The Groden Center

What The Groden Center does

The Groden Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit human services organization founded in 1976 by Drs. June and Gerry Groden and headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. It provides a comprehensive lifespan continuum of care for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, operating through three wholly-owned corporate entities: The Groden Center (day school and treatment programs for children ages 6–21), The Cove Center (Rhode Island adult habilitative and residential services for ages 21+), and The Halcyon Center / Behavioral Associates of Massachusetts (Massachusetts adult services for ages 22+). The organization runs 14 programs across more than 25 locations in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, serving approximately 100 day school students and 250+ adult clients, with an estimated 649 faculty and staff.

The service portfolio spans early intervention, day school, residential, treatment foster care, outpatient therapy, vocational training (Cove Enterprises, Stepping Out Program, employment services), community and home-based therapeutic services, family preservation, transition services, and The Groden Greenhouse. Underlying technology centers on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and three proprietary registered assessment tools developed in-house: the Stress Survey Schedule (SSS, 2001), the Assessment Scale of Positive Character Traits (ASPeCT-DD, 2009), and the Detailed Behavior Report (DBR, 2001). These are paired with published relaxation and imagery procedures, multiple peer-reviewed books (Oxford University Press, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Research Press), and a research-collaboration therapeutic application called Listening2Faces (developed with the University of Rhode Island). The organization also hosts an annual professional symposium on autism and a long-standing fundraising golf tournament (44th edition in 2024).

Revenue is generated through a multi-stream nonprofit model: government program funding (Medicaid, Rhode Island and Massachusetts state Departments of Education, DCYF, Health, Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities) as the primary stream; third-party insurance reimbursement; charitable donations and grants (e.g., a $10,000 Stop & Shop contribution for a school food pantry); and event-based fundraising (golf tournament, gala, symposium, reception). Pricing is not publicly disclosed because services are reimbursed through government programs and insurance rather than direct consumer payment. The go-to-market motion is direct service delivery through owned facilities, with referrals sourced from school districts, state agencies, families, and healthcare providers rather than traditional consumer marketing.

Name

The Groden Center

Legal name

The Groden Center, Inc.

Website

https://grodennetwork.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Groden Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1976 in Providence, Rhode Island, providing autism and developmental disability services across the lifespan through 14 programs and 25+ locations in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism and Developmental Disability Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Pediatric Rehabilitation & Developmental Therapy Centers (PT/OT/SLP) (HLAFAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ), Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Respite Care for Adults with Disabilities / Special Needs (HSABAGAI), Autism (ASD) Support Childcare (HSAAAIAA)

Keywords

• Autism services
• Applied behavior analysis
• Developmental disability support
• Early intervention programs
• Vocational rehabilitation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Program Funding: Primary revenue stream through Medicaid, state Department of Education, Department of Children Youth and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities, and local school departments. Reimbursement for treatment and habilitation services provided.
2. Insurance Reimbursement: Health insurance payments including Medicaid/Medicare/Social Security benefits. Billing and collection through third-party payors.
3. Donations and Grants: Charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Example: $10,000 donation from Stop & Shop for food security program.
4. Fundraising Events: Revenue from events including golf tournaments, galas, symposiums, and receptions. Proceeds support communication technology, vocational training, educational curricula, and summer camps.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The Groden Center provides a comprehensive continuum of care for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities across the lifespan, delivered through three corporate entities: The Groden Center (children's day school, early intervention, residential, community/home-based services), The Cove Center (Rhode Island adult habilitative, residential, and vocational programs), and The Halcyon Center (Massachusetts adult services). Services include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), outpatient therapy, treatment foster care, family preservation, employment services, and proprietary assessment tools.

