addresses children with high needs.

  • A current report provides a dated 63-student school-served envelope and 17 community-school transitions.

  • Original child-trauma trials provide a plausible clinical mechanism without assuming measured local utility.

Our main reservations:

  • School-served students are not documented completed clinical doses or causal successes.

  • Utility, eligible case mix, caregiver net resources and provider contribution remain judgments.

  • The whole annual recipient cost covers several important unquantified channels beyond the modeled school subset.

What do you get for your dollar? $70.6M per DALY in Denver. DALY is our one-year comparison unit. QALY-based health gains and income-welfare equivalents retain their original assumptions; they are not measured clinical DALYs. Matched FY2025 full annual recipient cost against conditional school/day-treatment clinical and caregiver resources; not whole-portfolio or marginal-gift EV..

FY2025 school/day-treatment served63children,17community-school transitions; nearly1000children and families overall is mixed units and not summed.

1. What do they do?

Tennyson’s therapeutic school and day treatment combine special education, individual/group/family therapy, occupational and speech supports. School placement requires a district-approved IEP separate-school setting. Its statewide community services include outpatient family therapy and PCIT; current PCIT ages 2–7 usually involves approximately 20 sessions, a dose not automatically supplied to every school student. TREE adds independent living and employment preparation but does not establish net wage gains.

2. Monitoring and information sharing

FY 2025 annual report page 2 says school/day treatment served 63 children, compared with 46 in FY 2024, and 17 returned to community schools. Nearly 1000 children and families is a mixed-unit statement, not a unique patient denominator. Reported reading/math improvements are pre/post educational outcomes, not controlled health utility. Next useful evidence is unique completed clinical dose, clinical case mix, local residence, caregiver work/time and active-provider comparison.

3. Qualitative assessment

The original Cohen randomized trial assigned 229 sexually abused children 8–14 with PTSD symptoms to TF-CBT or child-centered therapy and found better child symptoms and caregiver outcomes. It did not measure a QALY conversion, and Tennyson’s broader trauma-informed/ARC/neurodevelopmental programs and autism/IDD case mix differ. The .5 compatible clinical subgroup and .03 one-year utility (10.95 healthy-day equivalents) are explicitly conditional hypotheses, not imported empirical effectiveness. Public school placements and covered therapists form an active alternative. PCIT abuse-recurrence evidence is not extrapolated to all school children.

4. What do you get for your dollar?

Full FY 2025 IRS recipient expense is $ 11,829,871 including $ 171,197 netted direct fundraising cost. A separate $ 5,825,981 recognized school/day-treatment program-cost sensitivity is source-aligned but excludes allocated administration, fundraising and unrecognized resource costs; it is not a marginal-gift price. Clinical patient health is not reduced by household grouping. Caregiver households use .9 household factor, .2 incremental provider share, .5 clinical-compatible subgroup and .5 net-resource response, with $ 500 after-tax/benefit/work/childcare resource gain as a judgment—not child wages. Positive gains alone receive 50% overlap adjustment; all households retain $ 10 incremental access/time cost and all students retain process harms. Resource gains and costs share one household log. Residential, community, PCIT, TREE and educational welfare remain unknown, not zero.

Model, assumptions and sensitivity

Full latest FY2025 recipient expenses plus netted fundraising costs; partial school benefit reference and observed school-only recognized-cost sensitivity.

Denver school benefits use judged .9resident share within ten-county CBSA19740, not headquarters or all statewide community clients.

Health=(Npatients × compatible clinical subgroup × dose × provider contribution × finite expected clinical utility − full patient harms) × local share. Household resources use N × household grouping with gated caregiver gains; same-year full costs and gains jointly logged, distinct payer costs localized once. Price=10C/(health+signed resource equivalent).

