Ability First
Ability First provides community-based developmental disability services, including residential group homes, family living, in-home support, employment services, and adult nursing, for adults in New Mexico under Medicaid DD Waiver and Mi Via programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersAlbuquerque, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ability First does
Ability First is a private, New Mexico-based provider of community-based developmental disability services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Albuquerque, the organization operates an integrated portfolio including supported living/group homes (24-hour staffed housing with medication oversight and nursing coordination), family living arrangements, in-home community support, respite care, custom employment services, adult day habilitation, and adult nursing services. The company is CARF accredited and serves as an authorized provider under both New Mexico's Medicaid DD Waiver (agency-directed) and Mi Via (self-directed) programs. The core technology is a person-centered service delivery platform configured to align with state waiver requirements, supporting compliance documentation, service plan development, and case management rather than software-as-a-product functionality.
Operationally, Ability First runs three regional offices: Albuquerque (2610 San Mateo Blvd NE, serving Bernalillo County with 13 group homes), Santa Fe (404 Kiva Court, serving Santa Fe County with 6 group homes), and Las Vegas, NM (223 Plaza Street, serving San Miguel County and surrounding Northern New Mexico counties). DD Waiver services are concentrated in these three locations, while Mi Via self-directed services are offered statewide. The organization reports active hiring across Direct Support Professionals, Respite Care Providers, Family Living Providers, Customized Community Support Staff, Service Coordinators, Employment Specialists, and Customized In-Home Support Staff, consistent with a 51-100 employee footprint delivering around-the-clock care.
The business model is managed-services revenue under government waiver contracts: New Mexico Medicaid reimburses services delivered to eligible waiver participants, with revenue streams separated into Agency-Directed (DD Waiver) and Participant-Directed (Mi Via) channels. Distribution is exclusively direct service delivery, with referrals flowing through the New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Supports Division, case management professionals, healthcare providers, and families. The company is part of the Revolve Care family, which provides shared back-office and recruitment platform infrastructure (careers and contact requests route through revolvecare.com). Founder/owner Ryan Sherman is listed as the leadership contact; no additional management team, board composition, or external ownership has been disclosed in the source data.
Ability First firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ability First
- Legal name
- Ability First
- Website
- https://ability1st.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Ability First provides community-based developmental disability services, including residential group homes, family living, in-home support, employment services, and adult nursing, for adults in New Mexico under Medicaid DD Waiver and Mi Via programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ability First industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Adult Developmental Disability Services
- NAICS
- Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)
- SIC
- Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI)
Keywords
Where Ability First is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Albuquerque
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Ability First business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Medicaid DD Waiver Services: Agency-directed Medicaid waiver services delivered through approved providers under the Developmental Disabilities Waiver program in New Mexico. Services include residential, in-home, employment, day programs, and nursing services for eligible adults with developmental disabilities.
- Mi Via Self-Directed Waiver Services: Participant-directed Medicaid waiver services under the Mi Via program, offering eligible individuals greater control over how their support services are planned and delivered, with guidance and oversight from Ability First.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Direct Support Professional compensation |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Ability First product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ability First provides community-based adult developmental disability services in New Mexico, including 24-hour staffed residential group homes, family living arrangements, in-home support, respite care, custom employment services, adult day habilitation, and adult nursing. Services are delivered as an authorized provider under the DD Waiver (agency-directed) and Mi Via (self-directed) New Mexico Medicaid waiver programs across Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Vegas NM.
Product overview
Ability First provides a comprehensive, integrated suite of developmental disability services in New Mexico, operating as a unified service delivery organization rather than a modular software platform. The core portfolio includes Supported Living/Group Homes (residential housing with 24-hour staff), Family Living (family-based care settings), In-Home Community Support, Respite Care, Custom Employment Services, Adult Day Center/Day Habilitation Programs, Adult Nursing Services, and waiver management through both DD Waiver (agency-directed) and Mi Via (self-directed) programs. These services work together to provide coordinated, person-centered care across residential, community, employment, and healthcare domains, funded through New Mexico Medicaid waiver programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Supported Living / Group Homes Community-based residential services providing 24-hour staffed housing for adults with developmental disabilities, offering medication oversight, nursing coordination, and independent living skills development across 13 group homes in Bernalillo County and 6 in Santa Fe County.
- Family Living A home-based living model where adults with developmental disabilities reside with approved family living providers in private family homes, fostering long-term relationships and stability.
- In-Home Community Support Personalized assistance delivered in an individual's own home or family home, providing daily living skills training, community integration, transportation, and employment preparation.
- Respite Care Short-term, structured support services that provide temporary relief for primary caregivers while ensuring individuals continue receiving safe, consistent, person-centered care.
- Custom Employment Services Individualized employment development services including job coaching, employer partnerships, vocational rehabilitation coordination with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), and job retention support to help adults secure and maintain meaningful employment.
- Adult Day Center / Day Habilitation Center-based day programs offering structured activities, life skills development, fitness facilities, classes (art, science, cooking, fitness, life skills), community outings, and vocational readiness training in a 2,500+ square foot facility in Albuquerque.
