Special Care, Inc

What Special Care, Inc does

Special Care, Inc. is a 501(c)-style nonprofit organization founded in 1985 (the input also lists 1984 as the founding year) and headquartered at 12201 N. Western Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It operates a single integrated facility delivering three co-located service lines: (i) NAEYC- and AdvancED-accredited early childhood education for 135 children ages 6 weeks through kindergarten, using individualized education plans and the Conscious Discipline social-emotional curriculum; (ii) year-round before/after-school and summer specialized care for 66 students from birth through age 21 — extending continuity of care well past the 10–12-year age-out threshold typical of conventional childcare; and (iii) on-site therapeutic services (physical, occupational, speech, and behavioral/ABA therapy) delivered by 11 credentialed therapists, eliminating the school-to-clinic transportation burden common to families of children with significant needs. Approximately two-thirds of the 200+ children served have identified special needs (Autism Spectrum Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Down Syndrome, sensory and multi-disabling conditions), and one-third are typically developing peers in an inclusive classroom model with a 4:1 student-to-adult ratio.

The organization derives revenue from tuition and service fees plus donations and philanthropic support (United Way Partner Agency status, online PayPal/Qgiv donation infrastructure, community fundraising). A non-technology provider, Special Care's principal assets are its accreditations, 7,000+ trained childcare professionals pipeline built through its DHS model-site role, and an integrated delivery model with no analog elsewhere in Oklahoma. In August 2025, the organization received a $2,450,000 appropriation from the Oklahoma Legislature, the largest single disclosed funding signal in its operating history. Distribution is exclusively on-site at the Oklahoma City campus; go-to-market is direct-to-consumer family enrollment supported by community outreach and donor development led by a Director of Marketing & Development.

Name

Special Care, Inc

Legal name

Special Care, Inc.

Website

https://specialcareinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Special Care, Inc. is a Oklahoma City-based nonprofit providing accredited early childhood education, year-round specialized care (birth to age 21), and on-site therapeutic services for children with and without special needs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Early Childhood Education & Pediatric Therapeutic Services

NAICS

Child Care Services (62441), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Inclusive / Special-Needs Childcare Centers (EDACAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Therapy-Integrated Childcare Support (coordination with OT/PT/SLP/ABA) (HSAAAIAM), Autism (ASD) Support Childcare (HSAAAIAA), Special Needs Early Intervention & Preschool Programs (EDAKAAAE)

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• Special needs education
• Pediatric therapy services
• Inclusive education programs
• Applied behavior analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Oklahoma City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropy: As a non-profit organization, Special Care relies heavily on donations from the community. The website features multiple 'Donate' calls-to-action and references being a United Way Partner Agency.
2. Tuition and Service Fees: Revenue from providing early childhood education, specialized care, and therapeutic services to children ages 6 weeks through 21 years. Services include year-round programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Special Care, Inc. provides inclusive early childhood education for children ages 6 weeks through kindergarten, year-round before/after-school and summer specialized care for students ages birth through 21, and on-site therapeutic services — occupational, physical, speech, and behavioral (ABA) therapy — delivered by 11 staff therapists and integrated with classroom instruction. Approximately two-thirds of the 200+ children served have identified special needs including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and Spina Bifida, with the remainder being typically developing children in an inclusive classroom model.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Childhood Education Year-round, NAEYC- and AdvancED-accredited inclusive early childhood education program serving 135 children ages 6 weeks through kindergarten, with individualized education plans addressing cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development for both typically developing children and children with special needs.
• Specialized Care (Before/After School & Summer Programs) Year-round before and after care for students ages birth through 21 (66 students), plus all-day summer and holiday programs for school-aged students, providing continuity of care beyond the typical 10-12 year "aging out" age at standard childcare settings.
• On-site Therapeutic Services Comprehensive on-site therapy services including physical, occupational, speech, and behavioral therapy delivered by 11 staff therapists, enabling children to receive therapy during school hours with seamless integration of therapy goals into classroom activities.
• Occupational Therapy On-site occupational therapy helping children with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities improve independence, cognitive skills, physical abilities, sensory processing, motor skills, and self-esteem through innovative therapies integrated with classroom activities.
• Speech Therapy On-site speech therapy focusing on receptive language (understanding spoken words), expressive language (using words to communicate), articulation, pitch, fluency, and volume, integrated with classroom instruction.
• Physical Therapy On-site physical therapy improving quality of life, range of motion, strength, coordination, mobility skills, and balance for children with injuries, illness, disease, or disability.
• Behavioral Therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis) On-site behavioral therapy using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to bring about meaningful and positive behavior change, primarily serving children on the Autism Spectrum.

Quantifiable outcome

• Many children who attend Special Care surpass the development predicted for them, some in significant and remarkable ways

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• United WaycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecial Care is a proud United Way Partner Agency, receiving community support and visibility through this partnership. This relationship provides funding support and community credibility for the organization.
• Department of Human Services - Oklahoma Center for Early Childhood Professional DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial Care has been a model site for the Oklahoma Center for Early Childhood Professional Development, part of the Department of Human Services. This partnership involves training and professional development for childcare providers.
• AdvancEDminorOthersAccreditation body that conducted rigorous, on-site external reviews of Special Care's programs, resulting in accreditation status.
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)minorOthersNAEYC provides accreditation for programs for young children. Special Care has achieved NAEYC accreditation, representing the mark of quality in early childhood education.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: National nonprofit serving people with disabilities and special needs through inclusive early childhood education, therapy, and family services — directly comparable mission and service mix to Special Care but operating at much larger national scale.
• The Arc of the United States: National nonprofit providing services and advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including early childhood programs and therapy — overlaps with Special Care's Down Syndrome and IDD segments.
• United Cerebral Palsy: National organization serving people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities through therapy, early intervention, and inclusive education — directly comparable to Special Care's Cerebral Palsy and Spina Bifida service lines.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: National nonprofit operating behavioral health and special-needs programs including ABA therapy and integrated educational services — comparable to Special Care's autism and behavioral therapy clinic model.
• KinderCare Learning Companies: Large national for-profit early childhood education operator that offers inclusive programming and serves families needing flexible care — comparable customer base but operates a general-population model without Special Care's therapy integration.

Direct peers

• Easter Seals Oklahoma: Regional affiliate of Easterseals serving Oklahoma with disability and special-needs services including early childhood and therapy programs — directly comparable service portfolio and geographic overlap with Special Care in Oklahoma City.
• May Institute: National nonprofit providing ABA, special education, and therapeutic services for children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities — directly comparable clinical and educational mix to Special Care.
• Bright Beginnings: Nonprofit early childhood program serving young children and families experiencing homelessness or special needs, with integrated therapeutic services — directly comparable inclusive model but focused on a different region (Washington, DC).
• Sheltering Arms Early Education and Family Centers: Nonprofit providing high-quality early childhood education and family services for at-risk and special-needs children, including on-site therapy integration — directly comparable inclusive childcare-and-therapy model.

Emerging players

• Centria Healthcare: National provider of ABA therapy and behavioral health services primarily for children with autism — comparable clinical specialty to Special Care's autism clinic but operates as a standalone therapy provider rather than an integrated school.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/specialcareokc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/specialcareokc
• Facebookfacebook.com/specialcareinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/special-care-inc

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Special Care, Inc