DSPN

What DSPN does

DSPN (Disability Service Provider Network Inc.) is a Wisconsin-based non-profit membership association founded in 1965, headquartered in Madison, WI, that supports disability service providers across the state through advocacy, education, and networking. The organization serves approximately 85+ member organizations spanning Wisconsin's 72 counties, with member segments including vocational rehabilitation providers, residential service providers (AFH, CBRF), and associate members drawn from industry vendors such as insurance, software, benefits, and consulting firms. DSPN's core value proposition rests on three pillars: collective legislative advocacy before Wisconsin state agencies (DHS, DVR) and the legislature; educational programming through toolkits, training series, and a STAR Quality Improvement program embedded in the WCCEAL framework; and peer learning via an annual conference (2026: "Momentum"), regional meetings across Wisconsin, weekly e-newsletter, and community-of-practice gatherings.

DSPN's product portfolio is organized around four revenue streams: (1) recurring membership dues from provider organizations; (2) tiered sponsorship and advertising packages (Elite at $5,000, Signature at $3,000, Select at $1,000; associate membership at $1,050; newsletter and website ad placements ranging from $400-$1,300); (3) educational products such as the HCBS Compliance Toolkit ($195 member / $349 non-member) and the IntellectAbility Dual Diagnosis training series ($109 per person); and (4) conference and event revenue, including annual conference registrations ($299-$355 early bird), exhibitor fees, and event sponsorships ($750-$4,000). DSPN is not a technology company — the website operates on Wix and there are no proprietary platforms — and the organization is led by a small staff including CEO Emma Corning, Director of Membership and Development Todd Smet, and Administrative Assistant Oz Mallien.

Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: the Director of Membership conducts direct outreach to prospective member organizations, while the annual conference and regional meeting series serve as primary acquisition and retention channels. DSPN holds formal representation on DHS advisory committees and DVR stakeholder forums, which has translated into measurable policy outcomes including DVR funding of $600,000 (SFY 2026) and $6,400,000 (SFY 2027) toward waitlist elimination. The organization's regulatory embeddedness and tightly-defined Wisconsin geographic scope produce a defensible but bounded operating footprint with limited scalability absent geographic or vertical expansion.

Name

DSPN

Legal name

Disability Service Provider Network Inc.

Website

https://dspn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DSPN (Disability Service Provider Network Inc.) is a Wisconsin-based non-profit membership association serving 85+ disability service provider organizations across the state through legislative advocacy, education, training, and peer networking programs including an annual conference and regional meetings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Services Advocacy & Provider Association

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

Keywords

• Disability services advocacy
• Provider membership association
• HCBS compliance training
• Vocational rehabilitation resources
• Residential care support

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for disability service provider organizations. Includes tiered associate membership options for industry partners and vendors.
2. Sponsorship Packages: Tiered sponsorship packages (Elite $5,000, Signature $3,000, Select $1,000) offering visibility and access to membership through website ads, e-newsletter placements, event recognition, and handbook advertising.
3. Training and Educational Products: Sale of HCBS toolkits and training materials to members and non-members. Member pricing at $195, non-member pricing at $349 for the comprehensive compliance toolkit.
4. Conference and Event Revenue: Registration fees for annual conference (Super Saver $299, Early Bird $355 for members; higher for non-members), exhibitor fees ($550), and sponsorship tiers ranging from $250 to $4,000 for various sponsorship levels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

DSPN is a Wisconsin nonprofit membership association that supports disability service providers through collective advocacy before state agencies and the legislature, peer networking via an annual conference and regional meetings, and educational resources including compliance toolkits, training webinars, and a quality improvement program. Revenue is generated from provider membership dues, tiered sponsorship packages, associate memberships for vendors, conference/exhibitor fees, advertising placements, and paid training/toolkit sales.

