Full Life

What Full Life does

Full Life is a Hawaii Island-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2000 by the Tyler family alongside co-founders Deann Canuteson and Larry Casper, operating under the self-determination model to support youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization delivers a comprehensive suite of person-centered services through two offices (Kailua-Kona and Hilo) plus an Adult Day Health Learning Center, employing more than 100 Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and serving over 400 individuals cumulatively across all districts of Hawaii Island. Its service portfolio includes Personal Assistance and Habilitation (PAB), Community Learning Services - Individual (CLS-I), Discovery Career and Planning (DCP), Individual Employment Services (IES), Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for students aged 14-21, Kona Adult Day Services and Marketplace, and Art and Inclusive Recreation programs developed in partnership with Abled Hawaii Artists and Donkey Mill Art Center.

The underlying operating model is labor-intensive rather than technology-driven: there is no proprietary platform or software stack, and services are delivered in participants' homes, workplaces, and community settings by trained DSPs supported by an RN Services Manager and program coordinators. Technology adoption is limited to commodity tools such as HIPAA-compliant video/telehealth software introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic through an 'Eleu Grant from Hawai'i Island United Way.

Full Life's revenue model is anchored in Hawaii Department of Health Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD) Medicaid waiver reimbursement for its core waiver-funded services, supplemented by donations from individuals, families, and foundations, foundation grants (including Hawai'i Island United Way), and contract funding for Pre-ETS through the Department of Education and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. The go-to-market motion is sales-led but effectively gated: individuals must first apply for services through DDD, receive eligibility determination, develop an Individualized Service Plan, and then select Full Life as their provider, with family and self-referrals also feeding the pipeline. End participants do not pay out-of-pocket for core services; billing is processed monthly through Hawaii Medicaid systems at undisclosed reimbursement rates.

Name

Full Life

Legal name

Full Life

Website

https://fulllifehawaii.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Full Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on Hawaii Island that delivers Personal Assistance, Community Learning, Employment, and Adult Day services to youth and adults with developmental disabilities, funded primarily through Hawaii DDD Medicaid waivers and supplemented by donations and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI), Transition Services (Secondary to Postsecondary/Employment, Life Skills) (EDAJAKAG), Self-Advocacy & Self-Determination Training (EDAKANAI)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Personal assistance habilitation
• Community inclusion services
• Supported employment services
• Adult day health programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Kailua Kona

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Services (Medicaid Waiver): Full Life receives reimbursement for services through Hawaii's Medicaid Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD) waiver programs. Services including Personal Assistance and Habilitation (PAB), Community Learning Services (CLS-I), and Employment Services are funded through state and federal Medicaid programs.
2. Donations: Full Life accepts financial donations from individuals, families, and foundations to supplement government-funded services. Donations help provide community activities, safety equipment, personal items, and hobby materials that individuals served cannot afford.
3. Foundation Grants: Full Life receives grant funding from organizations such as Hawai'i Island United Way ('Eleu Grant) to fund specific programs and emergency preparedness initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Full Life is a Hawaii Island 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers person-centered disability support services to youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its core offerings include Personal Assistance and Habilitation (PAB), Community Learning Services-Individual (CLS-I), an Employment Services Program (Discovery Career Planning, Individual Employment Services, Pre-Employment Transition Services), the Kona Adult Day Services and Marketplace, and Art and Inclusive Recreation programs, all delivered by Direct Support Professionals and reimbursed primarily through Hawaii Medicaid DDD waiver programs.

Product overview

Full Life is a non-profit organization providing comprehensive disability support services on Hawai'i Island. The organization operates a unified service model offering personalized 1:1 support through Personal Assistance and Habilitation (PAB) for home-based independence, Community Learning Services (CLS-I) for community inclusion, and a full Employment Services Program including Discovery Career and Planning (DCP), Individual Employment Services (IES), and Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). Additional offerings include art-based adult day health services at the Kona Day Services and Marketplace, inclusive recreation programs, and volunteer/donation opportunities. Services are delivered through Direct Support Professionals and coordinated across two offices (Kona and Hilo) serving the entire island.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Personal Assistance and Habilitation (PAB) Personalized 1:1 support helping individuals with developmental disabilities maintain independence in their homes, including life skills development, daily activity assistance, and access to nursing and behavioral services. Funded through Hawaii Medicaid DDD waiver programs.
• Community Learning Services - Individual (CLS-I) Personalized 1:1 support delivered by Direct Support Professionals to help individuals access, participate in, and be included in their communities. Funded through Hawaii Medicaid DDD waiver programs.
• Discovery Career and Planning (DCP) Employment discovery program that helps individuals identify vocational strengths and paths, including volunteering, job shadowing, and work-based learning opportunities as part of Full Life's Employment Services Program.
• Individual Employment Services (IES) Job Development and Coaching services supporting individuals with developmental disabilities to find and maintain meaningful competitive and customized employment on Hawaii Island.
• Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Program supporting high school students with disabilities ages 14-21 transitioning from school to work or post-secondary education, including career exploration, mentorship, and internships. Funded by Hawaii Department of Human Services Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
• Kona Adult Day Services and Marketplace Community-centered arts and culture-focused day services at Ali'i Gardens Marketplace offering creative development, personal growth, social skill development, and community integration for adults with developmental disabilities.
• Art and Inclusive Recreation Inclusive art and recreational activities including partnerships with local art organizations, art festivals such as Abled Hawai'i Artists (AHA), artistic development workshops, and self-employment support in the arts for participants.
• Volunteer and Donation Program Opportunities for community members to support Full Life through volunteering and financial donations to provide community activities, safety equipment, and hobby materials for participants served.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have been served since founding in 2000
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered significant, minor and core.

