Waves

What Waves does

Waves, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1973 by families in Fairview, Tennessee to provide community-based alternatives to state institutionalization for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Headquartered in Franklin, TN and operating residential and program sites throughout Williamson County, Waves delivers a continuum of person-centered services including an Early Learning Program (developmental therapy for children birth to age five), Adult Day Services (community and facility-based programming for adults 21+), Residential Services (Supported Living, Semi-Independent Living, and Respite), Supported Employment Services, the Employment Community First Choices (ECF) program, and Katie Beckett Services. The organization is a certified provider under the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) and the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD), and it supplements state Medicaid waiver billings with individual donations, foundation grants (including the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee), event-based fundraising, and Donor-Advised Fund contributions.

Waves operates as a service-delivery organization rather than a technology company; there is no proprietary software, API, or AI/ML component to its offering, and services are delivered by approximately 53 full-time staff through home visits, community settings, and facility-based programs. With over 600 individuals served annually across 7+ Middle Tennessee counties and 5,040 therapy sessions conducted in a recent year by the Early Interventionist team alone, Waves relies on a dense local referral and partnership network (TEIS, DIDD, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, TennesseeWorks, The Arc of Williamson County, Tennessee Disability Pathfinder, and branded employer partners such as Publix, Best Buy, Kroger, Goodwill, Tazikis, and TJ Maxx) to source participants and place clients in competitive employment. The go-to-market motion is community-led: outreach occurs via events (Food Truck Fridays, Brews & Grooves, Making Waves Breakfast), a multi-season podcast ('Waves of Awareness'), Instagram, an email newsletter, and educational blog content authored by Early Interventionists.

Name

Waves

Legal name

Waves, Inc.

Website

https://wavesinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Waves, Inc. is a Franklin, Tennessee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1973 that provides early intervention, adult day, residential, supported employment, ECF, and Katie Beckett services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across 7+ Middle Tennessee counties, funded primarily through state Medicaid waivers and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM), Pediatric In-Home Rehabilitation Therapy (PT/OT/SLP) (HSABADAM)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Developmental therapy
• Supported employment
• Residential services
• Early intervention

Headquarters

HQ city

Franklin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Waivers and State Funding: Services funded through Tennessee state waivers including DIDD 1915c Waivers, Employment Community First Choices (ECF), Katie Beckett Waiver, and Traditional Choices. Services are free to recipients who qualify through these government programs.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Nonprofit receives donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations. Donations support program expansion and operations. Accepts Donor-Advised Fund contributions.
3. Event-Based Fundraising: Annual fundraising events including Making Waves Breakfast and Brews & Grooves concert. Event sponsorships and ticket sales contribute to organizational funding.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Waves, Inc. delivers person-centered disability services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Middle Tennessee, including developmental therapy for children birth to five, adult day programming, residential supported living, supported employment, and waiver-funded community integration support. All programs are free to qualifying individuals and families through Tennessee state waivers (DIDD 1915c, Employment Community First Choices, Katie Beckett), serving over 1,000 people annually across Williamson County and surrounding counties.

Product overview

Waves, Inc. is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of disability support services in Middle Tennessee. The organization operates multiple interconnected programs including the Early Learning Program providing developmental therapy for children birth to five years with developmental delays; Adult Day Services offering community and facility-based programming for adults 21+; Residential Services including Supported Living, Semi-Independent Living, and Respite; Supported Employment Services; Employment Community First Choices (ECF) program; Katie Beckett Services; and the Waves of Awareness Podcast. Services are delivered through person-centered approaches and funded via state waivers including DIDD 1915c Waivers, Employment Community First Choices Waiver, Katie Beckett Waiver, and TennCare. The organization serves Williamson County and surrounding Middle Tennessee areas, assisting over 600 individuals annually across 8+ counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Waves of Awareness Podcast: Podcast providing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to be heard in everyday scenarios, covering topics specific to people with disabilities by talking WITH them, not ABOUT them

