What Looking Upwards does

Looking Upwards is a Rhode Island-based 501c3 nonprofit human-services organization founded in 1979 and operating statewide from administrative offices in Portsmouth and Middletown. The organization delivers a comprehensive, lifespan-spanning continuum of care across three program verticals: (i) adult services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities — including supported living, 24-hour residential services, shared living arrangements, employment/vocational services, person-driven services, and day and community-based "Services by Design"; (ii) services for children, youth, and families — including early intervention (birth–3), home-based therapeutic services (HBTS), personal assistance services and support (PASS), the Incredible Years parent-training program, and Parents as Teachers; and (iii) school-based services — specialized paraprofessional staffing, school-to-career transition services for ages 14–22, and behavioral consulting. The organization serves more than 1,200 children and adults annually and is described as having "over 45 years of experience."

Name

Looking Upwards

Legal name

Looking Upwards, Inc.

Website

https://lookingupwards.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Looking Upwards is a Rhode Island 501c3 nonprofit, operating for over 45 years, that serves 1,200+ children and adults annually across three program verticals: adult developmental-disability services, children's and family services, and school-based behavioral support, funded primarily through state agencies DDD and BHDDH and Medicaid with a 600+ person clinical workforce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Human Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Child and Youth Services (624110), Educational Support Services (611710), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Early intervention programs
• Residential support services
• Employment services
• Parent training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Middletown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. State-Funded Program Services (DDD/BHDDD): Services for adults with developmental disabilities are funded through the Rhode Island Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Health Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH). Individuals must be approved for funding through these state agencies to access services such as Supported Living, Residential Services, Shared Living Arrangements, Employment Services, and Day & Community-Based Family Services.
2. Medicaid / Katie Beckett Funding (Children's Services): Children's services including Home-Based Therapeutic Services (HBTS) and Personal Assistance Services & Support (PASS) are funded through Medicaid or Katie Beckett for eligible children and youth ages 0-21 with developmental, behavioral, or mental health needs.
3. Fee-for-Service (Employment Services): Employment Services are available to individuals found eligible through BHDDH or ORS, and are also offered on a fee-for-service basis for those not eligible for government funding.
4. Charitable Donations & Fundraising: Looking Upwards accepts charitable donations from individuals, including one-time gifts, monthly recurring gifts, planned gifts (bequests, endowments, retirement assets, life insurance), and honor/memory gifts. Donors can designate gifts to specific programs or the general endowment.
5. Special Event Fundraising: Annual fundraising events including the Pell Bridge Run (targeting $10,000 in fundraising) and the Annual Golf Tournament ($150 per player/$600 foursome) generate revenue and community engagement.
6. Early Intervention (No Cost to Families): Early Intervention services are provided at no out-of-pocket cost to families, funded through state/federal early intervention programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Looking Upwards is a 501c3 nonprofit human services organization that provides direct-support services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to children, youth, and families with diverse needs across Rhode Island. Core offerings include supported living, residential services, shared living arrangements, employment services, person-driven day programs, early intervention, home-based therapeutic services (HBTS), personal assistance services and support (PASS), evidence-based parent training, and school-based paraprofessional and behavioral consulting services.

Product overview

Looking Upwards is a nonprofit human services organization providing a comprehensive suite of programs for adults with developmental disabilities and children/youth with diverse needs. The organization operates as a service provider rather than a technology product company, offering adult services (Supported Living, Residential Services, Shared Living Arrangement, Employment Services, Services by Design, and Person-Driven Services), children's and family services (Early Intervention, HBTS, PASS, Incredible Years Parent Training, and Parents as Teachers), and school services (Specialized Paraprofessional Services, School-to-Career Transition, and Behavioral Consulting). Additional offerings include affordable housing (2 Hammett Court Apartments), special events (Pell Bridge Run, Annual Golf Tournament), and art studios (Downtown Designs, Out of the Box Studio & Gallery, Sunlight Studios). These services are coordinated through administrative offices in Portsmouth and Middletown, RI, with over 600 employees serving more than 1,200 children and adults annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Downtown Designs: Art studio and inclusive gallery space in the community operated as part of Services by Design
• Out of the Box Studio & Gallery
• Sunlight Studios
• Hammett Court Apartments

