Community Living And Support Services

What Community Living And Support Services does

Community Living And Support Services (CLASS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit disability services organization headquartered at 1400 South Braddock Avenue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, operating with a $13.5 million annual budget and several hundred employees. Founded in 1951 as an affiliate of United Cerebral Palsy, the organization became independent in 2013 and now serves individuals with cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, and other disabilities across multiple counties in southwestern Pennsylvania, including Allegheny County and the Erie service area. CLASS holds CARF International accreditation (accreditation ID 295562).

The organization operates an integrated continuum of disability services spanning in-home attendant care (supporting over 200 individuals under a long-standing state contract awarded in 1998), community skill building, residential support with 24-hour care, vocational and supported employment programming, assistive technology consultation (TechOWL), multiple sclerosis in-home services (MSSS), family respite (ACRC), and recreational programming through FireFly Camps and Retreats. The 2025 launch of Trudy — a conversational AI assistant developed with the Forbes Funds and Maad Labs — adds a 24/7 digital front door for resource navigation. CLASS also operates the Community Service Centre, a physical hub hosting support groups and community events and available for facility rental.

CLASS's revenue mechanics are fundamentally nonprofit: government contracts and fee-for-service billings (from the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Allegheny County Department of Federal Programs, Mental Health/Mental Retardation Office, Office of Long Term Living, and private insurance) constitute the majority of funding, supplemented by United Way allocations from Westmoreland County, foundation grants, individual donations, planned giving, and proceeds from three annual signature events (Alby Oxenreiter Golf Classic, CLASS Community Heroes Awards Dinner, and JamFest). Services such as MSSS are provided at no cost to participants, supported by a $75,000 annual fundraising goal. Campership pricing for FireFly programs ranges from $600 per weekend retreat to $5,400 per full-year program per camper.

Name

Community Living And Support Services

Legal name

Community Living And Support Services

Website

https://classcommunity.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Community Living And Support Services is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit providing integrated disability services — including in-home attendant care, residential support, vocational training, assistive technology, and recreational programs — to individuals with disabilities across southwestern Pennsylvania.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22) (EDAKAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialized Residential Special Education Programs (EDAKAAAH), Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF), Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO), Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Attendant care services
• Vocational rehabilitation programs
• Assistive technology services
• Community living services

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts & Fee-for-Service: CLASS receives the majority of its funding from government contracts and fee-for-service arrangements, including the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Allegheny County Department of Federal Programs, Mental Health/Mental Retardation Office, Office of Long Term Living, and private insurance payments. In 1998, CLASS was awarded the Attendant Care contract supporting over 200 individuals with disabilities.
2. United Way & Foundation Grants: CLASS receives funding allocations from United Way of Westmoreland County, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships. These represent a significant portion of the agency's $13.5 million annual budget.
3. Individual Donations & Planned Giving: Individual contributions, charitable gifts, planned giving, and AmazonSmile donations from the public and families served, used to fund program enhancements, smart home construction, computer lab equipment, and new program creation.
4. Special Event Fundraising: Three annual events (Alby Oxenreiter Golf Classic, CLASS Community Heroes Awards Dinner, JamFest) generate vital funds for CLASS programs and services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CLASS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit human services organization delivering a coordinated continuum of disability services to people with cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, and other disabilities across southwestern Pennsylvania. Service lines include in-home attendant care, residential support, community skill building, vocational and supported employment, structured day programs, assistive technology (TechOWL), MS in-home services, family respite, and barrier-free recreational camps and retreats (FireFly).

Product overview

CLASS (Community Living And Support Services) is a disability services nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of coordinated programs and services. The organization provides a unified service delivery model encompassing residential support, community skill building, vocational/employment services, attendant care, assistive technology, and recreational programs like FireFly Camps. Major programs include TechOWL for assistive technology, the Multiple Sclerosis Service Society, FireFly Camps and Retreats, Community Partners case management, and Transition Services. The organization also operates the CLASS Community Service Centre as a facility rental offering. Programs are designed to support individuals with disabilities across their lifespan, from children through adults, enabling independent living, community participation, and employment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TechOWL: Technology for Our Whole Lives - Assistive technology program providing consultation, technical assistance, and training for individuals with disabilities to increase accessibility of living environments
• FireFly Camps and Retreats
• Multiple Sclerosis Service Society
• CLASS Community Service Centre

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 men and women with disabilities supported through the Attendant Care program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

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 capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and significant.

