People Encouraging People

What People Encouraging People does

People Encouraging People (PEP) is a Maryland-based non-profit behavioral healthcare organization founded in 1979 that provides rehabilitation and support services to individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, disabilities, and housing instability. The organization operates across six Maryland counties (Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Anne Arundel County, and Prince Georges County) through seven regional offices, with a 251-500 employee workforce delivering 13 distinct program lines including Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), Forensic ACT (FACT), Health Homes, Residential Rehabilitation Program (RRP), Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP), Targeted Case Management (TCM), Group Practice, Supported Living Services, Transitional Age Youth programming, Deaf Unity, Homeless Services, and BCORE overdose response. Service delivery is community-embedded rather than office-based, with clinical teams meeting clients in homes, workplaces, shelters, and crisis settings, and intake is routed through Maryland's Core Service Agency and Local Behavioral Health Authority referral infrastructure.

PEP operates an integrated housing and clinical continuum through nine wholly-owned subsidiary housing companies (PEP Accension, Mt. Washington, Cloville, Hampton Falls, Overlea, Greater Hamilton, Dartmouth, and Plymouth) that own and manage a portfolio of 75 affordable homes under HUD Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, HUD Section 811 Supportive Housing, and Fair Market Rent programs. The organization holds Joint Commission accreditation and is led by President and CEO Aaron Atkinson with a deeply tenured executive team. Revenue is derived almost entirely from government payor sources, including federal HUD housing subsidies, Maryland Medicaid behavioral health funding, and state-administered contracts via local behavioral health authorities. A December 2024 data privacy event involving unauthorized network encryption was reported to HHS Office for Civil Rights and state authorities, introducing a known regulatory and operational risk factor.

Name

People Encouraging People

Legal name

People Encouraging People

Website

https://peponline.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

People Encouraging People is a Maryland-based non-profit behavioral healthcare organization serving individuals with serious mental illness, disabilities, and housing instability across six counties via community-based clinical programs and an owned portfolio of 75 affordable housing units.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Behavioral Health Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220), Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (621330), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) & Public Behavioral Health Providers (HLAFACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outpatient Mental Health Clinics & Counseling Centers (HLAFACAA), Residential Mental Health Treatment Centers (HLAFACAC), Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

Keywords

• Behavioral health services
• Mental health rehabilitation
• Supportive housing
• Community-based care
• Psychiatric rehabilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

PEP provides community-based behavioral health rehabilitation and support services for adults with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and disabilities. It operates an integrated continuum of clinical programs (ACT, FACT, Health Homes, RRP, PRP, Group Practice, TCM, TAY, Deaf Unity, Supported Living, Homeless Outreach, BCORE) alongside an affordable housing portfolio of 75 homes across Maryland. Services are delivered in homes, shelters, and community settings by multidisciplinary teams including psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, peer specialists, and housing and vocational specialists.

