What Administration for Community Living does

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is a federal operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, established in 2014 to consolidate aging and disability programs rooted in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Its mission is to advance community living for older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. ACL does not generate commercial revenue; it is funded through congressional appropriations and distributes resources via grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to a nationwide service network that includes approximately 622 Area Agencies on Aging, 370+ Centers for Independent Living, 57 Protection and Advocacy Systems, 56 State Developmental Disabilities Councils, 68 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, and 30+ national resource centers covering all U.S. states and territories.

ACL's core operations are programmatic and policy-coordination rather than technology-centric. It runs direct service touchpoints such as the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) and the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL, 1-888-677-1199), funds research through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), and operates flagship programs including the National Paralysis Resource Center under a $10,000,000 cooperative agreement with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation (serving 5.4M Americans with paralysis), the Accessible Transportation Resource Center, the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center, the Housing and Services Resource Center (joint with HUD), and the Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center. Cross-agency collaborations span HHS, HUD, DOT/FTA, DOL, CMS, ARPA-H, and the VA.

ACL's most recent strategic posture emphasizes AI-enabled caregiver support through the 2026 Caregiver Artificial Intelligence Prize Challenge, smart-home technology diffusion via cross-sector webinars, and an expanded regulatory footprint following the final Section 504 Rule update and proposed Section 1557 ACA Rule. Authorizing statutes include the Older Americans Act, Rehabilitation Act, Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, Elder Justice Act, and Help America Vote Act. ACL is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with 101-250 staff and appointed leadership including the Assistant Secretary for Aging.

Name

Administration for Community Living

Legal name

Administration for Community Living

Website

https://acl.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ACL is a federal HHS agency that administers programs and funds a nationwide network serving older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers across all U.S. states and territories through grants, cooperative agreements, and direct service lines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Federal Aging and Disability Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Public Administration (92)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Elder Services & Aging Support (BPAGAEAF)

Keywords

• Federal aging services
• Disability program administration
• Community living support
• Grantmaking aging network
• Caregiver support programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal Appropriations and Grants: ACL is a federal government agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It receives federal appropriations and distributes funding through grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to state agencies, local organizations, and national nonprofits in the aging and disability networks. Revenue is derived from congressional appropriations rather than commercial revenue generation.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ACL is a federal government agency that administers grant programs, distributes federal appropriations, and provides technical assistance to support community living for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers across the United States. It operates and funds a nationwide network of over 622 Area Agencies on Aging, 370+ Centers for Independent Living, 56 State Developmental Disabilities Councils, 57 Protection and Advocacy Systems, and 30+ national resource centers that deliver services, training, and information to the public.

Product overview

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is a federal government agency that does not operate as a single product company but rather funds and coordinates a comprehensive network of programs, services, and technical assistance centers. ACL's portfolio includes the Caregiver AI Prize Challenge for AI tools development, the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) and Eldercare Locator for service connection, the National Paralysis Resource Center in partnership with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, the Accessible Transportation Resource Center (ATRC) and National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) for transportation accessibility, the Housing and Services Resource Center as an HHS-HUD partnership, the Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center for workforce development, and over 30 National Resource Centers covering areas like benefits enrollment, elder abuse prevention, dementia care, and falls prevention. These offerings work together to support independent living for older adults and people with disabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL): Service that helps people with disabilities get connected to information about local community resources that support independent living.
• Eldercare Locator
• No Wrong Door (NWD)
• Housing and Services Resource Center
• Accessible Transportation Resource Center (ATRC)
• National Paralysis Resource Center

