What ESBF does

Easterseals Blake Foundation (EBF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit human services organization founded in 1950 and headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, operating across 10 Arizona counties. It delivers an integrated portfolio of four core service lines: behavioral health services (including The Mark intensive outpatient program for addiction and mental health, established 1987), early childhood education and development (through NAEYC-accredited centers branded as Children's Achievement Center, Palomita, Signal Peak, and UPWARD, plus nurse home visitation programs), services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (including 19 licensed group residential homes, supported employment, and day programs via Blake Employment & Community Living), and psychiatric evaluation and medication management. The organization serves approximately 30,000 to 40,000 individuals and families annually, including more than 3,700 children in foster care, and supports inclusive early childhood education for children from birth through age five.

EBF's underlying technology stack is relatively conventional for a community-based human services nonprofit: a telehealth platform enabling remote behavioral health visits, an anonymous online developmental screening tool for children birth to five, and a 24/7 crisis intervention infrastructure including a crisis text line (text TALK to 741741) and a 1-866-495-6735 phone line. Distribution is achieved through 8+ physical service sites across Arizona, home-based service delivery in multiple counties, mobile crisis response teams, and community-based supported employment worksites (Sage Ceramics, Main Street Cafe, Freeport McMoran, Banner Medical Center). Marketing and customer acquisition rely on healthcare provider referrals, school and Head Start partnerships, and government agency contracts (Arizona DDD, DCS) rather than traditional digital demand generation.

Revenue is generated through a managed-services model drawing on Arizona Medicaid (AHCCCS) reimbursement as the dominant payer, supplemented by contracts with major commercial insurers (United Healthcare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Banner Health, Mercy Care, Health Net, Ambetter, Humana), state agency contracts (DDD, DCS), charitable donations, Arizona state tax credit contributions, sliding-scale self-pay, and planned giving. Government payer concentration is high, while end-user concentration is low given the diversity of served populations across children, adults, IDD clients, foster care, and crisis intervention. The organization holds CARF behavioral health accreditation, NAEYC early childhood accreditation, DES certification, ADHS licensing, and federal Head Start and CACFP participation, and was recognized as a Mercy Care Center of Excellence in 2023.

Name

ESBF

Legal name

Easterseals Blake Foundation

Website

https://blakefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Easterseals Blake Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1950 providing behavioral health, early childhood education, IDD support, and psychiatric care to approximately 40,000 individuals and families across 10 Arizona counties through 8+ sites and 19 licensed group homes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human Services (Behavioral Health, IDD, and Early Childhood Education)

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Developmental Therapy / Early Childhood Special Instruction (EDACAFAG), Family & Parent Support Services (Parent Coaching, Advocacy) (EDAJALAK), Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare (HSAAAIAC)

Keywords

• Behavioral health services
• Early childhood education
• Developmental disability support
• Foster care services
• Psychiatric care services

Headquarters

HQ city

Tucson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Health Insurance (AHCCCS/Medicaid): Revenue from Arizona Medicaid (AHCCCS) for behavioral health services, developmental disabilities services, and early childhood programs. Services covered include behavioral health counseling, psychiatric services, IDD support, and early intervention programs.
2. Private Insurance Reimbursement: Accepts most major commercial health insurance plans including United Healthcare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Banner Health, Mercy Care, Health Net, Ambetter, and Humana for covered behavioral health and medical services.
3. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Accepts Arizona State Tax Credit donations (QCO code available). Foster Care Tax Credit contributions supported.
4. Sliding Scale/Self-Pay: Discounts for essential services offered based on family size and income for uninsured or underinsured individuals. Services available regardless of ability to pay.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Easterseals Blake Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization delivering integrated behavioral health counseling, psychiatric care, intensive outpatient addiction treatment, inclusive early childhood education, and residential and employment support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Services are provided across 10 Arizona counties through in-person facilities, telehealth, home-based programs, and community-based worksites, serving approximately 40,000 individuals and families annually.

Product overview

Easterseals Blake Foundation (EBF) is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of human services organized into four core areas: Behavioral Health Services (including The Mark intensive outpatient addiction/mental health program), Early Childhood Education & Development (with childcare centers under brands including Children's Achievement Center, Palomita Children's Center, Signal Peak Early Learning Center, and UPWARD), Support for Adults with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (through Blake Employment & Community Living programs including supported living, employment, and day programs), and Psychiatric Care & Medication Management. Services are delivered across 10 Arizona counties through multiple program brands and facilities, serving approximately 40,000 individuals and families annually since 1950.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Mark: Intensive outpatient program for addiction and mental health serving adolescents and adults.
• UPWARD
• Children's Achievement Center
• Palomita Children's Center
• Signal Peak Early Learning Center
• Blake Employment & Community Living
• Aviva Children's Services

