Community Connections

What Community Connections does

Community Connections is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit behavioral health and housing services provider founded in 1984 by Helen Bergman, MSW, and Maxine Harris, PhD. The organization operates a continuum-of-care model integrating behavioral health treatment, supportive and affordable housing, homeless street outreach, and healthcare coordination across two office locations on Capitol Hill and in Southeast D.C. Its service portfolio spans Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), a Recovery and Wellness Center, an Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic, a Psychiatric Clinic, Recovery Community Homes, Supported Independent Living, Housing Support Care Management, and Permanent Supportive Housing, with on-site Genoa pharmacy and 24/7 on-call crisis services. The organization owns and manages 50 residential properties in D.C. and serves more than 6,000 individuals annually, with the ACT program alone delivering over 45,000 services to 500 consumers in the past fiscal year.

The organization developed two proprietary, evidence-based models: the Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM) and Creating Cultures of Trauma-Informed Care (CCTIC). TREM is a 18–24 session group-based intervention for trauma survivors with adaptations for men, adolescents, LGBTQ+ individuals, transgender women, caregivers, and veterans; CCTIC is an organizational model for trauma-informed agency transformation with a long-term consultation track (1–2 years) leading to certification. The underlying technology footprint includes an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system overseen by Senior Advisor Joseph Cullinan, the SAMHSA SOAR model for Social Security disability benefits access, online self-referral and provider referral intake forms, and an e-commerce bookstore at communityconnectionsdc.org/store/.

Community Connections generates revenue through five primary streams: D.C. government contracts and Medicaid-funded services, HUD-approved housing programs and federal/local rental assistance, charitable donations (one-time, monthly recurring, stock, IRA rollovers, donor-advised funds), training and consultation services ($7,500 for TREM in-person/virtual training, $500/person for open enrollment with 12 CEUs, $500/hour CCTIC consultation), and publications/films ($10–$75 per item). Distribution is via direct self-referral and provider referral pathways, street outreach to 75–111 unhoused residents per day, in-person and virtual training delivery (led by Director of Trauma Training Lori Beyer, LICSW), and the online storefront. The organization is CARF-accredited and recognized nationally for trauma-treatment innovation, with current leadership including President & CEO Damien Cabezas (joined from Horizon Behavioral Health and Mercy Care Atlanta) and SVP Programs Marion "Mimi" Scotchmer, LICSW.

Name

Community Connections

Legal name

Community Connections Inc.

Website

https://communityconnectionsdc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Community Connections is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Washington, D.C., founded in 1984, delivering integrated behavioral health, supportive housing, and homeless outreach services to more than 6,000 individuals annually while licensing proprietary TREM and CCTIC trauma-informed care training nationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Behavioral Health Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Residential Mental Health Treatment Centers (HLAFACAC), Wraparound & Community-Based Behavioral Support (ABA-Adjacent) (EDAKAHAO), Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Behavioral health services
• Supportive housing programs
• Trauma-informed care training
• Mental health nonprofit
• Co-occurring disorders treatment

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Community Connections is a registered 501(c)(3) organization (EIN: 52-1349382) that relies on charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization accepts one-time donations, monthly recurring gifts, tribute/memorial gifts, stock and IRA charitable rollovers, and donor-advised fund distributions. Major donor inquiries are directed to Brynn Kiser.
2. Training and Consultation Services: The organization generates revenue through trauma training programs including TREM and M-TREM sessions ($500/person), in-person training ($7,500 plus manuals and travel), virtual training ($7,500 plus manuals), and CCTIC consultation (hourly $500, half-day $1,875, full-day $3,750).
3. Publications and Films Sales: Community Connections sells publications and films through its online bookstore, including titles such as 'Women of the Asylum' ($10), 'Women Speak Out' ($75), and 'Veteran's Men's TREM' ($15).
4. Government Contracts and Grants: As a behavioral health and housing services provider, Community Connections receives funding through government contracts including HUD-approved housing programs, federal and local rental assistance programs, and Medicaid-funded services. The organization is a CARF-accredited provider.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Community Connections is a nonprofit behavioral health agency that delivers outpatient mental health and substance use treatment, trauma-informed care, and permanent supportive housing services to adults in Washington, D.C. It also develops and sells proprietary training curricula, implementation toolkits, and consultation services based on its Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM) and Consumers and Trauma-Informed Care (CTIC) frameworks to other behavioral health providers.

