Help Network of Northeast Ohio

What Help Network of Northeast Ohio does

Help Network of Northeast Ohio is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services organization headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio, providing 24/7 crisis intervention, suicide prevention, mental health support, and community information and referral services across five Ohio counties (Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Lake, and Ashtabula). Founded in 1971 as Help Hotline, Inc. and rebranded to its current name in 2017, the organization responds to approximately 100,000 calls per year through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the 211 information and referral line, and serves roughly 1,000 individuals annually through in-person programs at offices in Youngstown and East Liverpool.

The organization's service portfolio spans 16 distinct programs including crisis hotlines, a 211 online community resource database (searchable via navigateresources.net), text-based food resource locators, peer recovery centers, intensive guardianship and payeeship programs, housing assistance, family success coaching, special needs navigation, victim assistance, and survivor-of-suicide support groups. Technology is primarily telephonic and a curated 211 resource database; the organization has no native mobile app and no disclosed AI components. It holds CARF International (3-year) and Inform USA (5-year) accreditations, plus multiple OHMHAS service certifications, and operates as one of the few designated 988 crisis centers in Ohio since the 2022 federal transition.

The business model is grant- and contract-funded rather than fee-based; all services are free to end users. Revenue is assembled from county Mental Health and Recovery Board contracts, state allocations via OHMHAS, federal grants (SAMHSA), United Way allocations across three local chapters, foundation grants (Margaret Clark Morgan, Raymond John Wean, Ross Griffin, PNC, Dearing Compressor, Youngstown Foundation, Peggy's Foundation), corporate sponsorships, and individual donations raised through annual golf outings and community campaigns. The organization is governed by a 16-member Board of Directors, employs over 50 full- and part-time staff including licensed clinicians and peer support specialists, and operates under CEO Vince Brancaccio (since 2014).

Name

Help Network of Northeast Ohio

Legal name

Help Network of Northeast Ohio

Website

https://helpnetworkneo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Help Network of Northeast Ohio is a nonprofit crisis services organization operating the 988 and 211 hotlines and community resource programs across five Ohio counties, serving roughly 100,000 callers and 1,000 in-person clients annually through a grant- and contract-funded service network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Crisis Intervention and Mental Health Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Health Crisis Services Management (988/Hotlines/Mobile Crisis Coordination) (HLAEAHAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Crisis intervention services
• Suicide prevention hotline
• Community information referral
• Mental health support
• Peer recovery services

Headquarters

HQ city

Youngstown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts and Mental Health Board Funding: Funding from Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Boards, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and federal grants.
2. United Way Support: Funding and support from United Way of Youngstown & The Mahoning Valley, United Way of Trumbull County, and United Way of Northern Columbiana County.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and community foundations. Golf outings and events serve as fundraising channels.
4. Foundation Grants: Grants from foundations such as Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation, Dearing Compressor, Ross Griffin Memorial Foundation, Raymond John Wean Foundation, and PNC Foundation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Help Network of Northeast Ohio provides free 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention through the 988 lifeline and the 211 information and referral service, connecting individuals across five Ohio counties with mental health, housing, food, and emergency resources. The organization complements these crisis services with in-person peer recovery programs, family navigation, housing assistance, victims advocacy, guardianship, and payeeship programs delivered at community centers in Youngstown and East Liverpool.

Product overview

Help Network of Northeast Ohio is a social services organization providing a unified portfolio of crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and community support services across Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Lake, and Ashtabula Counties. The core offerings include the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (24/7 crisis hotline), 211 Information and Referral database, intensive guardianship and payeeship programs, peer recovery services including WarmLine and Peer Resource and Recovery Centers, housing assistance, family support services (Family Success Network, Special Navigator/All Abilities 365), and victim assistance. The organization operates as a single integrated service network rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture, with services delivered via phone (988, 211, regional hotlines), online database, in-person counseling, text messaging, and community centers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24/7/365 crisis intervention hotline for individuals contemplating suicide or experiencing any type of crisis; serves as a call center for the National Suicide and Crisis Prevention Lifeline (988) for Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, and Ashtabula counties in Ohio.
• 211 Information and Referral 24-hour information and referral service offering a comprehensive, up-to-date database of community resources for housing, utilities, food, employment, and other social services; available via phone, online searchable database, and SMS text.
• Peer Resource and Recovery Programs In-person peer support and recovery programs for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, including recovery groups, social, recreational, and fitness activities; staffed by peer specialists trained in mental illness and substance abuse issues. Locations in Youngstown and East Liverpool.
• WarmLine Peer support line staffed by certified peer supporters with lived experience of mental health or substance use disorder, offering guidance, support, and hope without judgment for non-crisis situations.
• Housing Opportunities Program Rental assistance program for up to two years for Mahoning County residents receiving services through Mental Health and Recovery Board-connected agencies; also administers permanent and supportive housing vouchers.
• Family Success Network Child abuse and neglect prevention program for families in Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull Counties, designed to strengthen resiliency and increase protective factors through information, referral, Family Coaching, Triple P, Transition to Independence, and Money 101 programs.
• Special Navigator for Families with Special Needs (All Abilities 365) Free guidance and referral service for families with children having developmental disabilities, mental health/emotional issues, substance abuse, autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, and other special needs; a Parent/Family Specialist helps navigate educational, medical, mental health, and community services in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties.
• Intensive Guardianship Program Guardian services for individuals who need oversight, accessed through referrals from Mental Health & Recovery or Developmental Disabilities systems with probate court approval across Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties.
• Representative Payeeship Programs Financial management support for individuals unable to manage their income, referred by Mental Health & Recovery or Developmental Disabilities providers for Mahoning and Trumbull counties.
• Senior Line Information, referral, and support services available to the 55+ population of Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana Counties.
• Victims Assistance Immediate crisis intervention and emergency linkage to victim services, rape counselors, and domestic violence professionals/shelters; a Victims Advocate provides community support, advocacy, and reassurance to victims of crime.
• Survivors of Suicide Support Group Peer support group for survivors of suicide (those bereaved by a suicide loss), available in Mahoning and Columbiana Counties.
• Suicide Prevention Education

