What ABiLITY does

ABiLITY (legally ABiLITY, Dsfc Inc., d/b/a Developmental Services of Franklin County) is a Missouri-registered nonprofit organization founded in 2016 and headquartered at 530 South Main Street, St. Clair, Missouri. It provides a coordinated portfolio of six programs — Residential services, Early Intervention, the Life Opportunity Program (LifeOps), Community Supports, Transportation, and Recreation — to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) exclusively in Franklin County, Missouri. The organization operates adult day program locations in Union (existing) and Washington (opening July 2026), employs 51-100 staff, and is led by Executive Director Lori Schaedler with a board chaired by Aaron Griesheimer.

The organization's core technology layer is the Therap Services case management platform (Provider Code DSFC-MO), which stores service records, tracks goal progress, and enables individuals and families to view plans and digitally sign annual PCSP documents via the Therap Access Portal. The organization maintains HIPAA-compliant privacy practices (effective February 16, 2026) with Teresa Barylski as Privacy Officer, and its transportation services operate under ADA and Title VI compliance. Operations are delivered through in-person, center-based, and community-based models; marketing and family outreach rely on the organization's own website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and email newsletters.

Revenue is sourced from three streams: government contracts and grants (federal/state IDD programs, including Medicaid HCBS waivers), donations and charitable contributions (including the Life Enhancement Fund), and corporate sponsorships from local businesses underwriting events such as the 2024 'Old West' fundraiser. Pricing is not publicly disclosed because services are funded indirectly rather than through direct client payments. The Life Enhancement Fund supplements core services by funding personal goals, specialized equipment, recreational trips, and everyday needs. ABiLITY's growth strategy is currently focused on expanding service capacity within Franklin County, exemplified by the planned July 2026 opening of its second LifeOps location in Washington.

Name

ABiLITY

Legal name

ABiLITY, Dsfc Inc.

Website

https://abilityds.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ABiLITY is a Franklin County, Missouri-based nonprofit providing residential, early intervention, adult day, community support, transportation, and recreation services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, funded through government contracts, donations, and sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Developmental Disability Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Schools & Life Skills Programs (EDAKAAAD)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Residential support services
• Early intervention programs
• Community based supports
• Disability day programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Clair

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts and Grants: As a nonprofit organization providing developmental services, ABiLITY likely receives funding through government contracts and grants from federal and state programs serving individuals with developmental disabilities.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The Life Enhancement Fund provides extra support funded through donations to help individuals meet personal goals, access essential resources, obtain specialized equipment, and receive assistance with everyday needs.
3. Sponsorships: Local businesses and organizations sponsor ABiLITY events and programs, contributing financial and in-kind support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ABiLITY provides direct human services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Franklin County, Missouri through six core programs: Residential homes, Early Intervention for young children, the Life Opportunity (LifeOps) adult day program, Community Supports for community integration, Transportation, and Recreation. Services are delivered in person at program locations in St. Clair, Union, and (opening July 2026) Washington, Missouri, and are supported by the Life Enhancement Fund and the Therap Access digital platform for secure documentation and family/guardian communication.

Product overview

ABiLITY is a non-profit organization offering developmental services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The organization operates as a unified service provider offering multiple interconnected programs: Residential services providing homes, Early Intervention for early support, Life Opportunity (LifeOps) for adult day services, Community Supports for community integration, Transportation for accessibility, and Recreation for leisure activities. These programs are supported by a Life Enhancement Fund for supplementary needs and a digital service platform called Therap Access for secure record-keeping and communication. The portfolio functions as a comprehensive, coordinated care ecosystem where individuals can receive services across multiple programs tailored to their needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Program Provides safe, comfortable, and nurturing homes where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can be themselves, with ongoing residential support.
• Early Intervention Provides early support and guidance to young children with developmental disabilities to lay the foundation for future development.
• Life Opportunity Program (LifeOps) Adult day program where individuals with developmental disabilities learn new skills, build friendships, pursue goals, and contribute through interactive curriculum, community outings, and volunteering, delivered at Union and Washington, Missouri locations.
• Community Supports Community-based services helping individuals with developmental disabilities feel connected and valued within their local communities.
• Transportation Services Transportation services ensuring individuals with developmental disabilities can access the places and experiences that matter to them, operating in compliance with ADA and Title VI.
• Recreation Program Provides fun and leisure activities supporting a well-rounded and fulfilling life for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Life Enhancement Fund Provides extra support to individuals in Early Intervention, Community Supports, Residential, Recreation, and Life Opportunity programs to meet personal goals, access essential resources, obtain specialized equipment, attend recreational trips, or receive assistance with everyday needs, funded through charitable donations.
• Therap Access Secure online system used by ABiLITY to store service and support information, enabling individuals and their families/guardians to log in to view progress on goals, plan information, sign annual Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP) documents, review notes, and send messages to their support team.

