Options & Advocacy for McHenry County

What Options & Advocacy for McHenry County does

Options & Advocacy for McHenry County (O&A) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1994 and headquartered in Crystal Lake, Illinois, that delivers a coordinated suite of human services to McHenry County residents across the lifespan. The organization operates seven interconnected programs: Child & Family Connections (CFC) #25, the state-designated point of entry for Illinois Early Intervention services for children under 36 months; Helping Us Grow (HUG), a free home-visiting program for expecting parents and families with children ages 0–3; the Autism Resource Center (ARC), supporting individuals on the autism spectrum and their families; Neuro Inclusive Counseling (NIC), providing individual, family, and group therapy for neurodiverse individuals; the Early Childhood Network (ECN), a community collaboration O&A leads for children birth to age five; the Stefanie Sullivan Joyful Arts Program, offering art instruction to teens and young adults with developmental challenges; and a portfolio of support groups for caregivers and autistic individuals.

The underlying delivery model is human-services based rather than technology-based. Services are delivered in natural environments (homes, community settings, the Crystal Lake office) and coordinated through a centralized phone and online-referral intake system. The technology surface is limited to a Wix-hosted website, standard social media channels (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook), and standard office systems; no proprietary platform, mobile app, or AI capability is documented. HIPAA compliance is maintained through published agency policies.

O&A's revenue mechanics combine three streams: (1) government contracts from the Illinois Division of Developmental Disabilities and McHenry County for Early Intervention service coordination (the largest and most mission-critical stream); (2) private donations and corporate sponsorships from a recurring roster including the Foglia Foundation, Kunes, Streamwood Hospital, Cornerstone Bank, Crystal Lake Wintrust Bank, Uline, Expert Roofing, and others, supplemented by annual fundraising events (Charity Golf Outing and Gala); and (3) insurance reimbursement for NIC therapy services under Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Cigna. Most programs are offered at no cost or on a sliding-scale basis to families. The organization is governed by an independent board, has no parent company, and is not venture-backed.

Name

Options & Advocacy for McHenry County

Legal name

Options & Advocacy for McHenry County

Website

https://optionsandadvocacy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Options & Advocacy for McHenry County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, founded in 1994 and based in Crystal Lake, Illinois, that delivers early intervention, autism support, home visiting, neuro-inclusive counseling, arts programming, and support groups to McHenry County children, adults, and families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Autism & Neurodevelopmental Early Intervention Programs (EDACAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Early Intervention (Educational) (EDAKAKAB), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Pediatric Rehabilitation & Developmental Therapy Centers (PT/OT/SLP) (HLAFAJAL)

Keywords

• Early intervention services
• Developmental disability support
• Autism resource services
• Home visiting programs
• Mental health counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

Crystal Lake

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (State and County): Primary revenue stream from Illinois state and McHenry County government funders. Includes Early Intervention service coordination funded through Illinois Division of Developmental Disabilities, and programs like Child & Family Connections.
2. Private Donations and Sponsorships: Relies on private donations and corporate sponsorships to supplement government funding. Multiple corporate sponsors listed including Foglia Foundation, Kunes, Streamwood Hospital, Cornerstone Bank, Crystal Lake Wintrust Bank, Uline, Expert Roofing, and others. Fundraising events include annual Golf Outing and Gala.
3. Insurance Reimbursement: Neuro Inclusive Counseling accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Cigna insurance plans. Early Intervention services can be paid by family's health insurance, government insurance (All Kids), and program funds with families contributing via sliding scale fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Options & Advocacy for McHenry County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that delivers a coordinated suite of human services programs for McHenry County, Illinois residents. Its core offerings include Early Intervention service coordination through Child & Family Connections (CFC) #25 for children under 36 months, free home visiting through Helping Us Grow (HUG), autism family support through the Autism Resource Center (ARC), and neurodiverse-affirming therapy through Neuro Inclusive Counseling (NIC).

