Community Access Unlimited

What Community Access Unlimited does

Community Access Unlimited (CAU) is a New Jersey-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1979 that delivers comprehensive human services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and at-risk youth. CAU serves more than 3,000 members annually across all 21 New Jersey counties through a service portfolio that includes 61 licensed group homes, 158 owned residential properties housing 400+ individuals, day programs, support coordination, the Academy of Continuing Education, and the PACES program. The organization also deploys assistive technologies such as OrCam My Eye 2 devices to support members with visual impairments.

CAU employs more than 1,000 staff and operates a fleet of over 150 vehicles to provide transportation and direct-care services statewide. Its service delivery model is built around individualized planning, self-advocacy, and member-driven decision-making under the principle "Nothing About Us Without Us." The organization has pursued operational modernization through partnerships including an Amazon workforce development initiative and a Qualifacts electronic health record (EHR) implementation, and maintains CARF accreditation as a quality credential.

CAU's revenue model is government-funded, with the vast majority of its $100 million operating budget derived from the New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCF), and Medicaid waiver reimbursements. The organization does not appear to have meaningful private-pay or commercial revenue streams, making the State of New Jersey its de facto principal payer and contracting counterparty. Leadership is headed by Executive Director Sidney Griswold, appointed in 2019.

Name

Community Access Unlimited

Legal name

Community Access Unlimited

Website

https://caunj.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Community Access Unlimited is a New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving 3,000+ individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and at-risk youth across 21 counties via 61 group homes, support coordination, and educational programs, funded primarily by state DDD, DCF, and Medicaid.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Human Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK), Benefits Counseling & Financial Literacy for Transition-Age Youth (EDAKANAJ), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Developmental disability services
• Community housing services
• Supported employment services
• Nonprofit human services

Headquarters

HQ city

Elizabeth

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, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Medicaid-Funded Services: Services funded through New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) Medicaid waivers including Community Care Program (CCP) and Supports Program waiver for adults 21+ with developmental disabilities.
2. State Government Funding: Services funded through NJ Department of Children & Families (DCF), PerformCare, and Division of Developmental Disabilities. Includes Youth Shelter funded by Union County Department of Human Services.
3. Day Habilitation Services: Day program services for adults with disabilities providing structured daily activities, education, and skill-building programs.
4. Private Pay Services: Private pay option for individuals not covered by government programs, including in-home support services and respite care.
5. Professional Training: Red Cross CPR and First Aid training, pre-service trainings for direct support professionals including Shifting Expectations, Preventing Abuse & Neglect, Medication Administration, and Danielle's Law. Fee of $50 per class per individual.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Community Access Unlimited is a New Jersey nonprofit organization that provides a comprehensive suite of disability, youth, and community support services. Its core offerings include housing (158 owned properties serving 400+ individuals), employment services, day habilitation programs, support coordination across 21 NJ counties, transportation (150+ vehicles), and assistive technology. Services are funded primarily through Medicaid, NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), and Department of Children & Families (DCF), with the organization also operating an Electronic Health Records (Carelogic) service for partner agencies.

Product overview

Community Access Unlimited (CAU) is a nonprofit service organization providing comprehensive support services for people with disabilities and at-risk youth across New Jersey. The organization operates a multi-service platform architecture centered on core programs including Housing, Employment Services, Day Program, Support Coordination, and Transportation. These core services are complemented by specialized programs such as the Academy of Continuing Education (ACE), Behavioral Management, Assistive Technology, Community Based Supports, Emergency Housing, Respite, Financial Management (Representative Payee), and Advocacy groups (Helping Hands, NAM). CAU also provides Youth Shelter and PACES programs for at-risk youth, Electronic Health Records services for partner agencies via Carelogic, and Professional Training for caregivers. The organization owns 158 properties and serves over 3,000 members through more than 20 distinct service offerings, all designed to help individuals achieve independence and community integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Housing
• Employment Services
• Day Program
• Support Coordination
• Transportation
• Community Care Program (CCP)
• Youth Shelter
• PACES (Pathways to Academic and Career Exploration to Success)
• Academy of Continuing Education (ACE)
• Behavioral Management
• Assistive Technology
• Community Based Supports
• Emergency Housing
• Environmental Modifications
• Financial Management
• Respite
• Residential Programs
• Advocacy Services
• Speech Therapy
• Electronic Health Records Service (Carelogic)
• Professional Training
• Transitional Opportunities Program (TOP)
• Transitioning to Adult Services
• In-Home Respite Services
• Goods and Services
• Natural Supports Training
• Supports Program
• Helping Hands

