First Step of Sarasota

Behavioral Healthcare Servicesfsos.org

First Step of Sarasota (Lightshare) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit behavioral healthcare provider in Sarasota, Florida delivering inpatient, residential, outpatient, and telehealth treatment for substance use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders to adults, adolescents, children, and expectant mothers.

Company typePrivate
Founded1970
HeadquartersSarasota, United States
Headcount101–250
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What First Step of Sarasota does

First Step of Sarasota, legally known as Lightshare, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit behavioral healthcare organization founded in the late 1960s and headquartered in Sarasota, Florida. It delivers an integrated suite of addiction and mental health treatment services across multiple care settings, including inpatient, residential, intensive outpatient, standard outpatient, day & night treatment, wellness and medical services, and telehealth. Its core treatment modalities cover Substance Use Disorder, Mental Wellness & Health, and Co-Occurring Disorders, with a differentiated Mothers & Infants residential program for expectant mothers. Patient populations span adults, adolescents, and children in Sarasota County, with telehealth extending reach to clients nationally.

The underlying technology approach is clinical rather than digital: evidence-based, patient-centered care combining therapy, medication management, and lifestyle interventions, delivered by highly skilled medical practitioners and therapists. The organization does not disclose proprietary software, AI/ML tooling, or platform architecture in the source material. Accreditation is maintained through CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) and the entity operates as a Florida-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (registration CH1573).

The business model is service-based healthcare delivery funded primarily through insurance reimbursement, with an explicit emphasis on affordable care. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer, supported by a 24/7 crisis hotline (941-RECOVER), website intake, social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), and an extensive community referral network that includes Sarasota County Schools, the Florida Department of Children and Families, the Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, NAMI, and multiple regional foundations. The organization reports 101-250 employees and does not disclose revenue, funding, or headcount trends.

First Step of Sarasota firmographics

Firmographics

Name: First Step of Sarasota
Legal name: Lightshare
Website: https://fsos.org
Company type: Private
Founded year: 1970
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 101–250 employees
Short description: First Step of Sarasota (Lightshare) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit behavioral healthcare provider in Sarasota, Florida delivering inpatient, residential, outpatient, and telehealth treatment for substance use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders to adults, adolescents, children, and expectant mothers.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

First Step of Sarasota industry classification

Industry

Product category: Behavioral Healthcare Services
NAICS: Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220), Other Individual and Family Services (62419)
SIC: Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)
akta.pro primary industry: Outpatient Substance Use Treatment Programs (IOP/PHP/OP) (HLAFACAF)
akta.pro secondary industries: Residential Substance Use Rehabilitation (Inpatient Rehab) (HLAFACAE), Outpatient Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Programs (HLAFABAD), Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO), Behavioral Health & Substance Use Remote Monitoring (HLACAFAD)

Keywords

Behavioral health services
Substance use treatment
Mental health treatment
Residential treatment programs
Outpatient addiction recovery

Where First Step of Sarasota is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Sarasota
HQ country: United States
HQ region: North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

First Step of Sarasota business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

Healthcare Services Revenue: Organization generates revenue through providing behavioral healthcare services including inpatient, outpatient, and telehealth treatment programs. Services are covered through insurance, with emphasis on affordable care.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

First Step of Sarasota product offering

Product offering

Core offering

First Step of Sarasota (Lightshare) delivers evidence-based behavioral healthcare for individuals and families struggling with addiction and mental health issues. Core offerings include substance use disorder treatment, mental wellness and health treatment, and co-occurring disorder treatment, delivered across residential, inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient, day & night, mothers & infants, and telehealth program formats.

Product overview

First Step of Sarasota (Lightshare) operates as a behavioral healthcare organization offering a unified suite of treatment services for addiction and mental health disorders. The portfolio includes three core treatment modalities—Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Mental Wellness & Health Treatment, and Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment—complemented by a range of program delivery formats including In-Patient, Residential, Mothers & Infants, Day & Night Treatment, Intensive Outpatient, and Outpatient Services. The organization also provides Wellness & Medical Services and Telehealth options as supporting services and delivery channels. Treatment is delivered through an evidence-based, patient-centered approach combining therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes, serving adults, adolescents, children, and expectant mothers across Sarasota county and beyond.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

Substance Use Disorder Treatment Treatment program helping individuals overcome addiction through therapy, medication, and development of natural support systems for lasting recovery. For adults, adolescents, and children affected by substance use disorders.
Mental Wellness & Health Treatment Whole-person approach to overcoming mental-health challenges through therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes to achieve well-being and reach personal goals. For adults, adolescents, and children seeking mental health support.
Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment Integrated treatment program addressing concurrent addiction and mental health disorders simultaneously, providing individuals and families with a stronger foundation for lasting recovery.
In-Patient Services Safe and supportive residential environment where individuals with acute mental health or substance use issues receive round-the-clock care.
Residential Programs Therapeutic and structured environment providing comprehensive and personalized treatment for lasting recovery.
Mothers & Infants Program Nurturing long-term residential program specially crafted for expectant mothers seeking support on their journey to recovery.
Intensive Outpatient Program Structured and supportive program offering flexible scheduling while receiving intensive treatment and therapy for addiction and mental health issues.
Outpatient Services Comprehensive and personalized treatment providing ongoing support and care for addiction and mental health issues with flexibility outside of treatment.
Wellness & Medical Services Personalized and evidence-based approach promoting stronger mental, physical and emotional well-being through affordable, comprehensive, and integrative care.
Telehealth Services Remote healthcare delivery options enabling patients to access treatment services virtually, expanding access beyond in-person visits for clients across the country.