• CARF InternationalcoreOthersCARF International provides accreditation for rehabilitation and disability service providers. CLASS holds CARF accreditation, demonstrating compliance with international standards of quality and safety.
• Conference of Allegheny Providers (CAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAP is an affiliation of providers in Allegheny County working together on shared interests, advocacy, and best practices in disability services.
• Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership (GPNP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGPNP, managed by the Forbes Funds, connects nonprofit organizations in the greater Pittsburgh region for collaboration, advocacy, and capacity building. CLASS is a member organization.
• ProVanta CaresignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerProVanta Care is a care management organization. The partnership enables coordination of care services and referral pathways for individuals with disabilities.
• Pennsylvania Association for Home and Community Based Service Providers (PA-HCBS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide association representing home and community-based disability service providers. Membership supports advocacy and best practice sharing.
• RCPA (Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPennsylvania association of providers in rehabilitation and community services. Membership enables advocacy and professional development.
• The Provider AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvider Alliance represents disability service providers, offering advocacy and collaborative opportunities for member organizations.
• Forbes FundssignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Forbes Funds collaborated with CLASS to develop Trudy, the organization's AI chatbot. The Forbes Funds supports capacity building and innovation in Pittsburgh-area nonprofits.
• Maad LabssignificantTechnology or IntegrationMaad Labs collaborated with CLASS and the Forbes Funds to develop Trudy, the AI assistant deployed on CLASS's website for resource navigation and information access.
• Mind Your Brain FoundationsignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLASS partnered with Mind Your Brain Foundation to host the Charting Your Course survivor summit for individuals with brain injuries, held March 29, 2025.
• Spina Bifida Association of Western Pennsylvania (SBAWP)significantStrategic or Co-development PartnerFireFly Camps and Retreats was originally part of SBAWP and transitioned under CLASS's umbrella. The program continues to serve individuals with spina bifida and related disabilities, with Sue Garver continuing as FireFly Director.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Achieva: Pittsburgh-based nonprofit providing disability supports including residential, vocational, in-home, and community-based services across western Pennsylvania — directly comparable in service mix, geography, and funding model to CLASS.
• The Arc of Allegheny County: Local Arc chapter serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Allegheny County through advocacy, residential, employment, and community programs — overlapping service lines and geography with CLASS.
• Three Rivers Center for Independent Living: Western Pennsylvania center for independent living providing independent living skills, advocacy, and transition services to people with disabilities — overlapping mission and regional footprint with CLASS's Community Partners program.
• Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania: Regional Goodwill operating employment, training, and community-based programs for people with disabilities and other barriers — most directly comparable on vocational and supported employment services funded by OVR.
• Life'sWork of Western Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh-area nonprofit providing vocational training, employment placement, and community-based services for people with disabilities — a focused comparable on the supported-employment side of CLASS's portfolio.
• Community Options: National nonprofit operating residential, vocational, and community-based services for people with disabilities — directly comparable operating model at greater scale and geographic breadth than CLASS.
• AHEDD (Adults with Higher Education and Developmental Disabilities): Pennsylvania-based provider focused on vocational rehabilitation, employment supports, and community-based services for individuals with disabilities — comparable on OVR-funded employment and community-inclusion services.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: National disability services nonprofit providing medical, vocational, residential, and camp programs through affiliates — broader portfolio and footprint than CLASS but overlapping on vocational, residential, and recreational services.
• UPMC Community HealthChoices: UPMC's managed long-term services and supports (MLTSS) plan operates in the same Pennsylvania waiver system that funds CLASS, making it both a payer and a broad regional incumbent in disability and aging services.
• United Cerebral Palsy of Pennsylvania (now Allies for Independence): State and national UCP network of disability service providers — CLASS itself was a UCP affiliate until 2013, making UCP a directly relevant historical and structural comparable across vocational, residential, and advocacy services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CLASSPGH
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CLASSPGH
• Facebookfacebook.com/classpgh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/classcommunity
• Instagraminstagram.com/classpgh

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Living And Support Services