With some major stumbles in the autism service industry still fresh in public memory, it may seem like an odd time for Gracent to launch a new private equity-backed platform. But Gracent’s leadership says now is the right time to get into the game after seeing where others went wrong. That includes keeping sustainability in mind as it grows and making board members and advisors to the company legitimate assets. In terms of services, Gracent CEO Mark Shalvarjian sees the company eventually becoming a “pediatric therapy company” that acts as a one-stop-shop for the most important therapies related to autism, reports Behavioral Health Business.
Gracent operates locally under two brands — North Shore Pediatric Therapy in the Chicagoland area and Pine Cone Therapies in Texas. The company will eventually expand the physical therapy, mental health services and pediatric neuropsychiatry also offered at North Shore Pediatric Therapy to the Pine Cone locations.
The company has 12 centers in operation — nine in Illinois and three in Texas — and two in development. Read more.