Innovative Resources for Independence

What Innovative Resources for Independence does

Innovative Resources for Independence (IRI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1984 in Elmont, New York, that delivers a comprehensive continuum of person-centered services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The organization operates 35 residential settings (Individualized Residential Alternatives, Individual Supports & Services, and Shared Living arrangements) and a portfolio of day habilitation, community habilitation, employment (SEMP, ETP, Pathways), and family support services across Queens, Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Care is delivered under an evidence-based clinical behavior management framework that uses physical fitness, yoga, e-sports, music, and art as therapeutic pillars, with a stated specialization in serving individuals with complex behavioral needs.

The organization is funded primarily through New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Medicaid waivers and government contracts, supplemented by charitable donations through Amazon Smile, planned giving, and employee matching programs. Intake is conducted by a Director of Social Services and Community Engagement against eligibility criteria including IDD diagnosis before age 22. Leadership comprises an executive team (CEO Dr. Gilbert Louis since 2018, COO Dr. Elizabeth Corrigan, CAO Ana Koessler, CCO Susan McGrath, and CFO/HR Lina Saray) largely drawn from a prior generation of IAHD leadership, supported by a Board of Directors that includes the two co-founders and several long-tenured advocacy leaders. As of 2026, IRI reports more than 635 staff serving hundreds of individuals, with annual revenues of approximately $55M and stated growth of 50% under the current CEO.

Name

Innovative Resources for Independence

Legal name

Innovative Resources for Independence

Website

https://iriny.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Innovative Resources for Independence (IRI) is a New York-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides residential, day habilitation, employment, and family support services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the New York metropolitan area, funded primarily through OPWDD Medicaid waivers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ), Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Developmental disabilities care
• Residential habilitation
• Day habilitation programs
• Community habilitation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Elmont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (OPWDD): IRI operates under the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) system, providing services funded through Medicaid waivers and government contracts for individuals with IDD
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: IRI accepts donations through various channels including Amazon Smile, planned giving, and employee matching programs to support their mission and programs

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Innovative Resources for Independence provides a comprehensive suite of residential, day, employment, and community-based habilitation services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the New York metropolitan area. Core offerings include Individualized Residential Alternatives (Supervised and Supportive IRAs), Individual Supports & Services, Shared Living, Day Habilitation, Community Habilitation, Supported Employment (SEMP), Employment Training Program (ETP), Pathways to Employment, Family Support, and Self Advocacy. Services are funded primarily through New York State OPWDD Medicaid waivers and supplemented by charitable donations.

Product overview

Innovative Resources for Independence (IRI) is a non-profit service organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The core offerings include Residential Services (IRAs, ISS, Shared Living), Day Services/Day Habilitation, Community Habilitation, Employment Services (SEMP, ETP, Pathways), Family Support Services (Crisis Prevention, Respite, After School, Socialization), and Self Advocacy Groups. These services are designed to provide lifelong support tailored to each individual's unique interests and needs, enabling them to live fulfilling, independent lives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Services Provides residential living options including Individualized Residential Alternatives (Supervised and Supportive IRAs), Individual Supports & Services (ISS) with flexible apartment living, and Shared Living arrangements for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Day Services Engages individuals in enriching activities designed to enhance daily living, social, and vocational skills, including Day Habilitation with and without walls (community-based).
• Day Habilitation Weekday individualized activities with emphasis on skill building and inclusive activities that build peer relationships, offered both with walls (structured location) and without walls (community-based).
• Community Habilitation Supports individuals within their private homes or community settings to foster greater independence through life skills training including grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, personal hygiene, and public transportation navigation.
• Employment Services Provides employment opportunities including Supported Employment (SEMP), Employment Training Program (ETP), and Pathways to Employment to help individuals learn and grow from working in their community.
• Family Support Services Comprehensive family support programs including Crisis Prevention & Intervention, Family Reimbursement, Intensive Behavioral Services, After School Program, In-Home Respite Program, and Afternoon Adult Socialization Program.
• Self Advocacy Groups Groups that help individuals learn to speak up for themselves, ask questions, meet with public officials, and gather information about support services available in their local communities.
• After School Program Offers children on the autism spectrum opportunities to participate in various activities including art, music, puzzle building, sports, and games to enhance interpersonal skills.
• In-Home Respite Program Provides short-term relief for parents or caregivers of individuals over age 10 with intellectual or developmental disabilities, offered in the individual's home.
• Afternoon Adult Socialization Program Provides adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities opportunities to socialize at the end of the day through games, music, art projects, and food preparation, meeting Monday through Thursday.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of program trainee graduates retained at one-year anniversary
• +2 more outcomes

