HopeSpoke

What HopeSpoke does

HopeSpoke is a nonprofit child guidance and behavioral health organization founded in 1949 in Lincoln, Nebraska, that operates as the largest provider of children's outpatient mental health services in Lincoln and southeast Nebraska. The organization delivers a portfolio of clinically integrated programs including outpatient therapy (serving children ages 0-19, families, and adults), an Extended Day Treatment program (the only one of its kind in Nebraska, operating since 1994 for children ages 6-11), a Therapeutic Group Home (the only one of its kind in Nebraska, operating since 1992 for males ages 13-18 with sexually abusive behaviors), and school-based therapy co-located in 17 Lincoln public schools. Specialized clinical offerings include Sexual Misconduct Therapy, Juveniles Who Sexually Harm Evaluations, Intensive Outpatient Program, Animal-Assisted Therapy, and evidence-based modalities such as TF-CBT and EMDR, delivered in-person and via telehealth. Joint Commission accreditation and a staff of nearly 100 (including approximately 40 master's-level clinicians) underpin the clinical platform.

The organization's revenue model blends fee-for-service billing, government contracts, and philanthropic fundraising. Outpatient programming is funded approximately 55% by Medicaid, 34.9% by nongovernmental/local sources, and 9.6% by Region V Systems; therapeutic consult services are 100% funded by Region V Systems (a NDHHS Division of Behavioral Health contractor). A sliding-fee schedule ensures no one is denied services; uninsured outpatient sessions average $133 with a structural gap of up to $45/hour between reimbursement and service cost. Donations and foundation grants (Cooper Foundation, Medica Foundation, Lincoln Community Foundation) supplement operations, alongside in-kind contributions such as a 10-year gigabit broadband gift from ALLO. The GTM motion is sales- and referral-led, with intake driven by schools, courts, probation, DHHS, Lancaster County Human Services, and community partners, and awareness built through social media, annual fundraisers (Gourmet Comfort Classic), and professional conferences (NAPN).

HopeSpoke's strategic position rests on two monopoly-style Nebraska service lines, deep referral and school-district entrenchment, and a 75-year brand legacy. Demand has expanded sharply (270% increase in outpatient therapy seekers since March 2020), prompting telehealth rollout and school footprint expansion. Persistent structural headwinds include Medicaid reimbursement shortfalls, reliance on state budget cycles, and a fixed Lincoln/southeast Nebraska geographic footprint. There is no evidence of technology, AI/ML, or proprietary platform differentiation beyond evidence-based therapeutic protocols.

Name

HopeSpoke

Legal name

HopeSpoke

Website

https://hopespoke.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

HopeSpoke is a nonprofit child guidance center in Lincoln, Nebraska providing outpatient therapy, residential, day treatment, and school-based mental health services to children, families, and adults across southeast Nebraska.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Behavioral and Mental Health Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (62322), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emotional & Behavioral Disorders (EBD) / Therapeutic Day Schools (EDAKAAAC), Therapy-Integrated Childcare Support (coordination with OT/PT/SLP/ABA) (HSAAAIAM)

Keywords

• Child mental health services
• Behavioral health therapy
• Outpatient mental health care
• Residential treatment services
• School-based therapy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincoln

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Outpatient Services Revenue: Master level therapists and psychologists provide assessment, treatment planning and therapy services to children and families, billed through Medicaid, insurance, or sliding-fee scale. Outpatient Programming is funded 55% ($684,680) by Medicaid, 34.9% ($430,082) by nongovernmental/local sources, and 9.6% ($118,000) by Region V Systems.
2. Government Contracts: Funded through Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Division of Behavioral Health, contracted through Region V Systems. Therapeutic Consult services funded 100% ($15,986) from Region 5 Systems.
3. Therapeutic Group Home: Residential services for males ages 13-18 providing 24/7 trauma-informed, strength-based therapeutic approach
4. Donations and Fundraising: Annual fundraiser (Gourmet Comfort Classic), grants from foundations (Cooper Foundation, Medica Foundation), and individual donations support operations and sliding-fee scale services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HopeSpoke is a nonprofit child guidance center providing comprehensive behavioral and mental health services for children, families, and adults. Its core offerings include outpatient therapy (assessment, treatment planning, individual/family/group therapy), a Therapeutic Group Home for residential care, an Extended Day Treatment program for at-risk youth ages 6-11, and school-based therapy embedded in Lincoln public schools. Specialized services include sexual misconduct therapy and juveniles-who-sexually-harm evaluations, supported by evidence-based approaches such as TF-CBT, EMDR, animal-assisted therapy, and telehealth delivery.

