Do we have to open a clinic at every one of our locations?

Not at all. You can start with one location or as many as you're ready for. Many programs begin with a single site and use the revenue generated from there to fund a second location the following year. In the meantime, students from other locations can travel to the established clinic to begin their care. This approach also allows you to serve children who are on waitlists or who haven't yet started in a classroom, helping them make progress and get comfortable in the environment before the school year begins. It's a wonderful way to reduce stress for both families and staff.

Will this add work for my administrative team?

No and this is something we're very intentional about. LEAPS Ahead is designed to operate as a fully managed, separate clinical business. We handle scheduling, billing, documentation, and day-to-day clinic operations entirely. Your team will not be responsible for managing any aspect of the clinic's business functions.

What if my staff isn't familiar with therapy services?

That's completely okay. We provide ongoing therapeutic mentorship for clinicians and support to your staff, including guidance on recognizing developmental concerns, classroom strategies for challenging behaviors, and materials that complement your program's existing curriculum. We also provide full EMR training for any staff who interact with our systems. You don't need to know anything about therapy to start, that's what we're here for.

How long does it take to get the clinic up and running?

The moment your contract is signed, we hit the ground running. Credentialing, recruiting, family outreach, and system setup all begin immediately because we know that every month matters when children are waiting for services. The timeline to full operation typically runs up to four months from your start date, and much of that depends on factors like credentialing timelines in your area and the local hiring market. What we can promise is that we move with urgency and intention every step of the way. Here's something worth keeping in mind: the sooner your program gets started, the better your chances of having a fully operational clinic ready to serve children when the 2026-2027 school year begins. That's a goal we'd love to help you reach and we're ready to get moving the moment you are.

What types of insurance do you accept?

We work with a wide range of private insurance providers and will handle all enrollment and billing on your behalf. Many children who don't qualify for school-based services will qualify through their family's private insurance meaning therapy is often available at little to no out-of-pocket cost to families. We currently accept Medicaid, All Kids, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

What if we can't afford the setup fee upfront?

Payment plans are also available to assist with this. We understand that budget realities are real, and we don't want cost to be the barrier that keeps children from getting services. We actively assist partner programs in pursuing sponsorships and grants to help cover the one-time setup fee. We believe your community wants to invest in this let us help you find those resources together.

Can the clinic serve children who aren't currently enrolled in our Head Start or other program?

Yes. The clinic can serve early learners, children on waitlists, siblings, and other community members who need access to therapeutic services, anyone 21 years of age and under. This expands your program's impact and can also increase the clinic's revenue which is a win for everyone.

What happens if a therapist leaves?

As your full-service management partner, LEAPS handles recruiting and hiring . We maintain active relationships with universities and graduate programs across the country and participate in job fairs to keep a strong pipeline of qualified candidates. Therapist transitions are our responsibility to manage, not yours.

Is this financially sustainable for our program?

Yes! Sustainability is something we take seriously. LEAPS Ahead is designed to operate as a revenue-generating clinic. We will work to ensure your clinic is profitable, and we'll be transparent with you throughout the process about the financial health of the program.

Welcome to LEAPS Ahead

A Partnership Built for the Children You Serve

Just like you we started this work because you believe every child deserves a strong start.

LEAPS Ahead was created specifically for Head Start programs like yours because we know you're being asked to do more than ever before, with the same hours in the day and the same dedicated team. We're here to help you do more for your kids, without adding more to your plate.

With more than 30 years of combined expertise in early childhood education, special education, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy, the LEAPS team brings deep, specialized knowledge across a wide range of developmental needs, including sensory integration, feeding challenges, dyslexia, AAC implementation, speech and language delays, classroom modifications, daily living skills, and potty training. We understand the world you work in, and we've built this program from the ground up to fit inside it.

Through LEAPS Ahead, we partner directly with your Head Start location to establish and manage a fully operational private therapy clinic, right inside your program. We handle everything: scheduling, billing, medical documentation, clinic management, and more. Your educators and administrators stay focused on what they do best. No new training. No new systems. No added stress.

