Pediatrics Plus, a Conway, Arkansas-based company that specializes in autism therapy and developmental services, has secured significant investments from two private equity firms—Leavitt Equity Partners and Fulcrum Equity Partners—and formed a strategic partnership with Western Governors University (WGU). This move is expected to fuel the company’s growth, expand its market footprint, and enhance the services it provides to families across its current operational regions in Texas and Arkansas. Though the terms of the deal have not been disclosed, the partnership represents a major step in Pediatrics Plus’ development, both in terms of resources and capability.
Founded by Todd and Amy Denton, Pediatrics Plus has been a leading provider of specialized services for children with developmental challenges. Despite the new investments, the Dentons will remain the company’s largest shareholders, continuing to serve on the board of directors. This is a sign that while the company is bringing in new partners to facilitate expansion, its core leadership and values will remain intact. Amy Denton expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, saying, “We believe this new partnership will accelerate the company’s growth and opportunities to serve more families, and we are excited for this next chapter for Pediatrics Plus.”
The company’s distinctive service model integrates applied behavior analysis (ABA), physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language pathology to create a “blended service model” tailored to children with developmental challenges, particularly those on the autism spectrum. This holistic approach is part of the company’s broader vision to address the complex needs of children through multidisciplinary therapy, giving them the support and resources they need to thrive. With the investment, Pediatrics Plus plans to expand its service offerings, allowing for a wider reach and more specialized care for families.
One of the key goals of the recent investment is to broaden the company’s market presence. The capital infusion will also be used to enhance the quality of the services provided. Scott Street, the CEO of Pediatrics Plus, commented, “This investment will allow us to enhance our service offerings and continue to expand our ability to help children and families with developmental needs.” With this financial backing, Pediatrics Plus aims to extend its reach and provide even more effective developmental therapy for children across the region.
Currently, Pediatrics Plus serves about 6,000 children annually and operates in both Texas and Arkansas. The company has expanded its operations to include several other brands under its umbrella. These include The Farm by Pediatrics Plus, Community Connections, and Rise Counseling & Diagnostics. These subsidiary brands offer a variety of services, from therapy programs to counseling and diagnostics, all designed to support children with developmental challenges and their families. This expansion represents the company’s dedication to providing a comprehensive, multifaceted approach to developmental therapy for children.
The role of the new partners in the growth of Pediatrics Plus is significant. Leavitt Equity Partners, founded by Mike Leavitt, a former Utah Republican politician and ex-George W. Bush Health Cabinet leader, focuses on healthcare investments, with particular emphasis on mental and behavioral health and value-based payment models. Leavitt Equity Partners has a track record of supporting companies in the healthcare industry, such as NeuroPsychiatric Hospitals and RHA Health Services. Their investment in Pediatrics Plus is a natural fit, aligning with their priorities to advance mental and behavioral health services.
Fulcrum Equity Partners, another private equity firm involved in this deal, has experience in healthcare investments as well. They acquired the substance use disorder treatment provider Defining Wellness Centers in November 2023 and have previously backed organizations in the behavioral health and wellness spaces. Their involvement further strengthens Pediatrics Plus’ ability to expand and innovate in a rapidly growing healthcare sector.
Western Governors University, a Salt Lake City-based nonprofit online college founded in 1997 by a bipartisan group of U.S. governors, rounds out the investment team. WGU has a unique educational model that focuses on competency-based learning and offers degrees in areas like education, healthcare, business, and information technology. WGU’s partnership brings an educational and workforce development angle to the investment, which could support future initiatives by Pediatrics Plus to expand its staff and invest in training programs that will further improve the quality of care they provide.
The strategic move comes at a time when the autism therapy and developmental services industries are seeing increasing demand and investment. Pediatrics Plus is part of a growing trend of businesses aiming to provide more specialized and comprehensive services for children with autism and developmental challenges. The infusion of capital will help the company scale its operations, enhance its offerings, and continue serving a rapidly expanding market.
In addition to Pediatrics Plus’ recent partnership, the autism therapy space is seeing other noteworthy deals. For example, Ascend Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in Unison Therapy Services, another key player in autism therapy, signaling the increasing attention and investment flowing into this market. Other developments in the behavioral health sector include Oceans Healthcare’s acquisition of Haven Behavioral Healthcare, which expanded its footprint into five states, as well as Mindful Health’s successful $12 million funding round. These moves are part of a broader trend toward consolidation and growth within the autism and behavioral health sectors.
As for the next steps for Pediatrics Plus, while specific plans were not immediately disclosed, the company’s commitment to expanding its reach and improving its services is clear. The company is poised to grow its market share and influence, offering enhanced therapy programs and services to children and families across its regions. Whether this means expanding further into new states or launching new initiatives in therapy or training remains to be seen. Regardless, with the support of its new investors and partners, Pediatrics Plus is set to continue playing a pivotal role in autism therapy and developmental services.
With these new strategic investments and partnerships, Pediatrics Plus is in an excellent position to continue growing its impact on the autism and developmental therapy for children space. As the company evolves and expands, families will benefit from an increasingly robust and accessible array of services, making a positive difference in the lives of children with developmental challenges.
