Spaulding Academy & Family Services

What Spaulding Academy & Family Services does

Spaulding Academy & Family Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1871 and headquartered on a 500+ acre campus in Northfield, New Hampshire. It is the oldest child care organization in operation in the United States, serving children and youth ages 3-22 with neurological, emotional, behavioral, learning, or developmental challenges, including those with autism spectrum disorder and histories of trauma, abuse, or neglect. The organization also operates community-based programs serving children ages 0-20 and their families through foster care licensing and in-home services.

The service portfolio is built around an integrated model combining a 140,000 square foot state-approved special education school (Spaulding Academy), a CARF-accredited Qualified Residential Treatment Provider (QRTP) program with six year-round residential cottages accommodating 8-12 students each, comprehensive clinical and behavioral services, health and wellness with 24/7 nursing, and the Experiential Challenges Outdoors (EChO) program utilizing the campus's ropes courses, mountain bike trails, and adaptive playground. Specialized technology includes virtual reality scenarios for sensory preparation, an Innovation and Technology Suite, a podcast studio, and adaptive equipment designed collaboratively with occupational and physical therapists.

Revenue is generated through government contracts with New Hampshire School Administrative Units (SAUs), the Division for Children Youth and Families (DCYF), Juvenile Justice Services (JJS), and out-of-state social services agencies, supplemented by Medicaid/insurance reimbursement for clinical services and tax-deductible charitable donations. The organization accepts referrals through a four-stage admissions process (referral, application, interview, acceptance) and recruits foster parents through community outreach. In 2024 it became the world's first Choose Love-certified campus, integrating character social-emotional development across all programming.

Name

Spaulding Academy & Family Services

Legal name

Spaulding Academy & Family Services

Website

https://spauldingservices.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1871

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Spaulding Academy & Family Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 500-acre campus in Northfield, NH, delivering integrated special education, residential, clinical, and community-based services for children and youth ages 0-22 with complex behavioral, developmental, and trauma-related needs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education & Residential Treatment Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Child and Youth Services (62411), Child Care Services (624410)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Therapeutic/Behavioral & Residential Treatment K–12 Schools (EDAJABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nursery School Readiness & Transition Programs (EDACACAL), Family & Parenting Education (Family Literacy, Parenting Skills) (EDAAAFAF)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Residential treatment programs
• Foster care services
• Behavioral health services
• Child welfare nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Northfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Educational Services: Year-round special educational services for students with emotional, behavioral, neurological, and developmental challenges. Revenue is generated through contracts with school districts, state social service agencies (DCYF), and juvenile justice services. The organization serves as a Qualified Residential Treatment Provider (QRTP) accredited by CARF.
2. Community-Based Programs: Foster family licensing, Individual Service Option (ISO) foster care, ISO in-home services, child health support services for children ages 0-20 and their families. Services include case management, treatment planning, transportation, supervision for visits, and respite care.
3. Foster Care Services: Foster parent recruitment, training, licensing, and ongoing support services. Services include treatment planning, case management, family therapy, crisis stabilization, and monthly support groups for foster families.
4. Donations and Charitable Giving: As a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization accepts donations through various methods including online giving, with donations directly benefiting children in care.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Spaulding Academy & Family Services operates year-round special education, residential cottage-based care, clinical and behavioral health services, and community-based programs (foster care and ISO in-home services) for children and youth ages 3-22 with neurological, emotional, behavioral, learning, or developmental challenges. Programs are delivered through its 140,000-square-foot Academy, six residential cottages, and a 500-acre campus, supported by CARF accreditation as a Qualified Residential Treatment Provider and NH Department of Education approval as a Special Education and Non-Public School.