Quantifiable outcome

Affordable and transformative support for those experiencing mental health and addiction disorders

Companies that use First Step of Sarasota

Customer profile

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

First Step of Sarasota technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

First Step of Sarasota partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

Virtual Behavioral Health (VBT) / Toulmin FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting behavioral health initiatives. Organization collaborates with local foundations to support mental health and addiction services.
Gulf Coast Community FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity foundation partner supporting regional health initiatives and community development.
Sarasota County SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner collaborating on youth mental health and prevention programs.
Selby FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal foundation supporting community health and human services initiatives.
Central Florida Behavioral Health NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional behavioral health network partner providing collaborative support for mental health and addiction services across the Central Florida region.
Florida Department of Children and FamiliescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government partner regulating and supporting child and family services including behavioral health programs.
Sarasota County GovernmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner supporting community health initiatives and services.
CARF InternationalminorOthersAccreditation organization for rehabilitation and health services. Organization maintains CARF accreditation demonstrating commitment to quality standards.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational mental health advocacy organization partner supporting awareness and resources for individuals with mental health conditions.
Charles and Margery Barancik FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal foundation supporting innovative programs and initiatives in the community.
Glasser Schoenbaum Human ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal human services organization partner supporting community social services integration.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

First Step of Sarasota competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

Pyramid Healthcare: Multi-state behavioral health operator offering residential, outpatient, and detox programs for SUD and co-occurring disorders, comparable in service mix to First Step's full continuum of care.
Centerstone of Florida: Large nonprofit behavioral health provider operating across Florida with residential, outpatient, and community-based mental health and addiction services — directly comparable to First Step's model and geographic footprint.
Gateway Foundation: Nonprofit providing residential, outpatient, and correctional SUD treatment across multiple states, comparable in evidence-based approach and integrated co-occurring disorder services.
Rosecrance: Nonprofit behavioral health system providing residential, outpatient, and intensive services for adolescents, adults, and families with SUD and mental health conditions — direct match in mission and modality.
Caron Treatment Centers: Nonprofit addiction treatment provider offering residential, outpatient, and specialized programs (including family and young adult tracks) — closely aligned with First Step's patient-centered nonprofit model.
Seabrook House: Nonprofit addiction treatment provider with residential, detox, IOP, and outpatient programs for individuals and families — similar multi-modality approach to First Step.

Broad incumbents

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation: National nonprofit leader in addiction treatment with residential and outpatient programs, overlapping with First Step's SUD focus but operating at much larger scale and broader geographic reach.
American Addiction Centers: National for-profit operator of residential and outpatient SUD facilities, representing the scaled, well-capitalized competitive set First Step faces for higher-acuity and commercial-pay patients.

Others

Central Florida Behavioral Health Network: Regional managing entity that contracts with the Florida Department of Children and Families for behavioral health services — a payer/partner that shapes First Step's referral flow and funding.

Emerging players

CleanSlate Centers: Multi-state outpatient MAT/OTP provider focused on medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, overlapping with First Step's SUD outpatient services in a more specialized, scaled model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

First Step of Sarasota compliance and trust

Trust signal

Compliance2 records

First Step of Sarasota financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

First Step of Sarasota leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

First Step of Sarasota funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

First Step of Sarasota M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about First Step of Sarasota

What does First Step of Sarasota do?

Is First Step of Sarasota a public or private company?

First Step of Sarasota is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.

When was First Step of Sarasota founded?

First Step of Sarasota was founded in 1970. It employs 101 to 250 people.

Where is First Step of Sarasota based?

First Step of Sarasota is headquartered in Sarasota, United States, in the North America region.

How does First Step of Sarasota make money?

One revenue line is on record: healthcare Services Revenue.

Who are First Step of Sarasota's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Pyramid Healthcare, Centerstone of Florida, Gateway Foundation, Rosecrance, Caron Treatment Centers and Seabrook House. Broad incumbents are Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and American Addiction Centers. Central Florida Behavioral Health Network is listed as an others. CleanSlate Centers is listed as an emerging player.

Does First Step of Sarasota have an API?

No public API is recorded for First Step of Sarasota.

What industry is First Step of Sarasota in?

First Step of Sarasota's product category is Behavioral Healthcare Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAFACAF, Outpatient Substance Use Treatment Programs (IOP/PHP/OP), with a secondary code of HLAFACAE, Residential Substance Use Rehabilitation (Inpatient Rehab). Its NAICS code is 621420 and its SIC code is 8000.