Developmental Enrichment Centers

What Developmental Enrichment Centers does

Developmental Enrichment Centers (DEC) is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded around 2007 and headquartered at 16809 N. 53rd Ave. in Glendale, Arizona. The organization delivers a portfolio of developmental disability services to children, adolescents, and adults across age cohorts, including the Adult Day Treatment & Training (DTA) Program for adults age 22+, a Senior DTA Program for adults age 65+, an After School Program (DTT) for ages 13-17 (marked 'RETURNING SOON'), a Summer DTS Program for ages 7-17 (currently on hold), and Adult Developmental Homes providing 24-hour licensed residential care for up to three residents per home. Supporting offerings include in-home respite and habilitation services, a Family Support Program, a Disability Resource Lending Library, and an Information & Advocacy Directory.

The core service architecture is people-intensive rather than technology-based: staff maintain a 1:4 ratio in school-age programs and provide faith-grounded, individualized life-skills training, communication development, and community integration support. DEC's business model relies on government contracts with the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) for service authorization and reimbursement, supplemented by charitable donations, the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, corporate matching gift programs, Fry's Community Rewards designations, and community fundraising. Client acquisition flows primarily through DDD support coordinator referrals, school-district relationships, community partnerships, and family word-of-mouth, with the organization leveraging GuideStar Gold Seal of Transparency and a 15-year operational track record to sustain its nonprofit funding base.

The organization is led by President & CEO Nancy R. Younger, operates within a single Arizona service area, and has not disclosed financials or headcount beyond a stated 11-50 employee band. Programmatic signals (Summer DTS on hold, After School DTT 'returning soon', and an active 2025 hiring push) suggest ongoing operational recalibration rather than expansion or contraction.

Name

Developmental Enrichment Centers

Legal name

Developmental Enrichment Centers

Website

https://dec-az.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Developmental Enrichment Centers is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Glendale, Arizona providing day programs, after-school care, summer programming, adult residential homes, and in-home services to children and adults with developmental disabilities under Arizona DDD contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Developmental Disability Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Child and Youth Services (62411), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Inclusive / Special-Needs Childcare Centers (EDACAAAH), Extended Day Programs at Preschools & Childcare Centers (EDACAHAB)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Day treatment training
• Residential care homes
• In-home habilitation
• Family support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Glendale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government-funded services: Services are primarily funded through contracts with the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), providing Day Treatment & Training (DTA/DTT) programs, Adult Developmental Homes, and in-home care services for eligible individuals with developmental disabilities.
2. Charitable donations and tax credits: The organization accepts monetary donations and in-kind gifts from individuals and corporations. The Arizona Charitable Tax Credit allows donors to receive state income tax credits for donations up to $938 (married filing jointly).
3. Community rewards programs: DEC participates in Fry's Community Rewards Program where community members can designate the organization to receive quarterly rewards when shopping with their V.I.P. Card.
4. Corporate matching gifts: Corporate matching gift programs where employers match employee donations to DEC, effectively doubling individual contributions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Developmental Enrichment Centers provides day treatment and training programs, licensed residential homes, and in-home care services for children and adults with developmental disabilities in the Glendale, Arizona area. Programs include Adult Day Treatment & Training (DTA), Senior DTA, After School Program (DTT), Summer Program (DTS), Adult Developmental Homes, and in-home habilitation/respite services. The organization also offers family support resources including a disability resource lending library and information & advocacy directory.

