Non-Profit Faces Regulatory Action and Civil Complaints

This organization provided specialized career development training and was accused of overcharging those training fees and overpromising what level of salaries could be realized. Regulatory action was brought and there was the threat of individual civil complaints being filed. The company needed a communications program to address concerns amongst all of its constituencies as it addressed regulator concerns and sought to avoid litigation.

We began by creating a working group that included top management, legal counsel, and government relations advisors. Key was understanding the facts of what representations were being made. Communications started internally with instructors and students, then selectively with the media to help all parties understand the organization’s best practices.

Management became aligned with staff and students which stabilized the business and limited negative media exposure. While we continued to help the media understand the company’s best practices, we coordinated with counsel and government relations on helping achieve a settlement with regulators.