Hills and Dales

What Hills and Dales does

Hills & Dales is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1973 in Dubuque, Iowa, delivering a continuum of disability services across the lifespan. With 450+ staff, the organization operates an Intermediate Care Facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities (59 residents with 24-hour nursing), four ABA therapy clinic locations under the Weber Autism Center and AutismHD sub-brands staffed by 9 Board Certified Behavior Analysts, Home and Community Based Services supporting 60+ clients across 18 apartments and community homes, a Supported Employment program with 27 active placements as of October 2024, Childcare and Childcare Medical Services for children ages 0-18, a Senior/LifeTime Center, and a Developmental & Behavioral Health Clinic opened in July 2024 led by a dual-certified nurse practitioner (DNP, ARNP, CPNP-PC, PMHNP-BC) who rendered the organization's first autism diagnosis in August 2025. Approximately 250+ individuals are served across all programs, with services delivered at facilities in Dubuque, Dyersville, and the Quad Cities area.

The revenue model is dominated by Medicaid reimbursement for ICF/ID, HCBS, and Childcare Medical Services, supplemented by charitable donations (online, planned giving, stock, bequests) and corporate/foundation grants. From 2021 through 2025 the organization raised approximately $865,000 in cumulative grants, with 2025 alone totaling approximately $593,500 — including a $500,000 anonymous gift for Residential Based Supported Community Living home construction. Senior meal pricing operates on a voluntary contribution model ($6 dine-in for NEI3A participants, $8 carry-out for age 60+, $9 for under-60). The organization holds its seventh consecutive three-year CARF International accreditation (2025) for Community Employment Services and Community Integration services.

Go-to-market is community-led: families enter via website inquiry forms, healthcare provider referrals, and school district collaborations, while Supported Employment cultivates employer partnerships with local businesses (Walmart, Fareway, Pizza Ranch, Dollar Fresh, National Mississippi River Museum, University of Dubuque, among others). Distribution occurs through six disclosed physical service locations plus staff deployed to employer worksites and client homes. Capital expansion is grant-funded and supported by two governance boards (Operations Board chaired by Bradley Kemp of MidWestOne Bank, Foundation Board chaired by Craig Schaefer of Loras College), with Jack Mescher serving as CEO.

Name

Hills and Dales

Legal name

Hills & Dales

Website

https://hillsdales.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Hills & Dales is a Dubuque, Iowa-based nonprofit providing disability services across the lifespan — ABA therapy, ICF/ID residential care, Home and Community Based Services, Supported Employment, childcare, and senior programs — serving 250+ clients with 450+ staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Services / Human Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Skilled Nursing Care Facilities (8051), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Respite Care for Adults with Disabilities / Special Needs (HSABAGAI), Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI), Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare (HSAAAIAC), Adult Day Rehabilitation & Therapy Programs (PT/OT/SLP) (HLADAIAD)

Keywords

• Disability services
• Applied behavior analysis
• Autism services
• Residential care facility
• Community based programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubuque

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 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-Funded Services: Hills & Dales generates revenue through Medicaid-funded programs including Intermediate Care Facility (ICF/ID) services, Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), and childcare medical services for eligible individuals with authorization from medical professionals.
2. Donations and Fundraising: The organization accepts charitable donations through online giving, checks, stock contributions, and planned giving vehicles including bequests, IRA beneficiary designations, gift annuities, life insurance, and charitable trusts.
3. Grant Funding: Hills & Dales receives grant funding from corporate foundations (Andersen Corporate Foundation, McDonough Foundation, Wahlert Foundation), government entities (City of Dubuque), community foundations (DRA, Dupaco Hoefer Foundation), and charitable organizations (Variety - The Children's Charity, Optimist Club of Dubuque) to support specific programs and capital projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Hills & Dales delivers a continuum of human services for individuals with disabilities across the lifespan, including autism diagnosis and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, 24-hour Intermediate Care Facility (ICF/ID) residential care, Home and Community Based Services (Supported Community Living, Day Habilitation, Supported Employment, Respite), a Developmental and Behavioral Health Clinic, Childcare and Childcare Medical Services, Residential Based Supported Community Living, and a Senior/LifeTime Center program. Services are funded through Medicaid, private pay, donations, and grants, and delivered at multiple locations across Dubuque, Dyersville, and the Quad Cities.

Product overview

Hills & Dales is a nonprofit organization providing disability services through multiple interconnected programs. The organization operates a unified service portfolio comprising: Autism Services with ABA therapy at clinic locations in Dubuque (Weber Autism Center) and Dyersville; Childcare Center and Childcare Medical Services for children ages 0-18; a Developmental & Behavioral Health Clinic for evaluation and diagnosis; Home & Community Based Services including Supported Community Living, Day Habilitation, Supported Employment, and Respite; Residential Based Supported Community Living for children in community homes; a Residential Center (ICF/ID) with 24-hour nursing for 59 residents; and a Senior/LifeTime Center with weekday meals and activities. Programs are coordinated to support individuals across their lifespan from early childhood through senior years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Weber Autism Center: State-of-the-art ABA therapy clinic located at 1660 Embassy West Drive in Dubuque, opened in 2024. Provides applied behavior analysis services for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
• LifeTime Center
• AutismHD