Product overview

Community Connections is a not-for-profit behavioral mental health agency offering a comprehensive continuum of care services in Washington, D.C. The organization operates as a multi-service nonprofit rather than a technology product company. Its service portfolio includes behavioral health programs (Assertive Community Treatment, Recovery and Wellness Center, Community Support Program, Outpatient Clinic, Psychiatric Clinic), housing services (Recovery Community Homes, Supported Independent Living, Housing Support Care Management, Permanent Supportive Housing), and training programs. The organization also operates an on-site pharmacy partnership with Genoa Healthcare. Training offerings include the Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM) and Creating Cultures of Trauma-Informed Care (CCTIC), which are available through in-person, virtual, and open enrollment formats. Publications and films are available for purchase through the organization's bookstore.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TREM (Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model): An evidence-based, group intervention for trauma survivors, particularly women who have been socially and economically marginalized. Developed by Community Connections under Maxine Harris, PhD.
• CCTIC (Creating Cultures of Trauma-Informed Care)
• Genoa Pharmacy

Products and services

• Outpatient Behavioral Health Treatment Outpatient mental health and substance use counseling services provided to adults in Washington, D.C. with serious mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and trauma histories. Service delivery is supported by CARF-accredited program protocols and a continuum that links clinical treatment to housing and peer-support services.
• Permanent Supportive Housing Permanent supportive housing programs for homeless and housing-insecure adults with behavioral health needs in Washington, D.C., combining subsidized housing with on-site mental health, substance use, and case management services. Programs are designed for long-term tenancy and ongoing clinical support.
• Trauma-Informed Care and Recovery Training (TREM) Training and implementation services for the proprietary Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM), licensed to behavioral health agencies, correctional facilities, and community providers seeking to deliver evidence-based trauma-informed care. Includes curriculum, facilitator training, and consultation.
• Community Connections Training and Implementation Collaborative (CCTIC) Comprehensive training and implementation program for the Consumers and Trauma-Informed Care (CTIC) model, providing curricula, toolkits, and consultation to external organizations implementing trauma-informed service systems. Delivered via workshops and multi-agency implementation cohorts.
• Street and Community Outreach Street and community-based outreach services that engage homeless adults in Washington, D.C., connecting them to mental health, substance use, housing, and primary care services. Functionally integrates with SOAR-trained benefits access support.
• SOAR SSI/SSDI Benefits Access Services Benefits access services delivered by SAMHSA SOAR-trained staff to help adults with serious mental illness apply for and obtain SSI/SSDI disability benefits. Used internally for clients and as a training competency to certify external providers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of 1,040 participants were stably housed with nearly 90% having insurance coverage; 42 newly housed since October 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 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

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• DC Central KitchenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025DC Central Kitchen was recognized as Bold & Courageous Partner of the Year at the 1st Annual Partnership Convening. The partnership represents cross-sector collaboration in the D.C. community focused on health, equity, and food security alongside behavioral health and housing services.
• Capital One BankminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Capital One Bank was recognized as Bold & Courageous Partner of the Year at the 1st Annual Partnership Convening. The partnership supports community impact initiatives and cross-sector collaboration in the D.C. area.
• Virginia Williams Family Resource CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Referral partner for temporary shelter approval. A consumer story describes the Family Peer Coach accompanying a client to Virginia Williams Family Resource Center to obtain temporary shelter, demonstrating the organization's role in navigating housing systems for clients.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Caminar: Bay Area nonprofit providing behavioral health, supportive housing, and rehabilitation services for people with mental health and substance use challenges. Comparable integrated supportive housing and clinical services model for adults with serious mental illness.
• Project HOME: Philadelphia nonprofit combining permanent supportive housing, behavioral health, education, and employment services for people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Comparable integrated housing-plus-clinical model serving a defined urban geography.
• Housing Works: NYC-based nonprofit fighting homelessness and AIDS through housing, advocacy, healthcare, and job training. Comparable as a multi-decade urban nonprofit combining permanent supportive housing with integrated healthcare for highly marginalized populations.
• Maryhaven: Central Ohio's oldest and most comprehensive behavioral health provider, offering addiction recovery, mental health treatment, housing, and outpatient services. Comparable as a long-standing, multi-service nonprofit behavioral health and recovery organization.
• Thresholds: Chicago-based nonprofit providing behavioral health, housing, and recovery services to individuals with mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Highly comparable as a multi-program nonprofit combining clinical care, supportive housing, and outreach for vulnerable populations in a single metro area.

Broad incumbents

• Volunteers of America National Services: National nonprofit operating behavioral health, housing, and human services programs across many states. Comparable as a much larger, multi-state incumbent offering overlapping supportive housing and behavioral health services, but at national scale versus Community Connections' D.C.-only footprint.

Others

• Mental Health America: National nonprofit dedicated to mental health promotion, advocacy, and education. Comparable as a national community-based organization influencing the same behavioral health ecosystem and consumer referral pathways.
• National Council for Mental Wellbeing: National membership and advocacy organization representing behavioral health providers, including training, certification, and policy resources. Comparable as an ecosystem player shaping the same behavioral health provider space and serving as a peer to TREM/CCTIC training buyers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Community Connections