Pacific Autism Family Network

What Pacific Autism Family Network does

Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN) is a British Columbia-based registered charitable not-for-profit (BN #82184 5286 RR 0001) that serves as a knowledge centre and lifespan support network for autistic and otherwise neurodivergent individuals and their families. Founded in 2016 by Sergio and Wendy Cocchia, PAFN operates from a 60,000-square-foot purpose-built Centre of Excellence in Richmond, BC, with additional spoke locations in Chilliwack and Prince George; co-founder Wendy Cocchia was appointed Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia in January 2025.

PAFN delivers a portfolio of interlocking programs rather than a single product. Health services and clinical offerings include the AIMS Clinic (assessment, intervention, management) and the NOA & SIB Clinic (Self-Injurious Behaviours), housed alongside partners such as LifeLabs, GoodLife Fitness Family Autism Hub, and Little Buddies Pediatric Therapy. Education and employment programs span Little Pilots Inclusive Daycare, Employment Works (12-week, 16+ readiness), JET (Jobs, Education, and Training), the GO Group, and Learn 4 Independence (adults 18+). Paper Planes Cafe, opened at YVR Domestic Arrivals in October 2023, with a second location (Paper Planes Patio) added in Richmond in May 2025, provides hands-on workforce training for neurodivergent individuals and has served 45,000+ customers to date. AIDE Canada operates a national library (3,500+ physical titles, 600+ ebooks/audiobooks, Borrow-by-Mail). The only named technology product is the Dwell Stack Data Solution, an iOS and web application co-developed with UBC Cloud Innovation Centre that ingests Apple Watch biometrics and environmental sensor data (Airthings, Arduino gas sensors) to flag potential seizure or meltdown precursors.

PAFN is funded primarily through donations, government grants, and corporate sponsorships. A C$20 million provincial government capital commitment anchored the centre, supplemented by grants from the federal government (via the Miriam Foundation) and named corporate donations (TD Bank, BMO, Canfor, canfitpro, Variety Children's Charity, PDAC). Earned revenue includes room rentals at the Richmond facility (auditorium C$1,300/day, board room C$550/day), Paper Planes Cafe sales, fundraising events (LAUNCH Holiday Luncheon raised C$1.5M in 2025 and C$1.45M in 2024), and sponsorships/naming rights programs; most direct services to families are offered free of charge, with a bursary program available to those demonstrating financial need.

Name

Pacific Autism Family Network

Legal name

Pacific Autism Family Network

Website

https://pacificautismfamily.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pacific Autism Family Network is a British Columbia charitable not-for-profit operating a 60,000 sq ft Centre of Excellence in Richmond with regional spokes, providing lifespan clinical, education, employment, and community programs for autistic and neurodivergent individuals and their families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Child Care Services (62441), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Autism Assistive Technology & Learning Tools (Educational) (EDAKAKAM), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Autism Transition Planning & Postsecondary Readiness (Educational) (EDAKAKAK)

Keywords

• Autism support services
• Neurodiversity programs
• Employment readiness training
• Inclusive childcare programs
• Clinical assessment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization operates as a registered charity (Business Number #82184 5286 RR 0001) funded primarily through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Major donors include TD Bank ($75,000), BMO Financial Group ($100,000), Canfor ($50,000 in product), canfitpro ($100,000), and Variety Children's Charity.
2. Government Funding: Provincial government investment of $20 million toward the autism centre. Additional federal funding received through partnership with Miriam Foundation.
3. Fundraising Events: Annual LAUNCH Holiday Luncheon raises significant funds. 2025 event raised $1.5 million, 2024 event raised $1.45 million. The event hosts over 800 guests annually and is the largest indoor autism fundraising luncheon gala in BC.
4. Room Rentals: Auditorium rental at $1,300/day (2,400 sq ft with two projectors, audio equipment, up to 80 seats). Board room at $550/day (800 sq ft with dual 55-inch screens). Meeting room at $450/day. Catering available from Paper Planes Cafe.
5. Sponsorships and Naming Rights: Plane sponsorship program where custom plane decals are installed within PAFN space. Naming opportunities available for board rooms, medical rooms, sensory areas. LAUNCH event sponsorship packages available.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pacific Autism Family Network operates a hub-and-spoke network of autism and neurodiversity support programs across British Columbia, anchored by a 60,000 sq ft purpose-built Centre of Excellence in Richmond with spokes in Chilliwack and Prince George. It delivers lifespan services including clinical assessments and treatment (AIMS Clinic, SIB Clinic), employment-readiness and training (Employment Works, JET, GO Group, Paper Planes Café at YVR), inclusive childcare (Little Pilots), adult life-skills training (Learn 4 Independence), and a national autism knowledge library (AIDE Canada). The Dwell Stack iOS/web application is the network's core technology product, capturing biometric and environmental data to help care teams anticipate seizures and meltdowns.