Quantifiable outcome

• Served over 3,000 members and families in Union County and across New Jersey
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council (UCICC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAU spearheaded UCICC as a way to facilitate regular interfaith meetings and build relationships between religious groups. The council develops all-inclusive interfaith solidarity, builds working relationships with community religious organizations, and sponsors regular interfaith meetings.
• Union County Youth Services Steering CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormed in 2012 to increase the number, availability, and accessibility of services for youth. Develops countywide networks of public and private agencies, shares information about youth programs, identifies gaps in services, and hosts annual conferences.
• Union County Nonprofit Consortium (UCNC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 2011 as a support network for nonprofit executive directors across Union County to discuss common challenges, exchange knowledge, leverage resources, and increase capacity.
• Union County Leadership Fellows InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched in 2017 to develop the next generation of informed and effective executives in the nonprofit sector. A first-of-its-kind public-nonprofit-private partnership seeded with a $5,000 grant from Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
• ABCD Trade AssociationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCAU is a member of ABCD, a leading trade association of certified, licensed and contracted Early Intervention and Developmental Disabilities community providers in New Jersey.
• NJ Association of Community Providers (NJACP)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProfessional association membership for community providers in developmental disabilities sector.
• American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational association membership representing providers of community living and employment services to people with disabilities.
• Trinitas Regional Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAU has a strong working relationship with Trinitas Regional Medical Center for health services coordination.
• AmeriCaresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to develop health education materials and training.
• QualifactscoreTechnology or IntegrationCAU is an affiliate of Qualifacts and provides NJ provider agencies access to Carelogic, a customized electronic health record (EHR) and billing management platform. CAU can configure and implement customized systems for other NJ provider agencies.
• The Arc of New JerseycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlanning for Adult Life program is a statewide initiative funded by NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities and delivered in partnership with The Arc of New Jersey and Community Access Unlimited.
• Kean UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Kean University's Wilkins Theater for the Music for All Concert - seven-year collaboration celebrating disability inclusion through music.
• AmazoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAU is working with Amazon to help people with disabilities in New Jersey begin new careers. Amazon has made a commitment to building and supporting an inclusive workforce.
• Groundwork ElizabethminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing internship opportunities for students with disabilities through the CAU Internship Program.
• American Job Center (Union County)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCAU partners with the American Job Center to provide employment services including job placement assistance and workforce development programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• BrightSpring Health Services: Publicly traded home and community-based services platform operating I/DD, behavioral health, pharmacy, and home health segments. Overlaps with CAU's HCBS and behavioral management service lines as a much larger, for-profit incumbent with national reach.
• Sevita Health: Large national provider of home and community-based services for individuals with I/DD and other complex needs, operating day programs, residential homes, and supported employment. Comparable Medicaid HCBS service mix to CAU at significantly larger national scale.
• Volunteers of America: National nonprofit operating housing, behavioral health, and human services programs including I/DD services. Comparable mission and federal/state contract funding model, though broader service portfolio and national footprint.

Direct peers

• YAI (Young Adult Institute): Large New York-based nonprofit providing housing, employment, day programs, support coordination, and clinical services to people with I/DD. Closely comparable service portfolio to CAU including residential programs, supported employment, and Medicaid-funded HCBS, though at significantly larger scale across the NYC metro.
• AHRC New York City: One of the largest NYC-based nonprofits serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, operating residential homes, day programs, employment services, and Medicaid-funded HCBS. Direct operational analog to CAU's Union County-centric multi-service model in a different geographic market.
• Mosaic: National faith-based nonprofit operating residential homes, day programs, and employment services for people with I/DD across more than a dozen states. Comparable diversified service portfolio and Medicaid waiver reliance to CAU, with materially larger geographic footprint.
• RHA Health Services: National I/DD, behavioral health, and substance use provider operating residential, supported living, day, and employment programs. Directly comparable Medicaid-funded HCBS operating model to CAU across multiple states.
• Merakey: Mid-Atlantic nonprofit operating residential, day, employment, behavioral health, and autism services across PA, NJ, and other states. Comparable HCBS and residential service mix to CAU with NJ operational overlap and multi-state scale.
• The Arc of New Jersey: Statewide I/DD advocacy and service nonprofit, listed as a CAU partner on the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities-funded Planning for Adult Life program. Directly comparable mission and NJ-specific focus on advocacy, family support, and service navigation.
• Elwyn: Pennsylvania-headquartered nonprofit providing residential, day, employment, behavioral, and support coordination services to people with I/DD and behavioral health needs. Comparable multi-county HCBS operating model with owned real estate and government-contract revenue base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CommAccessUltd
• Facebookfacebook.com/CommunityAccessUnlimited
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-access-unlimited
• Instagraminstagram.com/communityaccessunlimited

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Community Access Unlimited