Products and services

• Autism Services (ABA Therapy) Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services delivered by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and trained behavior technicians to children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, using individualized plans based on each child's identified needs.
• Childcare Center & Childcare Medical Services Childcare services for children ages 0-18 with and without disabilities, including Childcare Medical Services with additional nursing support, individualized plans, and lower staff-to-child ratios for children with medical needs. Uses Creative Curriculum framework.
• Developmental & Behavioral Health Clinic Comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, and individualized intervention for children and adults with behavioral, developmental, and learning challenges. Includes developmental assessments, behavioral interventions, speech and occupational therapy coordination, parent coaching, and medication management.
• Home & Community Based Services Comprehensive suite including Supported Community Living (1-24 hours daily skills training), Day Habilitation (community integration and life skills), Supported Employment, Respite care, and Home & Vehicle Modification services for adults and children with developmental disabilities.
• Residential Based Supported Community Living (RBSCL) 24-hour daily support to children aged 17 and under living outside their family home in community settings. Develops daily living and social skills paired with behavior intervention strategies.
• Residential Center (ICF/ID)

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced autism diagnosis wait time from 12-18 months to immediate access through Hills & Dales' first diagnosis rendered August 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Trustwell Living at Eagle Point PlaceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025Partnership for Senior/LifeTime Center activities including hosting BINGO and special dessert bar at Senior Citizen Day open house events.
• Iowa NEON (National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Iowa Health and Human Services project funded by US Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy. Hills & Dales Community Services Director Kara Huss serves as one of five subject matter experts advising the project on transforming Day Habilitation services and providing Benefits Liaison Tools.
• Iowa Association of Community ProviderscoreOthers · 1 January 2025State-level advocacy organization for community providers. Hills & Dales collaborates on policy advocacy and shares resources.
• Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)coreOthers · 1 January 2025National organization promoting employment first philosophy. Hills & Dales collaborates on employment initiatives and shares resources.
• Community Partnership for Protecting Children - Dubuque, Jackson and Clinton countiesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Multi-county collaborative partnership for protecting children, sharing resources and initiatives.
• ACE (Active Citizen Experience) at Bay View Middle SchoolminorOthers · 1 January 2025Middle school service learning program from Green Bay, WI. Fourth visit since 2019. Students volunteer across Hills & Dales programs including Residential Center, Supported Community Living, Childcare, Day Habilitation, and Autism Services.
• Pizza RanchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Local restaurant employer partner in Hills & Dales Supported Employment Program. Host businesses work with Hills & Dales at no cost to provide a learning environment for employees with disabilities. Pizza Ranch employs individuals with disabilities for cleaning and prep tasks.
• FarewaycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Grocery store employer partner in Supported Employment Program. Provides competitive integrated employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
• Walmart of DubuquecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Major retail employer partner providing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities through the Supported Employment Program.
• National Mississippi River Museum & AquariumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Nonprofit museum partner providing employment and volunteer opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Staff and clients volunteer together at the museum.
• Dollar FreshcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Grocery store employer partner providing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities through the Supported Employment Program.
• Divine Word College SeminaryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Educational institution employer partner in Epworth, Iowa providing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
• Four MoundscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Foundation and conference center nonprofit partner providing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
• University of DubuqueminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Higher education institution employer providing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Arc of the United States: National nonprofit organization providing advocacy and direct services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including residential, employment, and community-based supports. Directly comparable mission and service mix to Hills & Dales.
• Mosaic: Nonprofit providing services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities including residential, day services, employment supports, and autism services across multiple states. Closely matches Hills & Dales' ICF/ID, HCBS, and Supported Employment portfolio.
• Penn-Mar Human Services: Nonprofit provider of disability services including residential, day programs, employment supports, and behavioral health. Similar integrated lifespan service portfolio to Hills & Dales, though operating primarily in the Mid-Atlantic.
• RHA Health Services: Behavioral health and I/DD services provider operating ICF/ID facilities, HCBS programs, and supported employment across multiple states. Highly comparable service mix including institutional and community-based disability supports.

Emerging players

• Centria Healthcare: For-profit provider specializing in ABA therapy and autism services across multiple states. Directly comparable to Hills & Dales' Weber Autism Center / ABA therapy service line.

Regional players

• Hope Network: Michigan-based nonprofit providing behavioral health, autism, and disability services including residential, employment, and community living supports. Comparable integrated service model and population focus.
• Four Oaks: Iowa-based nonprofit providing child welfare, behavioral health, and family services including some disability programming. Comparable Iowa footprint and community-based nonprofit model, though narrower disability specialization.
• Tanager Place: Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based nonprofit providing behavioral health, child welfare, and disability services. Regional peer with overlapping Iowa service territory and similar population focus on children and families.

Broad incumbents

• Sevita Health (formerly REM Iowa): Large for-profit provider of home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including HCBS, day programs, and supported employment across Iowa and nationally. Direct competitor in the Iowa HCBS market.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit federation providing disability and autism services including ABA therapy, residential, employment, and early childhood programs. Highly comparable service portfolio to Hills & Dales, though operating at significantly larger national scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=UJBZCoq5yW4
• Facebookfacebook.com/HillsDales

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Hills and Dales