TransCen
TransCen is a 40-year-old nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization providing direct employment services, professional training, research, and the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center for people with disabilities across 50 states and 10 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersRockville, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What TransCen does
TransCen, Inc. is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1986 and headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, with regional offices in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin and San Francisco, California. The organization focuses on improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities through four interrelated service lines: direct employment services (Ticket to Work, TransCen MD/DC, Creative Employment Opportunities/CEO in Wisconsin, and WorkLink in California); professional training and consultation (ACRE certification at $499 per participant, webinars at $35 per registration, and TransCen Online eLearning); the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center as part of the NIDILRR-funded ADA National Network covering DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, and WV; and research and publications (100+ authored outputs).
The organization's business model is a hybrid of government grant funding, state agency contracts, fee-for-service training, and tax-deductible donations. Key funding sources include NIDILRR, the Department of Education RSA, the Social Security Administration, and contracts with state agencies including Indiana DDRS (with a goal of raising competitive integrated employment from 23% to 38% by 2027), Wisconsin DHS, and California DDS. TransCen holds regulatory designations that are difficult to replicate, notably its SSA-approved Employment Network status for the Ticket to Work program and its federally mandated role operating a regional ADA Center. The organization has served over 20,000 individuals with disabilities achieving employment, trained more than 126,450 professionals, and claims reach across all 50 states and 10 countries.
TransCen operates without proprietary technology platforms; its core delivery is human-intensive services combining direct job placement, professional development, technical assistance, and systems change consulting. The leadership team is led by President Laura Owens (Ph.D., former APSE Executive Director, founder of Creative Employment Opportunities), supported by Chief Innovation and Training Officer Sean Roy and VP Ann Deschamps who directs the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center. The organization has built deep ecosystems with federal agencies, state vocational rehabilitation departments, universities (NTACT consortium), and Project SEARCH host sites including Children's Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital, and ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital. The 2017 acquisition of Creative Employment Opportunities expanded its Wisconsin operations and Project SEARCH program delivery.
TransCen firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- TransCen
- Legal name
- TransCen, Inc.
- Website
- https://transcen.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- TransCen is a 40-year-old nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization providing direct employment services, professional training, research, and the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center for people with disabilities across 50 states and 10 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where TransCen is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rockville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
TransCen business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Grants and Contracts: TransCen receives federal and state funding through grants from NIDILRR, Department of Education RSA, Social Security Administration, and contracts with state agencies (Indiana DDRS, Wisconsin DHS, CA DDS) for training, technical assistance, and program evaluation services.
- Training and Consultation Fees: Fee-for-service professional training including ACRE certification courses ($499 per participant), webinars ($35 per registration), and customized training engagements for agencies, schools, and employers.
- Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations including monthly Inclusive Giving Circle contributions and one-time gifts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | ACRE National Certificate Training - Full Course |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Webinar Registration |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels10 records
TransCen product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TransCen is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that delivers direct employment and support services for youth and adults with disabilities through Ticket to Work, regional offices in Maryland/DC, Wisconsin, and California, and the Project SEARCH internship program. It also provides fee-for-service professional training, certification (ACRE), webinars, and customized consultation to educators, state agencies, and employers on customized employment, provider transformation, and ADA compliance, alongside research, publications, and the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center.
Product overview
TransCen is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization providing a comprehensive suite of employment services, training, and consultation for individuals with disabilities. The organization operates as a platform of interconnected programs including direct employment services (Ticket to Work, Creative Employment Opportunities/CEO, Project SEARCH, WorkLink), professional training programs (ACRE Training, TransCen Online eLearning, webinars), and the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center. These programs work together to provide a continuum of services from job development and placement to workforce training and policy consultation, all focused on improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Creative Employment Opportunities (CEO): Wisconsin-based transition and employment direct services provider specializing in customized workforce solutions and job placement for individuals with disabilities, including Project SEARCH programs.
