Cornerstones of Care

What Cornerstones of Care does

Cornerstones of Care is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit behavioral and mental health organization headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, delivering prevention, intervention, residential treatment, and education services to children and families affected by trauma across Kansas and Missouri. The organization operates through three core service pillars — Youth and Family Support (Intensive In-Home Services, Family Focus, Family Preservation Services, Functional Family Therapy, Intensive Family Reunification Services, Outpatient Counseling, Pathways Transitional Living, and Ozanam Campus residential treatment including QRTP-certified care), Foster Care and Adoption (foster parent recruitment, licensing, case management, Wendy's Wonderful Kids adoption recruitment, and SOUL Family permanency), and Education and Training (BIST training for educators, Build Trybe vocational programming, Day Treatment Schools K-12, Youth Educational Success, and Show Me Healthy Relationships). Its underlying practice technology rests on certified evidence-based models — including the Sanctuary Model of trauma-informed care, FFT, TF-CBT, DBT, Signs of Safety, and Solution-Based Casework — and a BIST behavioral intervention framework operational since 1990 that now reaches 300+ schools across 9 states.

The organization serves more than 15,000 children and families annually and employs 501-1000 staff across its Gillis Campus (8150 Wornall Rd) and Ozanam Campus (421 E 137th St) in Kansas City, plus outpatient sites in the Kansas City and St. Louis metro areas. Cornerstones generates revenue through a hybrid model combining fee-for-service government contracts (Kansas DCF, Missouri Children's Division), Medicaid and managed care billing (Healthy Blue Kansas, Sunflower Health Plan, United Healthcare, Home State Health), county levy funding (Jackson County COMBAT Mental Health Fund for Family Focus), charitable donations and planned giving, special events (Spirit Gala, Disc Golf Tournament), and foundation/corporate grants (Dave Thomas Foundation, Health Forward Foundation, Hall Family Foundation, EPA, Greater Kansas City Community Foundation). Most prevention programs are offered free to eligible families; outpatient counseling uses sliding-scale fees and grant subsidies for uninsured individuals; BIST training is sold to school districts with graduate credit available through Baker University. Cornerstones traces its lineage to predecessor agencies dating to 1870 (Gillis, Ozanam, Spofford, Marillac) and adopted its current unified name in 2017, operating today as an independent nonprofit governed by a Board of Directors under President & CEO Merideth Rose.

Name

Cornerstones of Care

Legal name

Cornerstones of Care

Website

https://cornerstonesofcare.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1870

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Cornerstones of Care is a Kansas City-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit delivering trauma-informed prevention, treatment, residential, foster care, and education services to more than 15,000 children and families annually across Kansas and Missouri.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Child Welfare and Family Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Individual and Family Services (6241), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC), Family Advocacy, Parent Training & Support Services (EDAJAKAK), Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations (BPAGACAF)

Keywords

• Foster care services
• Child welfare programs
• Behavioral health services
• Family therapy programs
• Education training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kansas City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts & Grants: Primary revenue from contracts with Kansas Department of Children & Families (DCF), Missouri Children's Division, and other government agencies for child welfare, foster care, and mental health services.
2. Donations & Charitable Giving: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Organization is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity (Tax ID: 43-1689138).
3. Special Events & Campaigns: Revenue from annual events like Spirit Gala, Disc Golf Tournament, and planned giving programs. Capital campaigns like Bridging the Future ($10.1M goal).
4. Program Service Fees: Some services covered by Medicaid and private insurance. Jackson County Community Mental Health Fund covers Family Focus program. Various funding options based on service and location.
5. Training & Education Services: Revenue from continuing education classes for behavioral health professionals and professional training programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Cornerstones of Care is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps children, young adults, and families thrive through three pillars of service: (1) Youth and Family Support — including in-home therapy, outpatient counseling, family preservation, and parent education; (2) Foster Care and Adoption — licensing foster and adoptive families, recruiting families for children in custody, and providing residential and transitional living for older youth; and (3) Education and Training — BIST classroom behavior training for educators, day treatment schools, professional continuing education, and youth education programs. Services are delivered at multiple Missouri and Kansas locations and funded through government contracts, grants, and donations.

