Hope Haven

What Hope Haven does

Hope Haven is a Jacksonville, Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1926 that delivers integrated neurodevelopmental assessments, inclusive education, therapies, mental health counseling, and employment transition services to children and young adults (ages 1–22) with developmental disabilities and their families. From its single campus at 4600 Beach Boulevard, the organization serves approximately 3,500 families annually across Northeast Florida, with mental health counseling and educational advocacy offered virtually nationwide. Service lines include the Discovery School inclusive preschool (236 days/year, 5:1 student-teacher ratio), Hope After School, Camp Hope, Career Camps, Academic Intervention/Tutoring, Center for Educational Advocacy, and Employment & Transition Services including the Northeast Florida Project SEARCH site.

The organization's clinical and technical platform is built around comprehensive neurodevelopmental evaluation and intervention. Notable proprietary capabilities include the EarliPoint™ eye-tracking autism screening system — first deployed in Northeast Florida and capable of detecting early signs of autism in children as young as 16 months — and a Mixed Reality Training Lab paired with a contextualized coaching methodology for social and communication skills practice. Clinical staffing is anchored by a board-certified neuropsychologist (Allison Cato Jackson, PhD ABPP), licensed psychologists, board-certified behavior analysts, and licensed mental health counselors, supporting 439 evaluations per year and ongoing therapeutic programming.

Revenue mechanics blend fee-for-service clinical revenue (mental health counseling at $150 initial intake / $95 follow-up, tutoring and camp fees such as the $250 5-day FSA Boot Camp), recurring tuition (Hope After School at $595/month, Discovery School on annual billing with sliding-scale financial assistance and Family Empowerment Scholarship acceptance), and donation/grant funding typical of 501(c)(3) operations. Distribution is primarily direct-to-family via the Jacksonville campus and virtual channels, supplemented by school-based service partnerships (The Guardian Schools, Tiger Academy, Jewish Community Alliance), referral relationships with pediatricians and community organizations, and a multi-channel content marketing approach including blog, newsletter (Constant Contact), CEU workshops, and community events. The organization is governed by an independent Board of Directors with no parent company, private equity sponsor, or external ownership structure identified.

Name

Hope Haven

Legal name

Hope Haven

Website

https://hope-haven.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1926

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Hope Haven is a Jacksonville, Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1926 providing neurodevelopmental assessments, inclusive education, therapies, and employment transition services to children and young adults with developmental disabilities across Northeast Florida, serving approximately 3,500 families annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Developmental Disability Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Educational Services (611), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Rare Disease & Special Needs Support Organizations (BPAGACAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Transition-to-College/Independence Skills Tutoring for Learning Differences (EDANAFAJ)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Neurodevelopmental evaluations
• Special education programs
• Autism screening services
• Applied behavior analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Jacksonville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Mental Health Counseling Services: Private pay counseling services for individuals and families. Initial intake and evaluation at $150, follow-up therapy sessions at $95. Does not bill insurance directly but provides superbills for out-of-network reimbursement.
2. After School Program Fees: Monthly tuition for Hope After School program at $595/month. Financial assistance may be available for qualifying families.
3. Discovery School Tuition: Year-round inclusive early learning program (236 days/year) for children ages 3-5 with developmental differences. Accepts Family Empowerment Scholarship. Financial assistance available on sliding scale.
4. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Nonprofit organization dependent on donations and grants to fund programs and provide financial assistance to under-resourced families. Tax-deductible donations support sliding fee scale services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Hope Haven is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1926 that provides comprehensive neurodevelopmental, educational, therapeutic, and employment services for children, young adults, and families affected by autism, ADHD, learning differences, and developmental disabilities. Offerings include developmental evaluations (including EarliPoint eye-tracking autism screening), speech/occupational/physical therapy, ABA transition, an inclusive preschool (Discovery School), tutoring, after-school care, day camps, social skills groups, a mixed reality training lab, mental health counseling, educational advocacy, parenting classes, and Project SEARCH employment services delivered from its Jacksonville campus with select virtual delivery.

