What Blast Intermediate does

BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 is a Pennsylvania state-established regional educational service agency created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1971, designated as IU 17 of 29 Intermediate Units in the Commonwealth. It serves as the statutory regional educational service provider for 19 public school districts, 2 career centers, and 12 non-public schools across Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, and Tioga Counties in northcentral Pennsylvania — a 3,994-square-mile service area reaching over 31,000 district students and providing direct services to more than 2,600 students with disabilities, developmental delays, and special needs. The organization operates four integrated divisions: Student Services (special education, therapy, early intervention, mental and behavioral health, residential treatment), Educational Planning (curriculum and professional development), Technology (regional WAN, phone systems, video surveillance, network monitoring, consortium IT procurement), and Management Services. Core student-facing programs include the Academy for Integrated Services (three-tiered behavioral and mental health model), Early Intervention, LaSaQuik and Clear Vision residential treatment, Autistic Support, Inter-District Classroom Programs, Partial Hospitalization Program, EXPLORE work-based learning, BrainSTEPS brain injury re-entry support, and the ELECT/EFI teen parenting program.

The business model is contract-based institutional service delivery: BLaST IU 17 contracts directly with member school districts and non-public schools through a formal Request for Services process, and acts as fiscal agent for pass-through federal and state funding (Title I, Title II, E-Rate). Staffing is delivered through a partnership with Educational Staffing Solutions (ESS), employing approximately 339 personnel, with the majority concentrated in the Student Services division. The technology stack includes the airFiber regional wide area network, Grandstream phone systems, video surveillance, network monitoring/reporting tooling, website design and hosting services, the eQUIP online learning platform, and the E-LRNR learning resource hub — all operated as consortium services for member districts. Revenue is funded through Pennsylvania Act 89 state education appropriations, federal pass-through grants, E-Rate consortium allocations, and district service contracts. Specific pricing is not publicly disclosed; Early Intervention services are provided free and confidentially for eligible children.

Operationally, BLaST IU 17 is governed by a Board of Directors with representatives from each of the 19 member districts and led by Executive Director Dr. Christina Steinbacher-Reed. It is not a privately held company; there is no equity ownership, no investors, and no M&A activity. Recent strategic moves include receipt of a 2024 Pennsylvania Department of Education grant to expand gifted education, a three-year international partnership with Wales, and the appointment of Dr. Carla Sauer as Assistant Executive Director. The organization is a government state entity, and traditional PE/VC investment frameworks do not directly apply.

Name

Blast Intermediate

Legal name

BLaST Intermediate Unit 17

Website

https://iu17.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 is a Pennsylvania state-established regional educational service agency (IU 17 of 29) that delivers special education, therapy, mental health, and technology services to 19 public school districts and 12 non-public schools across Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, and Tioga Counties in northcentral Pennsylvania.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Educational Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Special Education (IEP/504) & Student Support Case Management (EDAFAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Alternative Schools (Behavioral/Disciplinary & Nontraditional Settings) (EDAJAEAC), Transition Programs (Reentry, Workforce Readiness & Life Skills for At-Risk Youth) (EDAJAEAF), Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD), Wraparound Student Support & Case Management Services (At-Risk K–12) (EDAJAEAJ)

Keywords

• Educational service agency
• Special education programs
• School district services
• Regional education consortium
• Educational technology infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Williamsport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Educational Service Contracts: Contracted services to 19 public school districts, 2 career centers, and 12 non-public schools for special education, professional development, technology, and management services
2. Grant Administration: IU acts as fiscal agent for pass-through grant funding including federal Title I funds, Title II professional development funds, and E-Rate funding for regional network consortium
3. Consortium Technology Services: Technology consortium offerings including software catalog, network solutions, and consortium pricing for member districts

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 is a regional educational service agency that contracts with 19 public school districts, 2 career centers, and 12 non-public schools across Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, and Tioga Counties in Pennsylvania to deliver specialized educational, therapeutic, and technology services. Core offerings include special education and early intervention, therapy services (OT, PT, speech-language), mental and behavioral health (including a Partial Hospitalization Program and residential treatment), work-based transition programs, professional learning, and regional technology infrastructure (airFiber WAN, phone systems, surveillance, software catalog, website hosting). The agency also operates IU-run schools such as the Academy for Integrated Services and inter-district classroom programs that pool resources across districts.

