Marcfirst High School

What Marcfirst High School does

Lifelong Access (formerly MARC, renamed Marc Center in 1980, Marcfirst in 2007, and Lifelong Access in 2023) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded on November 18, 1955 in Normal, Illinois, that provides person-centered services and supports to individuals with disabilities, mental health needs, or both across the lifespan. Its service portfolio spans Kids Services (Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, Early Intervention, High School Transition, Pathways to Success, and Pediatric Therapies including Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Therapy, and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy) and Adult Services (Behavioral Health Clinic, Supported Living via 24-Hour and Intermittent Community Integrated Living Arrangements, Community Day Services, CARF-accredited Supported Employment, Adult ABA, the Adult Activities Program, and Dungeons & Dragons Group Therapy). Service delivery combines in-clinic, in-home, and virtual sessions across three physical locations (Normal HQ, Bartonville/Peoria clinic opened April 2025, and the Gregg Chadwick Lifelong Access Pediatric Therapy Center on the Carle BroMenn Medical Center campus), with a Care Collective hub under construction at the historic Pantagraph Building in Downtown Bloomington.

The underlying "technology" is a coordinated, multi-disciplinary clinical and case-management platform rather than a software product: BCBAs and Registered Behavior Technicians deliver ABA with individualized treatment plans; licensed PT/OT/Speech therapists collaborate across disciplines; case managers maintain Person-Centered Individual Service Plans for CILA residents; telehealth/virtual session infrastructure supports remote delivery; and Leo's Library distributes downloadable visual supports (token boards, core boards, visual schedules, functions of behavior) to families. The organization holds CARF 3-year accreditation for Supported Employment, complies with HIPAA privacy obligations, and maintains State of Illinois licensing for all pediatric therapists.

Revenue is generated through insurance reimbursements (Aetna, Aetna Better Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Alliance, Humana, Medicaid, Meridian, Molina, Tri-Care, YouthCare), private-pay, state agency contracts (Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services), large-scale state grants (notably a $21.7M Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Grant from Illinois HFS in December 2024), individual donations (GEM Circle monthly, 1955 Legacy Society at $25K+ gifts or $100K+ cumulative), planned giving/asset donations, fundraising events (Doug Collins Golf Classic, A D'Vine Affair, Bowl-A-Thon), and community-led third-party fundraisers. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer for families and a direct-to-payer model for institutional funders, supported by 200+ professionals serving McLean and Peoria Counties and surrounding Central Illinois communities.

Name

Marcfirst High School

Legal name

Lifelong Access (formerly incorporated as MARC on November 18, 1955)

Website

https://lifelongaccess.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Lifelong Access (formerly Marcfirst) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1955 in Normal, Illinois, delivering person-centered disability, behavioral-health, supported-living, and pediatric therapy services across the lifespan to families and individuals in Central Illinois.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Behavioral Health Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Benefits Counseling & Financial Literacy for Transition-Age Youth (EDAKANAJ), Post-Diagnosis Transition & Hospital-to-Home Dementia Support (HSABAEAL), Continuous Home Care (Crisis Hospice) (HSABAFAB)

Keywords

• Disability services
• Behavioral health services
• Pediatric therapy services
• Supported employment programs
• Community living support

Headquarters

HQ city

Normal

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Insurance Reimbursements: Reimbursement from private insurance (Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Alliance, Humana, Tri-Care, YouthCare) and public payers (Aetna Better Health, Medicaid, Meridian, Molina) for ABA therapy, mental health counseling, and pediatric therapies.
2. Private Pay Services: Direct out-of-pocket payment accepted for ABA therapy and mental health services in Peoria County, in addition to insurance billing.
3. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions via online donation portal, monthly GEM Circle recurring giving, and 1955 Legacy Society ($25,000+ gifts or cumulative $100,000+ giving or bequests); tax ID 92-3684670.
4. Government Grants: Large-scale public grants including a $21.7 million Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Grant from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, plus other grant funding supporting CILA living spaces and behavioral health environments.
5. State Agency Contracts: Contracts with the Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), the state's leading agency serving individuals with disabilities, funding Supported Employment services.
6. Fundraising Events & Sponsorships: Annual Doug Collins Golf Classic with tiered sponsorships from $150 to $10,000 (raising over $80,000 in the previous year), A D'Vine Affair dinner/auction gala, Bowl-A-Thon, dine-to-donate events, and third-party community fundraisers.
7. Planned Giving & Asset Donations: Bequests, IRA distributions/RMDs, Charitable Rollover/Qualified Charitable Distribution, gifts of stocks/securities, real estate/farmland, and life insurance/retirement plan beneficiary designations.
8. Community-Led Fundraisers: Third-party hosted fundraisers (e.g., Nothing Bundt Cakes Hop Your Buns Off 5K) where community partners organize events that benefit the organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Core offering

