Helping Celebrate Abilities

What Helping Celebrate Abilities does

Helping Celebrate Abilities (HCA), legally The Handicapped Children's Association of Southern Tier, Inc., is a New York nonprofit human services organization founded in 1947 and headquartered in Johnson City, NY. HCA provides a comprehensive continuum of disability support services across Broome County through four programs: Children's Services (integrated preschool programs including Building Blocks Preschool and Universal Pre-K, developmental evaluations, early intervention), Residential Services (15 Individualized Residential Alternative homes providing 24-hour support, operational since April 2000), Community Support Services (respite, habilitation, employment services including ETP/SEMP/Prevoc, self-directed services, and Social Care Network navigation), and Clinic/Therapy Services (physical, occupational, and speech therapy plus behavioral health services under Article 16 Clinic). The organization is an authorized OPWDD provider and serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan.

HCA operates on a managed-services revenue model funded primarily through New York State Medicaid, the OPWDD Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver, and NYS OPWDD programs, with revenue tied to authorized service hours and Medicaid reimbursement rates. Diversifying revenue streams include preschool tuition ($290/month for 1-3 sessions weekly, $415/month for 4-5 sessions weekly, $175 per two-week summer session) for private-pay families, Universal Pre-K funded by Johnson City School District, grants (e.g., IBM STEM grant for Building Blocks Preschool), and donations from fundraising events (annual golf tournament, Matthews Walk A Thon, Polar Plunge), corporate sponsors (Peoples Security Bank and Trust, BAE Systems), and individual donors. Customer segments include OPWDD-eligible individuals, children ages 0-5 with developmental delays, families/caregivers, and Medicaid-eligible adults requiring behavioral health services.

The organization has no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is built on trained clinical and direct-care staff operating across five locations in Johnson City, Binghamton, and Endicott. Go-to-market is community-led: referrals from school districts (Johnson City, Union-Endicott), county health departments, OPWDD, and direct-to-consumer intake. Recent strategic activity includes the February 2026 opening of a new Clinton Street facility consolidating Finance, HR, and Quality Assurance; entry into New York's Social Care Network for Medicaid HRSN navigation; and expansion of UPK partnerships with two school districts. HCA is governed by a Board of Directors led by Catherine Ryan (Board President) with executive leadership from Executive Director Lisa Kost and CFO Theresa Deane.

Name

Helping Celebrate Abilities

Legal name

The Handicapped Children's Association of Southern Tier, Inc.

Website

https://hcaserves.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Helping Celebrate Abilities is a Broome County, NY-based nonprofit providing residential, clinical, educational, and community support services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1947, it operates 15 IRA homes and is an authorized OPWDD/Medicaid provider serving children through adults.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human Services for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Child and Youth Services (62411), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) Coordination & Case Management (HSABAIAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Therapy-Integrated Childcare Support (coordination with OT/PT/SLP/ABA) (HSAAAIAM)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Residential support services
• Community habilitation services
• Clinic therapy services
• Early childhood intervention

Headquarters

HQ city

Johnson City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Medicaid and OPWDD-Funded Services: HCA's core services (residential, community support, habilitation, respite, employment services, clinic/therapy) are funded through New York State Medicaid, OPWDD's HCBS waiver, and NYS OPWDD programs. Revenue is recurring based on authorized service hours and Medicaid reimbursement rates.
2. Preschool Tuition: Building Blocks Preschool charges tuition for typically developing peers (private pay). Universal Pre-K is funded by the Johnson City School District (free to families). Summer sessions are priced at $175 per two-week session; school year rates are $290/month (1-3x/week) or $415/month (4-5x/week).
3. Grants and Donations: HCA receives grant funding (e.g., IBM grant for STEM programming at Building Blocks Preschool) and individual donations to support programs and capital improvements.
4. Donations and Fundraising Events: The organization conducts regular fundraising including an annual golf tournament, a 2021 50K for 50 donations campaign, and receives individual donations such as Kathy Corse's $500 book donation. These are non-recurring revenue sources.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Helping Celebrate Abilities (HCA) is a nonprofit human services organization that provides a coordinated continuum of disability support services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in New York's Southern Tier. Its core offerings are organized into four programs: Children's Services (integrated preschool, Universal Pre-K, developmental evaluations, early intervention), Residential Services (24-hour support in 15 IRA homes), Community Support Services (respite, habilitation, employment, self-directed services, Social Care Network navigation), and Clinic/Therapy Services (PT, OT, speech, and behavioral health). Most services are funded through NYS Medicaid and OPWDD's HCBS Waiver and delivered under OPWDD regulatory authorization.

