Merakey (Merakey Allegheny Valley School, Merakey New Jersey): Ownership, Violations, and Lawsuits
Michael Hill and the team at Michael Hill Trial Law investigate abuse, neglect, and wrongful-death cases involving group homes and intermediate care facilities (ICF/IIDs), and we represent families nationwide. The firm focuses on neglect and abuse in group homes, ICF/IIDs, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. Merakey, formerly NHS Human Services, is a large multistate nonprofit that provides developmental, behavioral health, and education services, including group homes and intermediate care facilities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It operates under numerous entity names across several states.
If someone you love was injured or died in a group home or ICF operated by Merakey or one of its brands, you may have legal options, and time limits can be short. Case reviews are free and confidential. Start your case or call (800) 659-2712.
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Ownership and financial figures are drawn from public filings, state and federal records, and news reporting; regulatory and lawsuit items are from government records and court filings, each cited at the end of this page. Lawsuits and criminal charges are allegations unless a court has ruled; state findings may be appealed.
Group Home & ICF/IID Case Types We Handle
The injuries and neglect we investigate in group homes and intermediate care facilities.
Merakey at a Glance
- Legal name: Merakey USA (and affiliated entities)
- Headquarters: Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania
- Founded: Rebranded as Merakey in 2018 (formerly NHS Human Services)
- Ownership: Nonprofit (501(c)(3))
- Scale: 129+ group homes (106 PA Allegheny Valley School + 23 NJ); full total not published
- Revenue: About $340 million across its three largest entities (FY2025); the organization has said combined revenue will exceed $1 billion after its 2026 acquisition of I Am Boundless
- Brands: Merakey; Merakey Allegheny Valley School (AVS); Merakey New Jersey; formerly NHS Human Services; Northwestern Academy (closed 2016); Woodhaven (closed 2023-25)
- Headline issues: 2022 wrongful-death lawsuit over the death of a Woodhaven resident; 2024 sexual-abuse lawsuits tied to the former Northwestern Academy; 2021 federal civil monetary penalty
Group homes and ICF/IIDs are licensed and inspected mainly by the states and, for ICF/IIDs, by federal CMS — there is no federal five-star rating like the one for nursing homes. Counts below are from public records and are not a complete litigation history; they do not by themselves indicate the quality of any individual home.
What Group Homes and ICF/IIDs Are — and Why Harm Happens
A group home is a residential setting where a small number of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) live together with staff support. An intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF/IID) is a federally certified, Medicaid-funded facility that must meet federal standards for active treatment, health care, and client protections. Many residents cannot fully protect themselves or reliably report what happens to them, which is exactly why staffing, supervision, and training decide whether people are safe.
The injuries that recur in these settings are rarely mysterious. They include falls and fractures; bedsores and pressure injuries; choking on the wrong diet texture; dehydration, malnutrition, and bowel obstruction and fecal impaction; medication errors; wandering and elopement; physical or sexual assault by staff or other residents; and, in the worst cases, wrongful death. The common thread is understaffing — a home that accepts residents it is not staffed or trained to care for makes the harm foreseeable.
Who Owns Merakey?
Merakey is a large multistate nonprofit headquartered in the Philadelphia suburb of Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania. It was known as NHS Human Services before rebranding as Merakey in 2018, and it operates through many affiliated entities, including Merakey Pennsylvania, Merakey Allegheny Valley School, Merakey New Jersey, Merakey Montgomery County, and others, each with its own federal tax ID.
As a nonprofit, Merakey files IRS Form 990 returns; revenue across its three largest entities was reported at roughly $340 million for fiscal year 2025, though a single company-wide revenue figure is not published. The organization has stated that its combined annual revenue will exceed $1 billion following its June 2026 acquisition of the Ohio nonprofit I Am Boundless. Reported chief-executive compensation for CEO Joseph Martz was about $1.31 million in FY2025.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2018 | NHS Human Services rebranded as Merakey |
| 2021-12 | Merakey Allegheny Valley School paid a federal civil monetary penalty of $126,891.02 |
| 2022-01 | Death of Woodhaven resident Cheryl Yewdall, later the subject of a wrongful-death suit |
| 2023-2025 | Announced closure of Woodhaven Center, a private ICF it had operated since 1994 |
| 2024-02 | A planned ~$1 billion merger with Elwyn was called off |
| 2026-06 | Acquired I Am Boundless (Ohio) |
Revenue, Public Funding, and Finances
Merakey does not publish a single consolidated revenue figure; reported revenue across its three largest entities was roughly $340 million in FY2025. Pennsylvania's human-services department has pursued cost-settlement recoupments against Merakey; in September 2026 the Commonwealth Court issued rulings on two of those disputes. The sources reviewed found no bond or credit ratings.