Quantifiable outcome

• Life Ops participants contribute hundreds of hours of volunteering each year to their communities.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AndersminorOthersAnders (accounting firm) is a sponsor of ABiLITY's 2024 'Old West' fundraising event. As a sponsor, they provide financial support for the organization's programs and services.
• Havin MaterialminorOthersHavin Material is a sponsor of ABiLITY's 2024 'Old West' fundraising event, supporting the organization's mission and programs.
• Hainline Heritage Charitable FoundationminorOthersHainline Heritage Charitable Foundation is a sponsor of ABiLITY's 2024 'Old West' fundraising event, contributing to support for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• SDS LaserminorOthersSDS Laser is a sponsor of ABiLITY's 2024 'Old West' fundraising event.
• Kuenzel (Eckelkamp Kuenzel)minorOthersKuenzel (Eckelkamp Kuenzel) is a sponsor of ABiLITY's 2024 'Old West' fundraising event.
• ABC-DSminorOthersABC-DS is a sponsor of ABiLITY's 2024 'Old West' fundraising event.
• ABL (Washington University AnCES Lab)minorOthersABL (Washington University AnCES Lab) is a sponsor of ABiLITY's 2024 'Old West' fundraising event.
• NOC (National Organization for Consumers)minorOthersNOC is a sponsor of ABiLITY's 2024 'Old West' fundraising event.
• NRX NeighborhoodminorOthersNRX Neighborhood is a sponsor of ABiLITY's 2024 'Old West' fundraising event, focusing on IDD community support.
• Therap ServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationTherap is the secure online case management system used by ABiLITY to store information about services and supports. Individuals and families can log in to view progress on goals, plan information, and sign documents. Provider Code is DSFC-MO.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Sevita Health: One of the largest US providers of home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, operating residential, day programs, and community support services. Directly comparable operating model to ABiLITY's wraparound IDD service mix.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services across the lifespan including autism, IDD, early intervention, day programs, and community supports. Shares ABiLITY's program mix and community-based, county/regional delivery model.
• RHA Health Services: Multi-state provider of residential, supported living, day, and community services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs. Closely comparable service portfolio and IDD-focused mission.
• The Arc of the United States: National federation of chapters providing direct services and advocacy for individuals with IDD, including residential, day, employment, and community-living supports. Structurally similar nonprofit model with local-chapter delivery akin to ABiLITY.
• Community Options, Inc. National nonprofit operating residential homes, day programs, employment supports, and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable wraparound IDD service model.

Others

• National Disability Institute: National nonprofit focused on financial inclusion, benefits planning, and economic empowerment for people with disabilities. Thematically adjacent to ABiLITY's mission; not a direct service competitor but a related ecosystem organization in the IDD space.
• Missouri Department of Mental Health - Division of Developmental Disabilities: State agency that administers the HCBS waivers and contracts through which ABiLITY is primarily funded. Not a peer in the operating sense, but the dominant funder/regulator shaping ABiLITY's service model and reimbursement.

Broad incumbents

• Help at Home: National provider of personal care and home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and aging populations. Overlaps with ABiLITY's Community Supports and Transportation programs but at much greater scale and multi-state reach.
• BrightSpring Health Services: A large diversified home and community-based services platform serving IDD populations (among others) including residential, day, and behavioral health. Comparable in IDD service lines but operates across many states and at substantially greater scale than ABiLITY.
• BAYADA Home Health Care: Large national provider of personal care, home health, and disability services including IDD-focused programs (pediatrics, adult home care). Overlaps with ABiLITY on community/personal supports but operates at greater scale and across broader populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ABiLITY5801
• Facebookfacebook.com/abilitydsfc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/developmental-services-of-franklin-county/mycompany
• Instagraminstagram.com/abilitydsfc
• Xx.com/abilitydsfcinc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 ABiLITY