Positive Alternatives

What Positive Alternatives does

Positive Alternatives is a Wisconsin-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1974 that operates Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTP) and Community Based Services for at-risk youth and families. The organization runs six state-licensed group homes (Menomonie, Amery, Wausau, River Falls, Wisconsin Rapids, and Winnebago County — the last opened August 2024), providing trauma-informed residential care including long-term, short-term, shelter, respite, and crisis placements, as well as 72-hour holds. Community Based Services encompass supervised visitation, individualized skill building for youth and young adults ages 18-24, and Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) delivered through the Wraparound approach. The organization is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) and certified as a QRTP by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families under DCF57.

The business model is a hybrid of government contracts and philanthropic revenue. The primary revenue stream is per-diem payments from Wisconsin county human services departments and CCS for residential placements and community-based services, with referrals routed through the SYNC county social worker system. Supervised visitation is also offered on a private-pay basis. Donations are solicited through tiered personal giving programs (Conscientious, Collaborative, Compassionate) and corporate giving tiers, accepted via PayPal Giving Fund, Venmo, mail, and Amazon Wish Lists per location. A branded merchandise e-commerce store generates supplementary unrestricted revenue. The organization also operates the Blessing Box community resource hub on the property of Oak Ridge Lutheran Brethren Church in Menomonie.

Distribution is exclusively direct-to-government: county social workers and Wraparound coordinators make referrals via the SYNC system, with no consumer marketing or out-of-state expansion. The organization employs between 101 and 250 staff across program locations, led by CEO Kelli Kamholz, COO Jeremy Hernandez, and CFO Denise Horstman. Client satisfaction is tracked via bi-annual surveys reporting 96-100% positive ratings on safety and staff kindness. The organization does not use proprietary technology; its stack consists of standard third-party tools (Squarespace, Paycor, PayPal, Venmo, Veyo) appropriate for its service-delivery model.

Name

Positive Alternatives

Legal name

Positive Alternatives Inc.

Website

https://positive-alternatives.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Positive Alternatives is a Wisconsin 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1974 that operates six QRTP-certified group homes and Community Based Services for at-risk youth and families statewide, funded primarily through Wisconsin county government contracts via the SYNC referral system.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Menomonie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts / County Referrals: Services are funded through county-level government contracts and referrals from Wisconsin county social services departments and Comprehensive Community Services (CCS). Referrals from county social workers generate revenue for both group home placements and community-based services.
2. Private Pay: Supervised visitation services are available on a private pay basis in addition to county referrals, providing an additional revenue stream for families not connected to government services.
3. Individual Donations: Personal giving tiers ranging up to $500+ with apparel discounts as benefits. Donations are accepted on a one-time, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual basis through multiple channels including PayPal, Venmo, and mail.
4. Merchandise Sales: The organization operates an online store selling branded apparel and merchandise (sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, tumblers, etc.) priced from $14 to $65. Proceeds support youth and families.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Positive Alternatives operates six QRTP-certified group homes across Wisconsin providing trauma-informed residential care for at-risk youth, alongside Community Based Services including supervised visitation, skill building for young adults ages 18-24, and Comprehensive Community Services (CCS). All services are COA-accredited, state-licensed under Wisconsin DCF57, and funded through county social services contracts, private pay, and donations, with aftercare support extending six months post-discharge.

Product overview

Positive Alternatives is a non-profit social services organization offering a portfolio of programs for at-risk youth and families across Wisconsin. The core offerings consist of six QRTP Group Homes providing residential trauma-informed care, and Community Based Services including Supervised Visitations, Skill Building & Support, and Comprehensive Community Services (CCS). The organization also operates a Blessing Box community resource hub and an Online Store selling branded merchandise. All programs are guided by principles of Motivational Interviewing and Trauma Informed Care, and are accredited through the Council on Accreditation (COA).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• QRTP Group Homes Six Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP)-certified group homes providing structure, safety, and trauma-informed care to at-risk youth in need of out-of-home placement. Locations include Menomonie, River Falls, Wisconsin Rapids, Amery (female youth only), Wausau, and Winnebago County (opened August 2024). Services include long-term, short-term, shelter care, respite, crisis placements, and 72-hour holds, with access to clinical and nursing staff.
• Community Based Services (CBS) Community-based services program encompassing Supervised Visitations (Case Managers oversee parent-child visits, document interactions, offer transportation, and support reunification), Skill Building & Support (individualized program for youth and young adults ages 18-24 addressing life challenges, funded by CCS or local Human Services), and Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) recovery-focused integrated behavioral health program. Services are delivered on-site, in the community, or in-home.
• PA Online Store E-commerce store selling branded apparel and merchandise including Legacy Embroidered Crewnecks, Team Spirit Tees, Game Night Long Sleeves, hoodies, windbreakers, tank tops, tumblers, tote bags, coffee mugs, and hats at prices ranging from $14 to $65. Proceeds support youth and families in need, and donor tier members receive apparel discounts (10-50%).

