YAI Network

What YAI Network does

YAI Network (legal name Young Adult Institute, Inc.) is a New York-based nonprofit human-services organization founded in 1957 that serves children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) across New York, New Jersey, and California. The organization operates an integrated continuum of services — affiliate schools (Manhattan Star Academy, iHOPE), clinical services through Premier HealthCare and the Center for Specialty Therapy, residential services, day services, Supported Employment, crisis and behavior support (NY START/CSIDD), family support, community/socialization programs, and assistive-technology services — supported by a workforce of 4,000+ employees including licensed clinicians such as Master Social Workers, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech Language Pathologists.

The revenue model is dominated by Medicaid and OPWDD (Office for People With Developmental Disabilities) reimbursement for Home and Community-Based Services waiver program delivery, supplemented by federal/state grants (e.g., Department of Transportation-funded travel training), individual and corporate donations, event fundraising (Central Park Challenge, 40th anniversary in 2026 with 4,000+ attendees), and fee-for-service revenue from YAI Knowledge, the professional training and consulting division. YAI Knowledge offers in-person, remote, and self-guided training, including streaming video courses via Vimeo (e.g., HIPAA at approximately $149.99 per title) to organizations domestically and in more than 10 countries.

The go-to-market is mission-driven and referral-based: families access services through OPWDD's Front Door eligibility process, schools and healthcare providers make referrals, and Supported Employment candidates are placed with corporate employer partners (e.g., The Bristal Assisted Living, CVS). Recent product launches include the STAR Program (transition-age youth, July 2025) and a new NY START intensive resource center in Kingston, NY (2026), alongside a 2026 partnership with Special Olympics and Stony Brook University to expand recreational-sports access. Technology functions primarily as assistive and planning tooling (person-centered planning frameworks, communication tools) rather than as a proprietary software platform.

Name

YAI Network

Legal name

Young Adult Institute, Inc.

Website

https://yai.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

YAI Network is a New York-based nonprofit founded in 1957 serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across New York, New Jersey, and California through an integrated continuum of clinical, educational, residential, employment, and crisis services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Medicaid / OPWDD Reimbursement: The majority of YAI's services are funded through Medicaid and OPWDD (Office for People With Developmental Disabilities) reimbursement, as the organization provides Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver program services.
2. Government Contracts and Grants: Substantial I/DD-related funding comes from government sources. YAI also receives grants such as a Department of Transportation grant to provide free travel training.
3. Training and Consulting (YAI Knowledge): YAI Knowledge offers professional development and training services to organizations for a fee, with courses available in-person, remote, or self-guided formats. Streaming video trainings (e.g., HIPAA, Fire Safety) are available for rent at approximately $149.99 per title.
4. Donations and Fundraising: Individual and corporate donations, event fundraising (Central Park Challenge), and corporate sponsorships support YAI's mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

YAI Network is a nonprofit human services organization providing a comprehensive continuum of programs for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Core offerings span clinical services (medical, dental, therapy), affiliate school education, residential and crisis stabilization, supported employment, day services, family support, and community/socialization. It also operates YAI Knowledge, a paid professional training division delivering curricula to organizations domestically and in 10+ countries.

Product overview

YAI Network is a comprehensive human services organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Rather than a single unified software product, YAI provides a platform of service offerings including affiliate schools (Manhattan Star Academy, iHOPE), clinical services (Premier HealthCare, Center for Specialty Therapy), employment support (Supported Employment with 7.9-year average retention), residential services, crisis intervention (NY START), and professional training (YAI Knowledge). The core service delivery is supplemented by video-based training products (HIPAA, Compliance, Fire Safety) available via streaming. Key programs include the STAR Program for transition-age youth and a Travel Training Program funded by Department of Transportation grants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Manhattan Star Academy: Affiliate school serving students ages 3-21 with focus on communication, technology, and independent living skills
• iHOPE
• Premier HealthCare
• Center for Specialty Therapy
• NY START
• YAI Knowledge
• STAR Program