Product overview

Helping Celebrate Abilities (HCA) is a human services organization, not a technology product company. It provides a coordinated portfolio of disability support services across four core programs: Children's Services (preschool programs, developmental evaluations), Residential Services (15 IRA homes), Community Support Services (respite, habilitation, employment, self-directed services, Social Care Network), and Clinic/Therapy Services (physical, occupational, speech therapy, and behavioral health). The organization operates under OPWDD (Office for People With Developmental Disabilities) regulations and serves Broome County, NY. This is a service delivery organization, not a software or technology product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Children's Services Educational and developmental services including integrated preschool programs (Building Blocks Preschool, Universal Pre-Kindergarten), developmental evaluations, and early intervention services for children with special needs ages 0-5 in the Broome County region.
• Residential Services 24-hour residential support delivered through 15 Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA) homes throughout Broome County, providing a supportive family atmosphere with hands-on care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Community Support Services Includes site-based and home-based respite, habilitation services, employment services (ETP, SEMP, Prevoc), self-directed services, and Social Care Network navigation for Medicaid-eligible individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
• Clinic / Therapy Services Clinical therapy services including Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Pathology, and Behavioral Health Services (Article 16 Clinic Mental Health Counseling and Behavior Supports) for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Johnson City School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025HCA partners with the Johnson City School District to provide integrated Universal Pre-K classrooms at Broad Street and Linnaeus W. West site in Endicott. The school district funds the program, making it free for families whose children are 4 years old before December 1.
• Union-Endicott School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025HCA partners with the Union-Endicott School District to provide Universal Pre-K at the Linnaeus W. West School site for children age 4 turning 5 after December 1. The program is free and runs 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
• Binghamton University - College of Community and Public AffairsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025HCA welcomes students from Binghamton University's College of Community and Public Affairs Program through the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development. HCA staff who graduated from Binghamton University share their experience with current students.
• Glenwood BOCESminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfterschool respite services are provided by HCA at the Glenwood BOCES site, with hours from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This partnership enables HCA to serve families in the school district setting.
• BAE Systems Electronic SystemsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBAE Systems Electronic Systems supported HCA's Thanksgiving food drive, which provided meals to 11 families. BAE Systems' corporate giving supports community programs served by HCA.
• IBMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrant funding from IBM enabled Building Blocks Preschool students to participate in STEM Day activities highlighting science, technology, engineering, math, and more.
• Social Care Network / Care CompasscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCA is part of the Social Care Network (SCN) connecting New York Medicaid recipients to vital resources through Social Care Navigators. The SCN addresses Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) including nutrition, housing, and transportation.
• Peoples Security Bank and TrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor of HCA's 23rd Annual Golf Tournament (August 2025) held at The Links at Hiawatha Landing. Corporate sponsorship supports HCA's fundraising efforts.
• Special OlympicsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHCA's Polar Plunge team raised over $1,500 to support local Special Olympics in November 2025. Partnership supports athletes with intellectual disabilities in the local community.
• Matthews Walk A ThonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHCA participated in Matthews Walk A Thon in October 2025, raising $9,660. The annual walkathon is a community fundraising event supporting HCA's mission.