Product overview

BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 is an educational service agency (Intermediate Unit) that provides a comprehensive portfolio of educational services to 19 public school districts, 2 career centers, and 12 non-public schools across Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, and Tioga counties in Pennsylvania. The organization operates as a unified platform delivering specialized educational programs organized into four major divisions: Student Services (providing direct instruction and support), Educational Planning (curriculum and professional development), Technology (network infrastructure and IT services), and Management Services. Core student-facing programs include the Academy for Integrated Services with tiered behavioral/mental health support, Early Intervention for developmental delays, residential treatment (LaSaQuik and Clear Vision), Autistic Support Programs, Inter-District Classroom Programs (Life Skills, Learning Support, Emotional Support, Multi-Disabilities), Partial Hospitalization Program, Extended School Year, EXPLORE work-based learning, Therapy Services (OT, PT, Speech), Itinerant Services, BrainSTEPS brain injury support, and the ELECT/EFI teen parenting program. Technology offerings include airFiber Network Solutions (regional WAN), Grandstream Phone Systems, Video Surveillance, Software Catalog, Website Design/Hosting, and eQUIP Online Learning. The organization employs approximately 339 staff serving over 2,600 direct students and supporting over 31,000 district students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Academy for Integrated Services Provides academic, therapeutic, and behavioral health services beyond traditional public school settings using a three-tiered model. Serves K-12 students with academic, behavioral, and mental health difficulties across Lycoming, Tioga, Bradford, and Sullivan counties.
• Early Intervention Program Services helping children with developmental delays and their families. Covers cognitive, communication, motor, adaptive, social/behavioral skills, and hearing/vision screening for children from age 3 to school entry.
• Residential Treatment Programs (LaSaQuik and Clear Vision) Residential treatment facilities: LaSaQuik for young men and Clear Vision for young ladies. Provides structured environment with behavioral supports to help at-risk students develop coping skills and graduate.
• Autistic Support Program Operates autistic support programs in six elementary and three high school locations across Bradford, Tioga, Sullivan, and Lycoming counties using TEACCH, Applied Behavior Analysis strategies, and Competent Learner Model training.
• Inter-District Classroom Programs Five categories of inter-district programs: Life Skills Support, Learning Support, Emotional Support, Multi-Disabilities Support, and Autism Support serving children ages 5-21 from Bradford, Lycoming, and Tioga counties.
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) Center-based K-12 program providing minimum 6 hours daily (3 hours education, 3 hours mental health treatment) under psychiatrist care, serving 60 students at North and South Academy locations.
• Extended School Year Services Special education services provided during breaks in the regular school year (summer, weekends, holidays) to prevent skill loss for students with disabilities.
• EXPLORE Program Work-based learning experience for students with disabilities providing job training, employment skills, volunteer experiences, and transition planning for post-school outcomes including employment, education, and community living.
• Therapy Services (OT, PT, Speech-Language) Comprehensive therapy services including occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech/language pathology for students ages 3-21 across 19 school districts in Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, and Tioga counties.
• Itinerant Services Traveling specialized services including educational audiology, visual impairment support, emotional support, remedial support, social work, gifted support, and hearing support delivered across 19 regional school districts.
• Behavior Support / Functional Behavior Assessment Step-by-step Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) process including observations, interviews, data collection, behavior intervention plan development, and team meetings for member districts.
• BrainSTEPS Program Child and adolescent brain injury school re-entry program providing educational support for students who survived traumatic brain injuries requiring hospitalization.
• ELECT/EFI Teen Parenting Program Education Leading to Employment and Career Training program helping pregnant and parenting teens earn diplomas/GED, become better parents, and transition to employment or higher education.
• Assistive Technology Program Builds capacity for 19 school districts to provide AT devices and services using the SETT framework for consultation, observation, action planning, and equipment trials.
• Psychological Services Certified school psychologists providing services for Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, and Tioga counties as part of the Student Services division.
• airFiber Network Solutions Regional Wide Area Network infrastructure connecting school districts in Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, and Tioga counties with technology and connectivity services.
• Grandstream Phone Systems Business phone system solutions for school districts and IU operations.
• Video Surveillance Solutions Video surveillance systems for school safety and security.
• Software Catalog Catalog of software solutions available to member school districts through consortium pricing.
• Website Design and Hosting Website development and hosting services for school districts.
• eQUIP Online Learning Services Online learning platform and educational resources for regional educators.
• Variety Adaptive Equipment Partnership Partnership with Variety - The Children's Charity providing adaptive equipment including My Bike (Rifton adaptive bicycles), My Stroller (Convaid EZ Rider), and My Voice (communication iPads) to children with disabilities at no cost. 67 lives changed with 43 bikes, 31 strollers, and 58 communication devices distributed.

