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About Hopebridge

Serving kids with autism since 2005

Learn more about one of the largest autism therapy providers in the United States, bringing new light to thousands of families.

Turning families’ fears into radical new hopes

When a child begins to exhibit behaviors that indicate challenges, the minds and hearts of caregivers are often flooded with questions and fear for the future.

If autism spectrum disorder or another developmental disability is now a reality in your child’s life, you can find help and hope in a supportive environment close to home.

Our Mission

Hopebridge is a healthcare provider committed to providing personalized therapy for children and their families as they navigate behavioral, physical, social, communication and sensory differences, helping them live their best life possible.

Bridging the gap in care

At Hopebridge, we understand children with special challenges require extraordinary care, and we know it puts a lot of pressure on families. Individuals on the spectrum often have needs that can benefit from a wide arrange of therapies, so our extensive team offers a wide range of pediatric outpatient services – all under one roof – to relieve some of the stress and spark optimism. The centers’ interdisciplinary Hopebridge 360 Care model covers a blend of applied behavior analysis (ABA), occupational, speech and feeding therapies in many of our centers, plus autism testing services, insurance support and everything in between.* The plans center around early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI), which focuses on ages 18 months to 7 years in order to achieve the best possible outcomes. Our licensed professionals conduct evaluations for each of the various therapies in order to design a custom treatment plan for each child. Each plan also includes guidance for families, which together serves as a road map for a future filled with possibility.

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History of Hopebridge

Since 2005, our 360 Care has brought life-changing autism therapy services to 1,000s of children and families. See how it all began.

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The Hopebridge Story

Look inside our centers and how they transform hope into reality.

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What is it like to have a child at Hopebridge?

Hear from parents about the successes they discovered at Hopebridge.

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It began with a real need

The Hopebridge program was one of the first of its kind in Indiana when it opened its doors in 2005.

The idea arose while Hopebridge Founder Kim Strunk served the children in her community as an occupational therapist. After seeing characteristics that appeared to be associated with autism – and parents running their kids from place to place to treat them – she knew there must be a better, more intensive way to get them care and learning tools they needed to succeed…

Enter a complementary, multi-disciplinary approach, rooted in the evidence-based applied behavior analysis (ABA). At the time, it didn’t fit the traditional framework of autism therapy, nor did insurance companies recognize ABA services, making the services cost prohibitive for some. With help from her team, Strunk’s determination and ongoing effort provided new opportunities and options at Hopebridge for this underserved population.

Now, more than a decade later, this community lives in a much more accessible place. What stemmed from a dream and one center in Indiana, now spans multiple states as one of the largest autism therapy providers in the U.S., bringing new light to thousands of families.

From our founder, Kim Strunk

Kim Strunk has more than 20 years’ experience working in pediatrics as an occupational therapist focused on early intervention. Kim worked extensively with First Steps, Indiana’s early intervention program and served on its very first eligibility determination team. It was during this time that she recognized a gap existed for more intensive therapies between the time the child aged out of the program and was old enough to enter grade school. She also recognized the challenges and inconvenience families faced to get the child the necessary types of therapies needed. This sparked the idea that there had to be an easier and more efficient way. In 2005, Strunk founded and opened her first autism therapy center in Kokomo, Indiana called Homefront Learning Center.

Kim brought together a complementary, interdisciplinary team approach to bring hope and support to the families in her community impacted by autism and other developmental delays. This concept was something not commonly seen within the state as evidence-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) didn’t fit the traditional framework of autism therapies provided. Strunk was determined though to provide better services and new opportunities to this underserved population. A few years later, Homefront changed to what the company is known as today, Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers. Kim now serves as the Chief of Clinical Strategy for Hopebridge and what started out as just an idea and a dream, now spans across a number of states helping thousands of children on the autism spectrum and their families build a bridge to help them live their best lives.

Become a Hopebridge Hero

Our center-based, one-on-one model does not just create new opportunities for children with autism; it also opens doors for exciting and fulfilling careers. Whether it is taking the next step in your profession with an in-house speech or occupation therapy role, or shifting gears on an entirely new behavioral health path by becoming a licensed RBT, join our team and show these kids what you can do with your super powers.

Available roles:

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are more than just words at Hopebridge.

