APAC - Associação de Pais e Amigos de Crianças

What APAC - Associação de Pais e Amigos de Crianças does

APAC — Associação de Pais e Amigos de Crianças — is a Portuguese non-profit private institution of social solidarity (Instituição Particular de Solidariedade Social, IPSS), founded on 24 May 1995 and headquartered in Arcozelo, Barcelos. It is recognized as an entity of Public Utility (Utilidade Pública). APAC's mission is to support children, youth, and families affected by disability, developmental problems, neuromotor conditions (including cerebral palsy), and social exclusion through a coordinated portfolio of social responses and specialized clinical services.

Its core offering is organized into two integrated tracks. The first comprises five social responses operated in cooperation with Portugal's Instituto da Seguranca Social, IP under formal protocol agreements: Apoio Ambulatório (ambulatory support), CACI (Centro de Atividades e Capacitação para a Inclusão — day-center activities and inclusion training), Intervenção Precoce na Infância (early childhood intervention), Casa de Acolhimento (shelter care), and SAAS (social service assessment and follow-up). The second track consists of five specialized clinical and accessibility services: Serviço de Produtos de Apoio (prescription and loan of assistive products, accredited per Despacho nº 14725/99), Serviço de Intervenção Multidisciplinar (SIM — Snoezelen, speech, occupational, physio, and psychomotor therapies), Oficina do Brinquedo (adapted toy workshop with IPCA), Consulta de Dislexia, and the nationally-scope Consulta Especializada de Autismo Dr. Luís Borges. Delivery rests on a multidisciplinary team spanning neuropediatrics, pedopsychiatry, physiatry, psychology, social work, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and psychomotor therapy.

APAC's business model is non-commercial. Revenue is assembled from protocol funding via Instituto da Seguranca Social IP, project co-financing from Instituto Nacional de Reabilitação (INR, I.P.), individual donations, the 0.5% IRS tax consignation mechanism (plus IVA consignation), and annual membership fees tied to a discount-partner network (opticians, pharmacies, gyms, dance schools, etc.). GTM is community-led: beneficiaries reach APAC through social service referrals, municipal authorities, healthcare providers, and educational institutions, while brand visibility is built via local media, the organization's website (apacbarcelos.pt), newsletters, and campaigns supported by partners such as Gil Vicente FC. Geographic scope is regionally concentrated in Barcelos and Esposende, with the autism consultation operating nationwide.

Name

APAC - Associação de Pais e Amigos de Crianças

Legal name

ASSOCIAÇÃO DE PAIS E AMIGOS DE CRIANÇAS

Website

https://apacbarcelos.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

APAC is a Portuguese non-profit IPSS founded in 1995 in Barcelos, providing social responses, multidisciplinary therapeutic services, and specialized autism, dyslexia, and assistive-product support to children, youth, and families with disabilities or social exclusion risks, funded by government protocols and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Child Social Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAEAC

Family & Parenting Support Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYEDAJAKAF

Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Special Education Services

SECONDARYEDACAFAL

Assistive Technology & AAC for Young Children

Education/Early Childhood Education/Early Intervention & Developmental Services (0–5)

SECONDARYHSAAAIAM

Therapy-Integrated Childcare Support (coordination with OT/PT/SLP/ABA)

Home & Personal Services/Childcare, Babysitting & Nanny Services/Special Needs & Inclusive Childcare Services

SECONDARYEDALAFAN

Accessibility, Accommodations & Assistive Services

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Student Health, Counseling & Wellness Services

SECONDARYEDAKAKAI

Autism Executive Functioning & Academic Skills Intervention

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Autism Support Services (Educational)

Keywords

• Disability social services
• Early childhood intervention
• Assistive products prescription
• Multidisciplinary therapeutic services
• Specialized autism assessment

Headquarters

HQ city

Arcozelo - Barcelos

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Social Security Protocol Funding: APAC operates responses social services (Apoio Ambulatório, CACI, Intervenção Precoce, Casa de Acolhimento, SAAS) in cooperation with Instituto da Segurança Social, IP, through protocol agreements.
2. Government Grants and Co-financing: Co-financing from Instituto Nacional de Reabilitação (INR, I.P.) for specialized projects including Autism evaluation services and disability empowerment programs.
3. IRS Tax Consignment: APAC receives 0.5% of taxpayers' IRS through consignação, allowing citizens to donate part of their taxes to the organization at no cost. Also accepts IVA donation.
4. Donations: Direct monetary donations from individuals and organizations supporting the association's mission.
5. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees for associates who also receive benefits from partner organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

APAC operates as a multi-service non-profit social solidarity institution (IPSS) delivering a coordinated portfolio of social responses and specialized clinical services for children, youth, and families with disabilities, developmental problems, or social exclusion risks in Portugal. Its offerings include ambulatory support, CACI inclusion center, early intervention, temporary shelter care, social service accompaniment, assistive products prescription, multidisciplinary therapeutic intervention, adapted toy workshop, dyslexia assessment, and autism spectrum evaluation. Services are accessed through social service referrals and cooperation protocols with Portugal's Instituto da Segurança Social and Instituto Nacional de Reabilitação (INR, I.P.).