Products and services

• Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) A nationwide call center and online locator (1-888-677-1199) helping people with disabilities get connected to information about local community resources that support independent living, including Centers for Independent Living, assistive technology programs, and disability rights information.
• Eldercare Locator A nationwide call center and website (1-800-677-1116) that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources.
• National Resource Centers A network of over 30 ACL-funded resource centers providing information and technical assistance to professionals and consumers in areas including benefits enrollment, elder abuse prevention, falls prevention, dementia care, transportation, and disability employment.
• National Paralysis Resource Center A resource center operated by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation providing free, comprehensive informational support for people living with paralysis and their caregivers, funded through a $10,000,000 cooperative agreement with ACL and serving 5.4 million Americans with paralysis.
• Accessible Transportation Resource Center (ATRC) A national technical assistance center focused on advancing accessible transportation through resources, peer learning, and best practices for people of all ages and abilities, funded by ACL and administered by Easterseals and USAging.
• National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) Technical assistance center promoting availability and accessibility of transportation options for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers, funded by the Federal Transit Administration and administered by Easterseals and USAging with ACL guidance.
• Housing and Services Resource Center A partnership between HHS and HUD to expand accessible, affordable housing and help people exit homelessness while improving home and community-based services for older adults and people with disabilities.
• Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center Provides technical assistance to states and service providers to improve recruitment, retention, training, and professional development of direct care workers, administered by the National Council on Aging with ACL funding and collaboration from DOL, CMS, and ASPE.
• Caregiver Artificial Intelligence Prize Challenge A prize competition calling on innovators to develop AI tools that reduce caregiver burden, strengthen the caregiving workforce, and improve care for older adults and people with disabilities.
• National Accessible Transportation Accelerator Network (NATAN) A nationwide network connecting transportation professionals, disability and aging advocates, and transportation consumers with resources and best practices for accessible transportation.