• Hawaii State Capitol / Developmental Disabilities CouncilsignificantGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Full Life participated in Developmental Disabilities Council 'Day at the Capitol' event with approximately 40 Big Island residents advocating for better education, employment, healthcare, housing, and transportation for people with developmental disabilities.
• Kipaipai Art Foundation and SchoolminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Sponsor of Abled Hawaii Artists (AHA) annual art festival, encouraging and inspiring creativity by providing inclusive art education, support, and networking opportunities that cultivate community.
• Generation 808minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Sponsor of Abled Hawaii Artists (AHA) annual art festival, supporting Hawaii Island Churches and 501(c) nonprofits to create fiscal resiliency.
• Abled Hawaii Artists (AHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull Life partners with AHA to support annual art festivals celebrating disability creativity and promoting inclusive entrepreneurship in the arts. AHA is the largest celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act on Hawaii Island, drawing 400+ participants. Full Life participants like Louie Perry III co-founded AHA, which has grown to its 17th consecutive year.
• Donkey Mill Art CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull Life collaborates with Donkey Mill Art Center for art programs including Pua Na Pua inclusive art classes. Through a County of Hawaii nonprofit grant, participants explore creativity through various art mediums. Donkey Mill supports artistic development and provides workshop opportunities for Full Life artists.
• OSMD Hawai'i (Operation-Sammy-Muscular-Dystrophy)significantStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSMD partnered with Full Life participant Kauila Haumea to donate three outrigger canoes and provide shared use of the Billy Kanoi Halau on Hilo Bayfront for Ohana Wa'a Laulima inclusive paddling club serving people with developmental disabilities.
• Department of Education (DOE) HawaiicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull Life was awarded a contract to support high school students with disabilities ages 14-21 transitioning from school to work or post-secondary education through Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), funded by the Department of Human Services Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
• The Arc of HilosignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull Life and Ohana Wa'a Laulima partner with The Arc of Hilo to host the annual King Kamehameha's Awesome Athletes Inclusive Canoe Race, which hosts hundreds of paddlers and volunteers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Arc of Hilo: Hawaii Island chapter of The Arc, providing advocacy, day programs, and community inclusion services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Directly comparable to Full Life in geography (Big Island), target population (I/DD adults), and service mix.
• Easterseals Hawaii: Hawaii affiliate of Easterseals serving individuals with disabilities across the islands, including employment services, case management, and community-based programs. Comparable in mission, Medicaid-funded service mix, and Hawaii geography.
• Goodwill Industries of Hawaii: Hawaii-based Goodwill affiliate offering employment training, job placement, and community services for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Closely comparable to Full Life's Employment Services Program (DCP/IES) and Pre-ETS offerings.

Broad incumbents

• The Arc of the United States: National umbrella organization for state and local Arc chapters advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable at the category level as the parent of one of Full Life's local peers (Arc of Hilo).
• Sevita Health (formerly The MENTOR Network): National provider of home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and behavioral health needs. Comparable Medicaid-funded HCBS model and I/DD population, but operates at vastly greater scale across many states.
• BrightSpring Health Services: Large diversified provider of home and community health services including I/DD waiver programs, behavioral health, and pharmacy. Comparable in serving Medicaid HCBS populations and providing home-based habilitation and employment supports.
• Volunteers of America Hawaii: Hawaii branch of a national nonprofit providing a broad portfolio of human services including programs for people with disabilities, at-risk youth, and seniors. Comparable in nonprofit 501(c)(3) structure, Medicaid/government funding, and Hawaii footprint.

Regional players

• Mental Health Kokua: Hawaii-based nonprofit providing community mental health and psychosocial rehabilitation services with similar island-wide delivery model and government contracting. Adjacent rather than direct — serves mental health rather than I/DD specifically, but shares nonprofit, Medicaid-funded HCBS structure.

Emerging players

• Special Olympics Hawaii: Hawaii state program of Special Olympics providing sports training and competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Mission-aligned and serves overlapping population through Full Life's participants (Louie Perry III, Jason Pascua), though focused on athletic rather than daily-living services.

Others

• Hawaii Disability Rights Center: Federally funded Protection and Advocacy system for individuals with disabilities in Hawaii. Adjacent rather than competitive — provides legal advocacy and rights protection rather than direct services, but Full Life participants and families frequently interact with both organizations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FullLifeHawaii
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/full-life

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 Full Life