Product overview

HopeSpoke is a comprehensive behavioral and mental health services organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs for children, families, and adults. The core offerings include Outpatient Services (the largest children's outpatient mental health provider in the region), Extended Day Treatment Program (unique in Nebraska since 1994 for children ages 6-11), Therapeutic Group Home (the only residential treatment home in Nebraska for males ages 13-18 since 1992), and School-Based Therapy embedded in Lincoln public schools. Specialized services include Sexual Misconduct Therapy Program and Juveniles Who Sexually Harm Evaluations. Additional therapeutic approaches include Animal-Assisted Therapy with therapy dogs George and Teddy. Services are delivered in-person and via Telehealth. The organization operates on a sliding-fee scale ensuring no one is denied services due to inability to pay.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Outpatient Services Master's level therapists and psychologists provide assessment, treatment planning, and therapy services (individual, family, and group) to children ages 1-19 and their families, as well as adults across the lifespan. Billed through Medicaid, insurance, or sliding-fee scale.
• Extended Day Treatment Program After-school and summer day treatment program for children ages 6-11 with serious emotional and/or behavioral challenges who are at risk for out-of-home placement or hospitalization. Operates daily after school and during the summer with trauma-informed, strength-based treatment approaches.
• Therapeutic Group Home (Residential Services) Provides 24/7 holistic, trauma-informed, strength-based residential care to males ages 13-18 who have demonstrated sexually abusive behaviors. Includes individual, group, and family therapies, with an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) where youth attend a minimum of three hours a day, five days a week.
• School-Based Therapy Community outreach program providing individual therapy during the school day at Lincoln public schools, with consultation to school personnel regarding behavioral issues. Designed to reach students whose parents find it difficult to seek services outside of school.
• Sexual Misconduct Therapy Program A family-oriented, developmentally-based outpatient treatment program for adolescents who have engaged in problematic sexual behaviors. Includes weekly individual/family sessions and sex offense-specific group therapy.
• Juveniles Who Sexually Harm Evaluations Comprehensive assessments of risk and protective factors for future sexual misconduct, including clinical interviews with youth and parents/caretakers, collateral source review, and psychological testing, with recommendations for treatment/placement options and supervision considerations.
• Telehealth Services Remote therapy services that allow families and individuals across the lifespan to access mental health services without visiting the office. Implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued as an ongoing option.
• Therapeutic Consultation Services Specialized therapeutic consultation services funded through Region V Systems (Nebraska DHHS contracts), providing expert consultation to support children and families in need of behavioral health services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Close to $50,000 in discounted and no-cost behavioral and mental health services provided to 122 individuals in last fiscal year
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Joint CommissioncoreOthersHopeSpoke is accredited by The Joint Commission and is committed to providing safe and effective care to children and families. The Joint Commission is a national healthcare accreditation organization that evaluates healthcare organizations across the US.
• Lincoln Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHopeSpoke provides on-site therapy services in 17 Lincoln public elementary, middle, and high schools. During the 2019-2020 school year, they expanded to add services at Meadow Lane and Roper Elementary Schools, Schoo Middle School, and expanded services at Park Middle School and Lincoln High School by 50%.
• Region V SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegion V Systems provides funding through DHHS contracts. The Outpatient Programming receives 9.6% ($118,000) and Therapeutic Consult receives 100% ($15,986) from Region V Systems. Region V is contracted through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health.
• Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNDHHS Division of Behavioral Health contracts with Region V Systems to fund HopeSpoke services including outpatient programming, therapeutic consultation, and school-based services through Medicaid and state funding.
• National Council for Mental WellbeingminorOthersNational membership organization providing resources, advocacy, and best practices for mental health organizations. HopeSpoke maintains affiliation for professional development and industry engagement.
• Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations (NABHO)minorOthersState association representing behavioral health organizations. HopeSpoke participates in Lobby Day activities and professional recognition through this organization.
• United Way of Lincoln & Lancaster CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way of Lincoln & Lancaster County helped found HopeSpoke (then Child Guidance Center) in 1949 under the Community Chest precursor. Continues as a key community partner and receives recognition as a Leader in Mental Health Founder's Award recipient.
• Junior League of LincolncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJunior League of Lincoln helped found HopeSpoke (then Child Guidance Center) in 1949 as part of the Child Guidance national movement. Continues as a community supporter and receives recognition as a Leader in Mental Health Founder's Award recipient.
• Nebraska Adolescent Perpetration Network (NAPN)minorOthersState network focused on treatment of sexual behavior problems. HopeSpoke hosts the annual NAPN conference and is a key organizer of professional training events.
• Lancaster County Human ServicesminorOthersCounty human services agency providing referrals and coordination for children and families in need of mental health services.
• Lancaster County Youth Services CenterminorOthersCounty juvenile services facility providing referrals and coordination for youth in the justice system who need mental health services.
• Juvenile Services Division Nebraska Probation AdministrationminorOthersState probation administration for juveniles providing referrals and coordination for youth involved with the justice system.
• Nebraska Juvenile Justice Association (NJJA)minorOthersState association focused on juvenile justice issues. HopeSpoke maintains affiliation for professional engagement and advocacy.
• Cause CollectiveminorOthersLocal nonprofit collaborative organization. HopeSpoke participates in community events and partnerships through Cause Collective.
• Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM)minorOthersRegional nonprofit association providing resources, training, and advocacy for nonprofits in the Midlands region.
• Nebraska CompetesminorOthersNebraska state organization focused on behavioral health advocacy and policy.
• ALLO (Nelnet company)minorOthersNebraska-based telecommunications company providing free one gigabit broadband service for 10 years through the Community Connect Program, part of the City of Lincoln's broadband agreement. This gift is valued at approximately $45,000 to HopeSpoke.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Boys Town: Nationally recognized youth services organization headquartered in Nebraska providing residential treatment, outpatient behavioral health, and crisis services for at-risk youth. Directly comparable to HopeSpoke in its residential therapeutic group home and outpatient mental health offerings for children and adolescents.
• Burrell Behavioral Health: Large regional behavioral health provider offering outpatient therapy, psychiatric services, and crisis intervention across multiple states including Nebraska-adjacent markets. Comparable as a multi-site outpatient mental health provider serving Medicaid and sliding-fee populations, though at significantly greater scale.
• Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska: Regional nonprofit providing behavioral health, family services, and outpatient therapy across Nebraska. Comparable to HopeSpoke in providing outpatient mental health services and accepting Medicaid/sliding-fee populations, but operates a broader multi-service footprint.