Product overview

Cornerstones of Care is a behavioral and mental health nonprofit organization (not a technology company) offering a comprehensive suite of social services organized around three core pillars: Youth and Family Support, Foster Care and Adoption, and Education and Training. The organization operates across Kansas and Missouri, serving over 15,000 children and families annually. Their service portfolio includes prevention programs (Intensive In-Home Services, Family Focus, Family Preservation Services), intervention services (Functional Family Therapy, Intensive Family Reunification Services, Pathways Transitional Living, Outpatient Counseling), campus-based residential treatment (Ozanam Campus with Emergency Shelter, 24/7 Residential Treatment, specialized programs), and educational programs (Day Treatment Schools, BIST training, Build Trybe vocational training, Youth Educational Success). The organization was formed in 2017 through the merger of five founding agencies and is certified in the Sanctuary Model of trauma-informed care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Family Preservation Services Short-term, intensive in-home services for families involved with the child welfare system who are at risk of having a child placed out of the home; designed to keep families safely together.
• Functional Family Therapy (FFT) Short-term, evidence-based family therapy intervention delivered primarily in the home for at-risk and juvenile justice-involved youth and their families.
• Intensive Family Reunification Services (IFRS) Intensive in-home services to support the safe and timely reunification of children in out-of-home care with their parents or kin.
• Intensive In-Home Services (IIS) Short-term, intensive in-home services for families whose children are at imminent risk of being placed in foster care, group care, or other out-of-home settings.
• Family Focus Targeted in-home family support service designed to address family stressors and prevent the need for more restrictive child welfare interventions.
• Outpatient Counseling Therapy and counseling services for children, adolescents, and families experiencing mental health, behavioral, or relational challenges.
• Show Me Healthy Relationships State-funded, voluntary parent education program designed to help divorcing or separating parents build healthier co-parenting relationships and reduce conflict for the well-being of their children.
• Behavior Intervention Support Team (BIST) Classroom-based behavior intervention and school-wide support framework that trains educators to retain students in the classroom and create safe, supportive learning environments.
• Day Treatment Schools (Youth Educational Success – YES) Day school program partnering with public schools to provide therapeutic and educational services to students with significant behavioral or mental health needs who require more support than a traditional classroom can offer.
• Continuing Education Classes Professional continuing education and training classes for social workers, counselors, foster and adoptive parents, and other human services professionals.
• On-Campus Living (Ozanam Campus) Residential living program on the Ozanam campus providing stable housing, supervision, and supportive services for youth in foster care or those aging out of the system.
• Pathways Transitional Living Transitional living program supporting older youth and young adults aging out of foster care as they build independent living skills, education, employment, and housing stability.
• Wendy's Wonderful Kids Adoption recruitment and permanency program focused on finding permanent, loving families for children in foster care waiting to be adopted, including older youth and those with complex needs.
• SOUL Family Foster and adoptive family program specializing in affirming, supportive placements for LGBTQ+ youth in care.
• Foster Care and Adoption Licensing Licensing, training, and ongoing support for foster and adoptive families delivering the Trauma-Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanency – Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (PRIDE/MAPP) curriculum across Missouri and Kansas.

Quantifiable outcome

• Positively impact over 15,000 children and families annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, notable and minor.

