UCFS

What UCFS does

United Community & Family Services (UCFS) is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that provides integrated medical, dental, behavioral health, eldercare, and social support services to communities across southeastern Connecticut. Founded in 1877 as an orphanage and headquartered in Norwich, Connecticut, UCFS operates 5 community health center locations (Norwich, Griswold, Plainfield, Colchester, New London), 10 school-based health centers embedded in partner K-12 schools, and a Rosalyn Allen Food Pantry with mobile distribution. The organization employs 400+ staff delivering care across adult primary care, pediatrics (including after-hours Nightlight walk-in care), geriatrics, gynecology, nutrition, dental services, outpatient behavioral health (counseling, Medication-Assisted Treatment, autism services, Bettor Choice gambling treatment), community-based behavioral health programs, case management, and eldercare services including Ross Adult Day Center and Sheltering Arms Residential Care.

UCFS runs on OCHIN Epic MyChart as its electronic health record platform, with Zoom integrated for telehealth/virtual visits, Genoa Healthcare providing on-site pharmacy services including home delivery, and East Side Clinical Laboratory (part of Sonic Healthcare) operating a draw station adjacent to the Edward & Mary Lord Family Health Center. The technology stack is built entirely on third-party healthcare infrastructure rather than proprietary systems, with the MyChart patient portal enabling lab result access, medication refills, care team messaging, and virtual visits.

The business model is a hybrid of insurance billing (Medicaid/HUSKY, Medicare, and commercial insurance), HRSA federal grant funding under the Health Center Program, sliding fee scale payments for uninsured/underinsured patients at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, philanthropic donations, and likely 340B pharmacy revenue. UCFS holds PCMH recognition, FTCA deemed status, and participates in Connecticut state programs including the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program and DMHAS-funded problem gambling services. The organization is led by President/CEO Jennifer Granger with a C-suite including COO Cara Westcott, CFO Wendy Palacios, and CMO Ramindra Walia, MD.

Name

UCFS

Legal name

United Community & Family Services, Inc.

Website

https://ucfs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1877

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

UCFS is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center founded in 1877 serving southeastern Connecticut with integrated medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, eldercare, and social support services across 5 health centers, 10 school-based sites, and telehealth.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health Services (Federally Qualified Health Center)

NAICS

Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (623)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Student Health & University Primary Care Clinics (HLAFAGAK)

Keywords

• Community health services
• Primary medical care
• Behavioral health counseling
• School-based healthcare
• Federally qualified health center

Headquarters

HQ city

Norwich

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices17 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Insurance Billing for Clinical Services: UCFS generates revenue primarily through billing insurance companies (Medicaid/HUSKY, Medicare, commercial insurance) for medical, dental, and behavioral health services rendered. Fees are charged per visit or procedure (transaction-based), with recurring revenue from patients with insurance coverage.
2. Federal Health Center Grants (HRSA):
3. Donations and Philanthropy: The Rosalyn Allen Food Pantry at UCFS accepts monetary donations and food drives from the community to support food distribution operations. UCFS also runs a 'Caring in Action. Giving Redefined' membership program ($200 twice a year) and accepts planned gifts, bequests, and endowed fund donations.
4. Sliding Fee Scale (Self-Pay): UCFS offers a sliding fee scale for uninsured or underinsured clients whose income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, based on family size and household income, generating revenue from self-pay patients at reduced rates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

UCFS is a Federally Qualified Health Center delivering integrated primary medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, eldercare, and social services across southeastern Connecticut. It operates community health centers and school-based health centers serving patients regardless of insurance status through a sliding fee scale, with multilingual staff supporting HUSKY/Medicaid, Medicare, and commercially insured populations. The organization additionally runs community programs including a food pantry, insurance enrollment assistance, and mobile health access to address social determinants of health.

