North Country Center for Independence

What North Country Center for Independence does

North Country Center for Independence (NCCI) is a Plattsburgh, New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a federally designated Independent Living Center, one of 41 in New York State. The organization provides independent living support, advocacy, vision rehabilitation, long-term care ombudsman services, benefits advisement, emergency preparedness, peer counseling, and housing transition services to people with physical and mental disabilities, their families, and caregivers across Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and St. Lawrence counties. NCCI is led and staffed mostly by people with disabilities, which it cites as a core differentiator providing authentic peer-based support grounded in lived experience.

NCCI's service portfolio spans approximately a dozen program lines including the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (run under the NY State Office for Aging across three counties), Vision Services (acquired via the May 2025 merger with NCAVI), the NY Connects information and referral program, Open Doors housing transitions, veterans services, and the Access Adirondacks outdoor recreation program for visually impaired individuals. Delivery is conducted directly by staff at the 80 Sharron Avenue office, at client residences, workplaces, and long-term care facilities. The organization does not operate a technology platform; services are delivered through in-person human support, counseling, and advocacy.

NCCI's revenue model consists of government grants (state Independent Living funding and county-level contracts such as the Ombudsman program), charitable donations accepted through PayPal and other channels, and referral-based service delivery. Pricing is effectively free or government-funded at point of service for nearly all programs, including Vision Services for legally blind individuals and the Ticket to Work Program. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors (Craig Squier, President; Patty King, Vice President; Virginia Brady, Secretary; Andrew Pulrang, Treasurer) and operates with a headcount of 1-10 employees, supplemented by volunteers and partner-organization staff for service delivery.

Name

North Country Center for Independence

Legal name

North Country Center for Independence

Website

https://ncci-online.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

North Country Center for Independence is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Independent Living Center serving people with disabilities, families, and caregivers in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and St. Lawrence counties, New York through advocacy, ombudsman, vision rehabilitation, and benefits services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Independent Living with Supportive Services (Light ADL/IADL Support) (HLADAAAE), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK)

Keywords

• Independent living services
• Disability advocacy
• Vision rehabilitation
• Benefits advisement
• Long-term care ombudsman

Headquarters

HQ city

Plattsburgh

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: NCCI accepts donations through PayPal and other channels. Donations help provide one-on-one guidance navigating disability, health, and service systems; advocacy to address real-world barriers; skills, tools, and resources that support independent living; and community education.
2. Government Grants and Funding: As one of 41 Independent Living Centers in New York State, NCCI receives government funding to support operations and programs including Ombudsman services, vision services, benefits advisement, and advocacy. The organization participates in statewide advocacy through NYAIL and works with state agencies on disability programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

North Country Center for Independence is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Independent Living Center that provides free, peer-driven disability services to people with disabilities and their families in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and St. Lawrence Counties of New York. Its core offerings include the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, Vision Rehabilitation Services (formerly NCAVI), Benefits Advisement (SSI/SSDI/Medicaid/Medicare/Ticket to Work), Advocacy, Emergency Preparedness, Independent Living Skills, Peer Counseling, Open Doors housing transitions, NY Connects information and referral, and Veterans Services.

