Peace River Center
Peace River Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit behavioral health organization founded in 1948, operating 30+ programs across 24+ locations in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties, Florida, serving 26,900+ individuals annually with mental health, substance use, victim, and integrated primary care services funded primarily through Medicaid, government contracts, and philanthropy.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1948
- HeadquartersBartow, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Peace River Center does
Peace River Center (PRC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, community-based behavioral health organization founded in 1948 (originally as the Polk County Guidance Center) and headquartered at 1239 East Main Street, Bartow, Florida. It delivers a comprehensive continuum of mental health, substance use disorder, victim services, and integrated primary care across 30+ programs and 24+ locations in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties, serving approximately 26,900 individuals annually — of whom 74% are at 200%+ of the federal poverty level. Core service lines include Children's Services, Community-Based Treatment (FIT/FACT/OnTrack), 24/7 Crisis Services (50-bed Crisis Stabilization Units in Bartow and Lakeland, Mobile Crisis Response Team, and multi-channel crisis lines), Outpatient Therapy and Psychiatry, Mental Illness Recovery Services (including the Clubhouse International-certified Club Success), Residential Services (HUD-subsidized PRC Apartments, Success House, Short-Term Residential Treatment), Substance Use Treatment, Victim Services (dual-certified by DCF and FCASV for domestic violence and sexual assault), and the 2013-launched Wellness Clinic with integrated primary care.
PRC's technology layer consists primarily of conventional healthcare SaaS rather than proprietary AI: a Virtual Appointment Platform (telehealth), a Credible-powered client portal for clinical information and scheduling, Patient Notebook for bill payment, DonorPerfect for online giving, Constant Contact for email, RecordQuest for records requests, OpenStreetMap for facility mapping, and an on-site Genoa Healthcare pharmacy partnership at the Wellness Clinic. The organization maintains a "Finding Your Balance" mental health podcast and an active social presence across Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.
PRC's business model is a hybrid of Medicaid/Title XIX fee-for-service reimbursement, commercial insurance billing on a sliding-fee scale (12 tiers based on 2026 poverty guidelines, with $3 copays at 150% of poverty level), government contracts (Polk County's voter-approved indigent-care sales tax routed via United Way of Central Florida, Community Development Block Grants), and philanthropic funding from individual donors, corporate sponsors (Kelley Buick GMC, CPS Investment Advisors, Publix Super Markets Charities), foundation grants (GiveWell Community Foundation George W. Jenkins Fund, RedRover, AKC Humane Fund), and signature events (Full Moon Howl, Coffee Benefit). The organization is governed by a Board of Directors with Peter Golotko as Chair, and is led by CEO/President Larry G. Williams, Jr. (joined May 2022), COO/VP Candace Barnes (since 2007), and CFO/VP David J. Tournade.
Peace River Center firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Peace River Center
- Legal name
- Peace River Center
- Website
- https://peacerivercenter.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1948
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Peace River Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit behavioral health organization founded in 1948, operating 30+ programs across 24+ locations in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties, Florida, serving 26,900+ individuals annually with mental health, substance use, victim, and integrated primary care services funded primarily through Medicaid, government contracts, and philanthropy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Peace River Center industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Behavioral Health Services
- NAICS
- Health Care and Social Assistance (62), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220), Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals (622210), Child and Youth Services (624110)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)
Keywords
Where Peace River Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bartow
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices18 records
Markets served
Peace River Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Contracts and Medicaid: Majority of funding comes from Medicaid/Title XIX reimbursement for mental health, substance use, and victim services. The organization serves approximately 74% of clients at 200%+ below poverty level who rely on donations and support.
- Insurance Reimbursement: Accepts a wide variety of insurance plans and provides discounted self-pay rates based on proof of income through a sliding fee scale.
- Donations and Grants: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships (Kelley Buick GMC, CPS Investment Advisors for Full Moon Howl), foundation grants (GiveWell Community Foundation Impact Polk grant), and charitable bequests.
- Self-Pay Sliding Fee Scale: Provides discounted fees based on family size and income for uninsured clients. Will never deny services based on inability to pay.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Income-based sliding fee scale with 12 tiers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Peace River Center product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Peace River Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community behavioral health organization delivering mental health therapy, psychiatric evaluation, medication management, substance use treatment, crisis intervention, victim services (domestic violence and sexual assault), and integrated primary care. It operates 30+ programs across 24+ locations in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties in Florida, supplemented by telehealth, a client portal, and 24/7 crisis lines.