Products and services
- Employment & Support Services Comprehensive job counseling, case management, job development, and placement services for youth and adults with disabilities across multiple regional programs including Ticket to Work, TransCen MD/DC, WorkLink California, and Creative Employment Opportunities in Wisconsin.
- Ticket to Work Program A Social Security Administration-approved Employment Network providing employment support services to help Social Security disability beneficiaries ages 18-64 find and keep jobs, working toward financial independence from benefits through job development, placement, and follow-along support.
- Creative Employment Opportunities (CEO) Wisconsin-based transition and employment direct services provider offering assessment, internships, individualized job development, and on- or off-the-job support to job seekers with disabilities.
- Project SEARCH
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 20,000 individuals with disabilities became employed through TransCen programs
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use TransCen
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
TransCen technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
TransCen partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Mathematica Policy ResearchcoreLead partner in U.S. Department of Education RSA Disability Innovation Fund Pathways to Partnerships Project Evaluation. TransCen serves as technical assistance team member alongside Center for Transition and Career Innovation at University of Maryland and Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute.
- Social Security Administration (SSA)coreTransCen is SSA-approved Employment Network for Ticket to Work program, providing job search, development, placement, and support services to Social Security disability beneficiaries.
- Associação para Valorização e Promoção de Excepcionais (Brazil)minorFormal cooperative agreement signed in 2006 for exchange of experience and knowledge in rehabilitation and management to improve inclusion of persons with disabilities.
- Instituto Brasiliero de Empreendedorismo Social (Brazil)minorPartnership for exchange of professional expertise and trends in rehabilitation to improve quality of life for persons with disabilities.
- Center for Transition and Career Innovation at University of MarylandcoreTechnical assistance partner in Pathways to Partnerships project, collaborating on improving transition of youth with disabilities into competitive integrated employment.
- Stout Vocational Rehabilitation InstitutecoreTechnical assistance partner in Pathways to Partnerships project focused on improving employment outcomes for youth with disabilities.
- Indiana Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS)coreContract with TransCen to assist in improving employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities in Indiana, with goal of increasing competitive integrated employment from 23% to 38% by 2027 through provider transformation activities.
- Wisconsin Department of Health ServicescoreARPA-funded project for developing new strategies for job coach fading including technology-based job placement support and Communities of Practice.
- California Department of Rehabilitation Services (CA DDS)coreARPA-funded projects including Customized Employment 2.0 workshops and virtual Community of Practice learning collaboratives to promote customized methods.
- NIDILRR / ADA National NetworkcoreMid-Atlantic ADA Center is part of the ADA National Network (10 regional centers) funded by NIDILRR to support ADA's mission of equality for people with disabilities.
- Cornell UniversityminorDeveloped 50-module curriculum on disability awareness and ADA used by Mid-Atlantic ADA Leadership Network trainers for tailored training delivery.
- SchoolTalk, Inc.minorPartnership in Exploring Work Options Career Fairs implementing innovative transition fair model with career exploration and soft skills development.
- Arc of Northern VirginiaminorPartner in career fair project implementing activity-based learning stations for secondary transition students with disabilities.
- Ivymount SchoolminorPartner in career fair project for students with disabilities in the DC metro area.
- DC Metro Business Leadership NetworkminorPartner in career fair project connecting employers with students with disabilities for transition planning.
- University of North Carolina at CharlottecoreLead partner in National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT), focused on implementing evidence-based practices for students with disabilities.
- University of OregoncoreNTACT partner focused on assisting state education agencies and vocational rehabilitation agencies in implementing effective transition practices.
- Western Michigan UniversitycoreNTACT partner contributing to technical assistance and dissemination of effective practices for youth with disabilities.
- Transition Coalition at University of KansascoreNTACT partner providing leadership and coordination for state education and VR agencies.
- Children's WisconsincoreProject SEARCH host site providing hybrid internship program for students and young adults with disabilities at healthcare facilities.