Products and services

• Supported Living Flexible, individualized support for adults with developmental disabilities to live independently in their own homes, assisting with daily living skills, community participation, and personal goals. Funded through Rhode Island DDD/BHDDH.
• Residential Services 24-hour support in shared residential settings with emphasis on personal choice, safety, growth, and community connection for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Shared Living Arrangement Matches individuals with developmental disabilities with shared living providers who offer ongoing support, mentorship, and assistance with daily routines, community inclusion, and personal goals.
• Employment Services Personalized vocational support including job exploration, resume building, interview preparation, skill development, and ongoing workplace assistance for individuals with disabilities. Available through BHDDH/ORS funding or fee-for-service.
• Services by Design Person-driven day and community-based services offering opportunities for community exploration, skill development, creative expression, social connection, and personal growth. Includes three art studios (Downtown Designs, Out of the Box Studio & Gallery, Sunlight Studios).
• Person-Driven Services Supports individuals in gaining independence through skilled mentorship, high and low-tech solutions, self-advocacy skill building, and customized accommodations, using the Able Opportunities (Jennifer White) framework.
• Early Intervention Developmental support for infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years) through specialists including occupational, physical, and speech therapists, educators, and service coordinators. Provided at no out-of-pocket cost to families.
• Home-Based Therapeutic Services (HBTS) Evidence-based therapeutic support for children and youth (0-21 years) with autism, developmental disabilities, or behavioral/mental health needs, working alongside families using proven practices. Funded through Medicaid or Katie Beckett.
• Personal Assistance Services & Support (PASS) Family-directed assistance where parents select and supervise staff to help children and youth (0-21 years) develop daily living skills, social skills, and safety awareness. Funded through Medicaid or Katie Beckett.
• Incredible Years Parent Training Evidence-based parent training program helping caregivers reduce stress, improve child behavior, and build social-emotional skills using proven approaches.
• Parents as Teachers Free home visiting and support service for families from prenatal through kindergarten entry, providing personalized information, playgroups, developmental screenings, and connections to community resources.
• Specialized Paraprofessional Services Trained paraprofessional staff provided to schools to support individual student needs, classroom management, positive behavioral supports, and crisis prevention.
• School-to-Career Transition Services Experience-based vocational program helping students (ages 14-22) explore career paths, develop job skills, build soft skills, and transition from school to employment.
• Behavioral Consulting Evidence-based behavioral consultation services for schools using functional analysis, positive behavioral supports, and trauma-informed approaches.
• 2 Hammett Court Apartments Affordable housing opportunity in Jamestown, RI offering 1 and 2-bedroom unfurnished apartments for individuals and families with low to moderate income, with accessibility options and community amenities.
• Art Studios (Downtown Designs, Out of the Box Studio & Gallery, Sunlight Studios) Three unique art studios offering inclusive gallery space where individuals with disabilities can share art, develop creative talents, and participate in the community arts scene. Downtown Designs operates a storefront in Newport.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,200 children and adults served annually across Rhode Island
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• State of Rhode Island, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)coreOthersDDD is the primary state funder and referral source for adult developmental disability services. Individuals must be approved for DDD funding to access Supported Living, Residential Services, Shared Living Arrangements, and other adult programs. The DDD social case worker must recommend individuals for services.
• Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH)coreOthersBHDDH is a key state agency overseeing developmental disability services and funding. Individuals found eligible by BHDDH can access Employment Services and Day & Community-Based Family Services (Services by Design). BHDDH provides the funding framework for many of Looking Upwards' programs.
• Office of Rehabilitative Services (ORS)coreOthersORS is the state vocational rehabilitation agency. Students and individuals found eligible through ORS can access Employment Services. ORS also refers students ages 14-22 for school-to-career transition services.
• Rhode Island Foundation (Endowment Management)minorOthersThe Looking Upwards endowment is managed by the Rhode Island Foundation as an investment fund. Donations to the endowment are protected assets, with investment income growth enabling future mission support.
• Downtown Designs (Newport)minorOthersOne of three art studios operated by Looking Upwards participants. Downtown Designs is an artisan jewelry and hand-woven accessory business with a storefront in Newport, RI. It operates as a social enterprise providing creative engagement and income opportunity for program participants.
• Out of the Box Studio & GalleryminorOthersOne of three art studios operated by Looking Upwards participants. Out of the Box Studios & Gallery provides inclusive gallery space and creative programming for artists with disabilities.
• Sunlight StudiosminorOthersOne of three art studios operated by Looking Upwards participants, providing creative expression opportunities for individuals with disabilities in Rhode Island.
• Incredible Years (Evidence-Based Parent Training Program)minorOthersLooking Upwards delivers the Incredible Years® parent training program, an evidence-based approach to supporting children's social and emotional development and addressing challenging behaviors. This is a licensed/evidence-based program framework used within Looking Upwards' services.
• Parents as Teachers (National Organization)minorOthersLooking Upwards delivers the Parents as Teachers program, a free service for families from prenatal through kindergarten entry. Services are provided by trained, certified early childhood professionals following the Parents as Teachers model.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Perspectives Corporation: Rhode Island-based nonprofit providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral health challenges across the lifespan, including residential, day, employment, and family support. The most direct in-state peer to Looking Upwards, competing for the same DDD/BHDDH authorizations and school contracts.
• The Arc of Rhode Island: State chapter of The Arc, providing advocacy, case management, and direct services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Rhode Island. Overlaps with Looking Upwards on adult day, employment, and family support services within the same state funding system.
• Meeting Street: Rhode Island nonprofit providing early intervention, special education, pediatric therapy, and adult services for children and adults with disabilities. Direct overlap with Looking Upwards on early intervention (birth–3), pediatric therapies, and school-based services.
• Seven Hills Foundation: Massachusetts-based nonprofit operating a comprehensive lifespan continuum of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including residential, day, employment, and behavioral health programs. Closely comparable full-continuum model, though serving a different geography.
• Justice Resource Institute (JRI): Massachusetts-based human services nonprofit providing residential, educational, therapeutic, and community-based supports for children, adults, and families with developmental, behavioral, and mental health needs. Comparable breadth of clinical and residential services to Looking Upwards.
• Easterseals Rhode Island: State affiliate of Easterseals serving Rhode Island with disability services, early intervention, and workforce supports. Competes for the same Medicaid and state funding streams and offers overlapping early intervention and employment services.
• Ability Beyond: Nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism in Connecticut and New York with residential, day, employment, and behavioral health programs. Closely comparable service mix and operating model, though operating outside Rhode Island.
• LifeStream Services: Indiana-based nonprofit providing residential, day, employment, and behavioral supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Operates a similar full-continuum model and uses state Medicaid waiver funding in a comparable manner.
• Family Service of Rhode Island: Rhode Island-based nonprofit providing a continuum of family, child, and behavioral health services including early intervention, home-based, and school-linked supports. Direct overlap with Looking Upwards on early intervention, HBTS, and family support programs funded by the same state agencies.

Broad incumbents

• Volunteers of America (National): Large national nonprofit operating a broad portfolio including disability services, behavioral health, housing, and veteran services. Overlaps with Looking Upwards on supported housing and disability programs but at far greater scale and geographic breadth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LookingUpwards

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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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 Looking Upwards