Product overview

North Country Center for Independence is an Independent Living Center providing a comprehensive suite of services for people with disabilities. The organization operates as a single unified service organization with multiple program offerings including the Ombudsman Program (advocating for residents in long-term care facilities), Vision Services (formerly NCAVI - providing rehabilitation for blind/visually impaired individuals), Advocacy Services, Benefits Advisement, Emergency Preparedness, and Additional Services such as Independent Living Skills, Peer Counseling, Open Doors housing transitions, NY Connects information services, and Veterans Services. The organization serves Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and St. Lawrence counties in New York State and is led/staffed mostly by people with disabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Long Term Care Ombudsman Program Advocacy program for older persons and persons with disabilities living in nursing homes, assisted living, and adult homes, helping residents and families exercise their rights to quality care, hearing complaints, investigating issues, and resolving concerns about quality of care, abuse, neglect, rights violations, dietary concerns, and discharge decisions.
• Vision Services Rehabilitation services for people who are legally blind, blind, and visually impaired, teaching skills for independent living including daily living tasks, adaptive equipment use, orientation and mobility training, and safe travel. Available free of charge to qualifying individuals in St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, and Essex counties.
• Advocacy Services Advocacy for policies that enhance accessibility, support community integration, and promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities, addressing public/home accessibility, housing, transportation, and employment at local, state, and federal levels.
• Benefits Advisement Helps people with disabilities apply for and manage benefits including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability (SSDI), Medicaid, Medicare, the Ticket To Work Program, and Public Assistance.
• Emergency Preparedness Assists persons with disabilities to prepare themselves, their families, and pets for emergencies, and ensures emergency plans include everyone in the community.
• Independent Living Skills Teaching everyday living skills including budgeting, transportation, household maintenance, job finding, education, personal care management, and health maintenance for people with disabilities.
• Peer Counseling Staff and volunteers with disabilities share experiences and support others with disabilities as they explore their world and work to set and reach their goals.
• Open Doors (Housing Transitions) Helps people living in nursing homes and intermediate care facilities get home and community-based services so they can move out and live in their own homes.
• NY Connects Information and Referral Program that connects people with services and supports in the community, including personal care, education, behavioral health, developmental supports, health and wellness, and social supports for people of all ages with any disability, and their caregivers.
• Veterans Services Dedicated services helping veterans with disabilities lead satisfying lives by ensuring access to benefits, fighting for policy changes, and educating the public about veteran needs.
• Access Adirondacks Program designed to encourage people who are blind or visually impaired to take advantage of Adirondack communities including outdoor activities, events, and trips into the Adirondack Park.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully transitioned individuals from nursing homes to community-based living through the Open Doors program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• North Country Association for the Visually Impaired (NCAVI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2025NCCI completed merger with the North Country Association for the Visually Impaired (NCAVI) in May 2025. NCAVI was formerly an independent not-for-profit agency established in 1989 that provided vision rehabilitation services. The merger combined NCAVI's vision services with NCCI's broader disability services to secure vision services for the future.
• New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCCI is part of a statewide system that collaborates with NYAIL on advocacy for policies that enhance accessibility, support community integration, and promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities. NYAIL coordinates statewide advocacy priorities and legislative agendas for Independent Living Centers.
• Clinton County Department of Social ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for income support services including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, SNAP/Food Stamps, and other financial benefits. Listed on NCCI's Resources page as a key partner for helping people with disabilities access income support.
• Essex County Department of Social ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for income support services including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, SNAP/Food Stamps, and other financial benefits. Listed on NCCI's Resources page as a key partner for helping people with disabilities access income support.
• NY ConnectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCCI operates the NY Connects program which connects people with services and supports in the community that can help them achieve and maintain independence. NY Connects serves people of all ages, any disability, and caregivers.
• National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCCI is affiliated with NCIL, the national organization for Independent Living Centers. NCIL advocates for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities at the national level.
• New York State Independent Living Council (NYSILC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCCI is affiliated with NYSILC which develops and monitors the statewide plan for Independent Living services in New York State.
• American Dream Employment NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCCI joined the American Dream Employment Network in March 2025. This network supports competitive integrated employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
• Behavioral Health Services NorthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed on NCCI's Resources page as a partner for mental health services, connecting clients to behavioral health support in the North Country region.
• Emergency Planners and First RespondersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCCI participates in emergency planning with first responders and emergency planners to ensure persons with disabilities are included in community emergency response plans and exercises.
• NY State Long Term Care Ombudsman ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCCI runs the Ombudsman program in Clinton, Essex, and Franklin counties under the New York State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program administered by the NY State Office for Aging.
• National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCCI is connected to NDRN through advocacy efforts. NDRN provides support and resources for Protection and Advocacy agencies and disability rights advocacy nationwide.
• Eye Care for the AdirondacksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Richard Erenstone of Eye Care for the Adirondacks was instrumental in founding NCCI Vision Services (formerly NCAVI). Provides low vision examinations and eye care services for visually impaired clients.
• Adirondack Region Medical Home InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed on NCCI's Resources page as a partner for health insurance and healthcare coordination services.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Access Living: A Chicago-based Independent Living Center that is the national archetype for the peer-led ILC model NCCI follows. Offers advocacy, independent living skills, and disability rights work, making it a strong functional peer despite urban geography.
• Catskill Center for Independence: Another NY State ILC serving a rural upstate region, offering independent living, advocacy, benefits advisement, and transition services. Directly comparable in scope, governance structure (nonprofit, peer-led), and statewide ILC network affiliation.
• Disability Rights New York: New York's designated Protection & Advocacy (P&A) system for people with disabilities. Operates alongside ILCs in the same disability rights ecosystem, providing legal advocacy and protection services complementary to NCCI's ILC programs.
• Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY (CIDNY): A larger NY State ILC providing advocacy, independent living services, and benefits counseling to people with disabilities. CIDNY shares NCCI's ILC mission, NYAIL membership, and peer-led model but at greater scale and in an urban setting.
• Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center (SAIL): A fellow New York State Independent Living Center providing advocacy, independent living skills, benefits advisement, and peer counseling to people with disabilities in a similar upstate/rural catchment. SAIL operates the same core ILC service model and funding streams as NCCI.
• Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley: A NY State ILC providing independent living services, advocacy, benefits assistance, and housing transition support to people with disabilities. Operates the same core ILC programs under the same statewide network framework as NCCI.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services including vocational rehabilitation, independent living support, and benefits navigation. Comparable mission area to NCCI but at significantly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• The Arc of the United States: The largest national disability advocacy and services organization, particularly for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A broader incumbent serving a similar population but with a much wider service portfolio and chapter network.
• Goodwill Industries International: Large nonprofit operating employment, training, and disability services programs including vocational rehabilitation and Ticket to Work — overlapping with NCCI's Ticket to Work and employment-focused offerings but at much greater scale.

Others

• National Council on Independent Living (NCIL): The national membership and advocacy organization to which NCCI is affiliated. NCIL represents the ILC movement federally, making it an ecosystem partner rather than a direct service competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/north-country-center-for-independence

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 North Country Center for Independence