Product overview
Peace River Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit behavioral health organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of mental health, substance use disorder, and victim services across Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties in Florida. The organization operates 30 programs across more than 24 locations through an integrated service model. Core services include Children's Services, Crisis Services (with 24/7 hotline and mobile response), Outpatient Therapy and Psychiatry, Recovery Services (including Club Success and Psychosocial Rehabilitation), Residential Housing, Substance Use Treatment, Victim Services (domestic violence and sexual assault), and Health & Wellness with integrated primary care. Supporting digital offerings include a Telehealth platform for virtual appointments, a Client Portal for clinical information access, and the Finding Your Balance mental health podcast. The organization is accredited by The Joint Commission and licensed by AHCA and DCF.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Children's Services
- Community-Based Treatment
- Crisis Services
- Health & Wellness (Wellness Clinic)
- Mental Illness Recovery Services
- Outpatient Services
- Residential Services
- Substance Use Treatment
- Victim Services
- Virtual Appointment Platform (Telehealth)
- Client Portal
Quantifiable outcome
- Serves 26,900+ individuals annually, with 74% of clients at 200%+ below poverty level
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Peace River Center
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Peace River Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature2 records
Peace River Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Lighthouse Ministries Thrift StoreminorNew partnership after PRC Thrift Shoppe permanently closed December 30, 2025. Future in-kind donations supporting PRC clients transitioned to Lighthouse Ministries. Donation details at lighthousemin.org/donate-goods.
- Genoa HealthcarecoreOn-site pharmacy services partnership providing medication fulfillment, insurance assistance (Medicaid/Medicare), medication delivery, pre-filled pill organizers, and personalized services for PRC clients. Located at 1831 Gilmore Avenue, Lakeland. Business Line: 863.614.0066, Monday-Thursday 7:30am-5:00pm.
- Clubhouse InternationalcoreInternational certification body for Clubhouse model programs. Club Success Lakeland and Haines City are certified Clubhouse International programs. The Clubhouse model is designed to mirror a mainstream day in the workplace with over 370 Clubhouses in 32 countries.
- Florida Council Against Sexual Violence (FCASV)coreCertifying body for sexual violence services. PRC Victim Services is certified by FCASV as part of dual certification (DCF and FCASV) for domestic violence and sexual assault services.
- Kelley Buick GMC and CPS Investment AdvisorscorePresenting sponsors for Full Moon Howl annual fundraising event. Full Moon Howl began in 2002 and has grown to a large-scale event with 600+ attendees including Clay Pigeon Invitational and evening gala.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Peace River Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- BayCare Behavioral Health: Behavioral health arm of BayCare Health System, a large Florida health system operating across the Tampa Bay region. Comparable in providing mental health and substance use services, but embedded in a broader hospital network with more capital resources.
- Lutheran Services Florida: Large Florida-based nonprofit providing behavioral health, child welfare, and community services statewide. Comparable in serving vulnerable populations with state-contracted behavioral health services across multiple Florida regions.
Direct peers
- Centerstone: National nonprofit community behavioral health provider offering mental health, substance use, and victim services across multiple states. Comparable integrated service portfolio, Joint Commission accreditation, and community-based delivery model.
- Aspire Health Partners: Central Florida-based nonprofit community behavioral health organization providing mental health, substance use, and primary care services across multiple counties. Most directly comparable peer given overlapping Florida geography, integrated service model, and similar target populations.
- Directions for Living: Florida nonprofit behavioral health organization serving Pinellas County with mental health, substance use, and primary care services. Comparable integrated care model and similar size/community footprint as Peace River Center.
- The Centers (Hillsborough County): Hillsborough County, Florida behavioral health nonprofit providing mental health, substance use, and primary care services. Adjacent Florida geography with highly comparable service mix and target populations.
- Meridian Behavioral Healthcare: Florida-based nonprofit community behavioral health organization providing mental health and substance use services in North Central Florida. Comparable operating model, Florida geography, and community mental health center structure.
- Coastal Behavioral Healthcare: Sarasota County-based nonprofit providing mental health, substance use, and crisis services. Comparable Florida geography, 24-hour crisis stabilization, and community-based behavioral health mission.
Regional players
- Camelot Community Care: Community-based behavioral health and child welfare nonprofit operating primarily in the Southeastern US. Comparable in providing children's mental health, community-based treatment, and integrated support services.
- Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services: Florida-based nonprofit providing behavioral health, victim services, and community support. Comparable in operating victim services programs and serving diverse vulnerable populations across Florida.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Peace River Center social profiles
Digital presencePeace River Center compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Peace River Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Peace River Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
Peace River Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Peace River Center 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 Peace River Center
What does Peace River Center do?
Peace River Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community behavioral health organization delivering mental health therapy, psychiatric evaluation, medication management, substance use treatment, crisis intervention, victim services (domestic violence and sexual assault), and integrated primary care. It operates 30+ programs across 24+ locations in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties in Florida, supplemented by telehealth, a client portal, and 24/7 crisis lines.
Is Peace River Center a public or private company?
Peace River Center is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Peace River Center founded?
Peace River Center was founded in 1948. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Peace River Center based?
Peace River Center is headquartered in Bartow, United States, in the North America region.
How does Peace River Center make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Contracts and Medicaid is the primary driver. The others are insurance Reimbursement, donations and Grants and self-Pay Sliding Fee Scale.
Who are Peace River Center's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are BayCare Behavioral Health and Lutheran Services Florida. Direct peers are Centerstone, Aspire Health Partners, Directions for Living, The Centers (Hillsborough County), Meridian Behavioral Healthcare and Coastal Behavioral Healthcare. Regional players are Camelot Community Care and Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services.
Does Peace River Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for Peace River Center.
What industry is Peace River Center in?
Peace River Center's product category is Behavioral Health Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAK, Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 62 and its SIC code is 8300.