easter seals midwest

What easter seals midwest does

Easterseals Midwest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and part of the Easterseals National Network, delivering disability and community services across Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri. The organization operates 12 physical locations — including five dedicated Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) clinics in St. Louis, Kansas City (two), Columbia, Springfield, and Cape Girardeau — and serves more than 23,000 individuals annually across 227 counties, supported by a team of 1,619. Service lines span autism services (ABA therapy, diagnosis, caregiver training, social skills programs including PEERS, respite, and Sibshops), early childhood home visiting, community living (Technology Enabled Services, Independent Supported Living, Shared Living, Crisis Services), employment support (career planning, job development, Project SEARCH, Pre-ETS, LINK Autism Employment Services), Health Home coordination, and hearing and speech services via partnership with CHSS St. Louis.

The core methodology is human-delivered, evidence-based clinical practice: Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) supervise Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) delivering 1:1 play-based ABA therapy using approaches such as the Early Start Denver Model. Operational infrastructure includes structured data collection, monthly parent education sessions, and Technology Enabled Services for remote independent living support — though the organization does not disclose proprietary technology platforms or AI/ML systems.

Revenue is generated through a diversified payer mix: Medicaid (Missouri and Kansas), commercial insurance, private pay, charitable donations, corporate giveback campaigns, and grants from a broad network of funders including six county-level developmental disability resource boards, the St. Louis County Children's Service Fund, the Department of Mental Health, the Women's Giving Collective, and United Way. Leadership transitioned in 2026 with the retirement of CEO Wendy Sullivan, who had led the organization for 30+ years and grown service reach from 200 to 25,000+ people across three states.

Name

easter seals midwest

Legal name

Easterseals Midwest

Website

https://esmw.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Easterseals Midwest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing disability and community services — including ABA therapy, employment support, community living, early childhood programs, and health home coordination — to 23,000+ individuals annually across Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri through 12 locations and 1,619 staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Community Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Communication Support (AAC, Pragmatics & Language) (EDAKAKAG), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Autism 1:1 Paraprofessional / Aide Support Services (EDAKAKAD)

Keywords

• Disability services
• Applied behavior analysis
• Autism services
• Community living support
• Developmental disability employment

Headquarters

HQ city

St. Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (Medicaid): Accepts MO Medicaid and KS Medicaid for ABA services and other disability services, representing a significant revenue stream from government health programs.
2. Commercial Insurance: Accepts most commercial insurance plans for ABA services and other covered disability services.
3. Private Pay: Private pay option available for families without insurance coverage or those seeking services not covered by insurance.
4. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations from individuals, corporate partners, and fundraising events including Festival Gala, Tee-It-Up at Topgolf, Bowling for Autism, and other community events. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
5. Grant Funding: Funding from government agencies and foundations including St. Louis County Children's Service Fund award for mental and behavioral health services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Easterseals Midwest delivers person-directed disability and community services for children and adults across Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri, centered on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy through five specialized autism clinics, plus early childhood home visiting, community living, employment, Health Home coordination, and self-determination training. Services are funded through Medicaid, commercial insurance, private pay, government grants, and charitable donations. The organization is the largest autism services provider in Missouri and serves more than 23,000 individuals annually through 12 physical locations and 1,619 staff.

Product overview

Easterseals Midwest is a nonprofit organization providing disability and community services across Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri. The organization operates a platform of coordinated service offerings organized around key life areas: Autism Services (centered on five ABA Clinics providing Applied Behavior Analysis therapy), Early Childhood Development, Community Living, Employment, Health Home coordination, and Self-Determination/Advocacy. The core service delivery is human-delivered therapeutic and support programs rather than a software product, with services including ABA therapy clinics, caregiver training, respite care, social skills programs (PEERS), employment services, and independent living support. The organization serves approximately 23,000 individuals annually through 12 locations with a team of 1,619 employees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy Personalized, play-based 1:1 ABA therapy program helping children with autism improve communication, build social skills, develop routines, and manage challenging behaviors. Delivered by Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Registered Behavior Technicians across five ABA clinics in Missouri (St. Louis, Springfield, Cape Girardeau, Columbia, and Kansas City) plus home- and community-based settings. Includes naturalistic play using the Early Start Denver Model and monthly parent education.
• Autism Diagnosis Services Diagnostic testing for children ages 16 months to 8 years who may need an autism diagnosis before beginning ABA therapy services. Provides families with a clinical assessment and pathway into Easterseals therapy and support programs.
• Caregiver Autism Training and Education Training program teaching parents and caregivers techniques to understand their child's autism diagnosis and support development at home. Includes structured caregiver education as part of ABA clinic enrollment and parent coaching in ABA therapy.
• Parent Support Groups Monthly facilitated support groups connecting parents and caregivers of children with autism to share experiences, challenges, and solutions. Provided at Easterseals Midwest locations to support family wellbeing alongside clinical services.
• Sibshops Program offering siblings of people with disabilities a safe peer space to share feelings, learn about disabilities, make friends, and enjoy fun activities together. Supports family dynamics and sibling wellbeing.
• Social Skills Training (PEERS) Evidence-based PEERS (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) social skills training delivered in group sessions for individuals with autism, with separate tracks for young adults, teens, and children's friendship training. Teaches conversational skills, finding common interests, handling rejection, and maintaining friendships.
• Respite and Support Respite services providing engaging activities in home, community, or clinic settings to support individuals of all ages with disabilities and give families a break. Includes planned and ongoing respite options across the service region.
• LEAD Program (Learn, Engage, Advocate, Discover) Gateway life skills and social connections program for people with disabilities, combining Community Networking, Social Development, and Independent Skills Development through hands-on community-based learning. Daily transportation provided.
• Early Childhood Home Visiting Home visiting programs for children ages 0-3 and 3-19 providing developmental support, early intervention, and family guidance for children with developmental delays or disabilities.
• Community Living Services Programs helping individuals with disabilities live independently, including Technology Enabled Services, Independent Supported Living Arrangement, Shared Living, Crisis Services, and Individualized Supported Living.
• Employment Services Comprehensive employment support program including Career Planning, Job Development, On-the-Job Support, LINK Autism Employment Services, Summer Work Experience, Project SEARCH, Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), and the RISE Program for individuals with disabilities seeking employment.
• Self-Determination in Action Empowerment program teaching individuals with disabilities about their rights and self-advocacy through three free courses: My Life My Rights, My Voice My Power, and Our Voice Our Community. Available to individuals age 17+ and to organizations.
• Health Home Services Coordinated care management services connecting people with disabilities to health resources and helping them manage health goals with expert care coordination support.
• Hearing and Speech Services Audiology and speech-language services for individuals with hearing loss or speech challenges, provided through a partnership with the Center for Hearing and Speech Services (CHSS) in St. Louis.