Regional players

• CenterPointe Health: Nebraska-based behavioral health provider offering outpatient, residential, and crisis services including youth-specific programming. Comparable to HopeSpoke in offering a full continuum of mental health services for youth with state contract funding, though centered in Omaha rather than Lincoln.
• Nebraska Families Collaborative: Nebraska statewide network providing case management, family support, and behavioral health services to children involved in child welfare and juvenile justice. Comparable to HopeSpoke in serving the same DHHS/juvenile justice referral population with wraparound and case management services.

Direct peers

• Cedars Youth Services: Nebraska nonprofit providing residential treatment, outpatient therapy, and crisis services for children and youth in foster care or at risk of out-of-home placement. Closely comparable to HopeSpoke's therapeutic group home and extended day treatment programming.
• Omaha Home for Boys: Nebraska nonprofit offering residential care, therapeutic services, and youth development programming for at-risk boys. Comparable in residential/therapeutic group home model and at-risk youth focus, though geographically centered in Omaha rather than Lincoln.
• ChildSav (formerly Children's Services of Omaha): Nebraska-based nonprofit providing outpatient mental health, residential, and family services to at-risk children and youth. Most directly comparable peer given similar service mix (outpatient, residential, family therapy) and overlapping Nebraska catchment area.
• Saint Monica's Behavioral Health Services for Children: Behavioral health organization operating residential treatment programs for adolescent females with behavioral and mental health issues, including specialized treatment for trauma and abuse. Comparable to HopeSpoke in residential specialty treatment for adjudicated/at-risk youth, though focused on a different gender/geography.

Others

• Mental Health Association of Nebraska: Statewide advocacy and service organization for mental health, providing some direct services and serving as a community partner. Comparable as a Nebraska-based mental health ecosystem player and referral partner, though not a direct service competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HopeSpokeNE
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQdaHFf2NShggFAKePf575A
• Facebookfacebook.com/HopeSpoke-930291893841776
• Instagraminstagram.com/hopespoke
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hopespoke

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 HopeSpoke