- Froedtert HospitalcoreProject SEARCH host site for adult internship program providing competitive integrated employment pathways for adults with disabilities.
- ProHealth Waukesha Memorial HospitalcoreProject SEARCH host site providing internship opportunities for young adults with disabilities in healthcare settings.
- Ability Employment / Ability Tasmania Group (Australia)minorWorkLink staff developed customized webinars based on in-the-field work with partners across Australia.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
TransCen competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Griffin-Hammis Associates: A national consulting and training firm specializing in customized employment and employment first transformation for VR agencies and providers. Highly comparable because Griffin-Hammis competes directly for the same customized-employment technical assistance and training engagements that TransCen delivers to state agencies.
- Marc Gold & Associates (MG&A): A disability employment consulting and training organization focused on customized employment and systematic instruction. Directly comparable to TransCen's customized employment training and technical assistance practice serving state VR agencies and community rehabilitation providers.
- Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute (SVRI): A UW-Stout-based research and training center that is both a TransCen NTACT partner and a direct peer delivering technical assistance on transition and employment outcomes. Comparable because it competes for the same federal/state technical-assistance contracts TransCen pursues.
- Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability: Cornell University's research and training institute on disability employment — co-developer of TransCen's 50-module ADA training curriculum. Directly comparable because it produces research, training, and ADA technical assistance on the same issues TransCen addresses nationally.
- SourceAmerica: A national AbilityOne-affiliated nonprofit that creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities through its network of nonprofit agencies. Comparable to TransCen's direct employment services line because both place and support individuals with disabilities into competitive integrated employment.
- Disability:IN: A national nonprofit driving disability inclusion in corporate America through employer engagement, supplier diversity, and the Disability Equality Index. Comparable to TransCen because both organizations broker relationships between employers and the disability community for workforce participation.
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN): A DOL-funded free consulting service providing individualized accommodation guidance to employers and people with disabilities. Comparable to TransCen's Mid-Atlantic ADA Center because both deliver ADA-related information, guidance, and training to the same employer and individual audiences.
- VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center: A Virginia Commonwealth University research center producing evidence-based practices for vocational rehabilitation and employment outcomes. Comparable to TransCen's research and development function because both publish and translate research into practice for VR practitioners.
- Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN): A DOL-funded national resource center that helps employers recruit, hire, retain, and advance people with disabilities. Directly comparable to TransCen's employer-facing training and ADA-related services because both deliver workforce inclusion guidance to private-sector employers.
Broad incumbents
- APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment First): The national trade association advancing Employment First policies and provider transformation across the U.S. Comparable as a peer because TransCen's leadership (Laura Owens) is a former APSE Executive Director and both organizations operate in the same professional community, though APSE is a membership association rather than a service provider.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
TransCen social profiles
Digital presenceTransCen financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
TransCen leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
TransCen subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
TransCen funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
TransCen 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 TransCen
What does TransCen do?
TransCen is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that delivers direct employment and support services for youth and adults with disabilities through Ticket to Work, regional offices in Maryland/DC, Wisconsin, and California, and the Project SEARCH internship program. It also provides fee-for-service professional training, certification (ACRE), webinars, and customized consultation to educators, state agencies, and employers on customized employment, provider transformation, and ADA compliance, alongside research, publications, and the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center.
Is TransCen a public or private company?
TransCen is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was TransCen founded?
TransCen was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is TransCen based?
TransCen is headquartered in Rockville, United States, in the North America region.
How does TransCen make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Grants and Contracts are the primary driver. The others are training and Consultation Fees and donations.
Who are TransCen's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Griffin-Hammis Associates, Marc Gold & Associates (MG&A), Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute (SVRI), Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability, SourceAmerica, Disability:IN, Job Accommodation Network (JAN), VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center and Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN). APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment First) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does TransCen have an API?
No public API is recorded for TransCen.