Illinois Center For Autism

What Illinois Center For Autism does

Illinois Center for Autism (ICA) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, community-based mental health treatment and educational agency headquartered in Fairview Heights, Illinois, operating continuously since 1977. It serves individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across 12 counties in Southern Illinois and is the sole agency of its kind in the region. Service recipients range in age from 3 to adulthood, encompassing children and adolescents in educational programs as well as adults in vocational and supported-employment programs.

The organization's core offering is the ISBE-approved Special Day School Program, delivered at two main campuses (Fairview Heights and Belleville) and three satellite classrooms inside Granite City public schools, serving students ages 3-21 with autism, cognitive disabilities, speech-language impairments, and developmental delays. Educational delivery relies on individualized education plans (IEPs), a Picture Based Communication System, and the PAES (Practical Assessment and Exploration System) Lab for vocational readiness assessment. The Adult Services Program provides Supported Employment and Community Day Services through the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities, supplemented by two wholly-owned social-enterprise businesses, Pasta Fare (an Italian restaurant, since 1992) and Petals Remembered (a floral preservation shop, since 2003), which function simultaneously as vocational training sites and modest revenue generators. A Client/Family Support Program provides advocacy, monthly support groups, and the Face to Face and WeConnect social programs.

ICA's revenue model is a hybrid of government reimbursement (Illinois DHS/DDD, three county Mental Health Boards), United Way of Greater St. Louis grants and pass-through funding, individual and corporate donations, and retail sales from the two social enterprises. Most direct services are provided at no cost to families. The organization employs 101-250 staff plus approximately 100 United Way-certified volunteers, is led by Executive Director Troy Metheney (since 2017), and reports no parent company, private-equity ownership, or external funding rounds. Its competitive position rests on regulatory approvals, multi-decade community relationships, embedded satellite classroom placements, and geographic exclusivity within its 12-county footprint.

Name

Illinois Center For Autism

Legal name

Illinois Center for Autism

Website

https://illinoiscenterforautism.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Illinois Center for Autism is a 46-year-old 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing ISBE-approved educational, vocational, and family support services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder across 12 counties in Southern Illinois, supplemented by two social enterprise retail businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Services and Special Education

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), Child and Youth Services (624110), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Autism Communication Support (AAC, Pragmatics & Language) (EDAKAKAG)

Keywords

• Autism services
• Special education
• Vocational training
• Developmental disability support
• Social enterprise retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Fairview Heights

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Funding from Department of Human Services, local Mental Health Boards (St. Clair County, Madison County, Clinton County), and Division of Developmental Disabilities for supported employment and community day services programs.
2. United Way Support: Funding and partnership support from United Way of Greater St. Louis and its divisions including SW Illinois Division and Tri-Cities Area Division.
3. Retail Operations - Pasta Fare: Italian restaurant enterprise providing carry-out food service and event catering. Operates as a vocational training opportunity for individuals with ASD. Provides meals to students at no cost.
4. Retail Operations - Petals Remembered: Floral preservation shop selling shadow boxes and bead jewelry made from dried flowers. Provides vocational training and employment for individuals with ASD.
5. Grants and Donations: Funding from various grants, individual donors, and organizational supporters including Terron Armstead Foundation, Women4Given, and corporate sponsors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Illinois Center For Autism is a not-for-profit, community-based mental health treatment and educational agency providing year-round educational programming for individuals ages 3-21 with autism and related disabilities, adult vocational and supported employment services, and client/family support programs across 12 counties in Southern Illinois. The organization operates two social enterprises — Pasta Fare (Italian restaurant) and Petals Remembered (floral preservation shop) — that serve as vocational training environments for program participants. Most services are provided at no cost to families and are funded through government contracts, United Way, grants, and donations.

Product overview

Illinois Center for Autism operates as a not-for-profit, community-based mental health treatment and educational agency offering a coordinated portfolio of services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The core offerings include the Special Day School Program (with main campuses in Fairview Heights and Belleville, plus satellite classrooms in Granite City) providing year-round educational programming for students ages 3-21, and the Adult Services Program (Supported Employment Program and Community Day Services) offering vocational skills training and employment support. Two social enterprises—Pasta Fare Italian restaurant and Petals Remembered floral preservation shop—serve as vocational training and employment sites for program participants. The Client/Family Support Program provides advocacy, education, and family support services including monthly meetings and the Face to Face social program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Petals Remembered: A unique floral preservation shop and enterprise of the Illinois Center for Autism that preserves dried flowers from special events into keepsakes such as shadow boxes and bead jewelry, while providing vocational training and employment for individuals with ASD.
• Pasta Fare