- Adult Nursing Services Professional health monitoring and medical coordination including initial and annual assessments, health care planning, staff and caregiver training, and 24-hour on-call nurse access.
- Mi Via Services Self-directed Medicaid waiver services allowing participants to choose and manage their own caregivers, develop Service and Support Plans (SSP), and direct services within approved individual budgets, with guidance and oversight from Ability First. Offered to eligible individuals statewide in New Mexico.
- DD Waiver Services Agency-directed developmental disability Medicaid waiver services delivered through approved providers, with support hours based on assessment and eligibility, case management coordination, and professional oversight across Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Vegas NM.
Companies that use Ability First
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ability First technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Ability First partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Revolve Care (Parent Organization)coreAbility First is part of the Revolve Care family, using Revolve Care's platform for job applications and contact inquiries. Careers and service requests are routed through revolvecare.com.
- Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)coreVocational rehabilitation partnership providing employment services, job coaching, and workforce integration support for adults with developmental disabilities. Coordinates job development and placement services.
- New Mexico Human Services DepartmentcorePrimary regulatory and funding partner. The organization operates under authorization from HCA/NM (Health Care Authority) and delivers services compliant with Developmental Disabilities Waiver and Mi Via Waiver program requirements.
- Mi Via Waiver ProgramcoreSelf-directed waiver option providing eligible individuals greater choice and control over how their services are planned and delivered. Ability First provides consultation, guidance, and oversight to ensure services remain ethical and compliant.
- New Mexico Department of HealthminorReferenced for training resources, incident reporting (DHI-ANE Online), and regulatory oversight through Developmental Disabilities Supports Division.
- UNM Center for Development and DisabilityminorPartnership for continuing education and training resources including online courses on indications of illness and injury, and abuse/neglect/exploitation refresher training.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ability First competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Sevita Health: Large national IDD and behavioral health provider operating HCBS waiver services across multiple states. Directly comparable in service mix (residential, day, employment, nursing) and Medicaid waiver funding model, though at materially greater scale than Ability First.
- Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: Nonprofit provider of IDD and behavioral health residential and community services across multiple states. Comparable in CARF accreditation, residential group home model, and Medicaid waiver revenue structure.
- Bayada Home Health Care: Large home health and personal care services provider with significant adult disability and pediatric care offerings. Comparable in providing in-home community support and personal care under Medicaid funding, though broader clinical scope.
- The MENTOR Network: National IDD services provider offering residential, day, and community-based supports funded through state Medicaid waivers. Comparable waiver-funded operating model with similar suite of services and accreditation profile.
- BrightSpring Health Services: Publicly traded provider of home and community-based services including IDD, behavioral health, and pharmacy. Operates ResCare and similar IDD service lines that compete in the same Medicaid waiver funding environment as Ability First.
- Help at Home: Large personal care and home care services provider focused on Medicaid HCBS waiver programs serving individuals with IDD and disabilities. Comparable Medicaid waiver funding model and in-home/community-based care delivery.
Direct peers
- Sunrise Community: IDD services provider operating residential group homes, day programs, and supported employment across multiple states. Comparable service mix, CARF accreditation profile, and Medicaid HCBS waiver funding model.
- RHA Health Services: Mid-sized IDD and behavioral health provider operating residential group homes, day programs, and community-based services across multiple southeastern and mid-Atlantic states. Comparable service portfolio, Medicaid waiver funding, and provider size tier.
- Community Options: Nonprofit IDD services provider operating residential homes, day programs, and employment services funded through state Medicaid waivers. Closely comparable in integrated service model and waiver-funded residential care delivery.
Emerging players
- Anthology (formerly Epic Health Services): Provider of adult home health and IDD-related care services operating across multiple states. Comparable in delivering in-home community support and personal care under Medicaid-funded waiver programs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ability First social profiles
Digital presenceAbility First compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Ability First financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ability First leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Ability First funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ability First M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ability First
What does Ability First do?
Ability First provides community-based adult developmental disability services in New Mexico, including 24-hour staffed residential group homes, family living arrangements, in-home support, respite care, custom employment services, adult day habilitation, and adult nursing. Services are delivered as an authorized provider under the DD Waiver (agency-directed) and Mi Via (self-directed) New Mexico Medicaid waiver programs across Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Vegas NM.
Is Ability First a public or private company?
Ability First is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Ability First founded?
Ability First was founded in 2004. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Ability First based?
Ability First is headquartered in Albuquerque, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ability First make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Medicaid DD Waiver Services are the primary driver. The others are mi Via Self-Directed Waiver Services.
Who are Ability First's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Sevita Health, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, Bayada Home Health Care, The MENTOR Network, BrightSpring Health Services and Help at Home. Direct peers are Sunrise Community, RHA Health Services and Community Options. Anthology (formerly Epic Health Services) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Ability First have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ability First.
What industry is Ability First in?
Ability First's product category is Adult Developmental Disability Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLADABAJ, Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult), with a secondary code of HLADAIAI, Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors). Its NAICS code is 62321 and its SIC code is 8050.