What Special Service for Groups does

Special Service for Groups, Inc. (SSG) is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) non-profit health and human service organization founded in 1952 that operates 16+ specialized program divisions delivering behavioral health, housing and homeless services, forensic and criminal justice re-entry support, health access and advocacy, and research and evaluation services. Its divisions—including HOPICS, APCTC, Alliance, APAIT, Project 180, IBHT, OTTP, OTTP-SF, SILVER, AP Recovery, IBHT, WCC, APIFM, BACUP, PALS for Health, and R&E—serve vulnerable populations across Los Angeles County, Orange County, the Antelope Valley, the Inland Empire, and San Francisco, with particular emphasis on Asian and Pacific Islander communities and other historically underserved groups including HIV/AIDS-affected populations, justice-involved individuals, homeless families, LGBTQ+ individuals, and older adults. Services are delivered across more than 30 sites in multiple languages including English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese, and Spanish, with field-based and street-outreach modalities that meet clients where they reside.

SSG operates as a CARF-accredited multi-divisional organization with a federated brand architecture: each division maintains its own identity, leadership, and service mandate while sharing administrative infrastructure, board governance, and back-office functions under a single California-domiciled non-profit entity (EIN 95-1716914). Revenue is derived almost entirely from government contracts—primarily LA County Department of Mental Health, Department of Health Services, and Public Health (SAPC)—plus state funding through California's Project Homekey, foundation grants (e.g., Blue Shield of California Foundation, LA County Human Relations Commission, United Way of Greater Los Angeles), and individual donations. Distribution is community-led: SSG is the regional lead for the SPA 6 Coordinated Entry System for homeless services, co-locates behavioral health teams at Federally Qualified Health Clinics, and operates as a hub across multiple community-based collaboratives including SSG Alliance, the API Child Abuse Prevention Collaborative, Community Empowerment Project, and the LA vs. Hate network.

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors led by President John M. Eckman and currently headed by Executive Director Hayley Levy, LMFT, LPCC, who succeeded Herbert K. Hatanaka, DSW. Technology is not a differentiator—SSG's proprietary tech footprint is minimal and its core capabilities center on culturally and linguistically competent service delivery, field-based outreach, and community partnerships built over 70+ years rather than on a software platform. Recent capital deployment has prioritized physical infrastructure (Hub City Heights, 40 permanent supportive housing units, opened April 2026) and specialized facilities (Casa de Zulma, the first publicly funded Enhanced Bridge Housing for transgender women in LA County, opened 2019).

Name

Special Service for Groups

Legal name

Special Service for Groups, Inc.

Website

https://ssg.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Special Service for Groups (SSG) is a Los Angeles-based non-profit health and human services organization operating 16+ program divisions that deliver behavioral health, housing, forensic re-entry, and health access services to vulnerable communities across Southern California and San Francisco.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Behavioral Health and Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Rare Disease & Special Needs Support Organizations (BPAGACAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health Systems Strengthening & Universal Health Coverage (UHC) (BPADAIAE), Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Safeguarding) (BPADAHAF)

Keywords

• Behavioral health services
• Homeless outreach services
• Community mental health
• HIV/AIDS prevention services
• Forensic reentry services

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices30 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts - LA County Department of Mental Health: Project 180 and Alliance programs are funded by Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH). These contracts provide behavioral health and forensic treatment services to adults with mental illness including those transitioning from incarceration.
2. Government Contracts - LA County Department of Health Services: Funding from LA County Department of Health Services (DHS) supporting forensic treatment and healthcare integration programs.
3. Government Contracts - LA County Public Health SAPC: Funding from LA County Public Health's Substance Abuse Prevention and Control Department (SAPC) supporting substance abuse prevention and treatment services.
4. State Funding - Project Homekey: Hub City Heights housing project was funded through California's Project Homekey state program, administered through HOPICS division.
5. Foundation Grants: Programs such as LA vs. Hate are funded through partnerships with government agencies like the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission. The organization also partners with foundations like Blue Shield of California Foundation for research initiatives.
6. Donations: SSG accepts charitable donations through its website and division-specific giving programs, including monthly recurring donation options for donors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Special Service for Groups (SSG) is a non-profit community-based organization that delivers a continuum of behavioral health, housing and homeless, forensic reentry, health access and advocacy, HIV/AIDS prevention, and social services through 16 specialized divisions. Programs are funded by government contracts (LA County DMH, DHS, SAPC, California Project Homekey) and foundation grants, and are provided at no cost to vulnerable individuals and families across Southern California and San Francisco.

