The Arc of Chester County

What The Arc of Chester County does

The Arc of Chester County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 900 Lawrence Drive in West Chester, Pennsylvania, founded in 1952 by a group of parents seeking educational opportunities for their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Affiliated with The Arc of Pennsylvania and The Arc of the United States, the organization delivers a coordinated portfolio of disability services across the lifespan: Advocacy (education and systems advocacy), Agency With Choice (self-directed care under Pennsylvania ODP waivers), Children's Early Learning (birth-to-five early intervention and inclusive preschool, with a registered nurse supporting medically fragile children), Comprehensive Employment Services (job placement and support for transition-age youth and adults), Family Support Services (in-home and community-based supports), and Assistive Technology (multidisciplinary observation and device matching for adults aged 21+). Underlying service delivery relies on multidisciplinary clinical staff including certified teachers, Occupational Therapists, Speech & Language Pathologists, Physical Therapists, and a registered nurse; the assistive technology program produces observation-based recommendation reports rather than software products.

The organization's business model combines government funding (Chester County MH/IDD, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, and ODP waivers covering Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties), program service fees (including preschool tuition offset by an EITC-funded scholarship program), charitable donations and contributions, membership dues starting at $25 annually, planned giving and bequests, and event revenue from signature fundraisers such as Bubble Walk & Fun Day. Pricing tiers include Milestones Society annual giving ($25-$2,000+) and event ticketing. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on advocacy referrals, word-of-mouth, signature events, educational workshops, and earned media coverage through partners such as VISTA Today. Annual scale metrics reported on the organization's homepage include 5,530 people helped, 77,333 volunteer hours, $593,475 raised, and 1,370 program participants, with 97% of 2024-2025 annual survey respondents indicating The Arc improved or enhanced their quality of life. Leadership is provided by CEO Jeanne Meikrantz (Kutztown University graduate with nearly four decades of disability-sector experience), a C-suite of five officers, and a Board of Directors led by President Lisa Albany.

Name

The Arc of Chester County

Legal name

The Arc of Chester County

Website

https://arcofchestercounty.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Arc of Chester County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1952 providing advocacy, inclusive education, employment, family support, and assistive technology services across the lifespan for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare (HSAAAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Inclusive / Special-Needs Childcare Centers (EDACAAAH), Special Needs Early Intervention & Preschool Programs (EDAKAAAE), Developmental Therapy / Early Childhood Special Instruction (EDACAFAG), Therapy-Integrated Childcare Support (coordination with OT/PT/SLP/ABA) (HSAAAIAM), Family Advocacy, Parent Training & Support Services (EDAJAKAK)

Keywords

• Disability advocacy services
• Special education support
• Employment services disabilities
• Assistive technology assessments
• Nonprofit disability services

Headquarters

HQ city

West Chester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: The organization relies on charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to close funding gaps between what individuals with disabilities need and what public sources fund.
2. Program Service Fees: Fees for various programs including preschool tuition, with scholarship programs funded through private grants and EITC funding.
3. Government Funding: Funding from government sources including Chester County MH/IDD office and Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) for eligible services.
4. Membership Dues: Annual membership donations starting at $25 provide membership benefits and support the organization's operations.
5. Planned Giving and Bequests: Legacy Society and planned giving programs including bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, and beneficiary designations.
6. Event Revenue: Revenue from sponsored events including Bubble Walk & Fun Day, Holiday Fun Fest, and Dine Out for Charity programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Arc of Chester County advocates for, educates, and provides direct services to individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities and their families across the lifespan. Core programs include inclusive Preschool and Children's Early Learning (birth to kindergarten), Comprehensive Employment Services for transition-age youth and adults, Family Support Services (in-home and community-based), Agency With Choice self-directed care, Advocacy (education and systems), and Assistive Technology observations and assessments delivered by a multidisciplinary therapy team.

Product overview

The Arc of Chester County offers a coordinated portfolio of disability services organized as distinct programs. The core offerings include Advocacy (education and systems advocacy), Agency With Choice (self-directed care), Children's Early Learning (birth-to-5 intervention and preschool), Preschool (inclusive early education), Comprehensive Employment Services (job placement and support), Family Support Services (in-home and community supports), and Assistive Technology services. These programs are designed to support individuals with disabilities and their families across the lifespan, from early childhood through adulthood, providing a continuum of care including direct services, advocacy support, and community inclusion opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Advocacy Education and Systems Advocacy program supporting individuals with disabilities and families in navigating special education, mental health, intellectual disability, and developmental disability service systems.
• Agency With Choice Self-directed care program for people with intellectual disabilities and autism that supports recruiting, screening, and hiring of personal service workers. The Arc acts as the legal employer managing payroll and vendor services while participants retain choice and control. Funded through Pennsylvania ODP waivers (P/FDS, Community Living, Consolidated Waivers).
• Children's Early Learning Home-based Early Intervention and inclusive Preschool programs for children from birth through age five with developmental delays or disabilities. Delivered by certified teachers, speech therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and a registered nurse serving medically fragile children.
• Preschool Inclusive licensed preschool program for children ages two years seven months through kindergarten entry. Operates five hours per day, four days per week, year-round, with certified teachers, small class sizes, and scholarships available for income-qualified families.
• Comprehensive Employment Services Employment support program helping transition-age youth (ages 14-21) and adults with disabilities find and maintain competitive employment. Services include assessment, job training, job coaching, and ongoing support for participants; recruitment assistance and workplace accommodation support for businesses.
• Family Support Services In-home and community-based services providing lifetime support including daily living skills, money management, meal preparation, medication assistance, community access, pre-employment activities, recreation, and caregiver respite for individuals with disabilities.
• Assistive Technology Assistive technology observation and assessment program for individuals aged 21 and older eligible for intellectual disability services. Multidisciplinary observations by occupational, speech, and physical therapists match communication and functional needs with appropriate AT systems and devices.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of annual survey respondents indicated that The Arc did improve or enhance their quality of life (2024-2025)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