Product overview

Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN) is a not-for-profit network of support for Autistic and otherwise neurodivergent individuals and their families, operating across British Columbia through a hub-and-spoke model. Its flagship Richmond facility (60,000 sq ft) serves as the central hub, with spokes in Prince George and Chilliwack. PAFN's offering is a portfolio of programs and services rather than a single software product: it includes the Dwell Stack iOS/web data platform (for biometric and environmental data monitoring), AIDE Canada (national autism knowledge library), clinical services (AIMS Clinic, SIB Clinic), employment programs (Employment Works, JET, GO Group, Paper Planes Café), inclusive daycare (Little Pilots), life skills training (Learn 4 Independence), community events (LAUNCH Luncheon, Brick-by-Brick Challenge, Cars & Coffee), bursaries, and room rentals. The Dwell Stack is the only named technology product; all other offerings are service, program, or facility-based.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Paper Planes Café: A café located at YVR Vancouver International Airport providing employment training for neurodivergent individuals
• Little Pilots Inclusive Daycare
• LAUNCH
• Brick-by-Brick

Products and services

• Dwell Stack Data Solution iOS app and web administrative application that enables care teams to collect, store, monitor and access biometric data (via Apple Watch) and environmental sensor data (Airthings, Arduino gas sensors) for variables that may trigger or precede a seizure or meltdown for individuals on the autism spectrum.
• Paper Planes Café Neurodiverse-inclusive café at YVR Domestic Arrivals (Level 2) and at the Richmond Centre (Paper Planes Patio), operating in partnership with YVR to train and employ autistic and neurodivergent individuals in food service and customer engagement roles. Since opening, the café has served over 45,000 customers, trained 31 neurodivergent individuals, and supported 18 program graduates into meaningful employment.
• AIDE Canada National knowledge resource network for autism and related disabilities, offering a library with over 3,500 books, 600+ ebooks and audiobooks in English and French, free of charge. Located at PAFN Richmond, with Borrow-by-Mail service reaching Canadians nationwide, including rural and remote communities.
• AIMS Clinic Clinic providing autism assessment, intervention, and management services for individuals on the autism spectrum, part of PAFN's network of clinical services spanning British Columbia.
• NOA & SIB Clinic Clinical space for individuals with Self-Injurious Behaviours (SIB), centralizing clinical experience, distributing knowledge, generating novel assessment and management approaches, enhancing training, and providing integrative treatment for SIB patients and families across the lifespan, leveraging PAFN's established virtual presence for equitable access.
• Employment Works Hybrid employment-readiness program for neurodivergent individuals aged 16 and older, running 12 weeks with sessions twice per week (2.5 hours each), available at Fraser Valley (Chilliwack) and Prince George spokes.
• JET (Jobs, Education, and Training) Program designed to empower young adults with autism and related neurodiversities through job readiness, education support, and skills training.
• Little Pilots Inclusive Daycare Inclusive daycare program where children on the autism spectrum learn alongside typically developing peers, with a curriculum tailored to individual needs and family goals. Operates Monday to Friday 8:30 AM – 5 PM with full and half-day options.
• GO Group Employment initiative focused on supporting autistic individuals in finding and maintaining meaningful employment.
• Learn 4 Independence (L4I) Program for adults 18 and older with autism and other neurodiversities, focused on teaching functional life skills, promoting self-sufficiency, and empowering students to advocate for themselves and enhance independence.
• PAFN Spokes Regional spoke locations in Prince George (3310 Sutherland Road) and Chilliwack (46151 Yale Rd) offering free community-driven social programs, events, navigation services, and EmploymentWorks for neurodivergent individuals and families across BC.
• GoodLife Fitness Autism Family Hub (Richmond Centre) 60,000 square foot purpose-built Richmond facility housing health clinics, research laboratories, education spaces, and partner organizations including LifeLabs and Little Buddies Pediatric Therapy. Building hours 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM with evenings and weekends available upon request.
• Room Rentals Event and meeting space rentals at the PAFN Richmond Centre: auditorium (2,400 sq ft, up to 80 seats, two projectors, audio equipment, $1,300/day), board room (800 sq ft, 20 seats, dual 55-inch screens, patio, $550/day), and meeting room ($450/day). Catering available via Paper Planes Café.
• Bursary Program Financial assistance program administered by Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation to help BC families cover the cost of PAFN-supported programming. Eligibility requires BC residency, ASD diagnosis, and registration with a PAFN-affiliated program; amounts determined by individual circumstance.
• LAUNCH Holiday Luncheon PAFN's largest annual fundraising gala and the largest indoor autism fundraising luncheon in British Columbia, hosting over 800 guests. The 2025 event raised a record $1.5 million and the 2024 event raised $1.45 million.
• Brick-by-Brick Challenge Annual LEGO® creative competition hosted by PAFN in partnership with the Pooni Group Foundation, in which teams design and build iconic BC landmarks out of LEGO® bricks to raise funds for PAFN's inclusion programs.
