CentralReach provides software and technology solutions that help autism and IDD care providers manage clinical, administrative, and practice-management workflows. Pulse 2.0 interviewed CentralReach CEO Chris Sullens to gain a deeper understanding of the company.
Chris Sullens’ Background
Could you tell me more about your background? Sullens said:
“For the past six and a half years, I’ve had the privilege of leading CentralReach through one of the most transformative periods in our industry. We’re delivering a mission-critical platform that empowers clinicians and educators to deliver exceptional outcomes for individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).”
“Before joining CentralReach, I led WorkWave, a market-leading SaaS company in the field service and last-mile logistics verticals. Between my time at WorkWave and CentralReach, I’ve spent over 17 years scaling high-growth tech companies. In both roles, I worked closely with investors and operational teams to drive profitable growth through relentless innovation. My experience scaling WorkWave gave me a strong foundation to lead CentralReach through rapid growth while staying deeply connected to the communities we serve.”
Formation Of The Company
How did the idea for the company come together? Sullens shared:
“I stepped in as CEO following a majority investment from Insight Partners during a pivotal moment for CentralReach. The company had a powerful foundation and an ambitious vision, and I was brought in to help scale that vision and navigate the complex growth path ahead. What drew me in wasn’t just the opportunity to lead another high-growth SaaS company. It was the mission. The chance to improve lives at scale through technology was deeply personal and professionally compelling.”
“Today, CentralReach supports over 200,000 users and employs more than 400 passionate professionals. My role now centers on sustaining our momentum, amplifying the impact of our AI-driven innovations, and ensuring that every new product we release moves the needle forward for autism and IDD care.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Sullens reflected:
“There have been many memorable moments, from ringing the bell after acquisitions to celebrating product milestones. But what stands out most is the talented team that we have assembled and the stories of impact that team has enabled. Hearing from clinicians and providers who’ve reduced their administrative burden or improved care outcomes because of something we built is what makes the hard work worth it.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Sullens explained:
“CentralReach offers a comprehensive, end-to-end platform built for the full spectrum of autism and IDD care. That includes ABA therapy, multidisciplinary services, and K-12 special education.”
“Recently, we’ve accelerated our AI roadmap, expanding beyond the auditing use cases we launched with to provide agentic solutions that greatly increase the ROI for our customers. These groundbreaking tools, like CR NoteGuardAI, CR ClaimCheckAI, and CR ScheduleAI, directly address systemic challenges such as staffing shortages and administrative burnout by automating note drafting, auditing, claims processing, and scheduling. It’s about giving time back to clinicians so they can focus on what matters most: the individual receiving care.”
Challenges Faced
Have you faced any challenges in your sector of work recently? Sullens acknowledged:
“Absolutely. The biggest challenge we’re tackling is the autism and IDD care gap. Simply put, there are far more individuals in need of care than there are providers available to deliver it. Waitlists of 6 to 18 months are common.”
“Our role at CentralReach is to help our customers close that gap. We’re doing that by building smart, scalable tools that allow clinicians and administrators to do more with less. Whether that’s through automation, AI, or workflow optimization, we’re helping providers increase their reach without sacrificing quality.”
Evolution Of The Company’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Sullens noted:
“Since 2012, we’ve dramatically expanded the scope of our platform. What began as a single, ABA-focused solution has grown into an end-to-end care platform that provides technology for therapists, clinicians, educators, job coaches, and others who focus on improving outcomes and increasing independence for individuals from infancy through adulthood.”
“Our agentic note drafting solution, CR NoteDraftAI, improves session note quality in 80% less time and our CR CareCompanion app enables caregivers to accelerate their child’s progress by providing content and tools to reinforce care plans at home. We’ve also invested in solutions that support provider education, such as ABA Knowledge Builder, which uses our proprietary data to help future BCBAs prepare for certification.”
“And we’re not done. Our innovation pipeline is robust, and we’re committed to releasing products that advance both care outcomes and provider economics.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Sullens cited:
“This past year has been full of highlights. We introduced our Preferred Partner Network, expanded into new areas like executive functioning through acquisitions, and launched several AI-driven products that are already transforming provider workflows.”
“Recognition has followed. CentralReach earned more than 15 awards last year alone, including our fifth appearance on the Inc. 5000 list. These honors reflect the incredible culture our team has built, one grounded in compassion, creativity, and impact.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates CentralReach from its competition? Sullens affirmed:
“Innovation is in our DNA. We’re the only platform offering a natively-integrated, AI-powered EMR – combining both the practice and clinical sides of the house. The majority of our competitors are point solutions that rely heavily on integration that often breaks the data flow.”
“Beyond product leadership, we’re shaping the future of the field. We established a Scientific Advisory Board, released the industry’s first Autism and IDD Care Market Report, and are pushing toward provider-led value-based care by integrating evidence-based assessments into our ecosystem. This is what leadership looks like. We are investing in the future while delivering real-world impact today.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the future company goals? Sullens emphasized:
“In 2025 and beyond, our goals are clear. We plan to deepen our platform’s value, expand our reach, and help our customers close the care gap faster. We’ll continue investing in AI, expanding our product set, and exploring new ways to help our users thrive in a challenging healthcare environment.”
Additional Thoughts
Any other topics you’d like to discuss? Sullens concluded:
“Yes. Our customers are heroes. The RBTs, BCBAs, educators, and administrators working in this space are underappreciated and overextended. They’re on the front lines of care every single day. Everything we do, every product we build, and every innovation we launch is designed to serve them.”
“We’re not just a software company. We are a mission-driven partner to those making a difference in the autism and IDD care community.”
