EASTER SEALS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INC

What EASTER SEALS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INC does

Easterseals Southern California Inc. (ESSC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit disability services organization founded in 1925 and headquartered in Irvine, California, operating as part of the Easterseals National Network affiliated with Easter Seals, Inc. The organization delivers community-based services across eight Southern California counties through dozens of physical locations, supported by a 3,300+ staff workforce and reaching approximately 29,000 individuals annually. Its service portfolio spans seven core programs: Autism Services (diagnosis, therapy, family support), Adult Day Services (including the 200-person-capacity Pyott Center in Santa Ana), Child Development Services (Head Start and Early Head Start for ages 0-5), WorkFirst Employment Services (4,000+ placements since 2009), Senior Day Services, Living Options (supported residential services), and Easterseals Camp (a fully accessible summer camp at YMCA's Camp Oakes in Big Bear, operating 50+ years). A Virtual Community digital platform extends service delivery to remote participants.

The organization's underlying operating model combines a person-centered service delivery framework with evidence-based practices, codified in its proprietary Person-Centered Culture and Practices (PCCP) training and implementation manual launched commercially in June 2025. Its revenue model relies primarily on government contracts (Medi-Cal, California Department of Developmental Services, federal Head Start/Early Head Start) supplemented by charitable donations, foundation grants (e.g., a $1.75M gift from the David and Molly Pyott Foundation), corporate sponsorships, and modest commercial income from the PCCP manual and merchandise. It maintains HIPAA, CCPA/CPRA, and GDPR-aligned compliance programs and is governed by a Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team led by CEO Mark Whitley.

ESSC pursues an active ecosystem strategy anchored by high-visibility partnerships: Mattel (80+ years, including the Bruno the Brake Car character and the Hot Wheels All Drivers Welcome collection), CVS Pharmacy (14+ years), the Anaheim Ducks (Official Disability Inclusion Partner since February 2025), Film Independent (The DARCYS awards), IMDb/IMDbPro, the Rollettes Foundation, and Floreo VR. It also produces the annual Easterseals Disability Film Challenge (now in its 13th year) and the Reimagining Hollywood report, positioning the organization as a national convener on disability representation in media and consumer products alongside its core direct-service mission.

Name

EASTER SEALS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INC

Legal name

Easterseals Southern California

Website

https://southerncal.easterseals.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Easterseals Southern California is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1925 that delivers autism therapy, adult day, child development, employment, senior day, living options, and accessible camp services to approximately 29,000 individuals with disabilities and seniors annually across 8 Southern California counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Community Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism 1:1 Paraprofessional / Aide Support Services (EDAKAKAD), Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ)

Keywords

• Disability services
• Autism therapy services
• Adult day services
• Early childhood education
• Employment support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Irvine

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit relying heavily on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Website promotes multiple giving options including one-time donations, planned giving, donor advised funds, workplace giving, and stock donations.
2. Government Contracts and Program Funding: Services are funded through government contracts including Medi-Cal, Department of Developmental Services, and Head Start/Early Head Start federal programs. Operates in compliance with DHCS and Medicare Managed Care Manual standards.
3. Training Manual Sales: Person-Centered Culture and Practices (PCCP) manual sold as a commercial product to other adult day services providers seeking to implement person-centered culture change.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Easterseals Southern California is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing community-based disability and human services across eight counties in Southern California. Core offerings include autism therapy, adult day services, child development programs (Head Start/Early Head Start), employment support for people with disabilities, senior day services, independent living options, and an accessible summer camp. Services are delivered in person at dozens of program locations, supplemented by the Virtual Community Remote Services platform and the commercially sold Person-Centered Culture and Practices (PCCP) training manual.

