The Shield Institute

What The Shield Institute does

The Shield Institute is a New York City-based nonprofit human-service agency that delivers educational, clinical, and habilitation programs to children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual/developmental disabilities. Founded in 1926 and headquartered in Flushing, Queens, the organization serves three primary populations: preschool children ages 3-5, school-age children ages 5-21, and adults 21 and older with lifelong disabilities. Service delivery occurs across four physical sites in Flushing, Bayside, the Bronx, and Manhattan, with the Manhattan location housing Pure Vision Arts, the city's first specialized art studio and exhibition space for artists with ASD and IDD. Programs include preschool and school-age special education (per NYS Alternate Learning Standards), adult day habilitation, community habilitation, work training and supported employment, and an Article 16 Clinic providing diagnostic, therapeutic, and clinical services including specialized psycho-sexual assessment, risk assessment, and bereavement therapy.

The underlying technology stack is primarily conventional educational and assistive technology rather than a proprietary platform. Key technical components include the Augmentative Communication and Technology Center (ACT Center) for AAC device selection and funding, an Interactive Technology Initiative using SmartBoards, iPads, and laptops to support language, communication, and cognitive development, and electronic health/education records implied by HIPAA and FERPA compliance policies. Multidisciplinary clinical capacity spans psychology, social work, speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing, and recreational therapy, with multilingual preschool evaluation delivered in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Korean.

The business model is government-contract-funded rather than commercially priced. The organization does not disclose direct pricing; eligible services are provided at no cost to families, contingent on determinations by the NYC Department of Education Committee on Special Education (CSE), OPWDD, NYSED, ACCES-VR, and Medicaid/Medicare. Revenue streams include New York State OPWDD contracts, NYCDOE preschool and school-age funding, ACCES-VR vocational rehabilitation funding, Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement (particularly for AAC equipment), and a continuous NYC Council grant supporting the Parent Training/Support Program since 2008. Customer acquisition is primarily referral-driven through school district CSEs and government agencies, with a Central Intake Office handling enrollment routing; no private-pay revenue or commercial customer base is identified.

Name

The Shield Institute

Legal name

The Shield Institute

Website

https://shield.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1926

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The Shield Institute is a New York City nonprofit human-service agency delivering educational, clinical, and habilitation programs to children and adults with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities, funded primarily by NY State, NYCDOE, OPWDD, ACCES-VR, and Medicaid/Medicare contracts across four sites in Queens, Bayside, the Bronx, and Manhattan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human Services for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Autism Transition Planning & Postsecondary Readiness (Educational) (EDAKAKAK), Autism Executive Functioning & Academic Skills Intervention (EDAKAKAI), Pediatric Rehabilitation & Developmental Therapy Centers (PT/OT/SLP) (HLAFAJAL)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Special education programs
• Adult day habilitation
• Autism services nonprofit
• Vocational rehabilitation support

Headquarters

HQ city

Flushing

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. New York State Government Contracts: New York State contracted services funded through the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). Programs are monitored and funded through state mandates for preschool, school-age, and adult services.
2. NYCDOE Education Funding: Preschool and school-age special education programs funded and approved through New York State Education Department and New York City Department of Education. Children must be determined eligible through NYCDOE approval.
3. ACCES-VR Vocational Rehabilitation: Supported Employment Programs funded through New York State Adult Career and Continuing Education Services – Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) and OPWDD.
4. Medicaid/Medicare AAC Funding: Medicaid/Medicare funding pursued for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems and adaptive equipment.
5. NYC Council Grants: Special NYC council grant supporting Parent Training/Support Programs for families of children with autism. Grant has been operating since 2008.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Shield Institute provides New York State-contracted educational, clinical, vocational, and habilitation services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual/developmental disabilities, spanning preschool (ages 3-5), school-age (5-21), and adult (21+) programs. Service lines include preschool and school-age special education, Adult Day Habilitation, Community Habilitation, an Article 16 Clinic, the Pure Vision Arts studio, the Augmentative Communication and Technology Center, supported employment, and parent training, all delivered across facility sites in the Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan.

Product overview

The Shield Institute operates as a comprehensive human services organization offering a portfolio of educational, clinical, and habilitation programs for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual/developmental disabilities. The portfolio includes: Preschool and School Age educational programs (core education services), Adult Day Habilitation and Community Habilitation Services ( habilitation services), the Article 16 Clinic (diagnostic and clinical services), Pure Vision Arts (specialized art program), Augmentative Communication and Technology Center (AAC services), Work Training and Transition Programs (vocational services), Parent Training Grant Program (family support), and specialized clinical services including psycho-sexual assessment, risk assessments, and bereavement therapy. These programs are funded through NYSED, NYCDOE, OPWDD, and ACCES-VR, and serve children ages 3-5, school-age children 5-21, and adults 21 and older.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pure Vision Arts (PVA): Manhattan's first specialized art studio and exhibition space for artists with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual/developmental disabilities. PVA provides studio space, art materials, exhibition opportunities, and career development for beginning, emerging and established artists.