Quantifiable outcome

• Directly serves over 2,600 students with specialized educational programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wales Educational PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024Three-year international partnership with Wales involving exchange visits. Members of BLaST IU 17 and regional school district representatives embarked on a five-day visit to Wales as part of this educational partnership focused on collaborative learning and leadership development.
• Pennsylvania Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024BLaST IU 17 selected as one of ten Intermediate Units across Pennsylvania to receive a grant to expand access to gifted education. Partnership includes acceptance of supervisors into Pennsylvania Fellowship Program for Special Education Leaders.
• Variety - The Children's CharitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide adaptive equipment to children with disabilities at no cost. Programs include My Bike (adaptive bicycles), My Stroller (convaid EZ Rider), and My Voice (communication devices). 67 lives changed with 43 bikes, 31 strollers, and 58 voices distributed.
• Educational Staffing Solutions (ESS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStaffing partnership where ESS provides employment for approximately 339 staff members, with majority working in Student Services division providing early intervention and school-age special education services.
• Lycoming CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for BLaST IU 17's 22nd Annual Regional Media and Design Competition, where students from three local school districts participated.
• Pennsylvania Other Intermediate UnitsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of 28 other Intermediate Units across Pennsylvania sharing best practices and collaborative opportunities. BLaST is IU 17 of 29 total IUs in the state.
• Pennsylvania Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBLaST IU 17 operates as one of 29 Intermediate Units established by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1971 to serve as regional educational service agencies.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• New York State BOCES: Boards of Cooperative Educational Services in New York perform the same regional educational service agency role as Pennsylvania IUs — sharing specialized staff, cooperative purchasing, and special education programs across member school districts.
• Educational Service Center of Central Ohio: Ohio's regional Educational Service Centers operate as the state-level equivalent of Pennsylvania IUs, providing special education, technology, professional development, and administrative services on a cooperative basis to member districts.

Others

• Frontline Education: K-12 administration and operations software vendor serving school districts and IUs; comparable to BLaST's Management Services and technology consortium offerings (HR, ERP, professional development management) but operating at national scale as a private software company.

Emerging players

• Catapult Learning: Private provider of special education, intervention, and behavioral health services to K-12 schools, overlapping directly with BLaST's Student Services division offerings (special education staffing, therapy services, behavioral support).

Direct peers

• Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13: One of the larger Pennsylvania IUs operating the same statutory regional educational service agency model, including special education programs, technology consortium offerings, and professional development for member school districts.
• Erie County Intermediate Unit 5: Pennsylvania IU providing the same portfolio of regional educational services, including special education supports and technology consortium services, to school districts in northwestern Pennsylvania.
• Bucks County Intermediate Unit 22: Pennsylvania IU operating under identical statutory authority as BLaST, providing special education itinerant services, technology infrastructure, and consortium purchasing to member districts in Bucks County.
• Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11: Another of Pennsylvania's 29 Intermediate Units, providing the same statutory educational service agency model (special education, professional development, technology, management services) to school districts in a different but adjacent region of the commonwealth. The closest structural analog to BLaST IU 17.
• Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 16: Pennsylvania IU serving a contiguous central PA region with the same four-division service model (Student Services, Educational Planning, Technology, Management Services). Functionally interchangeable peer for benchmarking service portfolio and funding structure.
• Berks County Intermediate Unit 14: Pennsylvania IU with the same charter — regional educational service agency delivering special education, technology, professional development, and management services to school districts in its designated counties.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BLaSTIU17

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Blast Intermediate