News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Transformational grant supports launch of Achieva’s first-ever home transition program for children with disabilities in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties

PITTSBURGH, PA – [September 25, 2025] – Achieva, a leading nonprofit provider of services for people with disabilities, has received a $1 million grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to support children with complex medical needs to go home. The grant additionally funds investing in a new case management system to improve program administration, ensure regulatory compliance, and deliver the highest quality support.

The transformative gift supports Achieva’s Beyond Boundaries campaign, enabling the organization to launch its first home transition program designed to address the needs of hundreds of children with disabilities who currently live in pediatric facilities because their families are unable to meet their medical needs at home. 

Initially, the program will support as many as 14 children in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, with plans to build a replicable model for broader impact.

“This is about more than just returning a child from a facility to their home – it’s about restoring family, community and a sense of belonging for children with complex medical needs,” said Stephen Suroviec, President and CEO of Achieva. “The infrastructure improvements we’ll implement will enhance our ability to serve more individuals with greater precision and quality. We are deeply grateful to the Richard King Mellon Foundation for recognizing the urgency of this need and investing in a future where every child with a disability can thrive at home”.

Achieva’s new program offers families a holistic, family-centered approach with a powerful, wraparound support system that includes:

• Expert case management and clinical oversight with specialized staff
• Rapid problem-solving capabilities without bureaucratic delays
• Direct funding for critical home modifications
• Access to life-sustaining technology and equipment support
• Coordinated care through a dedicated medical director
• Implementation of the Therap information technology case management system
• Comprehensive staff training and clinical capacity development

The initiative represents a significant investment in both direct services and organizational infrastructure, enabling Achieva to build sustainable, replicable programs supplemented with Medicaid home and community-based service funding.

The initiative represents a significant shift from traditional institutional care to community-based support, reflecting Achieva's commitment to helping individuals with disabilities live as independently as possible in their chosen communities.

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About the Beyond Boundaries Campaign
The Beyond Boundaries campaign represents Achieva's strategic initiative to expand innovative programs and services that break down barriers for individuals with disabilities and their families. The campaign focuses on developing cutting-edge solutions that promote independence, community integration, and enhanced quality of life.

About Achieva
Founded in 1951, Achieva is a leading provider of services for children and adults with disabilities in southwestern Pennsylvania. The organization serves thousands of individuals annually through a comprehensive range of programs, including early intervention, residential services, employment support, and community integration initiatives. Achieva is committed to helping people with disabilities achieve their full potential and participate actively in their chosen communities.

About the Richard King Mellon Foundation
Founded in 1947, the Richard King Mellon Foundation is the largest foundation in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and one of the 50 largest in the world. The Foundation’s 2024 year-end net assets were $3.1 billion, and its Trustees in 2024 disbursed more than $155 million in grants and program-related investments. The Foundation focuses its funding on six primary program areas, delineated in its 2021-2030 Strategic Plan.

Media Contact:
Marcia Wallander
VP of Advancement
412.676.7974
mwallander@achieva.info