What Step By Step does

Step By Step, Inc. is a private, non-profit human services agency founded in 1977 and headquartered in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The organization provides community-based residential, vocational, clinical, mental health, and children's services to individuals with intellectual disabilities, mental health disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and behavioral health needs. Its service portfolio spans Community Homes (1-4 person residences), Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/ID, up to 8 residents), Lifesharing, Respite, In-Home and Community Support, Supported Employment, Pre-Employment Transition Services (PETS), Job Coaching, Mobile Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Long Term Structured Residence (LTSR), and Justice Involved Services. Children's services include the Specialized Autism Support Program (SASP) and Intensive Behavioral Support Services grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

The organization is differentiated by two proprietary, formally certified methodologies: the WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) program, for which Step By Step holds the first Center of Distinction certification from Advocates for Human Potential, Inc., and the TRE (Trauma-informed, Resilience-oriented, Equity-focused) framework with dedicated Core TRE, Regional TRE, and BIED (Belonging, Inclusion, Equity and Diversity) teams. These certifications sit alongside training products (Certified Personal Medicine Coach, Mental Health First Aid) and a performing-arts community engagement program (CSP Talent Group). Underlying technology is administrative and human-delivery-focused, with no disclosed proprietary software platform beyond the SBS Connect sub-brand.

The business model is government-funded fee-for-service. Revenue streams flow from Pennsylvania county mental health departments, intellectual disabilities services programs, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), and the Step By Step Foundation's charitable contributions. Services are accessed through county registration and referral systems rather than direct consumer payment; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The organization delivers services through approximately 1,400-1,900 employees across five regional offices (Wilkes-Barre, Clifton Heights, Allentown, Pittsburgh, and a Central office), serving more than 2,000 individuals across more than a dozen Pennsylvania counties. Distribution is direct-service delivery in homes, schools, group homes, vocational facilities, and community settings; go-to-market is relationship-driven via county contracts and referral networks rather than consumer marketing.

Name

Step By Step

Legal name

Step By Step, Inc.

Website

https://stepbystepusa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Step By Step is a Pennsylvania non-profit human services agency founded in 1977 that delivers residential, vocational, mental health, and autism support services to over 2,000 individuals across five regional offices, funded primarily through county and state government contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Behavioral Health Human Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK), Transition Services (Secondary to Postsecondary/Employment, Life Skills) (EDAJAKAG)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Mental health services
• Residential services
• Vocational training services
• Autism support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Wilkes Barre

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 Funded Services: Services funded through Pennsylvania county mental health systems, intellectual disabilities services, and state/federal programs. Services are provided to individuals who are registered and approved through local county mental health services and intellectual disabilities programs.
2. County Mental Health Funding: Services funded by county mental health departments across Pennsylvania regions including Northeast, Lehigh Valley, Southeast, and Western areas.
3. OVR (Office of Vocational Rehabilitation) Funded Services: Pre-Employment Transition Services (PETS) are funded through OVR for participants ages 14-21 and students in post-secondary school.
4. Foundation and Donations: Step By Step Foundation accepts charitable contributions, legacy gifts, property donations, and golf tournament proceeds to enhance programs and services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Step By Step, Inc. is a private non-profit human services agency that delivers community-based residential, vocational, clinical, and mental health support services to individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, mental health disorders, and physical disabilities across Pennsylvania. Core offerings include Community Homes, ICF/ID, Lifesharing, Respite, In-Home and Community Support, Supported Employment, Pre-Employment Transition Services (PETS), Job Coaching, the Specialized Autism Support Program (SASP), Intensive Behavioral Support Services, Mobile Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Justice Involved Services, and Supported Independent Living, supplemented by training programs such as WRAP, CPMC, and Mental Health First Aid.