Products and services

• Special Day School Program Illinois State Board of Education approved year-round educational programming for students ages 3-21 diagnosed with autism, cognitive disabilities, specific learning disabilities, speech-language impairments, emotional disabilities, other health impairments, and developmental delays. Delivered at main campuses in Fairview Heights and Belleville plus satellite classrooms in Granite City public schools. Includes individualized education plans (IEPs) addressing educational acquisition, independence, social skills, meaningful communication, and appropriate behavior. ISBE certified teachers and licensed speech/language pathologists provide academic and speech services.
• Adult Services Program Vocational skills training, independent living skills, transportation training, and recreational activities for adults with ASD. Includes the Supported Employment Program (SEP) and Community Day Services (CDS) funded through the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). ICA is an approved SEP provider and supports community employment placements in restaurants, hotels, department stores, and other businesses.
• Client/Family Support Program Advocacy, education, and support services for individuals with ASD and their families, including monthly support group meetings (free), Face to Face social program for adults 18+ ($5 per meeting), WeConnect program for ages 14-17, parenting podcasts, self-direction assistance, guardianship assistance, and resource linkage.
• Pasta Fare Italian restaurant social enterprise providing vocational training and employment opportunities for individuals with ASD in food preparation, retail food packaging, cashier duties, janitorial, and clerical tasks. Offers carry-out food service and event catering. Operates at 5900 N Illinois St, Fairview Heights. Provides meals to students at no cost.
• Petals Remembered Floral preservation social enterprise shop providing vocational training and employment for individuals with ASD. Preserves dried flowers from special events into shadow boxes ($59.99-$69.97), bead jewelry (bracelets $15, necklaces $20), and other keepsakes. Operates at 5900 N Illinois St, Fairview Heights.

Quantifiable outcome

• Decreased symptoms and improved self-esteem outcomes tracked through annual assessments
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• United Way of Greater St. LouiscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor funding and partnership support through United Way divisions including SW Illinois Division and Tri-Cities Area Division. United Way certification for volunteer program.
• Madison County Mental Health BoardcoreOthersFunding and oversight for mental health services in Madison County, Illinois.
• St. Clair County Mental Health BoardcoreOthersFunding support for 708 Mental Health Board initiatives. Partnered since 1989 for transitional services.
• Clinton County Mental Health BoardcoreOthersFunding support for mental health services in Clinton County.
• Southern Illinois University - CarbondalecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for research, training, and student development in autism services.
• Granite City School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSatellite classroom program partnership providing services at Coolidge Middle School, Maryville Elementary, and Granite City High School since 1995.
• Department of Human Services (Illinois)coreOthersPrimary government funder and referral source for adult services including Supported Employment Program (SEP) and Community Day Services (CDS) through Division of Developmental Disabilities.
• Junior Service of St. Clair CountyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity service organization supporting ICA initiatives.
• Chambers of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional business community partnerships for awareness and employment opportunities.
• RotaryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerService organization partnerships supporting community initiatives.
• Various Knights of Columbus in Southern ILminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity fraternal organization supporters for events and funding.
• Oddfellows Grand Encampment, IOOFminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFraternal organization providing community support.
• Senator Christopher BeltminorOthersElected official sponsor and supporter.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: National nonprofit network providing autism services, special education, vocational training, and adult disability services across the U.S. Easterseals is a broad incumbent that competes with ICA in lifespan disability services, has similar service categories (education, adult services, family support), and operates similar funding/grant models.
• The Arc: National federation of chapters providing advocacy and direct services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. The Arc is comparable to ICA in mission (lifelong disability services, IEP navigation, supported employment, family support) and in nonprofit/funding model.
• UCP (United Cerebral Palsy) Affiliates: Network of nonprofit affiliates providing education, therapy, and adult services for individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities including autism. Comparable in nonprofit structure, funding reliance on government/Medicaid, and direct-service-vs-advocacy mix.

Direct peers

• May Institute: Nonprofit organization providing educational, day habilitation, residential, and clinical services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities across multiple states. May is a direct peer as it operates ISBE-equivalent-approved special education schools plus adult/community day programs much like ICA.
• Giant Steps: Illinois-based nonprofit providing special education, transition, and adult services for individuals with autism. Giant Steps is a direct peer because it operates an ISBE-approved private special education program and similar transition/adult services within the same Illinois regulatory framework as ICA.
• Bancroft: Nonprofit provider of autism and IDD services including approved special education day schools, adult day programs, vocational and supported employment services in New Jersey/Pennsylvania. Direct peer as a multi-program autism provider offering lifespan school-to-adult services under similar state regulatory regimes.
• Hope Services (formerly Hope Rehabilitation Services): California-based nonprofit providing supported employment, day services, and behavioral/educational programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. Comparable to ICA's adult services arm with social-enterprise vocational placements and similar state-vocational-rehabilitation funding streams.
• AHRC New York City: Nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in New York with schools, day habilitation, supported employment, and family support. Direct peer in mission and service mix (special day school + adult services + family support) under comparable state OPWDD/funding structures.

Emerging players

• STAR Autism Support: Nonprofit providing consultation, training, and resources to schools serving students with autism, including online STAR Programs. Adjacent to ICA's professional development work and satellite classroom model, sharing evidence-based practice focus and educator training as a peer channel.

Regional players

• Aspire (Aspire of Illinois / Aspire Kids): Illinois-based nonprofit serving children and adults with developmental disabilities through special education schools, adult day programs, residential, and employment services. Regional peer offering comparable lifespan disability services within the same Illinois regulatory and funding environment as ICA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/14ica
• Facebookfacebook.com/illinoiscenter4autism

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Illinois Center For Autism