ReFocus

What ReFocus does

ReFocus, Inc. is a Rhode Island 501(c)(3) nonprofit human-services agency founded in 1972 (originally as St. Charles Residence, one of the first group homes in the state during the de-institutionalization era) and headquartered in Providence. It provides person-centered support services to adults with developmental and physical disabilities, operating a unified suite of programs that includes Residential Services (group homes in Cranston, Johnston, North Providence, North Scituate, Pawtucket, and Providence), Day Services (Sister Pat's Place and the Gilbane and Westminster Community Centers), Employment Support Services (including the E-Zone Employment Training Program established in 2012), Supportive Living, Shared Living Arrangements, and Self-Directed / Fiscal Intermediary Services launched in 2021. The organization serves 224 individuals and is staffed by approximately 245 employees under the leadership of CEO Christine Kavanagh, RSM, with additional corporate-sponsor and donor support from entities such as the Champlin Foundation, Fogarty Foundation, Rhode Island Foundation, and Mercy Ministries.

ReFocus's underlying capability is its licensed, community-based direct-support workforce rather than any proprietary technology; the organization explicitly states that technology is not a primary differentiator and does not offer a software or SaaS product. Distribution is entirely local — group homes, day-program sites, and in-home supportive-living arrangements across Northern Rhode Island — with no national or international footprint. All services are delivered in person by direct-support professionals under a Human Rights Committee governance structure that ensures ADA and state/federal compliance.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue stack: the dominant stream is government funding and service contracts through the RI Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Development Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH) and Medicaid-funded DD waivers, with secondary revenue from charitable donations (channeled through the Dream Builders fundraising team, which grew donations by roughly 300% between 2007 and 2018), corporate sponsorships via an annual Auction & Gala and tiered sponsor program, and grants from Rhode Island-based foundations. Services are provided to individuals at no direct cost; there is no published pricing model because participants access services through state-determined eligibility and funding allocations rather than commercial billing.

Name

ReFocus

Legal name

ReFocus, Inc.

Website

https://refocusinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ReFocus is a Rhode Island 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 that operates residential, day, employment, supportive, shared, and self-directed services for 224 adults with developmental disabilities, funded primarily through state Medicaid contracts with supplemental donations and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human Services for Developmental Disabilities

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Respite Care for Adults with Disabilities / Special Needs (HSABAGAI)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Residential group homes
• Employment support services
• Human service agency
• Disability support programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: ReFocus operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The primary revenue stream comes from charitable donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations. The Dream Builders fundraising team organizes events and campaigns including an annual Auction & Gala with a goal of $100,000 for the 19th Annual event.
2. Government Funding and Service Contracts: As a human service agency serving adults with developmental disabilities, ReFocus receives funding through government programs including the RI Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Development Disabilities and Hospitals. Services are provided under government-funded support programs.
3. Sponsorships and Corporate Partnerships: Annual corporate sponsors provide financial support to ReFocus. The organization lists 2024 sponsors and offers various sponsorship tiers for the annual gala and other events.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ReFocus, Inc. is a Rhode Island-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit human service agency that provides person-centered support services for adults with developmental and physical disabilities. It delivers an integrated suite of services including residential group homes, day services, employment support, supportive living, shared living arrangements, fiscal intermediary (self-directed) services, and community center programs across Northern Rhode Island, serving 224 adults with 245 employees.

Product overview

ReFocus, Inc. is a non-profit human service agency offering a unified suite of person-centered support services for adults with developmental and physical disabilities in Rhode Island. The organization operates as a single integrated service model comprising Residential Services (group homes), Day Services, Employment Support Services, Supportive Living, Shared Living, and Fiscal Intermediary Services. These services work together to support individuals across all aspects of daily living, from housing and employment to community participation and personal independence. The organization also operates Community Centers that provide recreational activities and social programming. ReFocus does not offer a technology product, software platform, or SaaS solution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gilbane Community Center: Community center at 45 Greeley Street, Providence - renamed and dedicated in 2017
• Sister Pat's Place
• E-Zone Employment Training Program

