Pathways

What Pathways does

PathWays of the River Valley is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization and the designated Region 2 Area Agency for the New Hampshire Bureau of Developmental Services, serving individuals with developmental disabilities and acquired brain disorders across 24 towns in Sullivan County and Lower Grafton County. Founded in 1973 as the Sullivan County Rehabilitation Center by a group of parents seeking services for their children with developmental disabilities, the organization underwent two rebrandings (to Developmental Services of Sullivan County in 1990, then to PathWays of the River Valley in 2007) following its 2006 merger with United Developmental Services. The agency delivers a full lifespan service portfolio, including Family Centered Early Supports and Services (FCESS) for ages 0-3, support services for ages 3-21, adult community and residential services, the Employment Options supported employment program, Participant Directed and Managed Services (PDMS), and the Enhanced Family Care home-provider network. Operational coordination is handled through an internal Clinical Department, Family Support Advisory Council, and self-advocacy groups (Upper Valley Neighbors, The Upbeat Group, People First of NH).

Services are delivered through three area offices located in Claremont (headquarters), Lebanon, and Newport, by a workforce of approximately 200-240 employees plus contracted home-providers and partner agencies. The organization is governed by a board with over 50% consumer representation and supports more than 600 individuals and families annually. Revenue is generated primarily through Medicaid long-term care funding under the state's developmental services system, supplemented by individual donations, planned giving/bequests, retail-cause partnerships (e.g., Hannaford Bloomin' 4 Good), and community fundraising that underwrites unfunded needs such as special-needs dentistry, adaptive equipment, and recreation. The organization brought approximately $19 million in annual economic activity into the local economy and reports an annual budget of $16 million, fully redesignated by the NH Bureau of Developmental Services through 2030. Leadership transitioned in March 2026, with Eric Scharf assuming the CEO role after a 22-year tenure by Mark Mills.

Name

Pathways

Legal name

PathWays of the River Valley

Website

https://pathwaysnh.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

PathWays of the River Valley is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit and New Hampshire's Region 2 Area Agency, providing developmental disability services across the lifespan to over 600 individuals and families in Sullivan and Lower Grafton Counties, funded primarily through Medicaid long-term care programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Developmental Disability Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22) (EDAKAAAG), Transition Services (Secondary to Postsecondary/Employment, Life Skills) (EDAJAKAG), Family Coaching, Parent-Mediated & Home Visiting EI Services (EDACAFAJ)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Community-based support
• Early intervention programs
• Supported employment services
• Adult residential care

Headquarters

HQ city

Claremont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Medicaid Funding: Primary source of revenue through Medicaid long-term care services. Medicaid is utilized primarily for accessing goods and services directly related to an individual's developmental disability or acquired brain disorder.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations support unfunded areas including special needs dentistry, adaptive equipment, clothing, recreational expenses, and staff development. Donation options include one-time and recurring donations.
3. Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: Bequests, retirement plan beneficiaries, life insurance beneficiaries, and stock donations support long-term organizational sustainability and programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

PathWays of the River Valley is the designated Region 2 Area Agency providing community-based developmental disability services across Sullivan County and Lower Grafton County in New Hampshire. Its core offerings include early intervention for ages 0-3, school-age supports for ages 3-21, adult services (community support, residential, and employment), participant-directed managed services, enhanced family care, and family advocacy through the Family Support Advisory Council. Services are funded primarily through Medicaid with supplemental donations.