Products and services

• Clinical Services Medical, dental, rehabilitation, and therapy services delivered at YAI's Premier HealthCare and Center for Specialty Therapy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Manhattan Star Academy YAI affiliate school serving students ages 3-21 with focus on communication, technology, and independent living skills.
• iHOPE (International Academy of Hope) YAI affiliate school serving students ages 3-21 with focus on communication, technology, and independent living skills.
• Residential Services Housing and residential support services for people with I/DD, including supported living, group homes, and crisis stabilization homes.
• Supported Employment Employment program providing pre-employment services, job coaching, and ongoing support for people with I/DD, with placements at employer partners across NYC, Long Island, Westchester, and Rockland/Orange Counties.
• Day Services Day programs providing structured activities, skill development, and community participation for people with I/DD.
• Crisis and Behavior Support Services Crisis intervention and behavior support services grounded in positive psychology, offering respite and interventions to support families in crisis.
• NY START / CSIDD Program Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources, and Treatment program supporting people with I/DD who also experience mental health challenges, with crisis intervention, respite services, and an intensive resource center.
• STAR Program (Students Transitioning to Adult Roles) Transition-focused program supporting students ages 18-21 with I/DD through life skills training, social-emotional development, vocational experiences, and community engagement.
• Travel Training Program Department of Transportation grant-funded free program providing travel training to help people with I/DD independently navigate public transit systems.
• Family Support Services Family support services including respite care, family training, and assistance navigating service systems.
• Community and Socialization Programs Social activities, community integration, and socialization opportunities for people with I/DD.
• YAI Knowledge Professional Training Professional development and training division offering live in-person, remote, and self-guided training, plus customized curricula for organizations in the I/DD field and beyond.
• Let's Get Hip About HIPAA Video Training Streaming video training covering HIPAA regulations, Protected Health Information, breach notification, privacy vs. security, and social media; available for rent via Vimeo at approximately $149.99 per title.
• Compliance and Ethics Training Video Training video teaching staff how to foster a strong compliance and ethics culture; available for streaming via Vimeo.
• Fire Safety Training Video Fire safety training video developed with FDNY covering unsafe practices, behavior correction, and compliance regulations for residential and day settings; available for streaming via Vimeo.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average job retention for someone in YAI's Supported Employment program is 7.9 years
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Special OlympicscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026YAI is partnering with Special Olympics and Stony Brook University to bring recreational sports opportunities to every region YAI serves, creating more ways for people with I/DD to discover movement, build confidence, and find activities that support their overall well-being.
• Stony Brook UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026YAI is partnering with Special Olympics and Stony Brook University to bring recreational sports opportunities to every region YAI serves, creating more ways for people with I/DD to discover movement, build confidence, and find activities that support their overall well-being.
• The Bristal Assisted LivingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership launched in 2025 to create inclusive employment opportunities for people with I/DD. Through hands-on internships, job coaching, and ongoing support, YAI participants gain skills and employment at The Bristal's Garden City location. Participant Amanda Caputo completed a 10-week summer internship and was hired in November 2025 as dining room waitstaff, with YAI providing ongoing job coaching.
• YMCAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025STAR Program participants at Manhattan Star Academy have YMCA memberships where they participate in activities like basketball and weight training. The YMCA partnership supports social engagement and physical activity for transition-age students.
• Rebecca School, Manhattan Children's Center, Brooklyn Autism CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTAR Program has built partnerships with fellow YAI affiliate The International Academy of Hope (iHOPE), Rebecca School, Manhattan Children's Center, and Brooklyn Autism Center to host monthly social events for transition-age students, addressing the critical gap in social opportunities after high school.
• ANCOR (American Network of Community Options and Resources)coreOthersYAI is a proud member of ANCOR, an advocacy organization working to improve the lives of people with disabilities and those who support them.
• IAC (InterAgency Council-NYC)coreOthersYAI is a proud member of IAC, a New York City-based advocacy organization.
• CDSA (California Disability Services Association)coreOthersYAI is a proud member of CDSA, a California-based disability services advocacy organization.
• Corporate Partners (Hertz, Raymour & Flanigan, Sam's Club, Verizon)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerYAI's Corporate Partnership Program connects with companies providing brand discounts and employee engagement opportunities. Named partners include Hertz, Raymour & Flanigan, Sam's Club, and Verizon.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: Easterseals is a national nonprofit providing disability and I/DD services including employment, education, and community-based supports. Its broader scope (autism, veterans, seniors) and national footprint make it a broad incumbent rather than a direct competitor to YAI's I/DD-focused model.
• The Arc of the United States: The Arc is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with a federated network of state and local chapters. YAI's affiliation with state-level Arc-like advocacy bodies (ANCOR, IAC, CDSA) and overlap in mission makes The Arc a broad incumbent peer.
• Goodwill Industries International: Goodwill is a national nonprofit providing employment, training, and support services for people with disabilities and other barriers to work. It overlaps with YAI's Supported Employment mission but operates at much broader national scale across multiple populations.

Direct peers

• AHRC New York City: AHRC NYC is one of the largest nonprofit providers of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in New York City, offering residential, day, employment, and clinical programs. It is the closest direct peer to YAI in scale, geography, and integrated service model.
• HeartShare Human Services of New York: HeartShare is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit serving people with I/DD across education, residential, employment, and clinical services in the New York City area. It competes with YAI for OPWDD/Medicaid-funded programs and shares a similar integrated continuum-of-care model.
• UCP (United Cerebral Palsy): UCP is a national network of affiliates providing services to people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, including residential, day, employment, and clinical programs. Its affiliate-driven model and I/DD focus make it directly comparable to YAI's affiliate structure.
• Services for the UnderServed (SUS): SUS is a New York City-based nonprofit providing housing, employment, clinical, and behavioral health services to people with I/DD, mental illness, and homelessness. It is a direct peer in the NYC human services landscape, competing for OPWDD and Medicaid funding.

Others

• Premier HealthCare (YAI affiliate): Premier HealthCare is itself a YAI affiliate — included here as an internal rather than external peer to acknowledge that YAI's clinical services operate through a dedicated medical/dental entity similar in structure to standalone clinics serving I/DD populations.

Emerging players

• National Industries for the Blind (NIB) / AbilityOne: NIB and the AbilityOne program provide training and employment services for people with disabilities (including I/DD) through federal contracts. They are an emerging/adjacent peer in the supported-employment space that YAI's Supported Employment program competes and partners with.

Regional players

• LifeStream Services (formerly known as Aspire Indiana / LifeStream): LifeStream is a nonprofit providing I/DD services including residential, day, employment, and clinical care, primarily outside New York. It is a regional peer that shares YAI's integrated service approach but operates in a different geographic market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/yainetwork
• Facebookfacebook.com/yaihope
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yai-network
• Instagraminstagram.com/yainetwork
• TikToktiktok.com/@yainetwork

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries5 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 YAI Network