Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services

What Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services does

Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS) is a university-based nonprofit service and research center operating within Rutgers University's Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP), headquartered at 100 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, New Jersey. Founded in 2015/2016 and led by Founding Executive Director Dr. Christopher Manente, RCAAS addresses the so-called "service cliff" facing adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who age out of school-based entitlements. The center operates four integrated programs from a 10,000-square-foot community center on the Rutgers Douglass Campus: the College Support Program (CSP) for Rutgers students with ASD, the Psychological Services Clinic (PSC) for mental health services, the Intensive Outpatient Clinic (IOC) — described as probably the only clinic of its kind in the country for adults with severe problem behaviors — and Community-Based Programming (CBP), which encompasses the SCALE employment program, Employment Network, Benefits Counseling, and the Neurodivergent Collective peer community.

RCAAS's core technology is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), an evidence-based intervention framework delivered through credentialed clinicians, trained Rutgers graduate students, and peer mentors. Notable program features include the IOC's 3-to-1 technician staffing model for severe-behavior patients, individualized one-on-one employment coaching (which the center reports outperforms group sessions), and a holistic caregiver-inclusion treatment approach. The center has produced measurable outcomes, including a 97% reduction in challenging behaviors for a documented IOC patient. RCAAS also operates an active research arm, with Co-Directors of Research Dr. Vanessa Bal and Dr. SungWoo Kahng (the latter also serving as President of the BACB Board of Directors), producing peer-reviewed work and externally funded studies such as the OAR-funded Mental Health Guide for Autistic College Students.

The business model is nonprofit and grant-funded rather than fee-for-service. RCAAS receives primary funding from Rutgers University allocations (including strategic funds from the Office of the Chancellor through GSAPP), supplemented by state grants (notably $50,000 from the New Jersey Governor's Council of Medical Research and Treatment of Autism in 2021) and philanthropic donations (a $9.5M Vaccaro-led campaign funded the 2021 community center build, and a $31,500 Autism MVP Foundation donation in 2022 established a graduate training fellowship). Customer segments are primarily autistic adults (vocational and residential support), college students with ASD (academic coaching), families of autistic adults, and — as a secondary B2B segment — employers seeking neurodiverse hiring partnerships (Rutgers Dining Services, Bettaway Supply Chain Services). Geographically, RCAAS serves New Jersey, where autism prevalence is among the highest in the U.S., and is extending its footprint through the 33-unit THRIVE Red Bank neuro-inclusive housing project that broke ground in July 2024 in partnership with Parents With a Plan.

Name

Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services

Legal name

Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services

Website

https://rcaas.rutgers.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS) is a university-based nonprofit center within Rutgers GSAPP that delivers evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), vocational, psychological, and intensive outpatient services to adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder in New Jersey.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Autism Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Individual and Family Services (6241), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA), Autism Diagnostic & Educational Assessment Services (EDAKAKAA)

Keywords

• Adult autism services
• Applied behavior analysis
• Vocational training programs
• Psychological services clinic
• Neurodiversity support

Headquarters

HQ city

New Brunswick

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. University Funding: Primary funding from Rutgers University through the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP), including strategic funds from Office of the Chancellor.
2. Philanthropic Donations: Major contributions from donors such as John and Laura Vaccaro, and $31,500 donation from Autism MVP Foundation for fellowship programs.
3. Government Grants: Funding from New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and New Jersey Governor's Council of Medical Research and Treatment of Autism ($50,000 grant to Dr. Kahng).

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS) is a university-based center that delivers integrated clinical, educational, and vocational programs for adults with autism spectrum disorder. It operates four collaborative units — the College Support Program (CSP), Psychological Services Clinic (PSC), Intensive Outpatient Clinic (IOC), and Community-Based Programming (SCALE/Employment Network) — providing academic coaching, mental health services, intensive behavior-analytic support, employment coaching, and independent living assistance.

Product overview

Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS) is a university-based service center offering a comprehensive suite of programs for adults on the autism spectrum. The organization operates four distinct yet collaborative units: College Support Program (CSP) for academic support, Psychological Services Clinic (PSC) for mental health services, Intensive Outpatient Clinic (IOC) for behavioral interventions, and Community-Based Programming (CBP) which includes SCALE employment services and the Neurodivergent Collective community program. Together these programs provide vocational training, clinical services, social support, and residential programming to enable full integration into university and community life.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• College Support Program (CSP): Supports Rutgers University students on the autism spectrum as they begin, continue and prepare to graduate from the University
• Psychological Services Clinic (PSC)
• Intensive Outpatient Clinic (IOC)
• SCALE (Supporting Community Access through Leisure and Employment)
• Employment Network