C
11829871 USD annual (observed). Observed original FY2025 full functional expense11,658,674 plus171,197 netted event expenses. [finance]
N
63 annual school-served student envelope, not completed clinical dose (observed). Observed FY2025 report school-served envelope63children; no claim63unique completed clinical treatments. [annual]
unique
0.9 model parameter (judgment). Explicit conditional judgment, not a measured causal recipient coefficient; adverse and null scenarios test this assumption. [services] [cg-cost]
eligible
0.5 model parameter (judgment). Judged .5clinical-compatible trauma subgroup; mixed autism/IDD program and no measured PTSD case share. [services] [cg-cost]
completion
1 model parameter (judgment). One as a conditional delivered school-therapy envelope; no measured completed specialist dose, with zero/low-dose sensitivity. [services] [cg-cost]
b
0.2 model parameter (judgment). Explicit conditional judgment, not a measured causal recipient coefficient; adverse and null scenarios test this assumption. [services] [cg-cost]
response
1 model parameter (judgment). Explicit conditional judgment, not a measured causal recipient coefficient; adverse and null scenarios test this assumption. [services] [cg-cost]
q
0.03 model parameter (judgment). Judged .03one-year QALY per additional compatible clinical beneficiary,10.95healthy-day equivalents. Original child-trauma trial measures symptoms, not utilities; not universal .04therapy. [services] [cg-cost]
T
1 model parameter (judgment). Explicit conditional judgment, not a measured causal recipient coefficient; adverse and null scenarios test this assumption. [services] [cg-cost]
g
0.9 model parameter (judgment). Explicit conditional judgment, not a measured causal recipient coefficient; adverse and null scenarios test this assumption. [services] [cg-cost]
delay
0 model parameter (judgment). Current-year therapy/household access period, shared health/resources start; no delay-capitalized immediate cost. [services] [cg-cost]
r
0.03 model parameter (judgment). Explicit conditional judgment, not a measured causal recipient coefficient; adverse and null scenarios test this assumption. [services] [cg-cost]
harm
0.0001 model parameter (judgment). Explicit conditional judgment, not a measured causal recipient coefficient; adverse and null scenarios test this assumption. [services] [cg-cost]
success
0.5 model parameter (judgment). Explicit conditional judgment, not a measured causal recipient coefficient; adverse and null scenarios test this assumption. [services] [cg-cost]
workGain
500 model parameter (judgment). Judged500net caregiver household resources after taxes/benefit withdrawals/work and childcare costs; no child wages. [services] [cg-cost]
medicalGain
0 model parameter (judgment). Explicit conditional judgment, not a measured causal recipient coefficient; adverse and null scenarios test this assumption. [services] [cg-cost]
overlap
0.5 model parameter (judgment). Explicit conditional judgment, not a measured causal recipient coefficient; adverse and null scenarios test this assumption. [services] [cg-cost]
cost
10 model parameter (judgment). Explicit conditional judgment, not a measured causal recipient coefficient; adverse and null scenarios test this assumption. [services] [cg-cost]
baseline
20000 model parameter (judgment). Explicit conditional judgment, not a measured causal recipient coefficient; adverse and null scenarios test this assumption. [services] [cg-cost]
payerLoss
0 model parameter (judgment). Explicit conditional judgment, not a measured causal recipient coefficient; adverse and null scenarios test this assumption. [services] [cg-cost]
externalCost
0 model parameter (judgment). Explicit conditional judgment, not a measured causal recipient coefficient; adverse and null scenarios test this assumption. [services] [cg-cost]
payerPeople
10000 model parameter (judgment). Explicit conditional judgment, not a measured causal recipient coefficient; adverse and null scenarios test this assumption. [services] [cg-cost]
payerBaseline
50000 model parameter (judgment). Explicit conditional judgment, not a measured causal recipient coefficient; adverse and null scenarios test this assumption. [services] [cg-cost]

central: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.16; all-population health QALYs: 0.18. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.00. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

clinical null: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: -0.01; all-population health QALYs: -0.01. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.00. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

financial only: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.00; all-population health QALYs: 0.00. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.00. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

active alternative null: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: -0.01; all-population health QALYs: -0.01. Income-equivalent healthy years: -0.01. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