Products and services

• Preschool Program New York State contracted preschool services for children ages 3-5 with developmental delays or autism, located in the Bronx and Flushing, Queens. Provides developmentally appropriate instruction in self-contained and integrated classroom models with related services including speech, physical, and occupational therapy.
• School Age Program Special education classrooms and related services for students ages 5-21 in Flushing, providing structured teaching, augmentative communication, aided language, and technology according to New York State Alternative Learning Standards.
• Adult Day Habilitation Services Day programs providing stimulating environments for adults with developmental disabilities, including facilities such as a gym, art studio, kitchen, sensory room, and media/recreation room. Funded and monitored through OPWDD.
• Community Habilitation Services Individually-tailored services and supports helping adults and children with disabilities reside successfully in their own homes or with families, covering self-direction, money management, daily living skills, socialization, mobility, and behavior management.
• Article 16 Clinic Diagnostic, evaluation, and clinical services for children (ages 5+) and adults with ASD and intellectual/developmental disabilities, including psychological, social work, speech, occupational and physical therapy, rehabilitative counseling, and nutritional counseling.
• Pure Vision Arts (PVA) Manhattan's first specialized art studio and exhibition space for artists with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual/developmental disabilities, providing studio space, art materials, exhibition opportunities, and career development.
• Augmentative Communication and Technology Center (ACT Center) Provides specialized diagnostic and therapeutic services using low and high tech communication systems for individuals whose communication is unintelligible or ineffective, with assistance in obtaining AAC systems and adaptive equipment.
• Work Training Program and Supported Employment Supported employment programs funded through ACCES-VR and OPWDD, providing job development and retention support including a 'Ready To Work' seminar and community work experience.
• Supplemental Group Day Habilitation Services Active and dynamic programs providing support and structure for adults with ASD and intellectual/developmental disabilities who live at home with family or within the Family Care system, with focus on socialization and independent living.
• Parent Training Grant Program NYC council grant-funded program providing parenting workshops for families of children with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities, including after-school and respite services.
• Preschool Evaluation Program Multidisciplinary evaluations for children ages 3-5 years conducted in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Korean by licensed therapists and certified teachers, funded through NYSED and NYCDOE.
• Transition Program High school program services for students age 15 through graduation at age 21, providing transition services including work opportunities, vocational training, and coordinated activities with community businesses.
• Psycho-Sexual Assessment and Therapeutic Services Specialized Article 16 Clinic services including psychosexual knowledge assessment, focused therapy, trauma-related therapy, and offender group and individual therapies for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• Risk Assessments Specialized evaluations for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who have engaged in or potentially engage in illegal activity, assessing risk to community or self.
• Bereavement Therapy Services Psychotherapy with focus on bereavement issues provided to individuals on crisis and/or ongoing basis by clinicians trained in bereavement issues.
• Arts and Technology in Special Education Creative Arts program using music, art, and dance to facilitate communication, self-expression, sensory stimulation, and peer interaction, along with technology integration including SmartBoards, iPads, and laptops.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 300 preschoolers served daily across Bronx and Flushing locations
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• YAI / National Institute for People with Disabilities: YAI is a NYC-based nonprofit providing lifespan services (preschool, school-age, adult day habilitation, residential, clinical) for individuals with IDD, including autism. Directly comparable to Shield in geography, population served, and service mix.
• ADAPT Community Network (formerly UCP of NYC): ADAPT Community Network serves children and adults with cerebral palsy, autism, and other developmental disabilities in NYC, with programs spanning early intervention, education, day services, and clinical care—a near-direct peer of The Shield Institute.
• New York Institute for Special Education: NYISE is a Bronx-based nonprofit special education school serving students with visual impairment, autism, and other developmental disabilities. Direct peer on the school-age autism education side.
• HeartShare Human Services of New York: HeartShare is a large NYC nonprofit serving individuals with IDD and autism across the lifespan, including preschool/school-age special education, day habilitation, and Article 16 clinical services—closely mirroring Shield's service model.
• AHRC New York City: AHRC NYC is one of the largest NYC-based providers of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, offering preschool, school-age, day habilitation, vocational, and clinical services—directly overlapping Shield's portfolio and geography.
• Birch Family Services: Birch Family Services provides special education, day habilitation, and clinical services to children and adults with autism and IDD in NYC. Overlaps directly with Shield on preschool/school-age programs and adult services.
• Services for the UnderServed (S:US): S:US is a NYC-based nonprofit providing housing, clinical, habilitation, and educational services to people with IDD, mental health needs, and homelessness. Overlaps with Shield on OPWDD-funded day and community habilitation services.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: Easterseals is a national nonprofit providing disability and autism services including early intervention, special education, vocational, and therapy services. Comparable to Shield in service mix but operates at significantly greater geographic and operational scale.
• The Arc: The Arc is a national network of chapters serving individuals with IDD, including autism, across the lifespan with education, day services, employment, and advocacy—comparable in mission and service breadth to The Shield Institute.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: Devereux is a large national nonprofit provider of behavioral health, IDD, and autism services across the lifespan. Comparable to Shield on autism-focused educational and clinical services, but at much greater national scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ShieldInstitute

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles26 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 The Shield Institute