Product overview

Options & Advocacy for McHenry County is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit agency providing a coordinated suite of social service programs for McHenry County residents. The organization operates as a unified service delivery model rather than a technology platform, offering seven interconnected programs: Child & Family Connections (CFC) provides Early Intervention service coordination for children under 36 months; Autism Resource Center (ARC) supports individuals on the autism spectrum; Helping Us Grow (HUG) offers free home visiting services for families with children 0-3; Neuro Inclusive Counseling (NIC) provides therapeutic mental health support; the Stefanie Sullivan Joyful Arts Program offers art classes for teens and young adults with developmental challenges; Early Childhood Network (ECN) facilitates community collaboration for families with young children; and Support Groups provide peer and caregiver community connections. These programs share common referral pathways, serve overlapping populations (children 0-5, families, individuals with disabilities), and are coordinated through a centralized intake system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Child & Family Connections (CFC): Early Intervention service coordination program for children under 36 months in McHenry County
• Helping Us Grow (HUG)
• Autism Resource Center (ARC)
• Neuro Inclusive Counseling (NIC)
• Early Childhood Network (ECN)
• Stefanie Sullivan Joyful Arts Program

Products and services

• Child & Family Connections (CFC)

Quantifiable outcome

• 50,000+ individuals served since 1994
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Foglia FoundationmajorOthersCorporate sponsor for Options & Advocacy programs and events. Listed prominently among sponsors on website homepage and at multiple events.
• KunesmajorOthersCorporate sponsor supporting O&A programs and fundraising events. Appears across multiple event sponsorships.
• Streamwood HospitalcoreOthersHealthcare provider sponsor supporting O&A. Potential referral partner for behavioral health and developmental services.
• Cornerstone BankmajorOthersFinancial institution sponsor for O&A events and programs.
• Crystal Lake Wintrust BankmajorOthersLocal bank sponsor supporting community programs and events.
• UlinemajorOthersCorporate sponsor for O&A events and programs.
• Expert RoofingminorOthersLocal business sponsor for O&A events including gala sponsorship.
• McHenry County Mental Health BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDescribed as 'a central hub to learn about all of the services available in McHenry County related to mental health and development.' Listed as a key community resource partner.
• NISRA (Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides year-round recreation activities for people with disabilities. Listed as a community resource partner on O&A's resources page.
• Service, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent Service Coordination agency for McHenry County and entry point for all services through Illinois Division of Developmental Disabilities. Completes intakes and updates for PUNS.
• Gigi's PlayhouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDown syndrome awareness and educational center providing resources, specialized teaching, and support to individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
• Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIllinois Title V agency providing care coordination for families and children with special health care needs. Helps children with disabilities grow and develop.
• StarNet Region IIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport and technical assistance network providing training, assistance, and resources to parents of young children with special needs and professionals in McHenry County.
• Early Childhood Network (ECN) of McHenry CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-based collaboration led by O&A committed to ensuring a high-quality, well-coordinated system of care for children birth to age five and their families. Includes multiple member organizations.
• Illinois Division of Developmental DisabilitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency that oversees Early Intervention services. O&A serves as Child & Family Connections (CFC) #25 for McHenry County, the designated entry point for EI services.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: National nonprofit network delivering disability services including autism, early intervention, and therapy. Comparable as a much larger incumbent in many of the same service lines O&A operates, including EI and autism supports.
• The Arc of Illinois: Statewide chapter of The Arc, focused on advocacy and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable as a broader Illinois advocacy and service counterpart to O&A's disability programs.

Others

• Parents as Teachers: National home-visiting curriculum provider whose 'Parents as Teachers' framework is used by O&A's HUG program. Comparable as the curriculum backbone enabling O&A's free home visiting service.
• Help Me Grow: National network supporting early childhood system-building and developmental promotion. Comparable as a peer framework to O&A's ECN and CFC roles in connecting young children with developmental concerns to services.

Direct peers

• Clearbrook: Arlington Heights, IL-based nonprofit providing services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. Comparable to O&A's full lifecycle service model and Illinois EI/DD ecosystem.
• Search, Inc. Chicago-area nonprofit supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan. Comparable to O&A's multi-program model serving children, adults, and families in an Illinois setting.
• Have Dreams: Chicago-area nonprofit serving individuals with autism across the lifespan through programs, respite, and adult services. Highly comparable to O&A's ARC program given similar mission, age cohorts served, and Illinois base.
• Giant Steps: Illinois-based organization serving students and individuals with autism through school, therapy, and adult programs. Comparable to O&A's ARC and NIC service mix for the autism and neurodiverse population.
• Aspire (Illinois): Illinois provider of services for children and adults with developmental disabilities, autism, and behavioral health needs. Comparable to O&A's mix of EI, autism, and family support programs within an Illinois suburban footprint.

Regional players

• Autism Society of Illinois: Statewide autism advocacy and resource organization. Comparable as a peer network that families served by O&A's ARC and NIC programs interact with for advocacy, training, and resource navigation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWmAnZFtgIY3_CsbKCWdJlQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/optionsandadvocacy
• Instagraminstagram.com/optionsandadvocacy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/optionsandadvocacy

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Options & Advocacy for McHenry County