Product overview

The Groden Center operates as a multi-program human services organization offering a continuum of care for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities across the lifespan. The organization encompasses three core program divisions: The Groden Center (children's day school and early intervention services), The Cove Center (Rhode Island adult habilitative and residential programs), and The Halcyon Center (Massachusetts adult services). These are complemented by specialized sub-programs including outpatient therapy, treatment foster care, employment services (Cove Enterprises), and community-based supports. The organization also contributes to the field through published research, assessment tools (Stress Survey Schedule, ASPeCT-DD, Detailed Behavior Report), and annual professional symposiums. The portfolio is a platform of coordinated service programs rather than a single unified software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Groden Center Day School Comprehensive day school and treatment center for children and teens ages 6-21 with autism and developmental disabilities, providing educational, therapeutic, and behavioral support services.
• The Cove Center

Quantifiable outcome

• 649 Faculty & Staff serving the network
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stop & ShopcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStop & Shop donated $10,000 to support the school's food pantry established in 2022. The pantry offers essential food and personal care items to families in need at the Groden Center Day School. Students help with shopping, stocking, and bagging groceries as job skills training. Part of Stop & Shop's School Food Pantry Program supporting 225+ pantries.
• Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCBSRI volunteers conducted planting and gardening activities at Groden Network residential homes, creating sensory-rich outdoor spaces and fresh produce for residents. Represents corporate volunteer partnership supporting the residential program.
• Providence Parks DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership ensuring clients gain valuable experience operating The Groden Greenhouse. Provides vocational training opportunities through community engagement.
• Hope Market and Feed RIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew community partnerships mentioned in Spring 2025 newsletter, supporting the organization's community outreach and food security initiatives.
• Aladdin ElectricminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlayer Bag Sponsor for the 45th John Trimble Fund for Autism Golf Tournament.
• Wannamoisett Country ClubminorOthersGolf tournament venue hosting the annual John Trimble Fund for Autism Golf Tournament. Located at 96 Hoyt Avenue, Rumford, RI.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Beacon ABA Services: Massachusetts-based nonprofit providing day, residential, and clinical services to children and adults with autism and IDD; comparable to The Halcyon Center's geographic and service footprint.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: Large nonprofit operating residential, day, and outpatient services for individuals with autism and IDD across multiple states; comparable in behavioral intervention model and pediatric-to-adult continuum.
• May Institute: Multi-state nonprofit providing lifespan autism and IDD services including ABA, residential, day, and clinical programs across MA, RI, and other states; directly comparable in service mix and target population to The Groden Network.
• Bancroft NeuroRehab: Nonprofit serving children and adults with autism, IDD, and brain injury through residential, day, and clinical programs in the mid-Atlantic; comparable in service breadth across the lifespan.
• Easterseals Rhode Island: Regional affiliate providing autism, IDD, and disability services in Rhode Island; directly comparable due to geographic overlap and overlapping pediatric/adult disability service mix.
• Melmark New England: Nonprofit providing lifespan residential, educational, and clinical services for children and adults with autism and IDD in the northeastern U.S.; directly comparable in ABA-based day school and adult residential model.

Broad incumbents

• Cardinal Innovations Healthcare: Managed care and behavioral health organization overseeing IDD and autism services; relevant as a payor/oversight counterpart rather than direct operator, comparable to the LEA/state partnerships Groden maintains.
• Kennedy Krieger Institute: Large research-and-clinical institution serving children and young adults with developmental disabilities, autism, and brain injuries; comparable in research-driven pediatric specialty model with Groden's Center/School approach.

Regional players

• Bayada Home Health Care: Multi-state home health and pediatric care provider with autism and IDD services; comparable to Groden's home and community therapeutic services line but operates primarily as a home-care platform.

Emerging players

• Children's Home Society of California (Aspiranet): Nonprofit operating foster care, behavioral, and developmental disability services including autism supports; partial overlap with Groden's treatment foster care and family preservation programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GrodenNetwork
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCBW8W6Id1Z4rT7cLEXI_PgQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/The-Groden-Network-Your-Autism-Experts/118040828110
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-groden-network-your-autism-experts-
• Instagraminstagram.com/thegrodennetwork/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 The Groden Center