failed benefit full burdens: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: -0.01; all-population health QALYs: -0.01. Income-equivalent healthy years: -0.01. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

no exposure: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.00; all-population health QALYs: 0.00. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.00. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

no gift no exposure: Cost: $0; Denver health QALYs: 0.00; all-population health QALYs: 0.00. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.00. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

adverse: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: -0.18; all-population health QALYs: -0.20. Income-equivalent healthy years: -0.05. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

unknown: Cost: unknown; Denver health QALYs: unknown; all-population health QALYs: unknown. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

no eligible subgroup: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: -0.01; all-population health QALYs: -0.01. Income-equivalent healthy years: -0.01. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

no completed dose: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: -0.01; all-population health QALYs: -0.01. Income-equivalent healthy years: -0.01. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

clinical response null: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: -0.01; all-population health QALYs: -0.01. Income-equivalent healthy years: -0.01. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

lower utility: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.05; all-population health QALYs: 0.06. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.00. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

higher utility: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.33; all-population health QALYs: 0.37. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.00. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

short duration: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.04; all-population health QALYs: 0.04. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.00. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

two year duration: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.33; all-population health QALYs: 0.37. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.00. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

lower provider contribution: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.04; all-population health QALYs: 0.04. Income-equivalent healthy years: -0.01. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

higher provider contribution: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.42; all-population health QALYs: 0.47. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.03. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

no resource gain: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.16; all-population health QALYs: 0.18. Income-equivalent healthy years: -0.01. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

higher caregiver net resources: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.16; all-population health QALYs: 0.18. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.02. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

negative overlap zero: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.16; all-population health QALYs: 0.18. Income-equivalent healthy years: -0.02. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

negative overlap one: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.16; all-population health QALYs: 0.18. Income-equivalent healthy years: -0.02. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

no positive overlap: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.16; all-population health QALYs: 0.18. Income-equivalent healthy years: -0.01. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

full positive overlap: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.16; all-population health QALYs: 0.18. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.02. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

higher family time cost: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.16; all-population health QALYs: 0.18. Income-equivalent healthy years: -0.11. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

no incremental access cost: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.16; all-population health QALYs: 0.18. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.02. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

distinct public provider loss: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.16; all-population health QALYs: 0.18. Income-equivalent healthy years: -0.01. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

external unrecognized resources: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.16; all-population health QALYs: 0.18. Income-equivalent healthy years: -0.02. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

patient unit household dedup: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.16; all-population health QALYs: 0.18. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.00. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

half local share: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.09; all-population health QALYs: 0.18. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.00. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

no local share: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.00; all-population health QALYs: 0.00. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.00. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

one year delay: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.16; all-population health QALYs: 0.18. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.00. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

three full year mean cost: Cost: $12.2M; Denver health QALYs: 0.16; all-population health QALYs: 0.18. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.00. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

school recognized program cost only: Cost: $5.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.16; all-population health QALYs: 0.18. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.00. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

higher patient process harm: Cost: $11.8M; Denver health QALYs: 0.11; all-population health QALYs: 0.13. Income-equivalent healthy years: 0.00. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

Counterfactual: Publicly funded special-education placements, other trauma/family therapists and covered services without Tennyson integration.

Attribution: Judged .2incremental recipient contribution versus active alternatives, independent of clinical-compatible subgroup and dose; no automatic next-gift expansion.

Local utility, fidelity, completed dose, parent net earnings, household duplication, geographic share and omitted portfolio channels remain unknown.