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Christopher & Dana Reeve FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation operates the National Paralysis Resource Center under a $10,000,000 cooperative agreement with ACL. The PRC serves 5.4 million Americans with paralysis conditions and was highlighted at the Reeve Summit 2026 (May 6-8, Boston), which brought together individuals living with paralysis, caregivers, researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and advocates. The partnership advances paralysis research, care, and advocacy nationwide.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - Smart Home Technology WebinarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 September 2025ACL hosted a cross-sector webinar on September 16, 2025, exploring smart home technology solutions for individuals with accessibility needs, in partnership with HUD. The event featured presentations from Inglis, Oklahoma ABLE Tech, and the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, aiming to expand access to affordable, accessible housing and supportive services.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACL and HUD have an interagency partnership to expand accessible, affordable housing and supportive services, making community living possible. This partnership operates the Housing and Services Resource Center (HSRC), which fosters cross-sector partnerships between housing resources, health care, mental health services, and independent living services. The collaboration addresses institutional bias in America's long-term care system, helps people exit homelessness, and improves home and community-based services.
• National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNADTC is a program of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) administered by Easterseals and USAging with guidance from ACL. The Center's goal is to promote the availability and accessibility of transportation options for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. NADTC is a national technical assistance center focused on advancing accessible transportation through resources, peer learning, and best practices.
• Easterseals and USAging (for NADTC)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEasterseals and USAging jointly administer the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center under FTA funding with ACL guidance. NADTC promotes availability and accessibility of transportation for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers through technical assistance, resources, and best practices.
• Aging and Disability Networks (nationwide network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACL funds and works through a nationwide network of organizations including: Area Agencies on Aging (622 nationwide), Aging and Disability Resource Centers, Centers for Independent Living (370+), Protection and Advocacy Systems (57), State Councils on Developmental Disabilities (56), State Units on Aging, University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (68), Senior Centers, and numerous national resource centers. This network constitutes the backbone of community living services for older adults and people with disabilities across all U.S. states and territories.
• National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIDILRR is an ACL institute that generates new knowledge and promotes its effective use to improve opportunities for people with disabilities. It funds an extensive research program including Model Systems, Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers, and Small Business Innovation Research. NIDILRR publishes research through the NIDILRR Program Database and supports the NIDILRR Frameworks, advancing disability and rehabilitation science.
• Federal Transit Administration (FTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFTA co-funds with ACL the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center and the Accessible Transportation Resource Center (ATRC), both focused on advancing accessible transportation. FTA also partners on the Housing and Services Resource Center and joint publications such as the Navigating Tribal Transportation Funding guide. ATRC is administered by Easterseals and USAging under FTA funding with ACL guidance.
• ARPA-H (Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACL is participating in a coordinated federal roadmap for AI adoption in U.S. healthcare alongside HHS, ONC, FDA, ARPA-H, and other agencies. ARPA-H is funding agentic AI for continuous patient care (e.g., the Advocate heart failure program). ACL is specifically exploring AI tools to extend the caregiving workforce through its Caregiver AI Prize Challenge. This collaboration reflects the interagency AI strategy across federal health agencies.
• Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center (National Council on Aging)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center is a national technical assistance center administered by the National Council on Aging with ACL funding and collaboration from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE). It provides technical assistance to states and service providers to improve recruitment, retention, training, and professional development of the direct care workforce.
• USAging (formerly n4a)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSAging partners with ACL on multiple national initiatives including the Eldercare Locator (nationwide call center and website connecting older Americans to local support), NADTC administration, and the Aging Network. USAging is a key national organization representing and supporting Area Agencies on Aging and Title VI Native American aging programs.
• Community Care Hubs and CBO NetworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACL's Partnering for Health at Home initiative connects networks of community-based organizations (CBOs), led by community care hubs, to health care organizations. Community care hubs centralize administrative functions including contracting with health care payers, payment operations, referral management, service delivery, fidelity compliance, technology, data collection, and reporting. ACL has developed guidance including the Community Care Hub IT Playbook and Contracts and Commercial Relationships Guidance under the Older Americans Act to support these partnerships.
• Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCAM is a federal interagency council that coordinates funding and expertise on human services transportation. ACL participates in CCAM alongside FTA and other agencies. CCAM maintains a program inventory of 130 federal programs funding human services transportation and publishes resources including the CCAM Federal Fund Braiding Guide.
• Institute for Community Inclusion (UMass Boston) - Center on Youth Voice, Youth ChoiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Center on Youth Voice, Youth Choice (CYVYC) is a national youth resource center on alternatives to guardianship, grantee of ACL. The center is housed at the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston. It serves youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), parents, supporters, advocates, healthcare providers, attorneys, and service providers.
• Justice in Aging (National Center on Law and Elder Rights)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJustice in Aging operates the National Center on Law and Elder Rights (NCLER) under an ACL-funded grant. NCLER provides legal assistance training, tools, and resources to help aging and legal professionals deliver high-quality legal assistance to older clients on issues of independence, health, and financial security. The center serves legal assistance providers, LTC Ombudsmen, State Units on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging, and senior legal helplines.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Easterseals: National disability services nonprofit providing supports for people with disabilities and older adults; co-administers ACL/FTA transportation centers and serves overlapping constituencies.
• The Arc of the United States: National organization advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and independent living, serving the same disability constituencies ACL supports through its disability networks.
• National Council on Aging (NCOA): National nonprofit focused on aging services, benefits enrollment, falls prevention, and the direct care workforce; overlaps directly with ACL's aging programs and administers several ACL-funded resource centers.
• USAging: Membership organization representing Area Agencies on Aging that operates the Eldercare Locator and NADTC; core delivery partner in the same aging-network space ACL coordinates.

Others

• Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation: Paralysis research and advocacy nonprofit that operates the National Paralysis Resource Center under a $10M ACL cooperative agreement; an ecosystem grantee partner serving the same disability community.
• National Institute on Aging (NIA): Federal NIH institute funding aging and dementia research; thematically adjacent to ACL's NIDILRR research mission but focused on biomedical rather than community-living research.

Broad incumbents

• AARP: Large membership and advocacy organization serving older adults across benefits, caregiving, and community living, addressing the same populations and issues as ACL's aging mission.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Sister HHS agency administering home and community-based services and the Medicaid Access Rule; large federal player overlapping on long-term care and direct care workforce policy.
• Administration for Children and Families (ACF): Sister HHS operating division administering social assistance and family services via grants; comparable federal grantmaking model targeting a different vulnerable population.

Regional players

• National Association of Area Agencies (n4a) network: Network of regional agencies delivering local aging services under the Older Americans Act; operate the community-level delivery layer that mirrors ACL's grantee ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ACLgov
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AoA25
• Facebookfacebook.com/aclgov

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments7 records

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Frequently asked questions about Administration for Community Living