Product overview

Spaulding Academy & Family Services operates as a comprehensive, integrated suite of educational, residential, therapeutic, and community-based programs serving children and youth (ages 3-22) with neurological, emotional, behavioral, learning, or developmental challenges. The organization combines Spaulding Academy (a 140,000 square foot state-approved special education school operating year-round), a CARF-accredited Residential Program (six cottage-based homes), Clinical and Behavioral Services (utilizing PBIS, ABA, and trauma-informed practices), Health and Wellness Services (24/7 nursing), and Community-Based Programs (Foster Care and ISO In-Home Services). Unique programmatic offerings include the Experiential Challenges Outdoors (EChO) adventure program, Arts Program, and the Choose Love Movement social-emotional learning curriculum. The organization was established in 1871 and is the oldest child care organization in operation in the United States.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Spaulding Academy A 140,000 square foot state-of-the-art educational facility serving students with emotional/behavioral disorders (grades K-8) and neurobehavioral disorders (kindergarten to age 22). Year-round, state-approved special education school operating 236 days per year, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM daily, with certified special education teachers delivering IEP-modified instruction.
• Residential Program Cottage-based residential living program for children and youth with six year-round residential cottages (Colcord, Cutter Wiggins, Davis, Lambert, Young, and Wednesday House), each accommodating 8-12 residents. CARF-accredited as a Qualified Residential Treatment Provider (QRTP). Includes independent living skills training.
• Clinical Services Comprehensive clinical services including special education, psychology, behavioral health, speech and language, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and nursing. Utilizes evidence-based practices including PBIS, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed therapy, and applied behavior analysis (ABA).
• Behavioral Services Behavioral support team consisting of Clinical Coordinators, Behaviorists, Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), and ABA Residential Mentors. Uses applied behavior analysis (ABA) approach with functional behavioral assessments, VB-MAPP assessments, and individualized treatment plans.
• Health and Wellness Services Health services including well-child physicals, episodic illness treatment, medication management, medical appointment coordination, neurological/psychological evaluation, daily medical maintenance, nutritional services, and 24/7 nursing availability. Includes Food Services program with dietary accommodations.
• Related Services IEP-related services including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language therapy, social work, and ABA services. Speech and Language serves approximately 85% of academic student population with individual, group, and consultation services.
• Foster Care Program ISO Foster Care Program recruiting, training, and licensing foster parents while providing support services. Includes treatment planning, case management, family therapy, medical/educational/recreational coordination, 24-hour crisis support, and monthly foster parent support groups.
• ISO In-Home Services Individual Service Options in-home services provided for over 15 years. Master Level Clinicians, Case Managers, and Family Aides work with foster parents, birth families, and pre-adoptive homes to develop transition plans toward permanency.
• Experiential Challenges Outdoors (EChO) Outdoor adventure program utilizing New Hampshire's mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, and 500-acre campus. Activities include swimming, boating, biking, rock climbing, ropes courses, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Incorporates adaptive equipment with OT, PT, and SLP collaboration.
• Choose Love Movement Program Character social-emotional development program integrated across the campus. Staff receive regular training through in-person masterclasses taught by founder Scarlett Lewis.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves youth ages 3-22 with services extending to ages 0-20 for community-based programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 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

One partnership is on record.

• Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)coreOthersCARF provides international accreditation for rehabilitation and human services programs. Spaulding's Residential Program is CARF-accredited as a Qualified Residential Treatment Provider (QRTP), demonstrating compliance with internationally recognized standards for quality and safety.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: One of the largest nonprofit providers of behavioral healthcare, residential treatment, and special education for children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral, and cognitive disorders across multiple U.S. states. Directly comparable to Spaulding's CARF-accredited QRTP residential model and clinical services portfolio.
• Melmark: Nonprofit provider of residential, educational, therapeutic, and adult day services for children and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral health needs in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Comparable integrated school-plus-residential-plus-clinical model serving similar neurobehavioral populations.
• Bancroft: Nonprofit organization operating residential schools, day schools, and clinical programs for children and adults with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and behavioral challenges in New Jersey and surrounding states. Directly comparable service mix and CARF-accredited special education/residential model.
• KVC Health Systems: National nonprofit child welfare and behavioral health organization providing foster care, residential treatment, in-home family services, and community-based programs across multiple states. Comparable to Spaulding's integrated foster care licensing, ISO in-home services, and residential continuum.
• Justice Resource Institute (JRI): Nonprofit human services organization in New England providing residential treatment, special education schools, therapeutic foster care, and community-based services for children and youth with significant behavioral, developmental, and trauma-related needs. Operates a closely comparable integrated model in a similar regional footprint.
• NHS Human Services: Nonprofit human services organization providing residential, educational, behavioral health, and community-based services for individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, and behavioral health needs across multiple states. Comparable continuum-of-care service model to Spaulding.
• Hillcrest Educational Centers: Nonprofit organization operating residential treatment programs, special education schools, and therapeutic services for children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Direct peer in geography and CARF-accredited residential model.

Broad incumbents

• Sevita Health (formerly The MENTOR Network / National Mentor Holdings): One of the largest U.S. providers of home- and community-based services, foster care, day programs, and behavioral health services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs. Overlaps with Spaulding's foster care and ISO in-home lines but at much broader national scale and with a more community-based emphasis.

Emerging players

• Vista Autism Services: Pennsylvania-based nonprofit provider of educational, residential, and behavioral health services specifically for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Comparable neurobehavioral special education and residential model, though focused exclusively on autism rather than Spaulding's broader diagnostic mix.

Others

• National Children's Alliance: National nonprofit accrediting body and membership association for Child Advocacy Centers and child welfare service providers across the U.S. Adjacent ecosystem participant that shapes standards and referral pathways relevant to Spaulding's CARF-accredited residential and child welfare programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xinstagram.com/spauldingservices
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@spauldingnh
• Facebookfacebook.com/SpauldingNH
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/spauldingnh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Spaulding Academy & Family Services