Developmental Services Center

What Developmental Services Center does

Developmental Services Center (DSC) is a Champaign, Illinois-based nonprofit founded in 1972 that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Champaign and Ford counties. It delivers a coordinated continuum of six service lines — Case Management & Family Support, Family Development (early intervention), Community Day Services, Residential Services (8 group homes and the 24-unit C-U Independence Apartments), Employment Services, and Home Based Support — serving approximately 1,200 program participants annually with a workforce of 251–500, evidenced by 13,505 direct-support shifts delivered and 205 developmental screenings conducted.

The organization's revenue model is predominantly public-payer driven, funded through Illinois Department of Human Services programs, Medicaid waivers, and Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) arrangements, with a significant portion channeled via the local CCDDB-MHB funding board. A secondary revenue layer consists of community fundraising — notably the annual 'Back to the Prairibbean' event with the Eastern Illinois Parrot Head Club, which has cumulatively raised more than $500,000 — plus individual/corporate donations and a small social-enterprise retail operation, The Crow at 110, which sells handmade participant-made crafts.

DSC's go-to-market is community-led: services are delivered directly through case management, family support specialists, and community-based programming, with referrals sourced from state agencies, community partnerships (United Way), and word-of-mouth within Champaign, Urbana, and Rantoul. Technology is limited to a standard web portal (MyDSC) for board access and routine social media channels; there are no proprietary AI/ML, API, or platform capabilities. The organization is governed by a 14-member community board and led by CEO Danielle Matthews with functional VPs across Clinical Services, Support Services/CFO, Development & Communications, and HR.

Name

Developmental Services Center

Legal name

Developmental Services Center

Website

https://dsc-illinois.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Developmental Services Center is a Champaign, Illinois nonprofit founded in 1972 that delivers case management, early intervention, residential, employment, and community day services to approximately 1,200 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Champaign and Ford counties, funded primarily through Illinois state programs, Medicaid waivers, and community donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability support services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Residential care services
• Early intervention programs
• Supported employment services
• Case management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Champaign

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. State-Funded Programs: DSC receives funding through Illinois state programs including Developmental Disabilities services, Medicaid waivers, and CILA (Community Integrated Living Arrangement) funding for residential and day services.
2. Fundraising Events: Annual community fundraiser 'Back to the Prairibbean' hosted by Eastern Illinois Parrot Head Club has raised more than half a million dollars to support vital programs and services.
3. Donations: Individual donations and corporate sponsorships support DSC's mission and programs.
4. Retail Sales - The Crow at 110: Art studio and shop selling handmade candles, soaps, wax melts, and crafts created by program participants. Online ordering available with local pickup.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

DSC is a non-profit human services organization that delivers direct disability services to approximately 1,200 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Champaign and Ford counties, Illinois. Its core offerings are six service lines (Case Management & Family Support, Family Development/early intervention, Community Day Services, Residential Services including 8 CILA group homes and a 24-unit supported apartment building, Employment Services including LEAP, and Home Based Support), plus the Title VI Native American program and Parent Wonders home visiting. DSC also operates The Crow at 110, a social enterprise art studio and retail shop that sells participant-made candles, soaps, wax melts, and crafts and creates alternative employment opportunities.

Product overview

DSC is a nonprofit organization providing a comprehensive suite of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, currently serving approximately 1,200 people in Champaign and Ford counties. The organization operates as a coordinated services model rather than a single product, comprising six core service lines: Case Management & Family Support Services (coordinating care and advocacy), Family Development (early intervention for infants and toddlers), Community Day Services (adult daytime programs), Residential Services (group homes and supported apartments), Employment Services (job training and placement), and Home Based Support. Additionally, DSC operates The Crow at 110, a social enterprise art studio and retail shop that creates alternative employment opportunities for program participants through the sale of handmade crafts including candles, soaps, and artwork. All services are designed to support individuals in living a rich and meaningful life through person-centered approaches.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Crow at 110: A creative space and shop operated by DSC participants, selling handmade candles, soaps, wax melts, and other artisan products. Provides alternative employment and artistic expression opportunities for individuals served by DSC.

