Why Access?
Our History
In 1976, a group of Christian social workers in Pennsylvania were frustrated by the gaps in services provided for individuals with mental health challenges and developmental disabilities in their community. They formed Access Services to develop innovative ways to meet some of these needs.
The first community homes opened in Montgomery County in 1978 to accommodate individuals released from Pennhurst State Center and other large mental health facilities. Six years later, Access Services was asked to operate ten group homes in Northeastern Pennsylvania.


Where we are now...
Today, we have expanded our services to include other community-based specialized services in three distinct service lines:
Behavioral Health Services
Children & Family Services
Intellectual Disability & Autism Services
Since our inception, our primary goal has been to provide more than basic care — we are constantly looking for innovative ways to raise the standard of care for all individuals in our communities to help them live rich, fulfilling lives.

Over 40 years of service.
A timeline of our history.
1976
1978
1988
Housing for adults with disabilities are offered through Family Living / Lifesharing services.
1992
1993
1994
1995
1998
1999
1999
Intensive Home Counseling for adolescents in the juvenile justice system is initiated in the Schuylkill region.