• Interactive Travel Training Videos Three-part interactive video series developed in partnership with YVR and AIDE Canada, simulating air travel from curb to cloud and covering check-in, security screening, aircraft boarding, and customs clearance with interactive decision-making tools to prepare neurodiverse travelers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 45,000+ customers served and 31 neurodivergent individuals trained through Paper Planes Cafe, with 18 securing employment
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• AIDE CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIDE Canada (Autism and/or Intellectual Disability Knowledge Resource Exchange Network) operates a national library housed at PAFN Richmond, providing free access to over 3,500 autism-related books, ebooks, and audiobooks. Also collaborated on interactive travel training videos with YVR for neurodiverse air travel preparation.
• LifeLabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLifeLabs operates at the GoodLife Fitness Family Autism Hub within PAFN Richmond, accepting patients at the facility. Partnership provides on-site laboratory services for individuals and families accessing PAFN programs.
• BC LionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBC Lions partnership includes GAMECHANGERS program creating supportive environments for neurodiverse families at football games. Lions serve as Presenting Sponsor of Inclusion in Motion Walk & Family Festival. Includes staff training for autism-friendly stadium experiences.
• Miriam FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAFN and Miriam Foundation received federal funding to help Canadians impacted by autism. Joint initiative expanding access to autism support services across the country.
• Pooni Group FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrick-by-Brick - Building Meaningful Inclusion is a creative LEGO competition hosted by PAFN in partnership with Pooni Group Foundation. Teams design and build iconic BC landmarks to support meaningful inclusion and raise funds.
• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYVR partnered with PAFN to open Paper Planes Cafe at Domestic Arrivals terminal, providing neurodivergent employment training. Jointly developed interactive travel training videos for neurodiverse travelers. YVR providing comprehensive neurodiverse inclusion training to employees.
• Lee's DonutsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVancouver's iconic Lee's Donuts partnered with Paper Planes Cafe at YVR to enhance dining experience while providing additional training opportunities for neurodivergent community.
• The Juice TruckminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVancouver-based cold-pressed juice company partnered with Paper Planes Cafe to expand menu offerings, supporting the neurodivergent training mission.
• UBC Cloud Innovation CentrecoreTechnology or IntegrationUBC CIC developed Dwell Stack iOS app and web administrative application for PAFN. The app collects biometric data via Apple Watch and environmental sensor data to help predict seizures and meltdowns for individuals on the autism spectrum.
• Neurodiverse NetworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeurodiverse Networks delivers robotics program at PAFN - four workshops for neurodivergent individuals exploring STEM through VEX robot building and programming in a fun, engaging environment. Free program accepting up to 10 participants per workshop.
• Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMBC partnered with PAFN to update Bus Operator training programs with a 14-minute video on supporting neurodivergent passengers. Training integrated into new and refresher operator programs across Metro Vancouver transit system.
• GoodLife FitnessmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoodLife Fitness Autism Family Hub established within PAFN Richmond facility. Hub houses multiple autism service organizations in one accessible location.
• Air CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAir Canada featured in interactive travel training videos developed with YVR, PAFN, and AIDE Canada. Adopted Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program to support neurodiverse travelers.
• HelijetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelijet collaborated with PAFN and InterVISTAS to enhance helicopter travel accessibility for individuals with varying abilities. Provided firsthand travel experience for participants to help shape accessibility action plans.
• InterVISTAS Consulting Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting firm partnered with PAFN and Helijet to improve accessibility of air travel. Senior Director Kirk Goodlet serves as parent advocate to shape inclusive travel experiences.
• ET Music TherapycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerET Music Therapy provides music therapy services as a PAFN partner organization, offering sessions that have transformed lives including non-verbal children learning to communicate through music.
• Little Buddies Pediatric TherapycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLittle Buddies Pediatric Therapy operates within PAFN Richmond location, providing therapy services aligned with PAFN's family-focused approach.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Autism Speaks Canada: Canadian arm of Autism Speaks focused on advocacy, research funding, and family services. Broader and more advocacy-led than PAFN but competes for the same donor and government awareness dollars.
• Autism Canada: National autism advocacy and resource charity. Directly comparable to PAFN as a Canada-wide autism support and awareness organisation, with overlapping lifespan and family-support programming but without PAFN's purpose-built hub-and-spoke infrastructure.