Quantifiable outcome

• Responds to approximately 100,000 calls annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery BoardcoreOthersPrimary funder and contracting agency for mental health services. Help Network operates as a contract agency providing crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and community support services for Mahoning County residents.
• Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery BoardcoreOthersContract agency providing mental health services including Representative Payeeship Program for Trumbull County residents.
• Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery BoardcoreOthersContract agency providing mental health services to Columbiana County residents, including peer recovery and information services.
• United Way of Youngstown & The Mahoning ValleycoreOthersMember agency and partner for 211 information and referral services. Receives funding support and referrals through United Way network.
• United Way of Trumbull CountyminorOthersFunding support for services in Trumbull County through United Way partnership.
• United Way of Northern Columbiana CountyminorOthersAwarded $3,225 towards efforts to promote 211 services in northern Columbiana County.
• Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OHMHAS)coreOthersLicensing and certifying authority for multiple service categories including Hotline, Peer Recovery Services, and Referral and Information Services.
• National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988)coreOthersMember of the national network administering the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Help Network is one of the few designated 988 crisis centers in Ohio serving local region.
• Ohio 211 CollaborativecoreOthersPart of state network coordinating 211 information and referral services across Ohio.
• Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning ValleyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHole-in-One sponsor for annual golf outings supporting suicide prevention and crisis services.
• The Conti CorporationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHole-in-One sponsor for annual golf outings supporting Help Network services.
• Ohio Attorney General's OfficeminorOthersVictims Assistance Program supported by Office for Victims of Crime and Office of Justice programs through Ohio Attorney General's Office.
• NAMI Ohio and NAMI Mahoning ValleyminorOthersAffiliated with National Alliance on Mental Illness for advocacy and awareness collaboration.
• Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO)minorOthersAffiliated with statewide coalition addressing homelessness and housing issues.
• Meridian HealthCareminorOthersPartner in The Commons at Madison permanent supportive housing project bringing 40 new-construction housing units for individuals with mental health/substance abuse issues.
• COMPASS Family and Community ServicesminorOthersPartner in The Commons at Madison permanent supportive housing project with Help Network and Meridian Health.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Trevor Project: National nonprofit operating 24/7 crisis hotlines (call, text, chat) for LGBTQ+ youth; designated 988 backup center. Comparable as a national-scoped crisis hotline nonprofit, though specialized by population and far larger in scale and funding.
• Crisis Text Line: National 24/7 text-based crisis intervention nonprofit that is a designated 988 backup center. Directly comparable in crisis-line core function, though operates at national scale via SMS-first delivery, contrasting with Help Network's phone-first regional model.
• Meridian HealthCare: Youngstown-based integrated behavioral health and primary care provider — and the previous employer of Help Network's CEO. Direct partner in The Commons at Madison supportive housing project and a comparable Mahoning County MH&RB contract agency.
• FrontLine Service: Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and behavioral health nonprofit operating 24/7 hotlines and emergency services. Direct geographic and functional peer to Help Network for crisis-line operations and mental health board contracting in Northeast Ohio.

Regional players

• Coleman Professional Services: Kent/Portage County-based behavioral health nonprofit providing mental health, addiction, and crisis services across Northeast Ohio. Comparable as a regional MH&RB-contracted behavioral health nonprofit with overlapping county footprints.
• 211 of Greater Cleveland (United Way of Greater Cleveland): Regional 211 I&R provider for Cuyahoga County, also operated through a United Way partnership. Most direct functional peer to Help Network's 211 database and I&R service, though serving a different (adjacent) county.
• Community Counseling Center of Ashtabula County: Ashtabula County behavioral health nonprofit serving overlapping county with Help Network. Comparable as a county-level MH&RB-contracted mental health service provider; direct regional peer in Help Network's service territory.

Broad incumbents

• Mental Health America: National mental health advocacy and education nonprofit with affiliate network operating local chapters. Comparable as a mission-aligned mental health nonprofit, though primarily advocacy-oriented rather than direct crisis-line service delivery.
• National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Vibrant Emotional Health): National backbone administrator of the 988 Lifeline network (operated by Vibrant Emotional Health). Help Network operates as a local 988 center within this national network; comparable as a crisis infrastructure overseer at much broader scope.

Others

• NAMI Ohio / NAMI Mahoning Valley: State and local chapters of the National Alliance on Mental Illness providing support groups, education, and advocacy. Help Network is listed as an affiliated advocacy partner; comparable as a mission-aligned behavioral health nonprofit in overlapping service area, though operating in support/advocacy rather than crisis delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/trumbullcountyohsuicidepreventioncoalition
• Xx.com/helpnetworkneo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/help-network-of-northeast-ohio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Help Network of Northeast Ohio