Product overview

Developmental Enrichment Centers (DEC) provides a comprehensive suite of developmental disability services through multiple interconnected programs. The organization operates a tiered service model including: the Adult Day Treatment & Training (DTA) Program and Senior DTA Program for adults with developmental disabilities, the After School Program (DTT) and Summer Program (DTS) for children and youth, Adult Developmental Homes (ADH) for residential support, and In-Home Care services. These programs are complemented by Family Support, a Disability Resource Lending Library, and an Information & Advocacy Directory. The core offerings focus on life skills training, social development, independence building, and community integration for individuals with developmental disabilities across all age groups.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Adult Day Treatment & Training (DTA) Program Day treatment and training program for high school graduates and adults age 22+ with developmental disabilities, providing a caring, supportive environment to develop skills for independent living, communication, daily living skills, friendships, and community involvement.
• Senior Day Treatment and Training (Senior DTA) Program Day treatment and training program for adults age 65 and older with developmental disabilities, emphasizing maintaining abilities, social interaction, memory enhancement, and community engagement.
• After School Program (DTT) Day treatment and training after-school program for children and teens ages 13-17 with developmental disabilities, offering homework help, social skills development, and life skills training with a 1:4 staff-to-participant ratio.
• Summer Program for Children & Youth (DTS) Summer day treatment and training program for children and teens ages 7-17 with developmental disabilities, featuring fun activities, community outings, and life skills development. Currently on hold.
• Adult Developmental Homes (ADH) Licensed family-style residential homes providing 24-hour care for adults age 18+ with developmental disabilities who cannot live independently, with trained caregivers supporting up to three residents per home.
• In-Home Care for Developmental Disabilities In-home care services providing respite for primary caregivers and habilitation services to expand life-skills training in the individual's home environment.
• Family Support Program Comprehensive support services for families including disability reference and lending library access, connections to other families, and directory of affiliated organizations for information and advocacy.
• Disability Resource Lending Library Lending library of resource materials for parents and caregivers of disabled individuals covering developmental disabilities, mental health, and physical health topics.
• Information & Advocacy Directory Directory of resources including assistive technology, brain injury support, children with disabilities resources, community-based resources, disability advocacy organizations, education resources, and federal agencies.

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Arizona CardinalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNFL professional football team partnering with DEC as a community partner, supporting the organization's mission to serve individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Grand Canyon University (GCU)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal university providing community support through partnership with DEC, contributing to the developmental disability services ecosystem in Arizona.
• Midwestern UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare education institution partnering with DEC, potentially providing student volunteers or collaborative opportunities in healthcare and disability services.
• Peoria Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal business chamber providing networking and community connections supporting DEC's local business relationships and visibility.
• Glendale Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal business chamber in Glendale supporting DEC's community integration and local business partnerships.
• Arizona Autism CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of organizations working on autism issues in Arizona. DEC partners with this coalition to align services and advocate for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.
• Alliance of Arizona NonprofitsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide nonprofit alliance providing resources, advocacy, and networking support for Arizona nonprofit organizations including DEC.
• Arizona Department of Economic SecuritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government department overseeing developmental disabilities services in Arizona. DEC operates under DDD contracts and receives referrals and funding through this agency.
• Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe state agency that authorizes and funds developmental disability services. DEC is a contracted provider delivering DTA, DTT, and residential services under DDD oversight.
• YoungLife CapernaumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based youth ministry organization serving young people with disabilities, aligned with DEC's faith-based mission and values.
• AAPPD ProvidersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of Arizona providers for people with developmental disabilities, providing networking and advocacy for DD service providers.
• Arizona Small Business AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState small business association connecting DEC with local business partners and community resources.
• Pawsitive FriendshipsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPet therapy organization that regularly visits DEC to provide animal-assisted therapy and enrichment activities for members.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: National nonprofit network providing disability services including adult day, residential, and therapeutic programs — broadly comparable to DEC's lifespan service model, with significantly greater scale and geographic reach.
• The Arc: National advocacy and direct-service organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, offering day programs, residential, and family support — directly comparable to DEC's portfolio with national reach.
• BrightSpring Health Services: Diversified home and community-based provider serving people with developmental and behavioral disabilities, including residential and day services — comparable service categories to DEC, with public-company scale advantages.
• Sevita Health (formerly The MENTOR Network): Large multi-state provider of home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including adult day and residential programs — competes with DEC for state DD contracts at greater scale.
• United Cerebral Palsy (UCP): National nonprofit providing lifespan services to people with cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities, including day programs and residential care — comparable mission and service architecture to DEC.

Emerging players

• Raising Special Kids: Arizona-based family support and information resource network for parents of children with disabilities — partial overlap with DEC's Family Support Program, Resource Lending Library, and Information & Advocacy Directory.

Direct peers

• Southwest Human Development: Arizona's largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development and children with disabilities, including day programs and family support — overlaps with DEC's children's DTT/DTS and Family Support programs.
• Ability360: Arizona-based nonprofit serving individuals with disabilities through day programs, residential services, and independent living support — directly comparable mission, geography, and service mix to DEC's DTA and ADH offerings.

Regional players

• Arizona Autism Coalition: Arizona coalition coordinating autism-related services and advocacy, partnered with DEC — adjacent ecosystem player serving the same developmental disability population through referral and resource-sharing.
• LifeStream Human Services: Arizona-based nonprofit providing services for individuals with developmental disabilities, including day programs and residential support — geographic peer to DEC with overlapping service lines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/DevEnrichmentCenters
• Facebookfacebook.com/decaz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Developmental Enrichment Centers