• Kathy Corse (Author)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAuthor Kathy Corse donates $2 to HCA for every copy of her book 'All That I Had' sold, presenting HCA with a $500 check. This ongoing individual donor partnership supports HCA's programs.
• Butcher BoysminorGTM or Marketing PartnerButcher Boys participated in HCA's Thanksgiving food drive alongside BAE Systems and HCA staff members, providing meals to 11 families.
• CP StatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCA participates in CP State's advocacy initiatives and annual conferences, linking to CP State's advocacy resources at cpstate.org for policy initiatives at local, state, and federal levels.
• SANYS (Self-Advocacy Association of New York State)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCA links to SANYS (sanys.org) as a self-advocacy resource, supporting the belief that all people have the right to make choices for themselves and responsibly live their lives.
• NACDD (National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCA links to NACDD's self-advocacy resources (nacdd.org), supporting individuals with developmental disabilities in developing confidence and independence.
• OPWDD (Office for People With Developmental Disabilities)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCA is an authorized OPWDD provider delivering services funded through NYS OPWDD, the HCBS waiver, and Medicaid. OPWDD eligibility is required for most HCA services. HCA also links to OPWDD self-advocacy and family resource pages.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• YAI (Young Adult Institute): YAI is one of the largest NY State OPWDD-authorized providers of residential, community, and clinical services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Directly comparable to HCA in service mix (residential, day, clinic, early childhood) and payer base (NYS Medicaid/OPWDD), though at substantially greater scale (NYC-based, multi-thousand employees).
• Hamaspik: Hamaspik is a NY State-based nonprofit providing OPWDD-funded residential, community habilitation, respite, and clinic services for individuals with IDD. Comparable to HCA in OPWDD service portfolio and Medicaid reimbursement model, with a broader downstate NY footprint.
• Heritage Christian Services: Heritage Christian Services is a Rochester, NY-based nonprofit providing OPWDD-licensed residential, day, employment, and clinical services for individuals with IDD. Closely comparable to HCA in service portfolio, OPWDD reimbursement model, and upstate NY footprint.
• The Arc New York: The Arc New York is a statewide network of affiliated chapters providing OPWDD-funded residential, day, employment, and family support services for people with IDD. Comparable to HCA in mission, OPWDD-funded service structure, and Chapter-level geographic anchoring (HCA mirrors an Arc Chapter footprint in Broome County).
• Springbrook NY: Springbrook NY is a Central NY (Oneonta area) OPWDD-licensed nonprofit providing residential, day, education, and therapy services for individuals with IDD. Comparable to HCA as an upstate NY IDD nonprofit serving a similar rural/small-city footprint with similar service lines.
• Greystone Programs: Greystone Programs is a Hudson Valley (NY) OPWDD-licensed nonprofit providing IRA residential, day, employment, and clinical services for individuals with IDD. Comparable to HCA in service model, Medicaid/OPWDD funding mix, and nonprofit governance structure.
• People Inc. People Inc. is a Western NY nonprofit providing residential, clinical, community, and early childhood services for individuals with IDD under OPWDD and NYS Medicaid funding. Direct comparable to HCA in service mix and payer structure, with a larger scale and broader geographic footprint in the Buffalo region.
• ADAPT Community Network: ADAPT Community Network is a NY-based nonprofit providing residential, day, clinical, and community services for individuals with IDD and other disabilities. Comparable to HCA in OPWDD service mix and Medicaid funding basis, though serving a larger NYC/downstate catchment.
• Kelberman Center: Kelberman Center is an Utica/Syracuse-area OPWDD provider delivering residential, clinical, community habilitation, and day services for individuals with IDD. Comparable to HCA as a mid-sized upstate NY OPWDD nonprofit with a similar continuum-of-care model.

Emerging players

• Ability Beyond: Ability Beyond is a CT/NY-based nonprofit providing residential, day, employment, and clinical services for individuals with IDD and other disabilities. Comparable to HCA in IDD service mix and Medicaid/HCBS funding reliance, though more concentrated in CT and the Hudson Valley.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HelpingCelebrateAbilities
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/helpingcelebrateabilities
• Instagraminstagram.com/helpingcelebrateabilities

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 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 Helping Celebrate Abilities