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

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kiwanis Club (Aktion Club)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022IRI partnered with the Kiwanis Club to establish an Aktion Club for self-advocacy. The partnership has been active for over 17 years, providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities to engage in community service, advocacy, and leadership activities. Monthly meetings are held at Kiwanis' Ridgewood building, promoting full community integration.
• NY Alliance for Inclusion and InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIRI is an active member of the NY Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation, participating in annual conferences, presenting on evidence-based practices, and engaging in networking with other IDD provider agencies throughout New York State.
• Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOPWDD is the state agency that oversees services for individuals with developmental disabilities in New York. IRI works closely with OPWDD regional leadership including regular meetings, hosting OPWDD visits, and collaborating on quality improvement initiatives and policy development.
• Institute for Applied Human Dynamics (IAHD)minorOthersFormer affiliated organization; many IRI leaders previously held positions at IAHD, and IRI was involved in a merger discussion that led to the creation of the NY Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation.
• Del Vino VineyardsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual community engagement event venue hosting IRI's vineyard gathering, providing a setting for board members, staff, families, and community supporters to connect and celebrate the organization's mission.
• IAC (Institute for Community Living)minorOthersProvider association with over 100 members of which IRI is one. Executive Director Wini Schiff was recognized by IRI at an evening event.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• ADAPT Community Network: NYC non-profit provider of residential, day habilitation, and community services for people with disabilities. Operates multiple IRA-style residences under OPWDD, with overlapping program offerings and similar target population.
• Services for the UnderServed (S:US): NYC non-profit providing housing, behavioral health, and IDD services including residential programs for people with developmental disabilities. Comparable OPWDD-funded residential model and large workforce.
• Life's WORC: Long Island / NYC non-profit providing residential, day habilitation, employment, and family support for individuals with IDD and autism. Highly comparable service portfolio and geographic overlap with IRI in Nassau/Suffolk/Queens.
• HeartShare Human Services of New York: Brooklyn-based non-profit serving individuals with IDD and developmental disabilities through residential, day, education, and family support programs. Comparable scale and OPWDD funding profile to IRI.
• AHRC New York City: Major NYC non-profit serving children and adults with IDD through residential, day, employment, and clinical services. Competes with IRI for OPWDD referrals and DSP talent across the same boroughs.
• Birch Family Services: NYC non-profit providing residential, day, and educational services to children and adults with IDD and autism. Comparable OPWDD service portfolio, especially in early-intervention and IRA-style residences.
• YAI (Young Adult Institute): One of the largest NYC-based non-profit providers of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Operates residential, day, employment, and family support programs funded through OPWDD, directly mirroring IRI's service mix and NYC footprint.
• Institute for Community Living (ICL): NYC non-profit behavioral health and disability services provider already in IRI's partnership ecosystem through the IAC provider association. Operates OPWDD-funded residential and day programs with comparable scale.
• CP Unlimited (Cerebral Palsy Associations of NY): Large NY non-profit providing residential, day, employment, and clinical services to people with cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities. Direct overlap with IRI's IDD service lines and OPWDD contract structure.

Broad incumbents

• The Arc of the United States: National federation of non-profit chapters providing services and advocacy for people with IDD. Larger and more diffuse than IRI, but NY chapters (e.g., The Arc NY) directly compete for OPWDD contracts and the same DSP labor pool.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/innovative-resources-for-independence

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Innovative Resources for Independence