Ability Connection
Ability Connection is a Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1953 that delivers Medicaid waiver programs, adult day habilitation, residential group home care, and therapy services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Texas, serving over 1,900 families post-2025 merger with My Possibilities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1953
- HeadquartersDallas, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ability Connection does
Ability Connection is a Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1953 (originally as United Cerebral Palsy of Dallas County, renamed in 2011) that delivers programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Following the July 2025 merger with My Possibilities, the combined organization serves more than 1,900 families across Texas through six office locations (Irving HQ, Plano, Wichita Falls, Bedford, Temple, Austin), four DFW residential group homes, and a 30,000 square foot Training Center in Las Colinas.
The organization's core services include licensed Medicaid waiver case management (TxHmL, CLASS, and HCS), adult day habilitation through the Individualized Skills and Socialization (ISS) program, 24-hour residential group home care, in-home support, therapy services (physical, occupational, speech), and assistive technology. Youth programs (Camp Connections, EPIC After-School, C.O.R.E. Skills Camps, in-home respite) served approximately 1,400 children ages 10-17 from 2021 until the program's conclusion in May 2025. The organization was designated as an official Texas Technology Access Project demonstration site by the University of Texas at Austin in 2006.
The revenue model is multi-stream: government-funded Medicaid waiver reimbursement (set by Texas HHS, not the organization), individual and corporate donations (including stock, matching gifts, and Kroger Community Rewards), foundation grants (Crystal Charity Ball, Saputo, Bhatia, Moody), and self-pay training center rates. Services are delivered via a community-led go-to-market approach relying on LIDDA referrals, school district partnerships, healthcare provider networks, and earned media across North Texas outlets. Fundraising channels include the annual Vine & Dine gala, HIPster Formal, North Texas Giving Day, and cause-marketing programs. As a nonprofit, financial results reside in IRS Form 990 filings and are not publicly disclosed in the source material.
Ability Connection firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ability Connection
- Legal name
- Ability Connection
- Website
- https://abilityconnection.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1953
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Ability Connection is a Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1953 that delivers Medicaid waiver programs, adult day habilitation, residential group home care, and therapy services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Texas, serving over 1,900 families post-2025 merger with My Possibilities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ability Connection industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Services
- NAICS
- Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)
- SIC
- Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ)
Keywords
Where Ability Connection is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dallas
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
Ability Connection business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Medicaid Waiver Programs (TxHML, CLASS, HCS): Government-funded Medicaid waiver programs that provide recurring revenue for case management, residential services, day habilitation, therapy services, and in-home support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Programs include Texas Home Living (TxHmL), Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS), and Home and Community-based Services (HCS).
- Individual and Corporate Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporations, including stock donations, matching gift programs, and Kroger Community Rewards. The organization participates in North Texas Giving Day and maintains Legacy Giving Society for planned giving.
- Foundation Grants: Major grants from foundations including Crystal Charity Ball (youth programs), Saputo (fitness studio), Bhatia Foundation, Moody Foundation, and others supporting specific programs and operational capacity.
- Fundraising Events: Annual events including Vine & Dine (13th annual in 2021), HIPster Formal, and Art-In-Action program with Stonehenge Ltd that generates funds through augmented reality art sales.
- Training Center Self-Pay: Self-pay rates available for individuals not covered by Medicaid waiver programs, providing adult day habilitation and training center services on a fee-for-service basis.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Texas Home Living (TxHmL) Waiver Program |
| Other | Multi-year contract | CLASS Program |
| Other | Multi-year contract | HCS Program |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Training Center Self-Pay Rates |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Ability Connection product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ability Connection delivers comprehensive programs and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Texas. Core offerings include Medicaid waiver case management (TxHmL, CLASS, and HCS), 24-hour residential care through group homes in the DFW area, adult day habilitation via a licensed Training Center (Individualized Skills and Socialization program), and previously youth programs for ages 10-17 (concluded May 2025).
Product overview
Ability Connection operates as a comprehensive disability services nonprofit offering a coordinated portfolio of programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization provides Medicaid waiver case management through TxHmL, CLASS, and HCS programs; residential services via four group homes in the DFW area; and adult day habilitation through its licensed Training Center with specialized classrooms serving different support levels. Youth services (concluded 2025) included summer camps, after-school programs, respite care, and skills camps. The organization also operated an innovative Art-In-Action augmented reality fundraising program.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Texas Home Living (TxHmL) Waiver Program Medicaid waiver program providing at-home care and support services for individuals of all ages with intellectual disabilities or related conditions, including day habilitation, respite, employment services, nursing, dental, behavioral support, OT/PT/Speech therapy, audiology, dietary services, and minor home modifications.
- Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) Case management services overseen by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services that help individuals of all ages and disabilities live independently at home and in the community. Currently has an interest list for enrollment.
- Home and Community-based Services (HCS) Medicaid waiver program overseen by Texas HHS providing residential services, group homes, host home/companion care, supported home living, cognitive rehabilitation, and adaptive aids for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
- Residential Services (Group Homes) 24-hour care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through 4 group homes in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, providing supervision from dedicated staff in settings ranging from semi-independent to 24/7 care.