Product overview

Hope Haven is a nonprofit organization providing specialized services for individuals with neurodevelopmental challenges. The organization operates as a multi-service platform offering developmental evaluations (including EarliPoint™ eye-tracking autism screening), educational programs (Discovery School preschool, academic intervention/tutoring, educational advocacy), therapeutic services (mental health counseling, social skills groups), and transition services (employment services, career camps). The portfolio spans early intervention for ages 1-5, school-age services for ages 6-12, teen and young adult programs for ages 13-22, and adult services. Key programs include the inclusive Discovery School, Camp Hope, Career Camps, Mixed Reality Training Lab, and the Center for Educational Advocacy. The organization serves families throughout Northeast Florida from its Jacksonville campus, with some services (counseling and educational advocacy) available virtually nationwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Assessments & Evaluations

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 3,500 families annually with comprehensive services
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Vocational Rehabilitation partnership provides referral pathway for teens and adults with disabilities to access Hope Haven's career camps and employment services. VR referral required for Career Camp participation. Joint effort to provide job readiness training and supported employment.
• The Guardian SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool-based partnership bringing mental health counseling and social-emotional skill building directly to students on campus. Services provided at school to eliminate transportation barriers and increase accessibility.
• Tiger AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool-based partnership providing on-site counseling services and social-emotional programming. Partnership demonstrates Hope Haven's reach into diverse school settings across Jacksonville.
• Jewish Community AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership delivering mental health counseling and social skills services. Collaboration with JCA extends Hope Haven's services to more families in the Jacksonville community.
• Project SEARCHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational program partnership connecting individuals with disabilities with competitive employment through internship-based training. Hope Haven operates the Northeast Florida Project SEARCH site. Students complete three 9-week internships at host businesses.
• Books-A-MillionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost business for Project SEARCH internship placement. Matthew, a Hope Haven client, progressed from seasonal hire to valued bookseller at Books-A-Million through the employment program.
• Big Chief TireminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost business for Project SEARCH internship. J.R. secured permanent employment at Big Chief Tire after completing the Hope Academy - Project SEARCH program.
• Public Defender's OfficeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost business for Project SEARCH internship placement. Ryan has been employed at the Jacksonville Public Defender's Office for over 8 years following his Project SEARCH experience.
• Jumpin' Jax House of FoodminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal food service business providing employment opportunity for Hope Haven's employment services clients. Beth achieved her goal of independent living through her job at this establishment.
• Jacksonville UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership for special events. Jacksonville University hosted Guinness World Record water balloon fight event benefiting Hope Haven in March 2018.
• Keller Williams Realty Atlantic PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer and donation partner. Over 50 agents participated in RED Day renovation of Hope Haven facilities. Ongoing support for monthly birthday/holiday parties and back-to-school drives.
• University of PhoenixminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate donor providing new furniture for multi-purpose spaces and tutoring areas, enhancing student learning environment.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• The Arc: National nonprofit advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including education, employment, and family support. Comparable to Hope Haven's lifespan support model and emphasis on advocacy alongside direct service.
• Melmark: Nonprofit provider of special education schools, residential programs, and adult services for individuals with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities. Comparable integrated service model across lifespan.
• May Institute: Nonprofit provider of educational, therapeutic, and behavioral health services for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. Comparable service mix including schools, ABA, and adult services.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability and autism services including early intervention, therapy, education, and employment support. Highly comparable to Hope Haven's multi-service special needs model, with a far broader geographic footprint.

Regional players

• Florida Autism Center: Regional autism services provider in Florida offering ABA therapy and diagnostic evaluations. Comparable diagnostic and therapy offering to Hope Haven but without the integrated school, employment, and advocacy portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: Large nonprofit behavioral health organization operating across multiple states with services for children, adolescents, and adults with emotional, behavioral, and developmental disabilities. Broader scale and more residential focus than Hope Haven, but overlapping service categories.

Others

• JFK Partners / University of Colorado Center for Excellence: University-affiliated training and technical assistance center supporting children with developmental disabilities and their families, including early intervention and care navigation. Comparable mission area as an ecosystem partner rather than a direct service competitor.

Emerging players

• Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD): One of the largest autism service networks in the U.S., providing ABA therapy, diagnostic services, and social skills groups. More focused on ABA delivery than Hope Haven's broader educational and therapeutic portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hopehavenjax

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 Hope Haven