Direct peers

• Ready, Willing and Able: Canadian inclusive-employment initiative for people with intellectual disabilities and ASD, with which PAFN launched a job-seekers database in 2017. Direct comparator on the employment-programming side of PAFN's GO Group and Employment Works offerings.
• Sinneave Family Foundation: Calgary-based autism foundation providing lifespan programs including employment readiness, post-secondary transition, and skills training. Closely comparable to PAFN's GO Group, JET, and Learn 4 Independence programming in a different regional market.
• SAAAC Autism Centre: Toronto-based autism centre serving racialized and underserved communities with clinical, employment, and family programs. Comparable in mission and lifespan focus to PAFN's Little Pilots, AIMS, and family navigation services.
• Geneva Centre for Autism: Toronto-based autism services organization offering clinical, educational, and family support programs across the lifespan. Comparable to PAFN in service breadth and clinical depth, but operates in a different provincial market.
• Kerry's Place Autism Services: Ontario-based autism services charity operating residential, employment, and lifespan support programs. Most directly comparable to PAFN in terms of clinical, employment, and community programming, though concentrated in Ontario rather than BC.

Emerging players

• Kids Brain Health Network: Canadian research network focused on neurodevelopmental disabilities including ASD. Comparable in research and clinical-translation focus to PAFN's AIMS Clinic and SIB Clinic but operates primarily as a research consortium.
• Foundry (Providence Health): BC-wide network of youth wellness centres offering integrated mental health, substance use, and primary care services for ages 12-24. Partial overlap with PAFN's youth employment and social programming in BC; not autism-specific but competes for the same provincial youth-services funding.

Regional players

• Autism Nova Scotia: Provincial autism society delivering lifespan services and family navigation in Nova Scotia. Comparable programming mix to PAFN but operates in a different regional market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pacificautism
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Pacific-Autism-Family-Centre/111817215502172
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pacific-autism-family-centre-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/pacificautism

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 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 Pacific Autism Family Network