In the ever-evolving world of behavioral health and social services, few companies are making as bold a statement as Clarvida. The company, previously known as Pathways Health and Community Support, is setting itself up for significant growth, with plans to triple the number of people it serves by 2030. This ambitious goal is coupled with a rebranding effort that aims to unify the various facets of the organization under one cohesive identity.
For Clarvida, the journey from a fragmented organization to a unified platform is more than just a name change; it’s a strategic move that signals a new era for the company and its stakeholders. Steve Wigginton, the CEO of Clarvida, shared his thoughts on this transformation in a conversation with Behavioral Health Business, explaining that the rebranding was a critical step in creating an environment where employees are empowered to do their best work.
The Strategic Shift: From Pathways to Clarvida
Pathways Health and Community Support, as it was once known, had a long history of providing essential services in the behavioral health and social services sectors. With a diverse portfolio of services spanning outpatient therapy, foster care, child and family services, autism services, supported housing, employment services, and residential care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disorders (IDDs), the company had established itself as a significant player in the industry.
However, the company’s services had developed over time in a somewhat fragmented manner. Many of these services had been in operation for over 50 years, resulting in a “collection of connected but not necessarily integrated businesses.” While these services were valuable to the communities they served, they had not been fully unified under a single vision or structure.
Wigginton acknowledges that this fragmentation was not an intentional strategy, but rather a reflection of the company’s evolution over time. The decision to rebrand and unify the business under the name Clarvida is an important step toward modernizing the company and aligning its services in a way that delivers better value to both clients and employees.
The New Identity: Clarvida
The decision to rename the company Clarvida is a signal of its commitment to a brighter, more unified future. According to Wigginton, this decision was not made lightly, as it represents a new chapter for the organization and its employees. The rebranding is about more than just a new logo or company name—it’s about creating a culture that supports its workforce and celebrates the impact of the work they do.
“It’s a signal to all of our employees—current, former, and future—that we’re committed to building an environment where people who do the work have the best support around them, the best and easiest-to-use tools, and a culture that celebrates the impact of the work they do in a modern and vibrant way,” Wigginton said.
For Clarvida, the rebrand is part of a larger vision to streamline its operations, modernize its services, and better serve the communities it supports. By simplifying and integrating its operations, Clarvida aims to create a more cohesive and efficient organization that can better meet the growing demand for its services.
The Roadmap for Growth
As Clarvida looks ahead to 2030, the company’s vision for growth is clear. With plans to triple the number of people it serves, the company is focused on expanding its reach while maintaining the high quality of care it’s known for. Clarvida operates in 17 states and Washington, D.C., and employs about 4,600 people, with a broad service offering that spans various segments of the behavioral health and social services markets.
Wigginton believes that there is significant opportunity for growth simply by leveraging the company’s existing service categories and driving standardization across its operations. This approach will not only streamline processes but also enable the company to scale more efficiently.
“We see a lot of opportunity for growth just by leveraging this service category lens on how we do what we do and then driving standardization to the extent possible so that we can automate and make it easier for our employees to do their jobs,” he explained.
Expansion into New Markets
Clarvida’s growth strategy includes expanding its services into markets that currently lack some of the company’s existing offerings. By entering new geographic areas where demand for its services is high, the company can increase its footprint while meeting the needs of underserved populations.
At the same time, Clarvida is focused on building stronger relationships with state governments and payers. By deepening these partnerships, the company aims to secure recognition for offering comprehensive services through competitive reimbursement rates. This approach will allow Clarvida to better support the sustainability of its operations while continuing to provide high-quality care to its clients.
Addressing Social Determinants of Health
One of Clarvida’s key objectives for growth is to tackle the broader social determinants of health (SDoHs)—the factors that drive up healthcare costs and limit the effectiveness of healthcare services. For Clarvida, this means thinking beyond the traditional boundaries of autism services, therapy for troubled youth, and residential care for individuals with IDDs. Instead, the company is looking at how it can make a broader impact on communities by addressing the root causes of health disparities.
“There is a significant vector of opportunity where we build on the expertise we have and the tools that we’ve developed but then think differently about the problem we’re solving, get out of the narrow lane of autism or counseling and therapy for troubled youth, and think more broadly about how we can impact a community and get paid for that in a way that makes it sustainable,” Wigginton said.
By integrating programs that address social determinants of health, Clarvida aims to improve not only the lives of its clients but also the overall well-being of the communities it serves. This holistic approach is designed to make a long-lasting impact while creating a sustainable business model.
A Balanced Approach to Growth
Clarvida’s expansion strategy is marked by a balanced approach to growing its business. The company does not intend to focus too heavily on one service area at the expense of others. Instead, it seeks to offer a diverse range of services that can be adapted to the unique needs of different markets. This balanced approach allows Clarvida to remain flexible and responsive to the ever-changing demands of the behavioral health and social services industries.
As the company continues to grow, it will also prioritize operational efficiency. One of the main challenges Clarvida faces is addressing its growing waitlists, which have been exacerbated by increased demand for its services. By improving efficiency and expanding its operations, Clarvida aims to reduce these waitlists and provide timely care to more individuals.
The Role of Private Equity
Clarvida’s growth and transformation are supported by its private equity backer, Atar Capital, which acquired the company in October 2018. While private equity investments typically come with pressure for quick exits, Atar Capital’s approach is more long-term. As a family office, Atar Capital gives Clarvida the flexibility to pursue its growth strategy without the usual time constraints associated with other investment firms.
Wigginton, who became CEO in April 2023, believes that this long-term vision will allow Clarvida to grow at a steady and sustainable pace, without rushing into decisions that could jeopardize the company’s future.
“We’re not under pressure from Atar Capital to make an immediate exit. Five years is a typical hold period in the private equity-backed healthcare services playbook. But because Atar Capital is a family office, we have more flexibility and can take a different approach in terms of growth,” Wigginton said.
This flexibility allows Clarvida to focus on what matters most—creating a unified, modern, and efficient organization that is well-positioned to meet the needs of the communities it serves.
Looking to the Future
With a clear vision, a new identity, and a growth strategy that is both ambitious and thoughtful, Clarvida is positioning itself as a leader in the behavioral health and social services sectors. The company’s focus on unifying its operations, expanding into new markets, and addressing the social determinants of health will likely help it achieve its goal of tripling the number of people it serves by 2030.
As the company moves forward, its leadership remains committed to supporting its employees, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring that Clarvida’s services have a meaningful, lasting impact on the communities it serves. For Clarvida, the future is bright, and the journey toward growth and transformation has only just begun.