Products and services

• Behavioral Health Services Evidence-based individual, family, and group counseling services for children, families, and adults, tailored to meet unique needs. Includes addiction counseling, behavioral intervention, and care coordination across Arizona.
• The Mark Intensive Outpatient Program Intensive outpatient program (IOP) for addiction and mental health serving individuals and families. Offers adult and adolescent mental health and addiction treatment with 3-hour sessions three times weekly for approximately 90 days. Accepts AHCCCS and commercial insurance.
• Early Childhood Education & Development Comprehensive programs including inclusive childcare centers, Head Start services, developmental screenings, and parent education covering children from birth through five years across Arizona.
• Children's Achievement Center NAEYC-accredited inclusive early learning center in Tucson, AZ offering full-year, full-day care for children ages 8 weeks to 5 years with a 5-star Quality First rating.
• Palomita Children's Center NAEYC-accredited inclusive early learning center in Safford, AZ offering year-round care for children ages 2 to 5 years, rated 5 stars by Quality First.
• Signal Peak Early Learning Center Inclusive early learning center in Coolidge, AZ offering full and part-day care for children ages 3 to 5 years, NAEYC-accredited with a 4-star Quality First rating.
• UPWARD Early Learning Center Inclusive early childhood education center in Phoenix, AZ serving infants to 5 years since 1958. Offers specialized care for medically fragile and special needs children with on-site pediatric therapy partnerships.
• Nurse Home Visitation Programs Evidence-based home visiting programs including Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) and MECSH providing free support for first-time, low-income mothers from pregnancy through child's second birthday across Pima, Cochise, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yuma, and Phoenix counties.
• Support for Adults with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Person-centered support including 19 licensed group homes, supported employment, community day programs, and transportation services for adults with IDD across Arizona.
• Supported Employment Program Job development, coaching, and employment support for teens and adults with disabilities. Includes community-based worksites at Sage Ceramics, Main Street Cafe, Freeport McMoran Copper Recycling, and Banner Medical Center.
• Psychiatric Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Treatment Comprehensive psychiatric services including evaluation, diagnostic clarification, medication management, and treatment planning delivered by licensed psychiatrists and nurses.
• Therapy for Children Behavioral health services for children and adolescents including individual therapy, family therapy, groups, psychiatric services, birth to five services, behavioral intervention, and care coordination.
• Birth to Five Services Behavioral health services for young children including Parent-Child Relationship Assessment/Therapy (PCRA/PCRT), Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), early intervention, and the Little Foot Social Skills Program.
• Blake Employment & Community Living Comprehensive services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including residential services in 19 licensed group homes, employment training, life skills development, and community-based programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Services to nearly 30,000 to 40,000 individuals and families annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and moderate.

• AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid)coreOthersArizona's Medicaid program covers behavioral health services, developmental disabilities, and early childhood programs provided by Easterseals Blake Foundation. Major revenue source for services.
• Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)coreOthersState agency providing services and support for individuals with developmental disabilities. EBF serves as a contracted provider for residential, employment, and day programs.
• Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS)coreOthersState child welfare agency. EBF provides behavioral health services, foster care support, and family preservation services for children and families involved with DCS.
• United HealthcarecoreOthersMajor commercial health insurance provider accepted for behavioral health and medical services.
• AetnacoreOthersMajor commercial health insurance provider accepted for behavioral health and medical services.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of ArizonacoreOthersMajor commercial health insurance provider accepted for behavioral health and medical services.
• Banner HealthcoreOthersMajor Arizona health system and insurance provider accepted for behavioral health and medical services.
• Mercy CarecoreOthersAHCCCS managed care plan. Recognized EBF as Center of Excellence 2023. Provider for behavioral health and developmental disability services.
• Sage Ceramics StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational arts-based employment program where individuals with disabilities gain occupational skills creating ceramic art and products. Located in Safford, AZ.
• Main Street CafecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported employment worksite in Safford providing job training opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Serves as community gathering place.
• Freeport McMoran Copper Recycling ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported employment worksite providing competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities in copper recycling operations.
• Banner Medical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare worksite providing supported employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
• Just for Kids TherapyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird-party pediatric therapy provider offering specialized on-site services at UPWARD early learning center for children with special needs.
• United WaymoderateOthersCommunity partner organization supporting funding and resources for community programs.
• APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment First)moderateOthersNational organization promoting integrated employment for people with disabilities. EBF is affiliated member.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Southwest Human Development: Arizona-based nonprofit providing early childhood development, behavioral health, and family support services. Direct competitor in the same Phoenix-metro market with overlapping early childhood and behavioral health programming.
• Lifeworks (formerly Marc Center): Arizona-based nonprofit providing residential, employment, and day programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Direct peer in the IDD service line with similar supported employment and group home models.
• Jewish Family & Children's Service (JFCS) of Southern Arizona: Tucson-headquartered human services nonprofit offering behavioral health counseling, IDD services, early childhood programs, and case management—directly overlapping EBF's Southern Arizona service area and service mix.
• Community Bridges (CBI): Arizona-based nonprofit delivering integrated behavioral health, substance use, and primary care services. Overlaps with EBF's behavioral health and addiction services (The Mark IOP) across multiple Arizona counties.
• Touchstone Behavioral Health: Arizona provider of behavioral health services for children and families, including intensive outpatient and crisis services. Direct competitor in EBF's core behavioral health segment.

Broad incumbents

• Merakey: National nonprofit providing behavioral health, intellectual disability, and autism services across many states. Comparable in IDD residential and community-living model and behavioral health scale.
• Easterseals (National): National umbrella network of Easterseals affiliates providing disability, behavioral health, and early childhood services across the U.S. EBF operates as an Arizona affiliate, sharing brand, mission, and programming model.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: Large national nonprofit operating residential, behavioral health, and IDD programs across multiple states. Comparable to EBF in mission and IDD/behavioral health programming, with broader geographic reach.

Regional players

• Arizona Center for Disability Law: Arizona statewide disability advocacy and protection/advocacy organization. While not a direct service competitor, it shapes the policy environment in which EBF's IDD and behavioral health services operate.

Others

• United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona: Community funding and convening partner that supports many of the same populations EBF serves. Functions as a peer in the funding/coordination ecosystem rather than a direct service competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/esbf

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries7 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 ESBF