Product overview

Easterseals Southern California is a nonprofit disability services organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of community-based programs and services for individuals with disabilities, seniors, and their families. The organization operates across eight counties in Southern California, serving approximately 29,000 people annually through over 3,300 staff members. Core services include Autism Services, Adult Day Services, Child Development Services (Head Start/Early Head Start), WorkFirst Employment Services, Senior Day Services, Living Options, and Easterseals Camp. The organization also runs signature programs including the annual Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, the newly launched DARCYS awards (formerly Media Access Awards), and the Person-Centered Culture and Practices Manual for adult day services providers. Services are delivered through dozens of physical locations and the Virtual Community digital platform. The organization focuses on disability inclusion, advocacy, and empowering individuals to live meaningful and independent lives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Easterseals Disability & Community Services: The organizational brand name used on the website and in communications.
• The DARCYS
• Easterseals Disability Film Challenge
• Easterseals Camp Oakes

Products and services

• Autism Services Comprehensive autism services including therapy, behavioral support, and family resources for individuals with autism spectrum disorder across all ages.
• Adult Day Services Day programs that empower individuals with developmental, physical, cognitive, or multiple disabilities to participate in their communities, fostering independence and enhancing social and daily living skills.
• Child Development Services Early childhood programs serving families with children from birth to five years of age, including Head Start, Early Head Start, day care, nutrition services, and family support.
• WorkFirst Employment Services Customized employment support for people with disabilities entering or re-entering the workforce, providing discovery, resume support, job matching, and on-the-job support.
• Senior Day Services Weekday activities, social interaction, and personal care services for seniors with memory loss or disabilities.
• Living Options Residential and in-home support services helping people with disabilities live independently in their own homes and communities rather than institutions.
• Easterseals Camp Fully accessible summer camp in the San Bernardino Mountains in Big Bear offering recreational activities for people with disabilities aged 14 and older, operated for over 50 years.
• Virtual Community Remote Services Digital platform with information and instructional content for individuals with disabilities who use Easterseals Southern California's services.
• Person-Centered Culture and Practices (PCCP) Manual Turn-key training and implementation manual providing step-by-step guidance for adult day services providers to create a person-centered culture, including a 7-phase implementation guide, Whole-Service Assessment, 6 training modules, and supplementary forms.
• Easterseals Disability Film Challenge Annual film competition that promotes disability inclusion by challenging filmmakers to create short films telling authentic disability stories, with awards ceremony held at Sony Pictures Studios.
• Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards (The DARCYS) Awards program celebrating authentic disability representation in film, television, and digital media, formerly known as the Media Access Awards.