Lifelong Access (formerly Marcfirst) provides person-centered services and supports to individuals with disabilities, mental health needs, or both, across the lifespan. The core offering is a coordinated portfolio of clinical and human services including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, pediatric physical/occupational/speech therapies, Early Intervention, Behavioral Health Clinic services, Supported Living (CILA) housing, Community Day Services, Supported Employment, and the High School Transition Program, delivered in-clinic, in-home, and virtually across McLean and Peoria Counties in Central Illinois.

Product overview

Lifelong Access (formerly Marcfirst/MARC, renamed in 2023) operates a unified, integrated platform of person-centered services and supports for individuals with disabilities, mental health needs, or both, across the lifespan. The offering is a portfolio of coordinated programs rather than a single product: it spans Kids Services (Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy, Early Intervention, High School Transition, Pathways to Success, and Pediatric Therapies — including Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Therapy, and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy), Adult Services (Behavioral Health Clinic, Supported Living CILA housing, Community Day Services, Supported Employment, Adult ABA, the Adult Activities Program, and Dungeons & Dragons Group Therapy), and expanding regional operations such as the Pediatric Services clinic in Peoria County. Underpinning these programs are physical centers including the Gregg Chadwick Lifelong Access Pediatric Therapy Center on the Carle BroMenn Medical Center campus and the forthcoming Care Collective community hub in the historic Pantagraph Building in Downtown Bloomington, plus community resources such as Leo's Library and the LEO'S IMPACT Autism Awareness Expo. The portfolio is delivered by a team of over 200 dedicated professionals across McLean and Peoria Counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gregg Chadwick Lifelong Access Pediatric Therapy Center: Pediatric therapy facility located at 1302 Franklin Ave, Suite L500, Normal, IL 61761 on the Carle BroMenn Medical Center campus.
• Leo's Library Fund
• 1955 Legacy Society
• GEM (Give Every Month) Circle
• SPICE (Services for Parent Infant & Child Education)

