LifeWorks Community Services

What LifeWorks Community Services does

LifeWorks Community Services is a Fort Dodge, Iowa-based nonprofit social services organization founded in 1965 (formerly Westfork Services, rebranded 2008) that delivers residential, vocational, and community support services to individuals with mental, physical, and developmental disabilities across Webster and Humboldt counties. The organization operates three coordinated service divisions: Residential Programs (24-hour support in nine or more community-based HCBS waiver homes, Supported Community Living, Respite, and HUD-funded Service Coordination at Wahkonsa Apartments), Employment/Day Services (Day Habilitation through the Connections Program for ages 16+, Supported Employment matching clients with local employers, Work Crews, and Career Exploration), and Business Services (Supported Employment hiring assistance with job coaching and contracted Work Crews performing janitorial, packaging, and assembly tasks for local businesses).

The organization's underlying operating model is government-funded service delivery rather than technology-enabled care. LifeWorks does not develop proprietary software, AI, or digital platforms; its technology footprint consists of an informational website, a Facebook page, and a PayPal donation portal. The core technology is the credentialed direct-care workforce, credentialed leadership, and the regulatory infrastructure (CARF accreditation, Iowa DHS and Iowa Medicaid Enterprise HCBS waiver approvals) required to bill Medicaid for disability services.

Revenue is generated through managed-services contracts under Iowa's HCBS Medicaid waiver program and managed care organizations (Amerigroup, Iowa Total Care), supplemented by charitable contributions to the affiliated LifeWorks Charitable Foundation (a 501(c)(3)). Services are provided at no direct cost to eligible individuals. Customer segments are individuals with disabilities (primary, ages 16+, persona-based) and local employers (secondary, business-unit-based). The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors led by President Geri Winge, with day-to-day operations run by an Administrative Team headed by Executive Director Teresa Naughton (in role since 2007).

Name

LifeWorks Community Services

Legal name

LifeWorks Community Services

Website

https://lifeworkscommunityservices.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

LifeWorks Community Services is a Fort Dodge, Iowa-based nonprofit founded in 1965 that provides residential, vocational, employment, and business services to individuals with disabilities across Webster and Humboldt counties, funded primarily through Iowa Medicaid HCBS waivers and charitable donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Community Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Individual and Family Services (6241)

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), Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI)

Keywords

• Disability services
• Residential support
• Community-based care
• Vocational services
• HCBS waivers

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Dodge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (Medicaid/HCBS): LifeWorks Community Services operates as a nonprofit organization providing services funded through the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waiver program. Services are provided to eligible individuals with disabilities who qualify for HCBS programs.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The LifeWorks Charitable Foundation accepts one-time or regular contributions, memorials, planned giving through bequests, gift annuities, insurance, and gifts of assets like stocks, real estate, and land. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

LifeWorks Community Services is a nonprofit organization based in Fort Dodge, Iowa, established in 1965, that delivers disability services. Its offerings span residential services, employment and day services, and business services designed to support individuals with disabilities in community-integrated settings. Programs are funded largely through Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers and supplemented through the affiliated Charitable Foundation.

Product overview

LifeWorks Community Services is a not-for-profit organization established in 1965 that provides a coordinated suite of residential, employment, and business services for individuals with disabilities. The organization operates three core service divisions: Residential Programs offering 24-hour waiver home support and independent living training; Employment/Day Services including the Connections Program for day habilitation, supported employment, and work crew opportunities; and Business Services providing employer partnerships and contract work crews. Services are available in Fort Dodge and Humboldt, Iowa, with facility-based employment services in Fort Dodge only.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Individuals achieving greater independence through residential services and employment

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Iowa Department of Human ServicescoreOthersIowa DHS is the primary state agency that oversees and funds disability services in Iowa. LifeWorks receives HCBS waiver funding through this agency and operates under their regulatory framework.
• Iowa Medicaid EnterprisecoreOthersIowa Medicaid Enterprise manages the Medicaid program that funds Home and Community Based Services provided by LifeWorks to eligible individuals with disabilities.
• Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation ServicescoreOthersState agency that provides vocational rehabilitation services to help individuals with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and retain employment. LifeWorks provides supported employment services in coordination with IVRS.
• Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)coreOthersInternational accrediting body that sets standards for rehabilitation facilities. LifeWorks maintains CARF accreditation demonstrating compliance with quality standards.
• Iowa Association of Community ProvidersminorOthersState association representing community-based service providers in Iowa. LifeWorks participates as a member provider.
• Iowa Health Link / Managed Care OrganizationsminorOthersManaged care organizations including Amerigroup and Iowa Total Care that manage Medicaid services in Iowa, including services provided by LifeWorks.
• One Heart Equestrian TherapyminorOthersEquine therapy program that LifeWorks connects clients with for therapeutic horseback riding activities, as mentioned in client success stories.
• Lutheran Lakeside CampminorOthersCamp program that LifeWorks clients attend for recreational activities and community integration experiences.
• Iowa Central Community CollegeminorOthersLocal community college in Fort Dodge. Executive Director Jennifer Sumpter attended Iowa Central for her associate's degree in nursing.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• EasterSeals Iowa: Affiliated with the national Easter Seals network, providing disability and community-based services including adult day programs, employment services, and case management across Iowa. Overlapping population served and HCBS funding model.
• Mosaic: Large national nonprofit providing residential, employment, and community services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including significant Iowa operations. Same HCBS waiver funding model and core service lines as LifeWorks but at much greater geographic scale.
• Sevita (formerly The MENTOR Network): National provider of home- and community-based services for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and behavioral health disabilities, operating in Iowa. Same HCBS waiver residential and day-service model but at substantially greater scale and geographic breadth.

Direct peers

• Hope Haven Industries: Regional nonprofit providing residential, vocational, and community-based services to individuals with disabilities, including supported employment and work-activity programs. Comparable service portfolio and Iowa/upper-Midwest footprint.
• Lutheran Services in Iowa: Iowa-wide human services agency providing disability services, immigration services, and child welfare programs; operates HCBS waiver-funded residential and day programs for individuals with disabilities across multiple counties — directly comparable mission and operating model.
• REM Iowa: One of Iowa's largest providers of HCBS waiver services for individuals with disabilities, offering residential, supported employment, and day-habilitation services funded through Iowa Medicaid — directly comparable service mix, funding mechanism, and population to LifeWorks.
• Bethesda Lutheran Communities: Faith-based nonprofit operating community-based residential and day programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Iowa operations. Shares the HCBS waiver service model and small-community residential footprint.
• Opportunities Unlimited: Iowa-based nonprofit providing vocational, residential, and community services for individuals with disabilities in northwest Iowa, using a similar HCBS waiver-funded model and work-activity/work-crew revenue structure.

Regional players

• Key Opportunities: Iowa-based nonprofit providing employment, residential, and community support services for individuals with disabilities in the Fort Dodge region; the most geographically overlapping peer to LifeWorks given proximity in north-central Iowa.

Others

• Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services: State agency partner that funds and coordinates vocational rehabilitation services with providers like LifeWorks; not a direct competitor but a primary referral and funding counterparty for supported employment.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LifeWorks-Community-Services-340807554040
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lifeworks-community-services

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 LifeWorks Community Services