Mountain Lake Services

What Mountain Lake Services does

Mountain Lake Services (MLS) is a private not-for-profit organization founded in 1967 in Port Henry, New York, operating as the Essex County Chapter of The Arc New York. MLS delivers a comprehensive continuum of intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) services, including residential habilitation (220+ individuals in supervised residences), employment services (45 individuals employed or job-seeking at integrated work sites), day services, fiscal intermediary services for self-directed HCBS budgets, guardianship, the Cornerstone Program for specialized treatment, and a Kids Program for children with developmental disabilities up to age 21. The organization is one of Essex County's largest employers with close to 600 staff on payroll, operating from 9 documented locations across Northern New York, including a 6-site Article 16 Clinic that extends clinical therapy services (physical, occupational, speech, mental health, psychiatry) across the Tri-County area. All services are accessed through OPWDD eligibility determination and the "Front Door" person-centered planning process, with revenue primarily derived from New York State Medicaid HCBS Waiver reimbursements.

Name

Mountain Lake Services

Legal name

Mountain Lake Services

Website

https://mountainlakeservices.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Mountain Lake Services is a 1967-founded nonprofit providing residential, employment, clinical, and guardianship services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Essex County and the Tri-County area in Northern New York, operating as the local chapter of The Arc New York.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Intellectual and Developmental Disability 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), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Residential habilitation services
• Supported employment programs
• Intellectual disability care
• Vocational rehabilitation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Port Henry

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. HCBS Medicaid Waiver Services: MLS supports individuals eligible for HCBS Medicaid Waiver Services who have chosen Self-Direction as a means of securing supports and services. The organization serves as a fiscal intermediary for these Medicaid-funded services.
2. NYSARC Trust Services Grants: Grants from NYSARC Trust Services support recreation and guardianship programs. In 2023, MLS received $65,560 (52,250 for guardianship, 13,310 for recreation). 2024 allocations were $52,250 for guardianship and $13,658 for recreation.
3. Manufacturing & Product Sales: Essex Industries generates revenue through manufacturing canoe accessories, furniture, and Adirondack Canoe Company products. Annual sales of canoe parts exceed $1 million. Products include canoe seats, yokes, gunwales, paddles, picnic tables, camp stools, and handcrafted baskets.
4. Membership Fees: Individual Membership $5.00 per year, Supporting Membership $100.00 per year, Lifetime Membership $500.00
5. Basket Weaving Classes: Mountain Weavers' Guild offers introductory basket-weaving classes to the public for $25 per session (approximately 2.5 hours)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Mountain Lake Services provides a comprehensive continuum of supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Essex County, New York, including residential habilitation, home-based supports, employment services, day services, clinical therapy (Article 16 Clinic), fiscal intermediary services, guardianship, and the Cornerstone treatment program. The organization also operates integrated social enterprises—Essex Industries (canoe parts manufacturing), Mountain Weavers' Farm Store, and a consignment shop—that provide vocational training and employment opportunities for the individuals served.

Product overview

Mountain Lake Services operates as a multi-service organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of intellectual and developmental disability services across Essex County, New York. The organization functions as a platform providing core clinical and support services (Home Based Supports, Employment Services, Residential Habilitation, Article 16 Clinic, Fiscal Intermediary, Guardianship, Cornerstone, and Day Services) alongside social enterprise ventures (Essex Industries manufacturing canoe products, Mountain Weavers' Farm Store, and Consignment Shop). Additional programs include IDDO ombudsman services, Kids Program, and Recreation Program. All services operate under the Chapter of The Arc New York framework, with funding through OPWDD Medicaid Waiver programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cornerstone Program: Best-practice treatment program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and sexual boundary violations, offering individual counseling and weekly treatment groups
• Article 16 Clinic