What you gain is something remarkable: a clinic where your students receive consistent, individualized therapy services during the school day, and where families in your broader community can access critical therapeutic care in a place they already know and trust. LEAPS Ahead doesn't just add a service to your center, it builds something that becomes a cornerstone of your community's early childhood care for years to come.

Who We Help

At the heart of everything we do are the children. LEAPS Ahead provides 1:1 therapeutic intervention to students who qualify for services through their insurance and you may be surprised how many that includes. Many children who don't qualify for school-based services are fully eligible through private insurance. And here's something families love to hear: children don't need a diagnosis to receive services. All it takes is a referral from their pediatrician. If a family wants to pursue a formal diagnosis, we can support that process too.

How We Support Your Staff and Families

We know your teachers are already giving everything they have. LEAPS Ahead is designed to work with them, not around them.

Our therapists are flexible, scheduling sessions at the times that work best for your classroom flow, so pull-out time is thoughtful and minimally disruptive. We collaborate directly with your teachers to develop strategies for managing challenging behaviors, provide classroom support materials, and even contribute lesson plan activities that align with your monthly thematic units and program guidelines. The goal is for your staff to feel supported, not sidelined.

And it doesn't stop with your staff. We show up for your families, too. Whether a parent has questions about their child's development, needs guidance on daily living skills or social skills, or is simply looking for someone to help them navigate the hard "how do I help my child?" moments, we’re there. We bring years of experience in child development and a genuine commitment to walking alongside families every step of the way.

How LEAPS Is Involved — From Day One

The moment you sign your contract and submit your fees, we get to work. Immediately. Here's what that looks like:

We launch the credentialing process for your location
We post job listings and begin recruiting qualified therapists
We send an introductory letter to your families explaining the new program
We order your EMR system and necessary equipment (computers, iPads, software)
We begin building relationships with local physicians to establish a referral pipeline

From there, we stay involved at every level, weekly staff meetings to discuss individual clients, family meetings to gather developmental information and explain the process, hiring support, therapeutic mentorship, EMR training, fundraising support, and ongoing program management. We are with you from the very first day of a child's care until they no longer need our support.

How the Clinic Operates

Think of the LEAPS Ahead clinic as its own separate, fully functioning business, because that's exactly what it is. We run your clinic the same way we run our own, with the same standards, the same systems, and the same commitment to excellence.

Our goal is for your clinic to be profitable. We manage the daily operations so you never have to worry about the administrative side of running a therapy practice. The scheduling is handled. The billing is handled. The documentation is handled. All you need to do is welcome us in, let us assist you in the required equipment, and let us get to work.

Why We Work Best as a Team

You've spent decades building something extraordinary for children and families in your community. We don't want to change what you do. We want to stand beside you and make it even more powerful.

You keep doing what you've always done: providing exceptional early childhood education with heart and dedication. We step in with the clinical expertise, the billing infrastructure, the insurance relationships, the special education specialists, and the reading specialists to fill the therapeutic gaps your families need filled. Together, we cover the whole child.

How We Align with Head Start Goals

Everything LEAPS Ahead does is designed to help children develop the skills they need to become independent, engaged learners for life, which is exactly the mission and goals of Head Start.

One area where this alignment is especially meaningful: parent training. Head Start programs are required to provide it, and LEAPS Ahead can help you meet that requirement in a meaningful way. We can develop and host both in-person and online parent training sessions, on topics you choose, or topics we identify based on the needs we're seeing in your clinic. No outside trainer to hire. No extra cost. Just put it on our calendar and let us take it from there.

Every program is different, and we'll work with you to build the right team for your community.

In general, we recommend beginning with a speech-language therapist at each location, followed by an occupational therapist. Physical therapy can be made available across locations as needed. Additional billable services to consider include mental health counseling and ABA therapy, all depending on the needs of your population.