Products and services

• Early Learning Program Play-based developmental therapy for babies, toddlers, and preschool-aged children (birth to age 5) with developmental delays or disabilities, delivered through home and community-based services, consultations, and family/caregiver training in 7+ Middle Tennessee counties.
• Adult Day Services Person-centered weekday support program for adults 21 and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities, offering community-based and facility-based services including social skills development, life skills development, community integration, vocational training, and creative expression activities. Supports 500+ families annually.
• Residential Services Programs enabling adults with I/DD to live fulfilling lives, including Supported Living Services, Semi-Independent Living Services, and Respite Services in community-integrated homes throughout Williamson County.
• Supported Employment Services Employment support services helping individuals with I/DD achieve meaningful and sustainable work through person-centered job discovery, customization, development, job coaching, and long-term support in partnership with employers including Publix, Tazikis, Goodwill, Best Buy, TJ Maxx, and Kroger.
• Employment Community First Choices (ECF) Comprehensive program funded through the Employment Community First Choices Waiver providing person-centered support, employment services, community integration, transportation, independent living skills training, and personal assistance to help individuals achieve independence.
• Katie Beckett Services Services for children and young adults with disabilities funded through the Katie Beckett Waiver, including Supported Home Care Services, Respite Services, and Community Integration Services.
• Waves of Awareness Podcast Podcast providing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to be heard, covering disability-specific topics by talking with them rather than about them; available on Amazon, Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 600 individuals supported annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-mandated early intervention program through which children birth to age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities are referred for services. Waves serves as a provider organization delivering developmental therapy services under TEIS guidelines.
• Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency that administers waiver programs funding services for individuals with I/DD. Waves is a certified provider through DIDD for multiple waiver programs including Employment Community First Choices and residential services.
• Vocational Rehabilitation (TN Department of Human Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState program providing employment support and training. Waves Supported Employment Services collaborate with VR to help individuals with I/DD secure and maintain competitive employment.
• Spread The PositivecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity organization co-producing the Waves of Awareness podcast. Co-hosts Trent Denson from Spread The Positive in multiple podcast episodes and helps with community outreach.
• Auto Doctor of FranklinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal Franklin, TN auto repair business that supports Waves as a community partner.
• The Arc of Williamson CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal chapter of national disability advocacy organization. Waves refers families to The Arc for additional advocacy, research, education, and quality of life services.
• Vanderbilt Kennedy CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity-affiliated research center focused on developmental disabilities. Waves collaborates with Vanderbilt for specialized expertise, podcast content featuring staff, and continuum of care coordination.
• TennesseeWorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState initiative transforming employment for people with I/DD. Waves participates as an employment services provider working to place individuals in competitive jobs.
• Tennessee Disability PathfinderminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorState resource hotline providing free information and referrals to Tennesseans with disabilities and their families. Waves connects families to this resource.
• Blood AssuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlood donation center partnering with Waves for blood drives during Food Truck Friday events.
• Backlight ProductionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInclusive performing arts nonprofit in Franklin, TN. Waves participants involved in theater and dance programs; featured on Waves podcast.
• Move Inclusive DanceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInclusive dance studio in Nashville and Franklin providing movement programs for all abilities. Featured on Waves podcast.
• Best Buddies TennesseeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit creating one-to-one friendships and leadership opportunities for people with I/DD. Waves participant Matt Moore involved in Best Buddies programs.
• We Rock The Spectrum Kid's GymminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInclusive children's gym in Franklin, TN welcoming children of all abilities. Featured on Waves podcast.
• Camp Southern GroundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInclusive summer camp founded by Zac Brown for children of all abilities. Waves connects families to this camping opportunity.
• Tucker'S HouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHome modification nonprofit helping people with disabilities live safely at home. Featured on Waves podcast.
• Tennessee Adult Brothers and Sisters (TABS)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupport and networking group for adult siblings of individuals with disabilities. Waves includes this resource in family referrals.
• Tennessee Disability CoalitionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlliance of organizations promoting full participation of people with disabilities. Waves participates as member organization.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Easterseals Tennessee: Regional Easterseals affiliate delivering early intervention, adult day, and employment services for individuals with I/DD across Tennessee — directly overlapping with Waves' service lines and waiver funding sources.
• RHA Health Services: Multi-state I/DD and behavioral health provider offering residential, supported employment, and case management under Medicaid waivers. Closely comparable operating model to Waves, with greater geographic footprint.
• Help at Home: Leading personal-care and I/DD home and community-based services provider in the U.S., operating under state Medicaid waivers. Directly comparable funding model and target population.
• The Arc Tennessee: Tennessee state chapter of The Arc, providing advocacy, family support, and direct I/DD services in Middle Tennessee. Directly comparable nonprofit mission, geography, and population served.

Broad incumbents

• BrightSpring Health Services: Large publicly traded provider of home and community-based I/DD, behavioral health, and pharmacy services across multiple states. Operates the same waiver-funded I/DD programs as Waves but at national scale.
• Sevita Health (formerly The MENTOR Network): National I/DD and behavioral health platform providing residential, day, and supported employment services. Directly comparable service mix but operates across dozens of states.
• Addus HomeCare: Public personal-care and home and community-based services provider operating in multiple states under Medicaid waivers. Comparable waiver-funded I/DD and elderly services at national scale.
• BAYADA Home Health Care: National nonprofit home health and I/DD services provider with pediatric and adult waiver-funded programs. Overlaps with Waves' early intervention and home-based therapy offerings.

Regional players

• LifeBridge Tennessee: Tennessee-based I/DD services nonprofit offering adult day, residential, and case management across Middle and East Tennessee. Comparable mission and population but broader geographic reach.

Others

• Vanderbilt Kennedy Center: University-affiliated center providing research, training, and clinical services for individuals with developmental disabilities in Tennessee. Comparable population focus and existing partner/collaborator relationship.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Waves_of_Awareness
• Instagraminstagram.com/waves_serves
• Xx.com/wavesserves

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Waves