Capital District Center for Independence, Inc.

What Capital District Center for Independence, Inc. does

Capital District Center for Independence, Inc. (CDCI) is a private, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit Independent Living Center (ILC) headquartered in Albany, New York, founded in 1979 (originally as Wheels to Independence, renamed upon incorporation in 1980). It is one of 37 state-designated ILCs in New York and serves over 1,500 people with disabilities annually across the Greater Capital District, primarily Albany and Schenectady Counties with select programs extending into Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Washington, and Warren counties. CDCI operates through two physical offices (Albany and Schenectady) with a small staff of 6 employees, delivering a comprehensive portfolio of non-residential direct services and grant-funded programs including peer counseling, individual and systemic advocacy, independent living skills training, housing services, employment services, benefits advisement, reentry support, a food pantry (Essential Shelf), and a community resource room.

The organization's core service model is built on the independent living philosophy, with trained Peer Navigators and Peer Advocates who have lived disability experience delivering peer-based counseling, self-advocacy coaching, and consumer-directed support. Specialized programs layer on top of these core services, including Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for students 14-21, Young Adult Workforce Development (YAWD), Healthy Living Programs, the Open Doors/MFP Rebalancing Demonstration, the Olmstead Housing Subsidy, Surrogate Decision-Making Committee Services, and the Social Care Network (SCN) 1115 Medicaid waiver program providing housing, nutrition, and transportation supports. The organization has no proprietary technology product; service delivery is conducted via scheduled in-person appointments supplemented by phone and Zoom consultations under a hybrid model adopted during COVID-19.

CDCI generates revenue through a mix of federal and state ILC grants (via the Administration for Community Living and New York State), Medicaid waiver program funding (SCN, Olmstead Housing Subsidy), partnership-based program funding (Pre-ETS via ACCES-VR), individual monetary donations, Amazon Smile contributions, and in-kind donations to the food pantry. Services are provided at no charge to consumers regardless of age, race, gender, disability, income, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation, and no documentation of disability is required. CDCI is governed by a Board of Directors on which a minimum of 51% must be people with disabilities, as required for federally-funded ILCs, and is a membership organization without parent-company, venture capital, or private equity ownership.

Name

Capital District Center for Independence, Inc.

Legal name

Capital District Center for Independence, Inc.

Website

https://cdciweb.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Capital District Center for Independence, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Independent Living Center founded in 1979 that provides free peer-based advocacy, counseling, housing, employment, and benefits services to over 1,500 people with disabilities annually across the Greater Capital District of New York State.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Independent Living Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

akta.pro primary industry

Independent Living with Supportive Services (Light ADL/IADL Support) (HLADAAAE)

Keywords

• Independent living services
• Disability advocacy
• Peer counseling
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Housing assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Albany

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Funding: CDCI receives funding through state and federal sources to operate as an Independent Living Center. The organization is part of New York's network of 37 ILCs and likely receives government grants to provide services to people with disabilities.
2. Donations and Contributions: The organization accepts monetary donations via check and through Amazon Smile program where 0.5% of eligible purchases are donated. Donations support the Essential Pantry and general operations.
3. Essential Pantry Donations: The Food Pantry/Essential Shelf accepts donated items including shelf-stable goods, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and paper products from the community.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Capital District Center for Independence, Inc. (CDCI) is a 501(c)(3) community-based Independent Living Center that provides free non-residential services to people with disabilities in New York's Greater Capital District. Core offerings include peer counseling, individual and systemic advocacy, independent living skills training, housing support, employment services, benefits advisement, information and referral, and a food pantry. Services are delivered directly by trained Peer Navigators and specialists through two offices in Albany and Schenectady as well as via phone and Zoom.

Product overview

Capital District Center for Independence, Inc. (CDCI) is a private non-profit Independent Living Center (ILC) that provides non-residential services to people with disabilities. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of services organized as core direct services, specialized programs, and community resources. Core services include Food Pantry/Essential Shelf, Peer Counseling, Individual and Systemic Advocacy, Information and Referral, Independent Living Skills Training, Housing Services, Employment Services, Reentry Services, and Benefits Advisement. Specialized programs include Pre-Employment Transition Services for Students (Pre-ETS), Social Care Network (SCN), Healthy Living Programs, Olmstead Housing Subsidy, Open Doors, Surrogate Decision-Making Committee Services, Young Adult Workforce Development Program (YAWD), and Community Resource Room. The organization serves Albany and Schenectady Counties and surrounding Greater Capital District of New York State.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Food Pantry/Essential Shelf Food pantry providing shelf-stable food, canned vegetables and meats, dried pasta, peanut butter, cereal, rice, frozen meats, fresh produce, and household cleaning and hygiene products for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.
• Peer Counseling One-on-one and group-based support delivered by trained Peer Navigators with lived disability experience, focusing on building self-confidence, enhancing independent living skills, and reducing social isolation.
• Individual and Systemic Advocacy Advocacy services that help consumers identify barriers and develop strategies across housing, healthcare, employment, education, transportation, and public benefits, including education on disability rights and assistance with reasonable accommodations.
• Information and Referral Information, resources, and referrals to community partner agencies to assist individuals throughout the Greater Capital Region with accessing appropriate services.
• Independent Living Skills Training Consumer-driven training that supports individuals with disabilities in developing daily living skills, financial literacy, communication skills, and transportation training to live independently.
• Housing Services Support with finding and applying for housing, understanding tenant rights, navigating housing systems, accessibility modifications, rent and utility resources, and eviction prevention.
• Employment Services Support for resume building, job searching, interview skills, managing disability while working, and learning soft skills such as work conduct and hygiene.
• Reentry Services Assistance for recently released inmates with disabilities transitioning back into the community, helping with housing, employment, independent living skills, VR services, and social support.
• Community Resource Room Community space providing resources and support for individuals with disabilities.
• Benefits Advisement Guidance on programs such as Social Security (SSI/SSDI), Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and other public benefits, helping individuals understand work incentives and make informed employment decisions.
• Pre-Employment Transition Services for Students (Pre-ETS) Program for students with disabilities ages 14-21 providing job exploration counseling, work-based learning experiences, post-secondary education counseling, workplace readiness training, and self-advocacy instruction.
• Social Care Network (SCN) 1115 Waiver program providing housing support through Medicaid, food and nutrition support, and transportation services for Medicaid-enrolled individuals.
• Healthy Living Programs Peer-led 10-week workshop helping people with disabilities improve quality of life through goal setting, building support systems, healthy eating, physical activity, and self-advocacy in healthcare.
• Olmstead Housing Subsidy Statewide rental subsidy and transitional housing support for high-need Medicaid beneficiaries transitioning from nursing home settings or preventing nursing home placement.
• Open Doors Federal program assisting states in shifting Medicaid long-term care services to support people with disabilities living in the community, helping individuals in nursing homes return to the community.
• Surrogate Decision-Making Committee Services Alternative to the court system authorized to provide consent for non-emergency major medical treatment and end-of-life care decisions for people with disabilities.
• Young Adult Workforce Development Program (YAWD) Program helping young adults ages 14-24 explore the world of working and transitioning into adulthood through Pre-Employment Transition Services, transition services, parent-student IEP advocacy, and volunteer opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,500 people with disabilities served annually