Product overview

Step By Step, Inc. is a private, non-profit human services agency established in 1977 providing community support services across Pennsylvania. The organization operates as a multi-service platform offering Residential Services (Community Homes, ICF/ID, Respite, Lifesharing, In-Home Support), Vocational Services (Adult Training Facilities, Day Options, Supported Employment, PETS, Job Coaching), Children's Services (Specialized Autism Support Program, Intensive Behavioral Support Services), Behavioral Support Services for Adults, and Community Mental Health Services (Mobile Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Justice Involved Services, Supported Independent Living, CSP Talent Group). Supporting these core services are Training Programs including WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) with Center of Distinction certification, Certified Personal Medicine Coach training, and Mental Health First Aid instruction, plus the TRE (Trauma-Informed, Resilience-Oriented, Equity-Focused) transformation initiative. The organization serves over 2,000 individuals through five regional offices across more than a dozen Pennsylvania counties. Services are delivered through approximately 1,900 staff members providing care for individuals with intellectual disabilities, mental health disorders, autism, and physical disabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SBS Connect: A connected platform or service offered by Step By Step, Inc.
• TRE (Trauma-Informed, Resilience-oriented, Equity-focused)

Products and services

• Residential Services
• Vocational Services
• Children's Services
• Behavioral Support Services for Adults
• Community Mental Health Services
• WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan)
• Certified Personal Medicine Coach (CPMC)
• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
• TRE (Trauma-Informed, Resilience-Oriented, Equity-Focused)
• Regional Office Services
• Step By Step Foundation

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving over 2,000 individuals with disabilities, mental health needs, and autism
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 September 2023AHP granted Step By Step the first WRAP Center of Distinction Certificate of Distinguishment, confirming that the organization met all rigorous requirements for delivering and training the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) program. This certification recognizes Step By Step's excellence in WRAP facilitation and training capabilities.
• Lakeside Global InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLakeside Global Institute provides trauma-competent professional certification through the PA Care Partnership. Step By Step staff members have received Trauma-Competent Professionals certification through Lakeside, and the organization offers Lakeside training workshops and courses to team members.
• RCPA (Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStep By Step participates in RCPA Capitol Day to advocate for workforce issues and budget priorities affecting health and human services. RCPA represents providers of mental health, substance abuse, and intellectual/developmental disability services across Pennsylvania.
• Luzerne FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLuzerne Foundation bestowed a grant to Step By Step's Children's IDEA Program, supporting services for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Luzerne County area.
• Lehigh and Northampton CountiescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLehigh and Northampton Counties provide funding for the CSP Talent Group, which performs entertainment and education programs about mental disabilities throughout Pennsylvania.
• Community Partners and EmployersminorOthersVarious community partners and employers collaborate with Step By Step to provide employment opportunities, community integration, and support services for individuals with disabilities. Logos displayed include event sponsors and community organizations.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Bayada Home Health Care: Pennsylvania-headquartered home health care and adult/pediatric services provider with strong Mid-Atlantic presence. Comparable on Pennsylvania footprint, government-funded home and community-based services, and disability population focus, but primarily medical/nursing model rather than residential.

Broad incumbents

• BrightSpring Health Services: Large publicly-traded provider of home and community-based services including IDD residential, behavioral health, and pharmacy services with national footprint including Pennsylvania operations. Broader and more diversified than Step By Step but overlaps on IDD residential and community-based service lines.
• Sevita Health: National provider of home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including ICF/ID, host homes, day programs, and behavioral health services. Comparable on IDD residential and community-living services, but operates at much larger national scale.
• The Arc of the United States: National federation of state and local chapters providing advocacy, residential, vocational, and family support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable mission and service categories, but operates through chapter-based franchise model across all 50 states.
• Volunteers of America: National nonprofit providing human services including behavioral health, IDD, housing, and veteran services across the U.S. with Pennsylvania operations. Comparable on community-based services for vulnerable populations and county/government contract reliance, but with much broader service portfolio and national footprint.

Direct peers

• Merakey: National nonprofit providing intellectual and developmental disability, behavioral health, and autism services with major Pennsylvania operations including IDD residential, LTSR, and community-based programs. Directly comparable on IDD/MH residential model, Pennsylvania presence, and county-funded service delivery.
• Community Options: Nonprofit operating residential, vocational, and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across multiple states including the Northeast. Comparable on IDD residential services, supported employment, and lifespan service model.
• Penn-Mar Human Services: Pennsylvania-based nonprofit human services agency providing residential, vocational, and day services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism across south-central PA. Directly comparable to Step By Step on mission (community-based IDD services), geography (Pennsylvania), and service mix (residential + vocational + day programs).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/StepByStepUSA
• Facebookfacebook.com/StepByStepUSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stepbystepusa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Step By Step