Product overview

Special Service for Groups (SSG) is a non-profit health and human service organization structured as a parent organization with multiple specialized divisions. The portfolio consists of 16 distinct programmatic divisions serving diverse vulnerable communities across Southern California and San Francisco. These include behavioral health services (APCTC, Alliance, AP Recovery, IBHT, WCC, BACUP), youth services (OTTP, OTTP-SF), homeless and housing services (HOPICS), forensic/criminal justice services (Project 180), health access and advocacy (APAIT, PALS for Health, APIFM, SILVER), and research and evaluation (R&E). The divisions operate semi-autonomously with their own branding, locations, and specific service mandates while sharing organizational infrastructure and strategic oversight.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Special Service for Groups (SSG) Non-profit parent organization dedicated to building and sustaining community-based programs that address the needs of vulnerable communities through 16 specialized divisions; CARF-accredited and serving Los Angeles County, Orange County, Antelope Valley, Inland Empire, and San Francisco.
• Asian Pacific Counseling & Treatment Centers (APCTC) Behavioral health services for API children, families, adults, and older adults across Los Angeles and Riverside counties, offering multi-disciplinary and culturally sensitive mental health treatment with capacity in Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese, and other API languages.
• Occupational Therapy Training Program (OTTP) Comprehensive behavioral health services for at-risk youth and families in Los Angeles County, including individual and family therapy, case management, work readiness training, job placement, and life skills development.
• AP Recovery Mental health services for Asian Pacific Islander adults in Los Angeles County with severe and persistent mental illness, offering culturally and linguistically sensitive treatment including psychotherapy, medication support, case management, and housing support.
• Homeless Outreach Program Integrated Care Services (HOPICS) Continuum of homeless services and specialized behavioral health care including Rapid Re-Housing programs, the SPA 6 Access Center, Enhanced Bridge Housing, and the SPA 6 Coordinated Entry System lead role for Homeless Single Adults and Families in South Los Angeles.
• Alliance 24/7 comprehensive community-based behavioral health services for adults and older adults with severe and persistent mental illness, including those transitioning from jails and state prisons, with culturally and linguistically competent mental health treatment.
• SILVER (Sustaining Independent Lives with Vital Empowering Resources) Field-based mental health, intensive case management, family caregiver support, and care management services for older adults and disabled adults enabling them to age in place, with approximately 85% of services rendered in community settings and capacity to serve low-income, chronically homeless, and formerly homeless individuals.
• Project 180 Wraparound forensic services keeping people out of jails and prisons, including pre-arrest diversion programs, pre-release jail in-reach, transitional and post-release services, Co-Occurring Disorders Court programs, AB 109 projects, and LA DOOR pre-arrest diversion, funded through LA County DMH, DHS, and SAPC contracts.
• Access to Prevention Advocacy Intervention & Treatment (APAIT) HIV/AIDS service organization providing prevention, education, testing, linkage to care, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, benefits counseling, and housing assistance for medically underserved communities including APIs, Latinos, MSM, transgender persons, and young adults in Southern California.
• Benefits Assistance Clients' Urban Project (BACUP) Consumer-run mental health wellness program providing peer support, Social Security benefits assistance, Medi-CAL recertification, and peer-led groups for people living with mental illness.
• Asian and Pacific Islander Forward Movement (APIFM) Community health and environmental justice program cultivating healthy API communities through grassroots organizing, food access initiatives, active living, and obesity prevention advocacy; previously named APIOPA.
• PALS for Health Language access services for healthcare providing interpretation and translation in Arabic, Spanish, and multiple API languages for hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, and other healthcare settings throughout Southern California.
• Integrated Behavioral Health Team (IBHT) Integrated care services co-located at Federally Qualified Health Clinics (FQHCs) in Los Angeles, providing behavioral health and case management services on-site with bilingual Spanish-speaking staff for primary care patients.
• Weber Community Center (WCC) Community services in South Los Angeles for children, youth, families, and adults offering behavioral health services, support groups, skills-based groups, and the Black Visions of Wellness program utilizing African-centered approaches.
• Occupational Therapy Training Program – San Francisco (OTTP-SF) Services for Bay Area youth providing occupational therapy, vocational preparation, job readiness and placement, transition planning, case management, psychotherapy, and therapeutic yoga programs.
• R&E Research and Evaluation Research and evaluation services applying rigorous techniques in evaluation, community research, public health, and planning with cultural sensitivity to help organizations and public agencies measure impact; published research on relationship violence in API communities in partnership with Blue Shield of California Foundation and A3PCON.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hub City Heights provides 40 units of permanent supportive housing to East Compton community
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• South Asian NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of SSG Alliance collaborative, providing culturally appropriate mental health services to API adults with mental health disorders transitioning from hospital settings to the community.
• Search to Involve Pilipino AmericanscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in SSG Alliance collaborative and Community Empowerment Project, addressing mental health and health disparities in Filipino American communities.
• Little Tokyo Service CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in SSG Alliance collaborative providing mental health services and support for API communities.
• Pacific Asian Counseling ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of SSG Alliance collaborative providing mental health services to API communities.
• Cambodian Association of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in SSG Alliance collaborative serving Cambodian community mental health needs.
• Center for the Pacific Asian FamilycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of API Child Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Aftercare Collaborative addressing child abuse prevention among API communities across LA County.
• Chinatown Service CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of API Child Abuse Prevention Collaborative serving API communities.