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% of residents report feeling safe in the group home; 96% find staff kind & caring; 100% of clients feel safe in programming; 100% find staff kind & caring in Community Based Services

Named customers6 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

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AmazonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPositive Alternatives maintains Amazon Wish Lists for each program location (Community Based Services, River Falls, Menomonie, Marathon County/Amery, Wisconsin Rapids, Winnebago). Community members can purchase items directly from these lists which are delivered to the respective program locations.
• PayPal Giving FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPositive Alternatives accepts monetary donations through PayPal Giving Fund, enabling donors to give via the PayPal platform.
• Phillips-MedisizeminorOthersPartnership with Phillips-Medisize in Menomonie and Eau Claire resulted in employees sponsoring youth for Christmas and a camping gear drive for the Menomonie group home.
• Starbucks (Wisconsin Rapids)minorOthersStarbucks donations allow youth at the Wisconsin Rapids group home to pick up from Starbucks 3 times per week, providing a treat for youth.
• Oak Ridge Lutheran Brethren ChurchminorOthersThe Blessing Box community resource hub is located on the property of Oak Ridge Lutheran Brethren Church in Menomonie, providing non-perishable food, hygiene items, household products, and first aid supplies to community members in need.
• River Falls Holiday Helpers, Hudson Willow ChurchminorOthersLocal organizations and individuals donated Christmas presents, household supplies, and prepared holiday meals for River Falls group home youth.
• Comprehensive Community Services (CCS)coreOthersCCS is a Wisconsin recovery-focused integrated behavioral health program for adults and children with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Positive Alternatives offers services to youth and young adults ages 18-24 through the CCS service array of Individual Skill Development and Enhancement.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Boys Town: National nonprofit operating residential group homes, family services, and community-based programs for at-risk youth — same residential-plus-community service architecture as PA but at national scale.
• Youth Villages: National nonprofit providing residential treatment, in-home services, and community-based intervention for youth with emotional and behavioral challenges — comparable integrated residential/CBS care continuum.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: National nonprofit operating residential treatment programs and community-based behavioral health services for children and adolescents; comparable accredited residential model with broader geographic reach.
• Children's Wisconsin (Children's Hospital and Health System): Large Wisconsin pediatric provider operating community services, foster/adoption, and behavioral health programs; broader portfolio but overlapping child welfare and family services delivered in PA's service area.

Direct peers

• Lad Lake: Wisconsin-based nonprofit providing residential treatment, group home care, and community-based services for at-risk youth — the closest geographic and service-model peer to Positive Alternatives.
• Bellefaire JCB: Ohio-based nonprofit providing residential treatment, foster care, and community-based behavioral health services for youth and families; comparable QRTP-style residential and CBS portfolio.
• KVC Health Systems: Multi-state nonprofit providing residential treatment, foster care, and in-home family services; directly comparable QRTP-equivalent residential and community-based youth services model.
• Maryvale: Arizona-based nonprofit offering residential care, behavioral health, and community programs for children and youth in foster care; directly comparable accredited residential services model.
• Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan: Regional faith-based nonprofit delivering child welfare, family services, and community programs across Wisconsin; comparable scope of state-funded social services for youth and families.
• Chileda Institute: Wisconsin-based nonprofit residential and educational program serving children and youth with behavioral, emotional, and learning challenges; directly comparable QRTP-style residential care model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PositiveAltWis

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Positive Alternatives