- Training Center (Individualized Skills and Socialization) Licensed adult training center at the Las Colinas campus offering comprehensive life-changing care, training, and support through specialized classrooms (LIFE CHANGE, IMPACT, WELLNESS, FOCUS), therapy services, fitness facilities, and a full schedule of educational, recreational, and community activities.
- Art-In-Action Program Augmented reality art program in partnership with Stonehenge Ltd that transforms Ability Connection members' artwork into limited edition canvases with AR functionality, generating funds through art sales using the StraxAR app.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 1,400 youth served through Youth Services program (2021-2025)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Ability Connection
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Ability Connection technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Ability Connection partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- My PossibilitiescoreHistoric merger uniting two leading North Texas disability service providers. My Possibilities serves as parent organization with Tod Marvin (CEO) leading the combined entity. Expands capacity to serve 1,900+ families. Jim Hanophy retired as Ability Connection CEO, joining Advisory Council. Up to six Ability Connection board members join My Possibilities board including Chair John Crème on Executive Committee.
- Potter's HouseminorPartnership to bring C.O.R.E. (Communication, Organization, Responsibility, Empathy) Skills Camps to children ages 10-17 in Dallas County with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Four camp dates at four different locations designed to help lessen the 'summer slide.'
- Building Bridges Therapy ProgramsminorPilot partnership providing group Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy 5 days/week for members with complex service needs. 45 minutes each of speech and OT in group settings, showing remarkable growth in communication and independent living skills.
- KrogerminorKroger Community Rewards Program (Kroger #XD764) allows shoppers to enroll and earn rewards for Ability Connection with every purchase. Set reminder to renew annually in August.
- Stonehenge Ltd (Irwin Sternberg)minorArt-In-Action program partnership bringing augmented reality technology to Ability Connection members' art. Six limited edition canvases of 500 each, with AR functionality through StraxAR app, generating funds through art sales.
- Cochran Chapel United Methodist ChurchminorHosted first Camp Connections summer program site for 100 students ages 12-17.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Ability Connection competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- BrightSpring Health Services: Large diversified home- and community-based provider with sizable IDD and behavioral health offerings across the U.S.; broad incumbent with overlapping HCS-like services.
- Sevita Health: National IDD and behavioral health provider operating group homes, day programs, and waiver-managed services; broader footprint but directly comparable service lines.
- RHA Health Services: Multi-state IDD, behavioral, and substance use provider; comparable group-home and day-services model at broader geographic scale.
- Mosaic: Faith-based national nonprofit providing residential, day, and employment services for people with IDD; comparable mission and service portfolio.
Direct peers
- LifePath Systems: Collin County, Texas-based IDD and behavioral health authority providing case management, residential, and day habilitation — directly comparable Texas IDD service mix.
- Easterseals North Texas: Regional Easterseals affiliate operating disability services, therapy, and case management in North Texas; directly overlapping geography and program types.
- United Cerebral Palsy: National IDD nonprofit; Ability Connection was founded as UCP of Dallas County in 1953 before rebranding, making this both a historical parent and direct peer.
- The Arc of Texas: Statewide nonprofit advocating for and providing services to Texans with IDD; comparable advocacy + service-delivery model under the broader Arc network.
- My Possibilities: Parent organization following the July 2025 merger; Plano-based IDD services nonprofit serving adults through the HIPster program. Directly comparable mission and Texas-based service area.
Regional players
- MHMR Tarrant: Tarrant County's Local IDD Authority and behavioral health center; comparable IDD service portfolio but tied to a single Texas county.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ability Connection social profiles
Digital presenceAbility Connection financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ability Connection leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Ability Connection funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ability Connection M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ability Connection
What does Ability Connection do?
Ability Connection delivers comprehensive programs and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Texas. Core offerings include Medicaid waiver case management (TxHmL, CLASS, and HCS), 24-hour residential care through group homes in the DFW area, adult day habilitation via a licensed Training Center (Individualized Skills and Socialization program), and previously youth programs for ages 10-17 (concluded May 2025).
Is Ability Connection a public or private company?
Ability Connection is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Ability Connection founded?
Ability Connection was founded in 1953. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Ability Connection based?
Ability Connection is headquartered in Dallas, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ability Connection make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Medicaid Waiver Programs (TxHML, CLASS, HCS) is the primary driver. The others are individual and Corporate Donations, foundation Grants, fundraising Events and training Center Self-Pay.
Who are Ability Connection's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are BrightSpring Health Services, Sevita Health, RHA Health Services and Mosaic. Direct peers are LifePath Systems, Easterseals North Texas, United Cerebral Palsy, The Arc of Texas and My Possibilities. MHMR Tarrant is listed as a regional player.
Does Ability Connection have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ability Connection.
What industry is Ability Connection in?
Ability Connection's product category is Disability Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLADABAJ, Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult). Its NAICS code is 62321 and its SIC code is 8050.