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• NYAIL (New York Association of Independent Living)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYAIL is the state association representing all 37 Independent Living Centers in New York. CDCI partners with NYAIL on programs including Open Doors/MFP Rebalancing Demonstration Grant and Olmstead Housing Subsidy. NYAIL coordinates statewide initiatives that CDCI participates in.
• ACCES-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services - Vocational Rehabilitation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew York State Education Department program providing vocational rehabilitation services. CDCI collaborates with ACCES-VR on Pre-Employment Transition Services for Students and other employment-related programs. CDCI hosts VR information sessions and assists individuals in accessing VR services.
• Disability Rights New York (DRNY)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDCI partners with DRNY to provide information on voting rights, accessible voting, laws and regulations, and voter registration for people with disabilities.
• NCIL (National Council on Independent Living)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization representing Independent Living Centers. CDCI is affiliated with NCIL as part of the broader ILC network.
• ACL (Administration for Community Living)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency that funds and supports community living programs. CDCI receives federal support through ACL-funded initiatives.
• CBo-ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner providing resources and support for disability services.
• Albany ATTAIN LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDCI collaborates with Albany ATTAIN Lab to offer free Microsoft Word and Excel training workshops for individuals with disabilities seeking employment skills.
• Girl Scout Troop 1474minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Essential Shelf food pantry was developed in partnership with Ms. Ava Johnson of Girl Scout Troop 1474 to support food insecurity in the Capital Region.
• New York Association of Independent Living (NYAIL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYAIL compiles free self-care activity resources including yoga, fitness, and meditation content that CDCI shares with its community members.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Finger Lakes Independence Center: FLIC is an Ithaca-area Independent Living Center serving people with disabilities across the Finger Lakes region. It is a regional peer ILC with the same independent living philosophy and core service mix as CDCI.
• Catskill Center for Independence: Catskill Center for Independence is a Oneonta-area ILC serving people with disabilities in the Catskill region of New York. It is a regional peer ILC providing advocacy, peer counseling, and independent living skills training comparable to CDCI's portfolio.
• ARISE: ARISE is a Syracuse-area Independent Living Center and disability services nonprofit serving people with disabilities across Central New York. It is a larger regional peer offering the same ILC core services as CDCI plus additional disability employment programs.
• Southern Adirondack Independent Living (SAIL): SAIL is an Independent Living Center serving the Glens Falls/Southern Adirondack region of New York with advocacy, peer counseling, and independent living services. It is a regional peer ILC operating in counties adjacent to CDCI's service territory.
• AIM Independent Living Center: AIM is a Syracuse-based Independent Living Center providing independent living skills training, advocacy, and peer services to people with disabilities in Central New York. It is a regional peer ILC under the same federal Title VII framework.
• Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL): RCIL is a Utica, NY-based ILC serving the Mohawk Valley with independent living services, advocacy, and benefits counseling. It is a regional peer ILC operating under the same New York ILC framework as CDCI.
• North Country Center for Independence: NCCIL is a Plattsburgh/Watertown-area ILC serving people with disabilities across Northern New York. It is a regional peer ILC operating under the same federal ILC mandate as CDCI.

Direct peers

• Bronx Independent Living Services (BILS): BILS is a Bronx-based ILC providing independent living services, advocacy, and peer support to people with disabilities in New York. It is structurally identical to CDCI as a Title VII-funded ILC operating under the same federal mandate and philosophy.
• Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY (CDNY): CDNY is a New York City-based Independent Living Center offering advocacy, independent living skills training, benefits advisement, and peer support to people with disabilities. It is the most direct functional peer to CDCI within the New York ILC network, operating the same federally mandated service mix at larger scale.

Others

• Disability Rights New York (DRNY): DRNY is the federally designated Protection and Advocacy agency for people with disabilities in New York State. It is a core CDCI partner but, rather than providing direct independent living services, it operates as an adjacent legal/advocacy ecosystem organization that refers clients into the ILC network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cdcindependence

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Capital District Center for Independence, Inc.