Products and services

• Residential Services Safe, welcoming residential services for adults with physical and developmental needs in group homes throughout Northern Rhode Island, providing 24-hour person-centered support with daily living assistance, health and safety, personal goals, community involvement, and relationship-building.
• Day Services Day services for adults with physical and developmental needs that promote independence, connection, and personal growth through person-centered activities in licensed community-focused settings such as the ReFocus Community Centers and Sister Pat's Place.
• Employment Support Services Program Step-by-step program helping adults with differing abilities find meaningful, long-term employment at prevailing wages in the community, including career exploration, career decision-making, job placement, and job retention services.
• Supportive Living Program Flexible, as-needed support services for adults with physical and developmental needs who want to build independence while staying connected to their home and community, tailored to each person's strengths, goals, preferences, and routines.
• Shared Living Shared Living Arrangements for adults with physical and developmental needs who benefit from support in a family-style home, with individuals carefully matched with providers based on preferences, routines, interests, support needs, and goals.
• Fiscal Intermediary Services Self-directed supports that give people more choice and control over how their DD funding is used, allowing individuals to set goals and schedules, hire and manage their own support staff, and oversee their service budget.
• ReFocus Community Centers Community centers offering daily recreational activities, programs, and services for adults with developmental disabilities, promoting social engagement and community involvement.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300% increase in donations between 2007 and 2018 through Dream Builders fundraising team

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

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Special OlympicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through sports. ReFocus athletes compete annually in Special Olympics-Rhode Island events, including Spring Games at Bryant University and Summer Games at University of Rhode Island. The partnership provides opportunities for sports participation, skill building, confidence development, and community integration for ReFocus individuals.
• RI Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Development Disabilities and HospitalscoreOthersState government department that oversees developmental disability services in Rhode Island. ReFocus operates under guidelines and funding from this department, providing integrated competitive employment as a fundamental cornerstone of recovery and healthy outcomes for disabled individuals.
• 2024 Corporate Sponsors (Multiple)supportingOthersMultiple Rhode Island businesses and organizations sponsor ReFocus annual events and programs. Sponsors are thanked publicly and recognized at the annual gala. Sponsors receive visibility through the organization's events and communications.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Best Buddies International: National nonprofit supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through employment, inclusive living, and friendship programs — overlapping ReFocus's employment services mission.

Direct peers

• Easterseals Rhode Island: Affiliated with Easterseals, providing services for individuals with disabilities and special needs including day programs, employment, and case management — comparable service categories to ReFocus within Rhode Island.
• Penn-Mar Human Services: Pennsylvania-based nonprofit providing residential, day, employment, and self-directed services to adults with developmental disabilities — similar integrated service portfolio and payor mix as ReFocus.
• United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Rhode Island: Disability services organization delivering residential, day, transportation, and employment supports comparable to ReFocus's programs.
• Perspectives Corporation: Rhode Island human services agency offering residential, day, employment, and shared living supports to adults with developmental disabilities, operating in the same geography and payor ecosystem as ReFocus.
• Beacon Healthcare (formerly Seven Hills RI): Massachusetts/RI provider of residential, day habilitation, and clinical services for individuals with developmental disabilities and brain injury; comparable service model and Rhode Island footprint to ReFocus.
• MAVEN Integrated Solutions / Community Resources for Justice: RI-based human services nonprofit supporting people with developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs through residential, day, and case management services.
• The Arc of Rhode Island: State chapter of The Arc, providing advocacy, residential, day, and employment services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Rhode Island — directly overlapping ReFocus's service mix and geography.

Regional players

• ServiceNet: Western Massachusetts-based human services nonprofit providing residential, day, and employment supports to adults with developmental disabilities — overlapping mission and service model though operating in a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• The Arc of the United States: National umbrella organization advocating for and supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with chapters providing similar residential, day, and employment services at scale comparable to what ReFocus delivers locally.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/refocusinc
• Xx.com/refocus_inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 ReFocus