Product overview

PathWays of the River Valley operates as a unified service organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of developmental disability services. The core service offerings include: Family Centered Early Supports and Services (FCESS) for infants and toddlers ages 0-3; Support Ages 3-21 services for children and youth; Adult Services for individuals with developmental disabilities or brain injuries; and Supported Employment through the Employment Options program. Additional services include Participant Directed and Managed Services (PDMS) for self-directed care, Enhanced Family Care for home-based support, and Family Support Advisory Council for family advocacy. The Clinical Department provides internal support and training. All services are coordinated through area offices in Newport, Lebanon, and Claremont, New Hampshire, and are funded primarily through Medicaid with supplemental community donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Family Centered Early Supports and Services (FCESS) A family-centered early intervention program of developmental services for eligible infants and toddlers ages 0-3, providing home and community-based support including developmental evaluations, therapeutic services, and service coordination for children at significant risk of developmental delay.
• Support Ages 3-21 Family-centered supports and services for individuals between ages 3-21 with developmental disabilities or chronic health conditions, collaborating with families and local school districts to offer family support, respite, children's in-home support, transition services, and environmental modifications.
• Adult Services Supports for adults with developmental disabilities or acquired brain injuries to maintain independence and well-being, including service coordination, community support services, enhanced family care, community participation services, and residential supports.
• Supported Employment (Employment Options) The Employment Options program dedicated to expanding opportunities that enrich the lives of people with disabilities through meaningful work integration in the community.
• Participant Directed and Managed Services (PDMS) A service model placing the participant, family, and/or guardian in the decision-making role regarding support staff, individual budget, and overall service design, enabling self-directed care management.
• Enhanced Family Care Home-based community living arrangements where Enhanced Family Care Providers offer support to individuals with disabilities in a community-based home environment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supports over 600 individuals and families annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Hannaford SupermarketminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022PathWays of the River Valley was selected as a beneficiary of the Hannaford Bloomin' 4 Good Program for January 2022. For every $12 Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet with the red circle sticker purchased at the Hannaford in Claremont, NH, $1 was donated to PathWays. This community giving program supports local non-profits where shoppers can make a difference.
• Spark Community CenterminorOthersUpper Valley Neighbors self-advocacy group meets at Spark Community Center in Lebanon, NH. The group discusses common goals and works with PathWays on special projects that impact individuals receiving supports throughout the region.
• Upper Valley NeighborsminorOthersSelf-advocacy group that meets regularly to discuss common goals and work with PathWays on special projects impacting individuals with developmental disabilities in the region.
• The Upbeat GroupminorOthersSelf-advocacy group that meets monthly alongside Upper Valley Neighbors. Both groups work with PathWays on special projects affecting individuals receiving supports throughout the region.
• People First of NHminorOthersStatewide self-advocacy organization with local chapters that meet monthly, working with PathWays on advocacy and system improvement initiatives.
• Parent Information CenterminorOthersCollaborates with PathWays through the Family Support Advisory Council to present workshops like The IEP Organizer, helping parents organize school records and participate more effectively in IEP meetings.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Monadnock Developmental Services: Another of the ten NH Area Agencies designated by the Bureau of Developmental Services, providing the same developmental disability service portfolio across a different region. Most directly comparable peer in business model, funding streams, and regulatory framework.
• Community Bridges: One of the ten NH Area Agencies providing developmental disability services in the Concord/Lakes Region area. Directly comparable in service mix, Medicaid funding model, and Area Agency designation status.
• Gateways Community Services: NH Area Agency providing developmental disability services in the Greater Nashua region. Closely comparable scope of services (early intervention through adult supports) and Area Agency designation, operating under the same Medicaid funding regime.
• Lakes Region Community Services: NH Area Agency covering the Lakes Region with the same developmental disability service portfolio. Direct peer in designation, funding model, and service lines including FCESS, family support, and adult services.
• The Arc of New Hampshire: Statewide advocacy and service organization for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable mission, customer base, and advocacy role, although it complements rather than replicates the Area Agency direct-service model.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals NH: Affiliated with the national Easterseals network and provides disability and human services across New Hampshire and Vermont. Broader geographic reach and a wider service portfolio than PathWays, but overlaps materially on disability services, employment programs, and family support.

Emerging players

• Washington County Mental Health Services: Vermont-based community mental health and developmental services agency where incoming CEO Eric Scharf previously led a $32M+ developmental services system. Comparable developmental disability service lines and Medicaid funding model in an adjacent New England state.

Regional players

• BDDS (Bureau of Developmental Services) Providers in NH: Other NH provider agencies operating under the Bureau of Developmental Services framework, contracting with the Area Agencies to deliver direct services such as residential, employment, and community participation. Operate in the same regulatory and funding environment as PathWays' contracted providers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/PathWaysNH
• Xx.com/PathwaysNH
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pathways-nh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Pathways