Products and services

• Case Management & Family Support Services Provides advocacy, referral linkage, crisis intervention, and coordination services for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Each individual is assigned a Case Coordinator / QIDP who facilitates person-centered planning and implementation of desired outcomes.
• Family Development Community-based program offering assistance to families of infants, toddlers, and young children experiencing or at risk for developmental delays. Services include evaluations, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, developmental therapy, and the PLAY Project.
• Community Day Services Provides adults with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities a supportive environment to enhance or develop functional skills for daily living through vocational training, community integration, independent living skills, and recreational activities.
• Residential Services Community-based residential alternatives including Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA/group homes) with 24-hour support, intermittent CILA, and the Community Living Program with supported apartment options, including 8 group homes and the 24-unit C-U Independence Apartments.
• Employment Services Provides assessment, placement, training, and support for individuals with developmental disabilities, including assistance obtaining community employment, training within DSC Business Operations, on-the-job training, and follow-up support.
• Home Based Support In-home support services delivered to individuals with developmental disabilities in their residential settings.
• The Crow at 110 Creative arts studio and retail shop featuring handmade candles, soaps, wax melts, and artwork created by DSC program participants. Sold in-store at 110 E. University Ave, Champaign, and online with local pickup, providing alternative employment opportunities for participants.
• Title VI Native American program providing services to Native American children and families with developmental disabilities.
• LEAP (Employer Education and Support) Employment services component focused on employer education and workplace support for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Parent Wonders Free voluntary home visiting program for families with children prenatal to three years old, providing bi-monthly home visits, parent-child interaction support, community resource connections, and monthly play groups.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,200 individuals served annually across all programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Eastern Illinois Parrot Head ClubcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 August 2026Annual community fundraiser 'Back to the Prairibbean' hosted at Riggs Beer Company. Event includes live music, food vendors, raffles. Has raised more than half a million dollars to support DSC programs and services.
• CCDDB-MHB (Champaign County Developmental Disabilities Board - Mental Health Board)coreOthersLocal government funding board providing resources for developmental disabilities and mental health services in Champaign County.
• United WaycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor community partner providing funding, diaper and wipes donations through grant programs, and community resource connections.
• CQL (Council on Quality and Leadership)minorOthersNational organization focused on quality and leadership in human services, supporting DSC's commitment to service excellence.
• IARF (Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities)minorOthersStatewide association representing rehabilitation and disability service providers in Illinois.
• The Institute on Public Policy for People with DisabilitiesminorOthersPolicy organization supporting advocacy and public policy initiatives for people with disabilities.
• NADSP (National Association of Direct Support Professionals)minorOthersNational association supporting and credentialing direct support professionals who work with individuals with disabilities.
• Riggs Beer CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue host for annual Back to the Prairibbean fundraiser event in Urbana.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Clearbrook: Illinois-based nonprofit providing residential, employment, day, and family support services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Clearbrook's service continuum and CILA-equivalent residential model closely mirror DSC's offerings across multiple Illinois counties.
• Aspire (Illinois): Chicago-area nonprofit serving children and adults with developmental disabilities through residential, employment, day, and therapy services. Aspire's full lifespan continuum and CILA-equivalent operations make it one of DSC's closest direct comparables.
• Ray Graham Association: Illinois nonprofit providing residential, employment, day, and case management services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Ray Graham's geographic concentration in DuPage County and similar service mix closely parallel DSC's Champaign/Ford county model.
• The Arc of Illinois: Statewide advocacy and service organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc of Illinois operates a similar service portfolio (residential, employment, advocacy) and competes for the same Illinois DHS and Medicaid waiver funding streams.
• Helping Hand Center: Illinois-based nonprofit providing residential, vocational, and therapeutic services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Helping Hand's CILA-licensed group homes and employment programs make it a direct operational peer to DSC.
• UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago: Illinois affiliate serving people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities through residential, employment, and life-skills programs. UCP Seguin's CILA-equivalent residential services and employment programs operate in a similar regulatory and funding environment to DSC.
• Glenkirk: Illinois nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential, employment, day services, and behavioral health supports. Glenkirk's CILA-licensed programs and lifespan continuum are structurally similar to DSC's service model.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals Central Illinois: Central Illinois chapter of the national Easterseals network, providing disability services including residential, employment, and therapy. Easterseals' broader portfolio and national brand differentiate it from DSC's narrower IDD focus, but the operational overlap is substantial.
• RHA Health Services: Multi-state provider of residential, behavioral health, and IDD services operating CILA-equivalent programs across the Southeast and Midwest. RHA's broader geographic and service footprint positions it as a larger-scale comparable to DSC, though with different operating geographies.

Regional players

• Penn-Mar Human Services: Pennsylvania-based nonprofit providing residential, employment, day, and behavioral health services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Penn-Mar's lifespan continuum and CILA-equivalent residential model are highly comparable to DSC, though geographically non-overlapping.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dscchampaign
• Facebookfacebook.com/DSCchampaign
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/developmental-services-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/dscchampaign

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles27 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 Developmental Services Center