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

• Penn State Great ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Collaborative partnership for Speaker Series and Step Challenge events, engaging students and faculty in disability awareness and community health initiatives.
• WEST (West Pharmaceutical Services)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Bubble Walk & Fun Day, classified as Bubble Blaster level sponsor. WEST is a pharmaceutical packaging and delivery system manufacturer demonstrating corporate commitment to disability community support.
• Chester County Down Syndrome Interest Group (CCDSIG)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDouble Bubble sponsor for Bubble Walk & Fun Day. Partnership focused on Down syndrome awareness and support within Chester County.
• WSFS Bank / WSFS CARES FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerDouble Bubble sponsor for Bubble Walk & Fun Day. WSFS CARES Foundation supports community organizations including disability services.
• American Community Journals (VISTA Today)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerReceived 2025 Partner of the Year Award from The Arc. Provides media coverage and promotion of Arc programs and events to the community.
• Sedona TaphouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDine Out for Charity partner hosting fundraising events where a portion of sales benefits The Arc. Supports National Disabilities Awareness Month activities.
• Partners in OutreachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to support children and families during spring holiday season, providing additional resources and outreach to the disability community.
• Chester County MH/IDD Self Determination CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Arc's Self Determination Subcommittee operates in partnership with the County committee on critical changes in understanding and delivery of intellectual disability services.
• Greystone Elementary SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents participate in mini Bubble Walk fundraising and awareness activities, teaching children about disability awareness and community support.
• VISTA NextGen SuperstarsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Arc was selected as nonprofit beneficiary of this program, receiving $10,000 check and ongoing community visibility.
• Citadel Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBubble Up level sponsor for Bubble Walk & Fun Day event.
• Schorn ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBubble Up level sponsor for Bubble Walk & Fun Day event.
• CCRES Educational & Behavioral Health ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBubble Up level sponsor providing educational and behavioral health services in the region.
• Arthur Hall InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDouble Bubble sponsor for Bubble Walk & Fun Day, a Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC company.
• CTDIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor appearing on main website partner section.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Easterseals Southeastern Pennsylvania: Regional Easterseals affiliate delivering disability services across the Philadelphia metro, including early intervention, employment, and case management. Closely comparable service mix and funding model for the same IDD population.
• KenCrest Services: Pennsylvania-based IDD services provider with early intervention, employment, and community living programs across the Delaware Valley. Direct competitor for ODP waiver clients and comparable lifespan service model.
• The Arc of Montgomery County: Sister Arc chapter serving Montgomery County, PA — one of the counties Arc of Chester County already serves through Agency With Choice. Closely matched mission, advocacy programs, preschool and employment services under the same Pennsylvania ODP waiver framework.
• United Cerebral Palsy of Philadelphia & Vicinity (UCP): Regional disability services nonprofit serving individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities across the same Greater Philadelphia market. Comparable waiver-funded service delivery, preschool/early intervention, and employment programs.
• The Arc of Delaware County: Sister Arc chapter serving adjacent Delaware County, PA. Directly comparable: same Arc chapter model, IDD advocacy and waiver-funded service portfolio, similar lifespan programs, competing for ODP clients and corporate donors in the Greater Philadelphia market.

Others

• Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU): Pennsylvania intermediate unit that delivers early intervention and special education services in Chester County. Arc's preschool and early intervention staff have prior CCIU experience; CCIU is both a referral source and a public-sector competitor for the same families.

Broad incumbents

• The Arc of the United States: National umbrella organization for the Arc network to which The Arc of Chester County is affiliated. Sets national advocacy priorities, brand standards, and chapter support — analogous to a franchisor/incumbent for the local chapter.
• Elwyn: Large Pennsylvania-headquartered nonprofit providing lifespan services for individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, and behavioral health needs. Broader geographic and program footprint; directly comparable lifespan IDD service portfolio including early intervention and employment.
• The Arc of Pennsylvania: State-level Arc chapter providing advocacy, training, and systems-level support to local Pennsylvania Arc chapters including The Arc of Chester County. Affiliated incumbent that shapes statewide ODP policy and convenes the local chapter network.

Emerging players

• Community Options: National IDD services nonprofit that operates self-directed and community-living programs in multiple states. Comparable Agency With Choice / self-direction model and growing Pennsylvania presence, positioning it as an emerging competitor for waiver-funded clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/thearcofchestercounty
• Facebookfacebook.com/arcofchestercounty
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-arc-of-chester-county
• Instagraminstagram.com/arcofchestercounty/?hl=en

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 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 The Arc of Chester County