Your one-time setup fee puts everything in motion:

Credentialing costs for your location
Advertising and recruitment
EMR system setup
Family and physician outreach meetings
Insurance enrollment and file establishment
Computers, iPads, and necessary software

Think of the ongoing percentage not as an expense, but as the cost of having an entire management team, clinical support system, and operational infrastructure working on behalf of your clinic every single day. It's the engine that keeps everything running so you never have to.

Once your clinic is up and running, the ongoing monthly percentage is what keeps everything operating smoothly and keeps LEAPS Ahead standing right beside you every step of the way. This isn't a fee for a software subscription or a single service. It's what sustains the full management system that makes your clinic function as a thriving, professional practice. Here is what that covers:

EMR Monthly Fees Your electronic medical records system is the backbone of your clinic's documentation and billing. Monthly EMR fees typically run a minimum of $800 per therapist and that cost is covered within your percentage so you never have to think about it.
Ongoing Scheduling and Clinic Coordination We continue to manage your clinic's schedule month after month adjusting for new referrals, changes in enrollment, therapist availability, and the natural rhythm of your program's calendar. A well-run schedule means more children served and fewer gaps in care.
Billing and Insurance Management Billing is one of the most complex and time sensitive aspects of running a therapy clinic, and we handle it entirely. We submit claims, follow up on denials, manage insurance relationships, and make sure your clinic is capturing every dollar it has earned. You never have to chase a reimbursement or interpret an EOB.
Ongoing Family Support and Communication Our relationship with your families doesn't end at intake. We continue to meet with parents, answer questions, provide guidance on supporting their child at home, and keep them actively engaged in their child's therapeutic progress throughout the year.
Continued Physician and Community Relationship Management Building a referral network is ongoing work. We stay in regular contact with local pediatricians and community partners to keep your clinic top of mind and ensure a steady, healthy flow of referrals.
Weekly Staff Meetings and Clinical Oversight Every week, we continue our structured staff meetings to review client progress, support your therapists, and provide the kind of consistent clinical leadership that keeps your team sharp, motivated, and well-supported.
Therapeutic Mentorship and Professional Development Our ongoing mentorship doesn't stop after the first few months. As your clinic grows and your caseload evolves, we remain actively involved in supporting your therapists' professional growth and clinical decision-making.
Recruiting and Staffing Support Staff transitions happen and when they do, we handle them. Ongoing recruiting, candidate screening, and hiring support are part of what your percentage sustains, so a therapist departure never leaves your clinic scrambling.
Program Management and Compliance We monitor the overall health and performance of your clinic on a continuous basis tracking outcomes, ensuring compliance, identifying opportunities for growth, and keeping everything running the way a well-managed clinical practice should.
University and Graduate Program Partnerships We maintain our active presence at job fairs and in university partnerships so your clinic always has access to a strong pipeline of qualified candidates not just when you're hiring, but all year long.

Description Title

We believe this partnership should extend beyond your four walls and we've built programs to make that happen.

Sponsorship Assistance We'll actively help you pursue sponsorships and grants so your community, not just your budget, helps fund this work. We believe in what you're doing, and we know others will too.
University & Graduate Program Partnerships We maintain active relationships with universities and graduate programs across the country and participate in job fairs and hiring events to ensure your clinic has access to talented, mission-driven therapists.
Sensory Room Construction We'll assist with fundraising to help build a small sensory room in your facility, a local church, or community organization serving children with disabilities. Because every child deserves a place where they can feel safe and thrive.
Annual Family Support Programs Each year, we offer special programs designed to support individual families in achieving a meaningful goal for their child. Past programs have included: A fully supported family trip with therapeutic planning for every family member, an in home potty training boot camp with hands on specialist guidance, design and construction of a custom home sensory room, home safety assessments and modifications for children with safety concerns, creation of an outdoor play space that supports sensory and developmental growth.
Therapist Tuition Reimbursement We help you establish a tuition reimbursement program to attract and retain outstanding therapists. Reimbursement of up to $15,000 is available over three years, with a commitment to serve one additional year at your location. This is a powerful tool for building a loyal, invested clinical team.