Products and services

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy for Kids Evidence-based, play-focused therapy for children on the autism spectrum that closes gaps in learning and helps kids develop social, emotional, communication, and daily living skills while reducing challenging behaviors. Delivered by Registered Behavior Technicians under BCBA supervision with sensory gym access.
• Early Intervention Services Illinois Early Intervention program services for families with children from birth to three with diagnosed disabilities, developmental delays, or substantial risk of significant delays. Lifelong Access Pediatric Therapy is the largest provider of Therapy Services in Early Intervention in McLean County.
• High School Transition Program Program for high school students with disabilities focused on transforming personal goals into actionable steps for adult life through student activities and family support. Builds skills for meaningful purpose, independence, and possibilities.
• Pathways to Success Program for children and adolescents (ages 21 and under) with complex mental health needs enrolled in Medicaid or Health Choice Plans. Includes Therapeutic Mentoring (one-on-one social skills mentoring) and Family Peer Support (caregiver support led by trained Family Peer Supporters).
• Pediatric Therapies (PT, OT, Speech, PCIT) Integrated pediatric therapy services for children from birth to age eighteen, including Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Therapy, and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) provided by State of Illinois licensed therapists in individual and group sessions.
• Behavioral Health Clinic Mental health services for children, adolescents, adults, and families regardless of diagnosis, with specialty in supporting individuals experiencing co-occurring mental health and intellectual/developmental disabilities. Offers Integrated Assessment and Treatment Planning, Therapeutic Counseling, Community Support, Case Management, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, and Group Counseling delivered in-person, virtually, hybrid, and in-home.
• Supported Living (CILA) Community Integrated Living Arrangements throughout the Bloomington-Normal area offering two models: 24-Hour CILA (constant staff support in shared homes/duplexes with private bedrooms for groups of 4-8) and Intermittent CILA (autonomous apartment living with scheduled staff visits for medication management, appointments, budgeting, and community outings).
• Community Day Services Services for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities focusing on development and enhancement of daily adaptive living skills and economic self-sufficiency. Includes Community Day Services (formerly Developmental Training), Lifelong Friends (friendship, skills, and creative arts program), and related day programming.
• Supported Employment CARF 3-year accredited job development and job facilitation program for individuals 18+ with a high school diploma and proof of diagnosis. Pairs job seekers with Job Facilitators for resume creation, job searching, mock interviews, interview support, onboarding, and ongoing customized support. Funded by Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS).
• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for Adults Behavioral Management Program supporting adults with developmental disabilities in supported living and developmental training programs. Assists with social and daily living skills and decreasing maladaptive behaviors via positive, evidence-based interventions and individualized behavior programs led by BCBAs.
• Adult Activities Program Activity opportunities for adults including Wellness (gym memberships via partnership with Carle Health & Fitness Center), ACT — Access the Community Together (community-based recreation for supported living residents), and C.I.A. — Change to Independence Altogether (self-advocacy group, established 2009).
• Dungeons & Dragons Group Therapy An innovative, story-driven group therapy using the 5th Edition of Dungeons & Dragons as a creative clinical framework for ages 17+, 2 hours per week, small groups of 3-6 participants over a 24-week commitment. Led by licensed behavioral health professionals to build social skills, confidence, and emotional insight.
• Pediatric Services — Peoria County Pediatric clinic at 4128 S. Airport Road in Bartonville offering ABA Therapy for children ages 2-18 with autism and Mental Health Counseling (individual, family, group) for children, adolescents, adults, and families. Services offered in-home, in-center, and virtually. Accepts private insurance, Medicaid, and private pay.
• Care Collective Community Hub (Pantagraph Building) One-stop support services hub at 301 West Washington Street in Downtown Bloomington (former Pantagraph building), funded by a $21.7M Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Grant. Collaboration between Lifelong Access, Chestnut Health Systems, Regional Office of Education, and other local nonprofits; primarily focused on youth services including outpatient adolescent mental health and substance use treatment, alternative youth education, ABA therapy, behavioral health and psychiatric services, community day services, pediatric health and dental care, and food security programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• $21.7 million Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Grant awarded (December 2024)
• +5 more outcomes

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Sevita Health (formerly The MENTOR Network): Large national provider of home and community-based services for adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including residential, day, behavioral health, and supported employment. Directly comparable service portfolio to Lifelong Access's adult IDD services.
• AHRC New York City: Large non-profit serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across New York City, including early intervention, special education, day habilitation, residential, employment, and behavioral health services. Comparable integrated lifespan IDD service portfolio.
• BrightSpring Health Services: Public company providing home and community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, behavioral health, and pharmacy services. Closest for-profit peer to Lifelong Access's CILA residential, ABA, and behavioral health service mix, though operating at national scale with thousands of clients.
• Penn-Mar Human Services: Non-profit providing lifespan services (children's services, adult day programs, residential, employment, behavioral health) to people with intellectual disabilities and autism. Closely comparable integrated regional non-profit model with similar service mix to Lifelong Access.
• RISE Services: Non-profit providing home and community-based services for people with disabilities across multiple states, including residential, day services, employment, ABA, and behavioral health. Comparable multi-state regional IDD service provider with similar program structure to Lifelong Access.
• Mosaic: Non-profit provider of services for people with intellectual disabilities across multiple states, including residential, day programs, employment, behavioral health, and pediatric therapies. Highly comparable lifespan service model and regional non-profit operating approach.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: National non-profit federation providing disability and behavioral health services across the lifespan (autism, early intervention, employment, adult day services). Comparable in mission and service mix to Lifelong Access, but operates at significantly larger national scale rather than a single regional anchor.
• The Arc of the United States: National federation serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through advocacy and direct services including residential, day programs, employment, and family support. Highly comparable to Lifelong Access's adult IDD programs (CILA, community day services, supported employment).
• UCP (United Cerebral Palsy): National organization providing direct services and advocacy for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, including residential, therapy, assistive technology, and community living programs. Comparable lifespan disability services model, though operating across many affiliates rather than a single integrated regional provider.

Emerging players

• Centerstone: Non-profit behavioral health and IDD services provider across multiple states, including therapy, case management, supported employment, and community-based services. Directly comparable in behavioral health clinic and supported employment programs to Lifelong Access, particularly relevant given their partnership on the Care Collective hub.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LifelongAccess
• Xx.com/marcfirst

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Marcfirst High School