Sensitivity

  • clinical null: no finite positive estimate. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • financial only: $4B per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • active alternative null: no finite positive estimate. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • failed benefit full burdens: no finite positive estimate. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • no exposure: no finite positive estimate. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • no gift no exposure: no finite positive estimate. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • adverse: no finite positive estimate. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • unknown: no finite positive estimate. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • no eligible subgroup: no finite positive estimate. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • no completed dose: no finite positive estimate. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • clinical response null: no finite positive estimate. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • lower utility: $218.6M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • higher utility: $35.0M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • short duration: $296.1M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • two year duration: $35.6M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • lower provider contribution: $421.6M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • higher provider contribution: $26.5M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • no resource gain: $78.0M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • higher caregiver net resources: $64.6M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • negative overlap zero: $81.4M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • negative overlap one: $81.4M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • no positive overlap: $78.0M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • full positive overlap: $64.6M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • higher family time cost: $225.5M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • no incremental access cost: $65.6M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • distinct public provider loss: $76.4M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • external unrecognized resources: $83.3M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • patient unit household dedup: $71.2M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • half local share: $127.1M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • no local share: no finite positive estimate. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • one year delay: $72.7M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • three full year mean cost: $72.7M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • school recognized program cost only: $34.8M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.
  • higher patient process harm: $101.5M per DALY. FY2025 school-served student envelope, not all statewide families or therapy completers. Clinical subgroup, utility, effect transfer, caregiver net resources and local share are explicit judgments. Controlled child-trauma trial is a mechanism anchor, not observed Tennyson efficacy. Full annual expenses against school subset are a partial reference; other channels remain unknown.

Unresolved inputs

  • Completed clinical dose and measured local utilities.
  • Clinical case mix and active-provider comparative outcomes.
  • Caregiver net resources and deduplicated households.
  • School cost overhead allocation and donor-funded capacity.
  • Other community/residential/TREE benefits.

Health and income breakdown

For the modeled $11.8M: 0.16 health QALYs + 0.00 income-equivalent healthy years in Denver: $70.6M per DALY. Income equivalents are welfare comparisons, not observed QALYs or DALYs.

Method and caveats.

5. Funding and previous grants

The legal recipient is Tennyson Center for Children at Colorado Christian Home, DBA Tennyson Center for Children, EIN 61-1458290. Original full FY 2025/FY 2024/FY 2023 IRS expenses are $ 11,829,871/$ 13,581,906/$ 11,112,242; mean$ 12,174,673. Annual report financial totals differ from the IRS totals; no reconciliation is claimed. Current giving links to the recipient’s ColoradoGives profile; no donation executed. Public education payments, Medicaid and private-pay alternatives matter; restricted additional donor capacity remains unmeasured. Distinct public-provider loss and unrecognized external resource costs are tested, not presumed absent.

Annual expenses

Organization-level spending, including programs, administration and fundraising. The research list averages three comparable, consecutive full fiscal years when available.

  • FY 2025: $11.8M; ein:61-1458290, 12-month period, IRS full functional expenses plus netted direct event expenses. Source
  • FY 2024: $13.6M; ein:61-1458290, 12-month period, IRS full functional expenses plus netted direct event expenses. Source
  • FY 2023: $11.1M; ein:61-1458290, 12-month period, IRS full functional expenses plus netted direct event expenses. Source

6. Sources

  1. Current therapeutic school and day treatment. Tennyson Center for Children. Published: not stated; retrieved: 2026-10-07.
  2. Current outpatient and PCIT services. Tennyson Center for Children. Published: not stated; retrieved: 2026-10-07.
  3. Original FY2025 annual report. Tennyson Center for Children. Published: not stated; retrieved: 2026-10-07.
  4. Original FY2025 IRS return. IRS original filing. Published: not stated; retrieved: 2026-10-07.
  5. Original FY2024 IRS return. IRS original filing. Published: not stated; retrieved: 2026-10-07.
  6. Original FY2023 IRS return. IRS original filing. Published: not stated; retrieved: 2026-10-07.
  7. Current recipient donation route. Tennyson Center for Children. Published: not stated; retrieved: 2026-10-07.
  8. Original randomized child-trauma treatment trial. Cohen et al., Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Published: not stated; retrieved: 2026-10-07.
  9. Health and income cost-effectiveness comparison. Coefficient Giving. Published: not stated; retrieved: 2026-10-07.