Product overview

People Encouraging People (PEP) is a non-profit behavioral healthcare organization offering a broad continuum of person-centered services designed to promote community integration and independence. The organization operates multiple distinct programs including Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT), Health Homes, Residential Rehabilitation Program (RRP), Transitional Age Youth (TAY), Deaf Unity, Supported Living Services, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP), Group Practice, Targeted Case Management (TCM), Homeless Services, BCORE overdose response, and an Affordable Housing Program. These services are provided across Maryland through community-based settings and in-home support, serving individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, housing instability, and disabilities. The portfolio also includes nine subsidiary housing companies and 75 owned/operated homes. Services are values-based and tailored to each individual's unique challenges, delivered by multidisciplinary teams including psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, peer specialists, and housing and vocational specialists.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Intensive, team-based mental health service for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness providing comprehensive, community-based care delivered by a multidisciplinary team including psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, housing and vocational specialists, and peer specialists.
• Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) Intensive, team-based service supporting justice-involved individuals with serious mental illness needing comprehensive, community-based care, focused on reducing recidivism and incarceration through symptom management, daily living skills, housing stability, and medical care.
• Health Homes Coordinated, whole-person care services integrating primary care, mental health services, and community supports for individuals with complex behavioral health and medical needs, including care coordination, health promotion, and transitional care.
• Residential Rehabilitation Program (RRP) Structured, community-based housing and supportive services for adults living with serious mental health conditions, providing guidance and skill-building for greater independence including medication management, budgeting, cooking, and daily routines.
• Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Program Structured, community-based housing and supportive services for young adults ages 18 to 25 transitioning from adolescence to adulthood while managing behavioral health needs, offering counseling, skill-building workshops, peer mentoring, and connection to community resources.
• Deaf Unity Community-based support program for adults who are deaf or hard of hearing living with serious behavioral health conditions, delivered by culturally competent staff with qualified interpreters ensuring access to behavioral and physical healthcare.
• Supported Living Services Individualized in-home support services provided in clients' homes including assistance with medication management, symptom monitoring, home management, self-care, community integration, money management, and accompaniment to medical appointments.
• Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP) Community-based services helping individuals with mental health conditions build skills and supports needed to thrive, offering individualized goal-driven support including symptom management, communication, budgeting, medication adherence, and daily routines.
• Group Practice Comprehensive behavioral health care integrating psychiatric and therapeutic services including psychiatric evaluations, diagnoses, medication management, and evidence-based counseling including CBT, trauma-informed care, and mindfulness techniques.
• Targeted Case Management (TCM) Personalized support services for individuals with serious mental health conditions, with case managers coordinating care and connecting clients to housing, healthcare, employment, and crisis services using a strengths-based, recovery-focused approach.
• Homeless Services Street-based outreach services meeting individuals where they are in shelters, hospitals, or community spaces to provide immediate support and pathways to ongoing care through trust-building and consistent presence.
• BCORE (Baltimore Comprehensive Overdose Response to End the Epidemic) City-wide, multi-disciplinary collaborative engaging people at key points of crisis response and emergency care to provide access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and connect them to long-term supportive care and services.
• Affordable Housing Program Affordable housing program providing units for individuals with limited incomes and disabilities, operating 75 homes including HUD Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and HUD Section 811 Supportive Housing units through nine subsidiary companies offering housing in community-based settings.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sheppard Pratt Health System: Maryland's largest private nonprofit behavioral health provider, operating inpatient, residential, outpatient, and community-based programs. Directly comparable to PEP as a Maryland-based nonprofit CMHC serving individuals with serious mental illness across overlapping geographies.
• Mosaic Group (formerly Mosaic Community Services): Maryland-based nonprofit providing community behavioral health, residential, and supportive housing for individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities. Closely comparable to PEP in mission, population served, and integrated housing-clinical model.
• Catholic Charities of Baltimore: Maryland-based nonprofit providing behavioral health, housing, and social services across the same counties PEP serves. Comparable in mission, funding mix (government grants + donations), and target populations including individuals with disabilities and housing instability.
• Arundel Lodge: Maryland-based nonprofit providing outpatient mental health, substance use, and supportive housing services. Comparable in scale, service mix, and Anne Arundel County presence, serving overlapping populations with serious mental illness.
• Tuerk House: Maryland-based nonprofit providing substance use treatment, recovery housing, and behavioral health services in Baltimore. Comparable as a Maryland nonprofit in the BCORE/overdose response and recovery housing space, with overlapping referral networks.

Broad incumbents

• Bon Secours Mercy Health: Large Catholic health system with a behavioral health service line serving Maryland (including Baltimore). Comparable as a broader nonprofit health system with overlapping community mental health and supportive housing programs, though operating at much greater scale.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: National nonprofit operating behavioral health, residential, and community-based programs for individuals with mental health needs and disabilities. Comparable as a large nonprofit behavioral health provider with integrated housing and clinical services, though operating across multiple states.
• Volunteers of America: National nonprofit with significant behavioral health, supportive housing, and recovery service lines funded through HUD and Medicaid. Comparable as a faith-affiliated nonprofit competing for the same federal housing and behavioral health contracts.
• Resources for Human Development (RHD): National nonprofit providing behavioral health, intellectual disability, and housing services across multiple states. Comparable to PEP as a community-based nonprofit CMHC with integrated housing and complex-care programs for individuals with serious mental illness.

Others

• The Arc of the United States: National nonprofit disability advocacy and service organization operating affiliated chapters in Maryland. Comparable as a nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual, developmental, and behavioral disabilities, often co-located with housing and case management supports.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Peoplencouragingpeople
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/people-encouraging-people

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries8 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 People Encouraging People