• Sanctuary InstitutecoreTechnology or IntegrationCornerstones of Care is certified in the Sanctuary Model of trauma-informed care and was one of the first organizations in the region to implement this evidence-based approach. The partnership provides the foundational methodology for all trauma-informed services.
• Kansas Department of Children & Families (DCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government partner in Kansas for Family Preservation Services, foster care case management, and child welfare programs. DCF conducts family assessments and refers families to Cornerstones programs.
• Missouri Children's DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner for foster care case management, IIS/IFRS contracts, and child welfare services in Missouri. Uses Signs of Safety model recommended by the division.
• KC CARE Health CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing on-site and off-site physical and dental healthcare services for youth in residential treatment. Also provides psychiatric care services with monthly medication reviews.
• Dave Thomas Foundation for AdoptioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding partner for Wendy's Wonderful Kids program in Missouri. Foundation provides grants to hire and train adoption recruiters implementing evidence-based, child-focused recruitment model.
• Kansas City ChiefsnotableGTM or Marketing PartnerFoster15 partnership with 15 and the Mahomies (Patrick Mahomes Foundation) for foster care awareness. Charity game collaborations and community visibility through sports team association.
• Kansas City RoyalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partnership through Kansas City Royals Foundation for youth programming and community support.
• Annie E. Casey FoundationnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for SOUL Family Legal Permanency Option, designed by and for young people in foster care. Kansas is first state to implement this innovative permanency concept.
• Boys GrowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuild Trybe partner providing horticultural and culinary mentorship opportunities for youth.
• Nourish KCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuild Trybe partner for culinary training and food education programs.
• Maker Village KCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuild Trybe partner providing maker space and vocational training facilities for at-risk youth in trades.
• Heartland Conservation AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuild Trybe partner for conservation landscaping program teaching valuable horticulture skills while improving environmental health of Kansas City.
• Functional Family Therapy LLCnotableTechnology or IntegrationProvider of FFT model and training, with Cornerstones staff trained and providing Functional Family Therapy services in 31 counties.
• University of KansasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for engaged fatherhood, family, and financial stability programming through ShowMe Healthy Relationships.
• Foster & Adoptive Care CoalitionnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide outpatient counseling services to foster and adoptive families in St. Louis region with emphasis on trauma, attachment, and adoption.
• Abundant LifeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner hosting foster parent information sessions at multiple campus locations in the Kansas City region.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Boys Town: National nonprofit providing child behavioral health, in-home family services, foster care, and residential treatment for at-risk youth. Highly comparable: same evidence-based practice model, similar residential and community-based continuum, and overlapping funder base (federal, state, donations).
• KVC Health Systems: Kansas-headquartered nonprofit operating foster care, family preservation, behavioral health, and residential treatment across multiple states. Directly comparable in operating model (in-home services, FFT, residential, behavioral health) and overlap in Kansas/Missouri geographies.
• SAFY (SAFY of America): Midwest-rooted nonprofit providing foster care, adoption, behavioral health, family preservation, and intensive in-home services with multi-state operations. Closely comparable service mix, especially in Ohio/Kansas/Missouri.
• Arrow Child & Family Ministries: Texas/Midwest-based nonprofit delivering residential treatment, foster care, adoption, and family preservation services. Comparable continuum of care and funder mix (state contracts + donations).

Regional players

• Crittenton Children's Center: Kansas City-based residential psychiatric and behavioral health program for children, operated within Saint Luke's Health System. Shares Kansas City market and child behavioral health focus, though hospital-anchored rather than nonprofit social services.
• Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City: Regional nonprofit providing counseling, family support, and case management in the Kansas City metro. Comparable only in adjacent service lines (family counseling, support services) rather than child welfare.

Broad incumbents

• Children's Home Society of California / ChildNet: Large multi-state child welfare, adoption, and family services nonprofit. Comparable at category level (foster care, adoption, prevention) but with much larger scale and broader geography.

Emerging players

• Hillcrest Educational Centers: Massachusetts-based nonprofit providing residential treatment, therapeutic day schools, and in-home services for at-risk youth. Comparable on residential treatment and special education day schools; smaller multi-state footprint.

Others

• Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption: National nonprofit funder and adopter-recruitment program operator that funds Wendy's Wonderful Kids, including Cornerstones' adoption program. Partner rather than direct peer, but a model comparator for the adoption recruitment service line.
• BrightStar Care / Functional Family Therapy LLC: Pure-play provider of the Functional Family Therapy model that Cornerstones delivers under license. Adjacent enabling/vendor relationship; comparable in therapeutic model delivery rather than direct service offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgw3MA6uKW30yRMWS77kwsA
• Facebookfacebook.com/CornerstonesofCare
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cornerstones-of-care
• Instagraminstagram.com/ourcornerstones
• Xx.com/ourcornerstones

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Cornerstones of Care