Product overview

APAC is a non-profit private social solidarity institution (IPSS) that operates as a multi-service organization offering a coordinated portfolio of social responses and specialized healthcare services. The core offerings include five social responses (Apoio Ambulatório, CACI, Intervenção Precoce na Infância, Casa de Acolhimento, and SAAS) that provide rehabilitation, early intervention, and social protection. Complementing these are five specialized services: Serviço de Produtos de Apoio (assistive technology prescription), Serviço de Intervenção Multidisciplinar (SIM), Oficina do Brinquedo (adapted toy workshop), Consulta de Dislexia, and Consulta Especializada de Autismo Dr. Luís Borges. The organization operates a multidisciplinary team of neuropediatrics, psychiatry, physiatry, psychology, social work, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and psychomotor therapy professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Consulta Especializada de Autismo Dr. Luís Borges: Specialized Autism Consultation service named after Dr. Luís Borges, offering multidisciplinary evaluation and diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders.
• Oficina do Brinquedo

Products and services

• Apoio Ambulatorio (Ambulatory Support)

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Gil Vicente FCminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 April 2024Football club joined the IRS consignation campaign to support APAC, lending visibility to the charity's fundraising efforts.
• Município de Barcelos (Municipality of Barcelos)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal authority partnership supporting APAC's mission. The municipality has co-sponsored projects and provides ongoing support to the organization.
• Instituto Politécnico do Cávado e Ave (IPCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the 'Oficina do Brinquedo' (Toy Workshop) project where IPCA's Electronic and Computer Engineering students evaluate and adapt electronic toys for children with special needs.
• Instituto da Segurança Social, IPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal cooperation protocol for operating social responses including Apoio Ambulatório, CACI, Intervenção Precoce, Casa de Acolhimento, and SAAS.
• Instituto Nacional de Reabilitação, IP (INR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-financing partner providing support for specialized projects including Autism Spectrum Disorder evaluation services and operational costs.
• PT FundaçãominorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation partner supporting APAC's initiatives.
• Orquestra de Câmara PortuguesaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCultural partner collaborating with APAC.
• Significativo Azul (Fenacerci)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization representing disability interests.
• Frota Solidária (Banco Montepio)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial solidarity fleet program supporting APAC's transportation needs.
• Central ÓticasminorOthersOptical chain offering discounts to APAC members at any of their stores.
• Farmácia de BarcelinhosminorOthers10% discount on medications and products, best price guarantee for technical aids, participation in health screenings.
• Academia João CapelaminorOthersFitness academy offering free enrollment to APAC members.
• Escolas Academia do Sporting BarcelosminorOthers5% discount on monthly fees for APAC members.
• Ginásio MáximominorOthersFree enrollment and 10% discount on monthly fees for APAC members.
• CopyStudiominorOthers12-15% discounts on school supplies and materials for APAC members.
• Stop's (Auto Repair)minorOthersFree vehicle check-up, 10% labor discount, 5% parts discount, free car wash with service.
• Ama-te (Beauty/SPA)minorOthers10% discount on all services including SPA, aesthetics, manicure, pedicure, massage, podology.
• Escola de Dança de BarcelosminorOthersFree enrollment, referral discounts, and 10% monthly discount for members.
• Intensify WorldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint finalist in 'Bairro Feliz' campaign at Pingo Doce supermarket to acquire musical instruments for CACI users.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CERCICA: Cooperative for education and rehabilitation of children with disabilities operating in the Cascais/Lisbon region. Comparable as a non-profit social solidarity entity delivering CACI-equivalent day programs, early intervention, and assistive products/services under ISS protocols.
• APPDA - Associação Portuguesa para as Perturbações do Desenvolvimento e Autismo: Portuguese NGO focused on autism spectrum disorder support, including diagnosis, therapy, and family services. Comparable in operating specialized autism consultation services and family support programs funded via ISS and INR mechanisms.
• APPACDM Distrital de Braga: Portuguese IPSS serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Braga district. Directly comparable in mission (disability support, social solidarity institution), funding model (ISS protocols), and geographic operating area immediately adjacent to APAC's Barcelos catchment.
• Centro João XXIII: Portuguese IPSS providing social services including disability support, sheltered housing, and SAAS-equivalent services. Comparable as a multi-response IPSS operating under ISS cooperation protocols and co-financed by INR.

Others

• Instituto Nacional para a Reabilitação (INR): Portuguese public body that co-finances APAC's projects. Included as a counterpart rather than a direct competitor; relevant for understanding the regulatory and funding ecosystem, including the Despacho n.º 14725/99 framework under which APAC operates as a prescribing entity.

Broad incumbents

• Acreditar: Established national Portuguese IPSS supporting families of children with serious illness, including disability. Comparable on non-profit social solidarity model, ISS-protocol funding, and family-centered service delivery, though focused on a different condition cohort.

Emerging players

• Equações Excepcionais: Portuguese association supporting children with autism and developmental disabilities through therapeutic intervention and family support. Comparable in mission and beneficiary profile, focused on early intervention and multidisciplinary therapy like APAC's SIM service.

Regional players

• Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Barcelos: Large Portuguese social solidarity institution providing multi-service social and healthcare responses in the same Barcelos municipality as APAC. Compares on geographic footprint, IPSS status, and protocol-based funding with ISS, but at a larger scale with broader service scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/apac---associa%C3%A7%C3%A3o-de-pais-e-amigos-de-crian%C3%A7as

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about APAC - Associação de Pais e Amigos de Crianças