• Korean American Family Services (KFAM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of API Child Abuse Prevention Collaborative serving Korean American communities.
• Koreatown Youth and Community CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of API Child Abuse Prevention Collaborative addressing child welfare in Korean American communities.
• Pacific Clinics Asian Pacific Family CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of API Child Abuse Prevention Collaborative serving API families.
• Los Angeles County Human Relations CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner for LA vs. Hate program, a community-centered artist-driven campaign to support all residents of Los Angeles County in ending hate.
• 211 LA CountymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in LA vs. Hate network providing community-based response to hate violence.
• Anti-Defamation LeaguemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in LA vs. Hate hate violence prevention network.
• Coalition for Humane Immigrant RightsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in LA vs. Hate network supporting immigrant communities against hate.
• Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in SSG Community Empowerment Project addressing health outcomes for Pacific Islander communities.
• Families in Good HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Community Empowerment Project focused on health access.
• Khmer Girls in ActionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Community Empowerment Project serving Khmer/Cambodian communities.
• United Cambodian CommunityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Community Empowerment Project serving Cambodian communities.
• The African Public Health CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Community Empowerment Project serving African immigrant communities.
• Asians and Pacific Islanders with Disabilities of CaliforniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Community Empowerment Project addressing disability services.
• Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSub Regional Hub site for SPA 6 Coordinated Entry System for homeless individuals and families.
• Shields for FamiliesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSub Regional Hub site for SPA 6 Coordinated Entry System.
• 1736 Family Crisis CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSub Regional Hub site for SPA 6 Coordinated Entry System.
• Southern California Health & Rehabilitation Program (SCHARP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSub Regional Hub site for SPA 6 Coordinated Entry System.
• Antelope Valley Partners for HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in LA vs. Hate network serving Antelope Valley region.
• Not In Our TownminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in LA vs. Hate network for hate violence prevention.
• San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in LA vs. Hate network serving San Fernando Valley.
• Blue Shield of California FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner for research on relationship violence in five LA Asian American communities (Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, North Indian Hindu, and Pakistani Muslim), conducted with A3PCON and six community organizations.
• Los Angeles County Department of Mental HealthcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrimary government funder for multiple SSG programs including Alliance, AP Recovery, and Project 180. Contracts for behavioral health services to adults with severe mental illness.
• Los Angeles County Department of Health ServicescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment funder for forensic treatment programs including Project 180.
• LA County Public Health Substance Abuse Prevention and ControlcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment funder for substance abuse prevention and treatment services.
• City of ComptonmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCity leadership welcomed Hub City Heights permanent supportive housing project (40 units) in East Compton/Rancho Dominguez, funded through California's Project Homekey.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pacific Clinics: One of the largest nonprofit behavioral health providers in Southern California, offering culturally responsive mental health and substance use services. Comparable to SSG in serving API and other minority communities across LA County and operating a multi-site, contract-funded model.
• Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services: LA-based nonprofit providing mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention services, including programs for transition-age youth and forensic populations. Direct overlap with SSG's APCTC and Project 180-style behavioral health and re-entry portfolio.
• Chinatown Service Center: API-focused community-based organization in Los Angeles delivering health, education, and social services. Highly comparable to SSG's APIFM and APCTC divisions in serving Chinese and broader Asian American communities with culturally competent care.
• Korean American Family Services (KFAM): Korean American-focused nonprofit providing mental health, child abuse prevention, and family services in LA. Directly comparable as a member of SSG's API Child Abuse Prevention Collaborative and a peer in culturally specific behavioral health delivery.
• Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA): Filipino American service nonprofit in Los Angeles offering youth programs, health access, and community advocacy. A direct collaborator within SSG's Alliance collaborative and a peer in API-targeted community health and outreach.
• St. Joseph Center: LA-based nonprofit providing housing, homeless outreach, and wraparound services to vulnerable populations. Directly comparable to SSG/HOPICS in operating interim housing, recuperative care, and rapid re-housing in Los Angeles.
• PATH (People Assisting The Homeless): California-wide nonprofit ending homelessness through interim housing, permanent supportive housing, and prevention programs. Closely comparable to HOPICS in scope and in operating as a state-recognized Homekey implementer.
• Homeless Health Care Los Angeles: Skid Row-focused nonprofit providing health, mental health, and case management services to people experiencing homelessness. Direct overlap with SSG/HOPICS's behavioral health and street-based outreach work.

Broad incumbents

• LA LGBT Center: Large LA-based LGBTQ+ services organization with housing, health, and behavioral health programs. Comparable to SSG's Casa de Zulma enhanced bridge housing for transgender women and to SSG's broader LGBTQ+-inclusive service model.

Regional players

• A Community of Friends: LA-based supportive housing developer for people exiting homelessness and those with mental illness. Comparable to SSG's Hub City Heights operations and the supportive housing component of HOPICS.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ssg_hq
• Facebookfacebook.com/ssg.org
• Instagraminstagram.com/ssg_hq
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/special-service-for-groups

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Special Service for Groups