At Hopebridge, we are committed to serving the underserved. With this mission comes great responsibility to be a champion for a more inclusive society. We are dedicated to ensuring Hopebridge is a beacon of hope for all patients and families that access our services and all workforce members that provide our services. Furthermore, Hopebridge welcomes and celebrates personal background, socioeconomic status, sexuality, race and more. It is within these differences that we find the opportunity to create and cultivate long-lasting, meaningful change for all we have the privilege to serve.

Through authenticity and intentionality we will empower everyone in the Hopebridge circle to harness their unique talents and experiences. Every day we renew our commitment to the actions that will ensure the Hopebridge family reflects the communities we serve and feels safe, uplifted and welcome.

Continuing Education Opportunities

It is of the utmost importance that we bring the highest possible care to children with autism across the U.S. As evidence of our effort to advance top-quality therapy, Hopebridge is a designated Authorized Continuing Education (ACE) provider by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

As an ACE provider, Hopebridge leaders share their expertise with our internal team, as well as BCBAs and BCaBAs outside of our community, through learning opportunities to deepen their knowledge and stay up to date in the industry’s latest developments. From best practices and methodology, to science and theory, Hopebridge hosts continuing education (CE) events to educate around a wide array of essential ABA therapy topics and scenarios to help behavior analysts earn the credits they need to maintain their certifications.

If you are interested in learning more about Hopebridge’s upcoming continuing education opportunities, contact us for information on our workshops, webinars and more CEU events hosted by our team.

Meet the Team

Adam Hahs

Adam Hahs

Executive Team

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Adam Hahs

Executive Team

Chief Science Officer

Dennis May

Dennis May

Executive Team

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Dennis May

Executive Team

CEO

Herb Senft

Herb Senft

Executive Team

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Herb Senft

Executive Team

Chief Administration Officer

Jana Sarno

Jana Sarno

Executive Team

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Jana Sarno

Executive Team

Chief Clinical Officer

Kim Strunk

Kim Strunk

Executive Team

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Kim Strunk

Executive Team

Founder & Chief of Clinical Strategy

Kyle Brinkworth

Kyle Brinkworth

Executive Team

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Kyle Brinkworth

Executive Team

Chief Financial Officer

Nicole Brennan

Nicole Brennan

Executive Team

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Nicole Brennan

Executive Team

COO

Varsha Nagpal

Varsha Nagpal

Executive Team

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Varsha Nagpal

Executive Team

Chief Accounting Officer

Clinical Advisory Board

Andrew Dreyfus

Andrew Dreyfus

Clinical Advisory Board

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Andrew Dreyfus

Clinical Advisory Board

President and Chief Executive Officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA)

Charles Kennedy, MD

Charles Kennedy, MD

Clinical Advisory Board

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Charles Kennedy, MD

Clinical Advisory Board

Recognized expert in healthcare delivery, finance and information technology with over 25 years of experience as a C-level executive and board advisor at several leading companies.

Elizabeth Lorah, PhD., BCBA-D

Elizabeth Lorah, PhD., BCBA-D

Clinical Advisory Board

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Elizabeth Lorah, PhD., BCBA-D

Clinical Advisory Board

Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the Doctorate Level (BCBA-D). Teacher in University of Arkansas Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis.

George Boghos

George Boghos

Clinical Advisory Board

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George Boghos

Clinical Advisory Board

CEO of Imagine Pediatrics and Founder of Autism in Motion (AIM) Clinics

Ilene Schwartz, PhD., BCBA-D

Ilene Schwartz, PhD., BCBA-D

Clinical Advisory Board

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Ilene Schwartz, PhD., BCBA-D

Clinical Advisory Board

Professor of Special Education at the University of Washington. Director of the Haring Center for Inclusive Education at the UW and the director of Project DATA (Developmentally Appropriate Treatment for Autism).

Jason Helgerson

Jason Helgerson

Clinical Advisory Board

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Jason Helgerson

Clinical Advisory Board

Founder and CEO of Helgerson Solutions Group.

Jonathan Fernand, PhD, BCBA-D

Jonathan Fernand, PhD, BCBA-D

Clinical Advisory Board

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Jonathan Fernand, PhD, BCBA-D

Clinical Advisory Board

Assistant Professor in the School of Behavior Analysis at Florida Institute of Technology