Quantifiable outcome

• 23,000+ individuals served annually across Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major funder, strategic and core.

• Developmental Disabilities Resource Board of St. Charles Countymajor funderOthersFunded the Self-Determination in Action Program, which empowers individuals with disabilities to understand their rights, make informed choices, and advocate for themselves.
• Developmental Disabilities Resource Board of Clay Countymajor funderOthersPartner funder of the Self-Determination in Action Program supporting self-advocacy training for individuals with disabilities.
• Productive Living Boardmajor funderOthersFunded the Self-Determination in Action Program, supporting self-determination and advocacy courses for individuals with disabilities.
• St. Louis Office for Developmental Disability Resourcesmajor funderOthersFunder of the Self-Determination in Action Program helping individuals with disabilities become advocates for themselves and others.
• Eitasmajor funderOthersFunder of the Self-Determination in Action Program supporting self-advocacy and rights education for individuals with disabilities.
• Platte County Board of Servicesmajor funderOthersFunder supporting self-determination and advocacy services for individuals with disabilities in Platte County area.
• St. Louis County Children's Service Fundmajor funderOthersAwarded 2026-2029 funding to Easterseals Midwest to support mental and behavioral health services in St. Louis County.
• United WaystrategicOthersPartnership with United Way Worldwide as part of Easterseals' commitment to community support and disability services.
• Easter Seals National NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEasterseals Midwest is part of the Easterseals National Network, providing access to national resources, best practices, and shared mission while maintaining regional autonomy.
• Local School DistrictsstrategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnerships with school districts across Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri for school training, assessment, consultation, and transition services for students with disabilities.
• Department of Mental Health (DMH)strategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerState government partnership providing ABA consultations and services through the DMH Waiver program for individuals with waiver-based supports.
• Women's Giving CollectivestrategicOthersPhilanthropic collective that awards grants to Easterseals Midwest for technology, early diagnosis, hearing care, and sensory support programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Easterseals National Network (sister affiliates): Other regional Easterseals affiliates (e.g., Easterseals Redwood, Easterseals Southern California) operate the same ABA, employment, and community-living service model under the shared national brand, making them the closest operational and mission-aligned comparables.
• Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers: Multi-state operator of ABA clinics offering center-based ABA therapy, diagnostic services, and family support — directly comparable in clinical model and patient population to Easterseals Midwest's autism services.
• BlueSprig Pediatrics: Large multi-state ABA therapy provider with clinics delivering 1:1 ABA, naturalistic teaching (ESDM), and parent training — directly overlapping with Easterseals Midwest's ABA clinic and caregiver training offerings.
• LEARN Behavioral: National ABA services provider operating clinics and home-based programs using BCBA-supervised ABA therapy and evidence-based curricula — closely comparable clinical model and payer mix to Easterseals Midwest.
• Centria Healthcare: Provider of ABA therapy, autism diagnostics, and related home- and center-based services across multiple states, with comparable BCBA/RBT staffing and Medicaid/commercial reimbursement profile.
• Sevita Health (formerly The MENTOR Network): National provider of home- and community-based disability services including residential supports, employment services, and behavioral health — closely mirroring Easterseals Midwest's Community Living and Employment Services portfolio.
• The Arc of the United States: National nonprofit network providing disability advocacy, employment, residential, and family support services — overlapping mission and many of the same service categories Easterseals Midwest offers outside of clinical ABA.
• United Cerebral Palsy (UCP): National disability services nonprofit providing housing, employment, early intervention, and advocacy — comparable continuum-of-care nonprofit model with similar Medicaid reliance and donor funding structure.

Regional players

• Brightli (formerly Burrell Behavioral Health): Missouri-based nonprofit behavioral health and disability services provider offering ABA, community living, and employment programs in overlapping geographies, with comparable Medicaid-driven reimbursement model.

Emerging players

• Center for Hearing and Speech Services (CHSS): St. Louis-based partner organization providing the audiology and speech-language services that Easterseals Midwest delivers under its Hearing & Speech program — directly comparable in service line and referral network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/eastersealsmw
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/eastersealsmw
• Facebookfacebook.com/eastersealsmidwest
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/easter-seals-midwest
• Instagraminstagram.com/eastersealsmw

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 easter seals midwest