More Than Just A Program, It’s A Shared Passion

We want to be honest with you: this isn't just a business for us.

This is a mission. A deep, driving commitment to make sure that every child regardless of their background, zip code, diagnosis, or socioeconomic status has access to the therapeutic services they need and deserve. We believe that equitable opportunities to grow and learn shouldn't be a privilege. They should be a promise.

When you partner with LEAPS Ahead, you're not signing a contract with a vendor. You're joining a community of people who wake up every morning committed to the same thing you are: giving children the best possible start in life.

We are in this together.

FAQs

We are here to guide you every step of the way.

Do we have to open a clinic at every one of our locations?
Not at all. You can start with one location or as many as you're ready for. Many programs begin with a single site and use the revenue generated from there to fund a second location the following year. In the meantime, students from other locations can travel to the established clinic to begin their care. This approach also allows you to serve children who are on waitlists or who haven't yet started in a classroom, helping them make progress and get comfortable in the environment before the school year begins. It's a wonderful way to reduce stress for both families and staff.
Will this add work for my administrative team?
No and this is something we're very intentional about. LEAPS Ahead is designed to operate as a fully managed, separate clinical business. We handle scheduling, billing, documentation, and day-to-day clinic operations entirely. Your team will not be responsible for managing any aspect of the clinic's business functions.
What if my staff isn't familiar with therapy services?
That's completely okay. We provide ongoing therapeutic mentorship for clinicians and support to your staff, including guidance on recognizing developmental concerns, classroom strategies for challenging behaviors, and materials that complement your program's existing curriculum. We also provide full EMR training for any staff who interact with our systems. You don't need to know anything about therapy to start, that's what we're here for.
How long does it take to get the clinic up and running?
The moment your contract is signed, we hit the ground running. Credentialing, recruiting, family outreach, and system setup all begin immediately because we know that every month matters when children are waiting for services.
The timeline to full operation typically runs up to four months from your start date, and much of that depends on factors like credentialing timelines in your area and the local hiring market. What we can promise is that we move with urgency and intention every step of the way.
Here's something worth keeping in mind: the sooner your program gets started, the better your chances of having a fully operational clinic ready to serve children when the 2026-2027 school year begins. That's a goal we'd love to help you reach and we're ready to get moving the moment you are.
What types of insurance do you accept?
We work with a wide range of private insurance providers and will handle all enrollment and billing on your behalf. Many children who don't qualify for school-based services will qualify through their family's private insurance meaning therapy is often available at little to no out-of-pocket cost to families. We currently accept Medicaid, All Kids, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
What if we can't afford the setup fee upfront?
Payment plans are also available to assist with this. We understand that budget realities are real, and we don't want cost to be the barrier that keeps children from getting services. We actively assist partner programs in pursuing sponsorships and grants to help cover the one-time setup fee. We believe your community wants to invest in this let us help you find those resources together.
Can the clinic serve children who aren't currently enrolled in our Head Start or other program?
Yes. The clinic can serve early learners, children on waitlists, siblings, and other community members who need access to therapeutic services, anyone 21 years of age and under. This expands your program's impact and can also increase the clinic's revenue which is a win for everyone.
What happens if a therapist leaves?
As your full-service management partner, LEAPS handles recruiting and hiring. We maintain active relationships with universities and graduate programs across the country and participate in job fairs to keep a strong pipeline of qualified candidates. Therapist transitions are our responsibility to manage, not yours.
Is this financially sustainable for our program?
Yes! Sustainability is something we take seriously. LEAPS Ahead is designed to operate as a revenue-generating clinic. We will work to ensure your clinic is profitable, and we'll be transparent with you throughout the process about the financial health of the program.

Still have a question?

We would love to sit down with you and talk about what LEAPS Ahead could look like in your community.

Reach out anytime, we're ready when you are.

We would love to hear from you

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