Products and services

• College Support Program (CSP) Provides academic support, peer mentoring, social skills development, and supplemental clinical services for Rutgers University students on the autism spectrum to help them succeed from enrollment through graduation.
• Psychological Services Clinic (PSC) Provides mental health services, diagnostic support, and ongoing therapeutic care for adults on the autism spectrum, addressing co-occurring mental health conditions and promoting overall well-being.
• Intensive Outpatient Clinic (IOC) Provides concentrated behavior-analytic support services for adults with autism spectrum disorder who engage in severe problem behaviors, utilizing evidence-based interventions and tailored treatment plans; each patient is assigned three behavior technicians with one serving as lead.
• Supporting Community Access through Leisure and Employment (SCALE) Provides job sampling, individualized one-on-one coaching, and employment support services to help adults with autism gain meaningful employment, along with leisure activity programming to enhance quality of life and community integration.
• Employment Network A vocational support program providing job placement assistance, employment coaching, and career development services for adults with autism seeking integrated employment opportunities.
• Benefits Counseling Provides guidance and counseling to help adults with autism understand and navigate government benefits and support services while planning for financial independence.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% reduction in challenging behaviors for IOC patients
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Parents With a PlanflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Partnership driving THRIVE Red Bank, a first-of-its-kind 34,000-square-foot neuro-inclusive apartment building with 33 units for neurodivergent adults. The project addresses housing insecurity and provides independent living with natural supports.
• Rutgers Dining ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstrumental partnership providing on-campus employment opportunities for adults with autism through the SCALE program. Allows autistic adults to gain meaningful job experience and life skills.
• Rutgers Neurodiversity Task ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross-departmental task force improving organizational climate and promoting access, advocacy, and equity for neurodiverse Rutgers students, faculty, and staff. Hosts annual Neurodiversity Summit.
• Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research (SPARK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmy Gravino serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of SPARK, one of the largest autism research initiatives.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: Easterseals is a large national nonprofit network delivering disability and autism services including employment support, adult day services, and behavioral interventions. RCAAS is comparable because both offer adult-focused autism services in a community-based, multi-program model, though Easterseals operates across many states.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: Devereux is one of the largest nonprofits operating behavioral health and developmental disability services, including adult autism programs. RCAAS is comparable because both provide ABA-based clinical interventions, vocational supports, and residential services for adults with ASD, though Devereux operates at much broader national scale.

Direct peers

• May Institute: May Institute is a nonprofit organization providing educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral health services for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities across the lifespan, including adult residential and day programs. RCAAS is comparable as both deliver integrated clinical, vocational, and residential supports to adults with ASD.
• Melmark: Melmark is a nonprofit provider of residential, educational, vocational, and clinical services for children and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral health needs. RCAAS is comparable because both focus on evidence-based ABA supports for the adult autism population across clinical, vocational, and residential settings.
• Bancroft: Bancroft is a New Jersey-based nonprofit providing residential, vocational, behavioral, and educational programs for children and adults with autism and intellectual disabilities. RCAAS is comparable because both serve the adult autism population in the Northeast with a similar mix of clinical, employment, and supported-living offerings.
• AHRC New York City: AHRC NYC is a nonprofit providing a broad range of clinical, educational, residential, employment, and behavioral services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. RCAAS is comparable as both deliver lifespan ABA, employment, and supported-living supports for adults with ASD.
• Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center: The Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center is a sister Rutgers center providing ABA-based clinical, educational, and adult services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. RCAAS is highly comparable — both share Rutgers infrastructure, ABA methodology, and adult autism program offerings, with overlapping leadership (e.g., Robert H. LaRue and Jenna Budge worked at DDDC).

Emerging players

• JVS Boston: JVS Boston is a workforce-development nonprofit providing employment training, coaching, and placement services for diverse populations including people with disabilities. RCAAS is comparable because its SCALE Employment Network and individualized employment coaching mirror JVS's model of one-on-one vocational support for underserved populations.
• Kennedy Krieger Institute: Kennedy Krieger is a research-and-clinical institute affiliated with Johns Hopkins providing developmental disability services including diagnostics, behavioral intervention, and research. RCAAS is comparable because both operate at the intersection of clinical service, training, and research for individuals with ASD, with university/medical-school affiliations.

Others

• Autism Society of America: Autism Society of America is a national advocacy and resource organization supporting individuals with autism across the lifespan. RCAAS is comparable because the center's annual Neurodiversity Summit, public resources, and outreach mission align with the Society's lifespan support and awareness mission, though the Society does not deliver direct clinical services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RutgersGSAPP
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/rutgerscenterforadultautis5766
• Facebookfacebook.com/RutgersCAAS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rutgers-center-for-adult-autism-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/rutgerscaas

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services