Product overview

DSPN (Disability Service Provider Network) is a membership association serving disability service providers throughout Wisconsin. The organization offers a portfolio of membership services, sponsorship and advertising products, educational programs, and advocacy resources. Core offerings include: (1) Sponsorship packages (Elite at $5,000, Signature at $3,000, Select at $1,000) providing various levels of visibility at events and in communications; (2) DSPN Associate Membership for non-provider organizations at $1,050; (3) Advertising products including handbook ads, e-newsletter placements, and website ads at varying price points; (4) HCBS Toolkit for compliance documentation at $195 (members) or $349 (non-members); (5) Events including the annual conference and regional meetings; (6) Training programs such as the Building Independence Project, IntellectAbility Dual Diagnosis series, and Fund Development Plan series; (7) STAR Quality Improvement Program for residential providers; (8) Employment listings service connecting providers across Wisconsin counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Elite Sponsorship Package Premium annual sponsorship package ($5,000) for industry vendors seeking premier visibility with DSPN member provider organizations, including banner/presentation at the membership meeting, full-page ad in the membership guide, large video/ad in the weekly e-newsletter, large website ad, and recognition at all DSPN events.
• Signature Sponsorship Package Mid-tier annual sponsorship package ($3,000) bundling an Associate Membership, logo recognition at the membership meeting, half-page ad in the membership guide, small e-newsletter and website ads, and event recognition.
• Select Sponsorship Package Entry-level annual sponsorship package ($1,000) for industry vendors, including a quarter-page ad in the membership handbook, logo in the e-newsletter and website, and event recognition.
• DSPN Associate Membership Annual associate membership ($1,050) for non-provider industry organizations (insurance, software, benefits, consulting) offering direct access and networking with DSPN's provider member decision-makers.
• HCBS Compliance Toolkit Comprehensive HCBS (Home and Community-Based Services) compliance toolkit with over 35 documents including policies, procedures, customizable templates, and guides for HCBS settings rule compliance, sold to disability service providers at $195 (members) / $349 (non-members).
• Annual Conference 'Momentum' Two-day annual flagship conference hosted in Wisconsin (Super Saver $299 / Early Bird $355 for members, higher for non-members; One Day rates from $195), featuring keynote speakers, breakout sessions, networking social, exhibitor experience, and meals. The 2026 edition is themed 'Momentum'.
• Regional Meeting Series Free member-only regional meetings held across Wisconsin (La Crosse, Chippewa Falls, Appleton in July 2026), featuring peer connection, site visits to host member organizations, and local advocacy/operational discussions.
• Building Independence Project Interactive online workshop series designed to empower individuals with disabilities who self-direct their own services (IRIS program), covering hiring processes and care worker management.
• IntellectAbility Dual Diagnosis Webinar Series Three-part paid webinar series ($109 per person) on dual diagnosis at the intersection of intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental health, presented by Dr. Craig Escudé, offering micro-credentialing as an IntellectAbility Recognized Dual Diagnosis Supporter.
• Building Your Fund Development Plan Training Series Multi-month member education series on fund development planning, presented in partnership with Vigeo Nonprofit Advising and Bridgemore Advising; offered free to DSPN members and covering Steps 1-12 of fund development planning.
• DSPN Community of Practice Monthly virtual professional community for HCBS professionals focused on Person-Centered Planning and Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) for individuals with disabilities.
• Membership Handbook Advertising (Full, Half, Quarter Page) Display advertising placements in the DSPN membership handbook (a reference tool covering DSPN history, member benefits, board, and staff), sold at full-page ($950), half-page ($600), and quarter-page ($400) rates.
• DSPN Update E-Newsletter Advertising Advertising placements in the weekly 'Your Update' DSPN e-newsletter delivered to all members: large video or ad ($1,300), small ad ($750), or logo ($400).
• DSPN Website Advertising Homepage advertising placements on dspn.org linking to sponsor webpages: large video/ad ($1,200), small ad ($750), or logo with link ($400).
• Membership Meeting Sponsorship (Banner/Presentation, Logo Recognition) Sponsorship of DSPN membership meetings, including a banner/presentation opportunity with materials distributed to attendees ($2,000) and logo recognition at the start and end of meetings ($1,000).
• Employment Listings Service Job posting service for DSPN member disability service providers, connecting organizations across Wisconsin counties (Adams County through Wood County) with potential employees.
• STAR Quality Assurance & Quality Improvement Program Quality assurance and quality improvement program for residential care providers, developed jointly with the Wisconsin DHS Bureau of Assisted Living and operating under WCCEAL (Wisconsin Coalition for Collaborative Excellence in Assisted Living), focused on Self-Evaluation, Total Quality Improvement, Accountability, and Report-ability.