Product overview

UCFS Healthcare operates as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing integrated healthcare services through a network of health centers and school-based locations across southeastern Connecticut. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of services organized around three core pillars: Medical Services (Adult Primary Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Gynecology, Nutrition Services), Dental Health Services (general dentistry and in-school preventive programs), and Behavioral Health Services (counseling, substance abuse treatment, autism services, community-based programs). Additional support services include insurance enrollment assistance, case management, food pantry, telehealth, pharmacy, and laboratory services. The portfolio includes specialized programs such as Nightlight Pediatric after-hours care, Bettor Choice problem gambling treatment, and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). UCFS maintains multiple health center locations in Norwich, Griswold, Plainfield, Colchester, and New London, plus school-based health centers at 10+ schools. The organization operates pharmacy and laboratory partnerships on-site to provide coordinated, comprehensive care under a patient-centered medical home model.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Adult Primary Care Comprehensive primary medical care for adults including preventive care, chronic disease management, acute illness treatment, and routine check-ups. Care is delivered by physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants at UCFS community health centers and is available regardless of insurance status through a sliding fee scale.
• Pediatrics Primary pediatric medical care for infants, children, and adolescents including well-child visits, immunizations, sick visits, and chronic condition management. Available at community health centers and school-based health centers regardless of insurance status with sliding fee scale pricing.
• Nightlight Pediatric Care After-hours pediatric care service providing walk-in access for urgent pediatric needs outside of standard clinic hours, addressing parental need for evening and weekend pediatric access.
• Geriatric Assessment Specialized geriatric medical assessment for older adults addressing complex medical, cognitive, and functional needs. Supports aging in place through clinical evaluation coordinated with eldercare case management.
• Gynecology Gynecological care including well-woman exams, reproductive health services, and specialty gynecological consultation available to women across the lifespan regardless of insurance status.
• Nutrition Services Registered dietitian-led medical nutrition therapy and counseling for conditions including diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and food insecurity, with telehealth delivery available.
• Dental Health Services Comprehensive dental care including preventive, restorative, and emergency dental services for children and adults across UCFS community health centers, available regardless of insurance status.
• Smiles on the Move In-School Dental Program Portable dental care program delivering preventive and restorative dental services directly inside partner schools, eliminating transportation and scheduling barriers for school-enrolled children.
• Counseling and Therapy Outpatient individual, family, and group mental health counseling delivered by licensed clinicians, including evidence-based therapy modalities for depression, anxiety, trauma, and other behavioral health conditions.
• Bettor Choice Problem Gambling Treatment Specialized outpatient treatment program for individuals and families affected by problem gambling, including individual counseling, group therapy, and financial counseling resources.
• Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Program Specialty behavioral health program serving children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental conditions including diagnostic support, behavioral intervention, and family education.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Outpatient medication-assisted treatment program for substance use disorders, integrating FDA-approved medication with counseling and behavioral therapy for opioid and alcohol use disorders.
• Behavioral Health Group Therapy Therapeutic group programs addressing specific behavioral health topics including parenting support, addiction recovery, and peer support groups delivered by UCFS clinicians.
• Community-Based Behavioral Health Behavioral health services delivered in community and home settings for individuals requiring in-home clinical support beyond traditional clinic-based care, with 24/7 crisis coverage.
• School-Based Health Centers On-site medical, dental, and behavioral health services operated in ten partner schools across southeastern Connecticut, providing students with primary care, mental health counseling, and preventive services without leaving school grounds.
• Access to Care (Insurance Enrollment) Free insurance enrollment assistance for HUSKY/Medicaid and other coverage programs, helping community members navigate eligibility and complete applications for public health insurance.
• Eastern Connecticut Medical Home Initiative Care coordination initiative applying the Patient-Centered Medical Home model to coordinate services for complex patients across medical, behavioral, and social service providers in eastern Connecticut.
• Case Management Care coordination and case management services supporting individuals and families with complex needs across medical, behavioral, social, and eldercare systems.
• Eldercare Services In-home and community-based eldercare services for older adults and disabled individuals including clinical assessment, case management, transportation, and caregiver support.
• Rosalyn Allen Food Pantry Food pantry program providing free groceries and food assistance to food-insecure individuals and families in southeastern Connecticut, addressing social determinants of health.
• Telehealth Services Virtual visit capability for medical, behavioral health, and nutrition consultations delivered via Zoom-enabled platform, extending UCFS reach beyond physical clinic locations.
• Pharmacy Services On-site pharmacy services supporting UCFS patients with prescription fulfillment and medication management as part of integrated care delivery.
• Draw Station Services On-site phlebotomy and lab draw services supporting diagnostic testing for UCFS patients at community health center locations.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Rosalyn Allen Food Pantry served 1,800 clients in its first year (2017) and has expanded to serve both patients and community members through mobile food distributions in Preston, Colchester, Plainfield, and Norwich.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Genoa HealthcarecoreTechnology or IntegrationGenoa Healthcare provides on-site pharmacy services at UCFS locations, fulfilling all clients' medication needs on-site including delivery to home or any UCFS location. Services include pre-filled pill organizers, refill reminders, and 24-hour customer service.
• East Side Clinical Laboratory (East Side Lab)coreTechnology or IntegrationEast Side Clinical Laboratory provides draw station services for UCFS clients, conveniently located next door to the Edward & Mary Lord Family Health Center in Norwich. East Side Lab is part of Sonic Healthcare, the 3rd largest laboratory in the United States, serving communities throughout RI, CT, and MA for over 70 years.
• OCHIN (Oregon Community Health Information Network)coreTechnology or IntegrationUCFS participates in an organized health care arrangement including OCHIN. OCHIN supplies information technology and related services including Epic MyChart electronic health record platform. OCHIN also engages in quality assessment and improvement activities on behalf of participating organizations.
• Backus HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCFS medical staff including board-certified internists and full-time board-certified pediatricians have admitting privileges at Backus Hospital, enabling coordinated inpatient care for UCFS patients.
• Lawrence & Memorial HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCFS participates in the CT Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program in partnership with Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, which handles mammogram scheduling for women without insurance referred through the program.
• Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCFS provides community-based behavioral health services funded through or in coordination with DCF, including the Intensive Family Preservation Program (IFP), Kinship Navigator Program (CKIN), and Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT)/HYPE Program for youth referred by DCF.
• Connecticut Association of School Based Health Centers (CASBHC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCFS is a member of the Connecticut Association of School Based Health Centers, an industry association for school-based health centers operating across Connecticut schools.
• Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCFS operates the Bettor Choice Problem Gambling Treatment Services in partnership with Connecticut's DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, providing state-funded counseling for adults struggling with gambling and those affected by gambling.
• Local Schools (Montville High School, Tyl Middle School, Norwich Tech, Norwich Free Academy, Kelly Middle School, John B. Stanton Elementary, Teacher's Memorial Middle School, Integrated Day Charter School, Waterford High School, Clark Lane Middle School)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCFS operates School-Based Health Centers embedded within 10 partner schools across southeastern Connecticut (Norwich, Oakdale, Waterford), providing on-site medical and behavioral health services to enrolled students during the school day.
• Advanced Behavioral Health, Inc. (ABH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCFS provides 2 Early Childhood Consultants to the Early Childhood Consultation Partnership (ECCP), a statewide initiative managed by ABH and funded by the Department of Children and Families (DCF), providing mental health consultation services for children birth to five in Eastern Connecticut.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ucfs1877
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCtFSIwRh1EZLgwdTsiHUsng
• Facebookfacebook.com/UCFSHealthcare
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-community-&-family-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/ucfs_healthcare

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 UCFS