Quantifiable outcome

• 29,000+ individuals served annually across all programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Film IndependentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership to launch The DARCYS (Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards), formerly known as the Media Access Awards. Joint effort to recognize authentic disability representation in film, television, and digital media. Award ceremony held at Sony Pictures Studios.
• Braille InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Collaborative partner in development of the Hot Wheels All Drivers Welcome collection, specifically contributing to the Braille Racer vehicle designs alongside Easterseals.
• Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Collaborative partner in development of the Hot Wheels All Drivers Welcome collection of accessible toy vehicles.
• Starlight Children's FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Collaborative partner in development of the Hot Wheels All Drivers Welcome collection of accessible toy vehicles.
• FarmivoreminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Farm to School partnership providing farm-fresh, organic produce boxes to ESSC families at Ventura Child Development Center. First partnership with an early childhood program for Farmivore. Produce sourced from McGrath Family Farms.
• IMDb and IMDbProcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2025Landmark partnership for Disability Pride Month featuring dedicated homepage section, curated lists, editorial features, and exclusive video content highlighting disabled talent. IMDb spotlighting Easterseals Disability Film Challenge winners. Collaboration amplifies the Reimagining Hollywood report on disability inclusion in entertainment.
• Rollettes FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2025Diamond Sponsor of the 2025 Rollettes Experience event bringing together hundreds of people with disabilities for dance, workshops, and community. Easterseals staff led panels on disability rights and advocacy. Participants Betty Partida, Lora Glassman, and Preeti Subramaniam spoke on disability rights topics.
• Anaheim DuckscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2025Official Disability Inclusion Partner of Easterseals SoCal. Recognition with Community Hero Award. Easterseals signage featured throughout Honda Center. Partnership includes presenting sponsorship of San Diego Ducks Sled Hockey Team supporting athletes with physical disabilities. Over 300 staff and participants attended inaugural partnership game day.
• TheWrapminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Hosted panel discussion at Sundance Film Festival on disability inclusion in Hollywood. TheWrap CEO Sharon Waxman moderated discussion with Easterseals Chief Advancement Officer Nancy Weintraub and Disability Film Challenge Founder Nic Novicki.
• MattelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Long-term partnership including development of Bruno the Brake Car as the first Thomas & Friends character with autism (2022), toy donations to Child Development and Autism Services programs, Hot Wheels Click Shift car collaboration as part of the All Drivers Welcome accessible toy collection (2026). Mattel has donated toys for Autism Services location grand openings and holiday parties. Mattel's Play it Forward initiative includes Easterseals as a featured partner.
• Department of Developmental Services (DDS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021California state agency providing oversight and funding. ESSC operates in compliance with DDS standards and consumers have access to DDS complaint processes.
• CVS PharmacycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 201114+ year partnership supporting Easterseals Camp and various fundraising campaigns. CVS Beauty brings beauty advisors to camp annually for formal dance makeovers. Summer in-store promotions raise funds with portions of sales supporting Camp Easterseals. CVS has been a consistent supporter of accessible camp experiences for people with disabilities.
• YMCA Camp OakescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Host location for Easterseals Camp, a fully accessible summer camp held annually at the YMCA facility in Big Bear San Bernardino Mountains. Partnership enables camp programming for 125+ campers with disabilities.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AbilityFirst: Southern California-based nonprofit offering adult day, residential, recreation, and employment services for people with developmental disabilities. Closely comparable in geography, service mix, and target population.
• United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles, Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties: Regional UCP affiliate providing adult day, employment, and residential services across overlapping Southern California counties. Directly comparable service portfolio and target population.
• The Arc of California: California chapter of The Arc, providing similar lifespan disability services including employment, residential supports, and advocacy. Directly comparable as a California-based nonprofit delivering parallel autism, adult day, and supported employment services.
• Catalyst Kids (formerly known as Child Development Associates): Southern California nonprofit operating Head Start/Early Head Start programs serving low-income children ages 0-5, with overlapping Child Development Services footprint in several of the same counties Easterseals SoCal serves.

Emerging players

• Best Buddies International: National nonprofit focused on employment, leadership development, and inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable in the employment services segment and disability inclusion advocacy.
• Autism Society of California: State-level advocacy and resource organization for the autism community. Overlaps with Easterseals SoCal's autism services mission through information/referral and family support.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals National Network / Easter Seals, Inc. The national parent/affiliate network that Easterseals Southern California belongs to. Operates the same disability services brand across multiple U.S. regions, with directly comparable autism, adult day, employment, and camp programs; most directly comparable as the umbrella system.

Others

• Floreo VR: Virtual reality platform for autism therapy and social-skills training. An existing technology partner of Easterseals SoCal and adjacent/comparable in delivering autism-specific intervention services.

Regional players

• Special Olympics Southern California: Southern California affiliate of Special Olympics providing athletic training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities. Comparable in disability-serving recreation and regional SoCal presence, though narrower mission.
• Valley Mountain Regional Center: California regional center coordinating services for people with developmental disabilities in the Inland Empire and surrounding counties that overlap Easterseals SoCal's territory. Comparable as a funder/partner and adjacent service coordinator.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xbsky.app/profile/eastersealssocal.bsky.social
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/EasterSealsSoCal
• Facebookfacebook.com/EasterSealsSoCal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/easter-seals-southern-california-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/eastersealssocal
• TikToktiktok.com/@eastersealssocal

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 →

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