• DHS 88 Adult Family Home Advocacy Resources Information and advocacy resource hub on Wisconsin DHS 88 administrative rules for 3-4 bed Adult Family Homes (AFH), including public comment guidance and economic impact analysis to support member regulatory engagement.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully influenced 2025-27 state budget for increased HCBS workforce support
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SETWorkscoreOthersElite sponsor of DSPN. Provides tailored software and services to the disability services industry. Offers DSPN members discounted access to technology solutions for case management and operations.
• Mutual of AmericacoreOthersElite sponsor providing provider benefit services and employee retention strategies to DSPN members. Supports workforce solutions for disability service providers.
• IntellectAbilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides dual diagnosis training series for DSPN members, including micro-credentialing programs. Develops educational content specific to intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental health intersection.
• Tricor InsuranceminorOthersAssociate member providing business insurance expertise to disability service providers. Sponsors the IntellectAbility dual diagnosis training series.
• MITC (Midwest Technical Assistance Center)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented AI education webinar for DSPN members on private AI applications for disability service providers. Developed provider-focused AI resources.
• Employment Resources, Inc. (ERI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivered member webinar on employment and benefits counseling for individuals with disabilities. Provides consultation and training on disability employment topics.
• Assured PartnersminorOthersAssociate member providing insurance solutions to protect businesses of all types and sizes, including disability service providers.
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)coreOthersFormal governmental partner on quality improvement initiatives. DSPN participates in WCCEAL program with DHS Bureau of Assisted Living. Collaboration on HCBS policy and rate reform.
• Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development - DVRcoreOthersDSPN maintains regular communication with DVR on matters affecting member programs and clients. Collaborates on service provider qualification requirements and rate discussions.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ANCOR (American Network of Community Options and Resources): National membership association representing disability service providers across the U.S. Most direct comparable — both serve as advocacy, education, and convening bodies for disability provider organizations, though ANCOR operates at national scale while DSPN is Wisconsin-only.
• Wisconsin Assisted Living Association (WALA): Wisconsin state-level membership association serving assisted living providers — explicitly referenced in DSPN's management team background (Director Todd Smet served WALA for 8 years). Comparable model: state-level trade association providing advocacy, education, and events to long-term care/disability providers.
• National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS): Membership association for state agency leaders administering developmental disabilities services. Adjacent peer in the disability services policy ecosystem with similar advocacy and convening functions, though membership is government directors rather than providers.
• American Network of Community Options and Resources - State Chapters: Other state-level provider associations affiliated with or modeled after ANCOR (e.g., state associations in NY, OH, PA, MN). Closest structural peers to DSPN — same nonprofit membership model targeting in-state disability service providers with advocacy and education offerings.

Broad incumbents

• LeadingAge: National association representing nonprofit aging services providers, including those serving individuals with disabilities. Operates at national scale and broader scope than DSPN, but with overlapping advocacy and education functions for service-provider members.
• Case Management Society of America (CMSA): National professional association for case managers across healthcare and human services, including disability services. Comparable as a member-driven advocacy and education body but broader in scope than DSPN's provider-focused mission.

Others

• Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities: Wisconsin state government body that advises on policy for people with developmental disabilities. Not a peer in the membership-association sense, but a closely related ecosystem participant influencing the same providers DSPN serves.
• Relias: Workforce education and enablement platform for healthcare and human services organizations — listed as a DSPN associate member. Operates upstream as a vendor partner rather than a competitor, but represents the type of scaled education provider that could eventually encroach on DSPN's training offerings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCBsHwjPxtvQoKDxe7VejfQA
• Facebookfacebook.com/DSPN.ORG
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dspnetwork

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 DSPN