Products and services

• Home Based Supports & Services Broad-based in-home and community services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including community habilitation, day habilitation, family support, hourly respite, individual support services, intensive behavioral supports, and early childhood intervention.
• Employment Services Supported employment placing individuals with disabilities into integrated community work sites with job coach support, plus prevocational services and coordination with ACCESS-VR for career development. Currently supports 45 individuals employed or job-seeking.
• Residential Habilitation Services Supervised and supported residences providing 24-hour supervision and daily living skills training for more than 220 individuals, including single-person supported apartments with designated oversight.
• Article 16 Clinic Therapy services providing habilitative and rehabilitative care at six locations, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, mental health services, psychiatry, and psychological services.
• Fiscal Intermediary Services Supports individuals self-directing their HCBS Medicaid Waiver individualized budgets through billing, payment, fiscal accounting, Medicaid compliance, and administrative services.
• Guardianship Services Corporate 17-A Guardianship Services providing primary and standby guardianship of person and property for individuals over 18, administered through NYSARC Inc.
• Cornerstone Program Best-practice treatment program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and sexual boundary violations, offering individual counseling, weekly treatment groups, and therapeutic environments.
• Day Services Day programs providing support built on choice and person-centered approaches, focusing on independent living skills, recreational opportunities, volunteer work, and community involvement.
• IDDO (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Ombudsprogram) Statewide independent ombudsman program funded by OPWDD and operated by Community Service Society of New York, providing a helpline, guidance on OPWDD services, referrals, and regional outreach.
• Essex Industries (Social Enterprise) Integrated workplace where people with developmental disabilities manufacture canoe accessories, furniture, Adirondack chairs, picnic tables, and high-end canoes (in partnership with Adirondack Canoe Company). Annual sales of canoe parts exceed $1 million and products are sold to top canoe suppliers worldwide.
• Mountain Weavers' Farm Store Retail store providing fresh local produce, handcrafted baskets, value-added food products, and basket-weaving and horticulture pre-vocational training programs.
• Mountain Lake Consignment Shop Local consignment shop offering clothing and home goods, providing job readiness training in retail, customer service, and operational skills for individuals in employment services.
• Mountain Lake Kids Program Grant-funded program through NYS OPWDD offering community engagement and relief for families during school breaks for OPWDD-eligible children with developmental disabilities up to age 21.
• Recreation Program Recreational activities including Special Olympics, outdoor adventures, arts, crafts, music, and community events for individuals with developmental disabilities, enriching 300+ individuals annually.
• Adirondack Canoe Company (Canoe Manufacturing) Joint venture between Essex Industries and master boat builder Chad Smith (20+ years design-build experience) manufacturing high-end lightweight canoes using carbon fiber, Kevlar, and vacuum infusion composite technology. Sells via satellite store, farmers markets, craft fairs, and wholesale.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 220 individuals supported in supervised residences
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Adirondack Canoe Company (Chad Smith)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership between Essex Industries and master boat builder Chad Smith to manufacture high-end lightweight canoes using composite materials. Chad Smith brings 20+ years of design-build experience. The venture creates new job opportunities and training for individuals with disabilities at the 15,000 sq ft manufacturing facility.
• CVTECminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with CVTEC (Champlain Valley Technology Education Center) that developed an apprenticeship program. Apprentices from CVTEC have become employees of MLS/Essex Industries.
• Keeseville LibraryminorOthersMLS individuals volunteer weekly at the Keeseville Library, disinfecting children's room and toys, and cutting out paper inserts for books. Partnership enhanced over the past year.
• SPCAminorOthersMLS individuals make homemade dog treats (from bananas, peanut butter, oats) and participate in dog bed deliveries for the SPCA.
• Families FirstminorOthersMLS partners with Families First, an Essex County non-profit serving families with children with mental health issues. MLS collects and delivers Christmas gifts for families during the holiday season.
• NYS Department of TransportationminorOthersMLS has adopted a highway - the rest stop in Schroon Lake in the north-bound lane of I-87. Volunteers maintain the area weekly to keep it clean.
• Parcels by Northeast ARC (Danvers, MA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail store that purchases baskets from the Mountain Weavers' Guild. Orders exceeded $1,000 last year. Baskets also sold at numerous shops throughout the Northeast.
• Camp DudleyminorOthersPartnership for engaging programming activities for the Kids Program.
• Open ArmsminorOthersMLS individuals work with Open Arms at Essex Industries sorting and organizing clothes by size and category for families in need, provided through Department of Social Services.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Jawonio: NY-based nonprofit providing IDD services including residential, day, employment, clinical, and self-direction supports across multiple counties. Comparable in service breadth, OPWDD reimbursement model, and integrated vocational programming.
• The Arc New York: The statewide parent organization of which Mountain Lake Services is a chapter. Directly comparable as the umbrella nonprofit supporting 35 chapters, 60,000+ people, and 30,000+ employees with shared advocacy, OPWDD funding, and service frameworks across New York.
• Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State: Statewide trade association and direct service provider network supporting people with cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities. Comparable in OPWDD funding model, residential and employment services, and statewide advocacy role.
• Constructive Partnerships Unlimited (formerly UCP of NYC): Large NY-based nonprofit providing residential, day, employment, and clinical services to people with cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities. Comparable in OPWDD funding framework and comprehensive service line-up.
• YAI (Young Adult Institute): Major NY-based IDD services organization offering residential, employment, clinical, day, and self-direction services under OPWDD and Medicaid frameworks. Comparable in comprehensive service portfolio and integration of vocational/clinical/residential supports.
• Life's WORC: New York-based nonprofit providing residential, day habilitation, vocational, clinical, and family support services to individuals with IDD and autism. Closely comparable in service mix, OPWDD funding model, and community-based delivery approach.
• AccessCNY: Central NY OPWDD provider offering residential, employment, clinical, and case management services with integrated social enterprise. Closely comparable in mid-size regional scale and continuum-of-care model.
• AHRC New York City: One of the largest OPWDD-funded IDD service providers in New York, offering residential habilitation, day services, employment services, and clinical supports. Directly comparable in service portfolio and funding model, though at significantly larger urban scale.
• Liberty ARC: Chapter of NYSARC serving the Mohawk Valley with residential habilitation, day services, employment, and clinical supports for people with IDD. Comparable in chapter model, OPWDD funding, and rural/mid-size regional service delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Services for the Underserved (SUS): Large NY human services nonprofit providing IDD, behavioral health, and housing services across multiple counties. Comparable in Medicaid-funded service delivery and person-centered planning models, but broader scope beyond IDD only.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/mtlakeservices

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Mountain Lake Services