Merakey Leadership
Joseph Martz is chief executive officer; Theodore Dallas is president and chief operating officer; Derrick Yacovelli is chief financial officer. Robert N.C. Nix III chairs the board.
Merakey Brand Names and the Entity on the License
The name on a state license, inspection report, or court filing is often a subsidiary or brand. Families searching state records should look for these names:
| Family | Names you may see |
|---|---|
| Merakey (current) | Merakey USA; Merakey Pennsylvania; Merakey Allegheny Valley School; Merakey New Jersey; Merakey Montgomery County |
| Former names / closed facilities | NHS Human Services; Northwest Center; Northwestern Academy; Woodhaven Center |
Where Merakey Operates
Merakey operates in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and other states. Its Allegheny Valley School division reports about 106 community group homes in Pennsylvania, and Merakey New Jersey is licensed for 23 homes. It has closed several facilities, including the former Northwestern Academy juvenile facility (2016) and the Woodhaven Center intermediate care facility.
Merakey Lawsuits, Government Findings, and Regulatory Record
Merakey's record includes a 2022 wrongful-death lawsuit over the death of a Woodhaven Center resident found with a cleaning wipe in her trachea; the claims are disputed, the manner of death was ruled undetermined, and no charges were filed. In 2024, numerous people filed lawsuits alleging they were sexually abused as children at the former Northwestern Academy, which Merakey operated and closed in 2016; those claims remain unproven allegations. The organization paid a $126,891 federal civil monetary penalty in 2021 for employing an excluded individual, and state surveys and report cards in Pennsylvania and New Jersey have flagged reporting and follow-up shortfalls.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Wrongful-death suits | 1 |
| Abuse lawsuit groups | 1 |
| Federal penalties | 1 |
| Regulatory findings | 2 |
This is not a complete litigation history, and the existence of a lawsuit or complaint is not proof of wrongdoing. A settlement is not an admission of liability. Findings by state agencies may be appealed.
Notable matters
- 2022 — Allegation (civil suit; no ruling found; no criminal charges filed): Yewdall wrongful-death lawsuit (Woodhaven Center). In 2022, the mother of Cheryl Yewdall, a longtime Woodhaven Center resident, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court alleging that a staff member was responsible for a cleaning wipe found lodged in her trachea; Yewdall died in January 2022. Merakey denied responsibility and said it cooperated with investigators. The medical examiner ruled the manner of death undetermined and no arrests were made. The claims are allegations that have not been proven. Source
- 2024 — Allegation (civil suits; outcomes not found): Northwestern Academy sexual-abuse lawsuits. In 2024, lawsuits were filed by numerous people who alleged they were sexually abused by staff as children at the former Northwestern Academy, a juvenile facility outside Shamokin, Pennsylvania, that Merakey operated and closed in 2016. The filings were part of broader litigation over Pennsylvania juvenile facilities; news reports linked the academy to Merakey USA. Merakey said it would review the allegations. These are allegations that have not been proven, and the outcomes have not been found. Source
- 2021 — Settlement (civil monetary penalty; self-disclosed): HHS-OIG civil monetary penalty (Merakey Allegheny Valley School). On December 29, 2021, Merakey Allegheny Valley School agreed to pay $126,891.02 to the HHS Office of Inspector General to resolve allegations that it violated the Civil Monetary Penalties Law by employing a person who was excluded from participation in federal health care programs. The organization self-disclosed the conduct. Amount: $126,891. Source
- 2025 — Regulatory survey finding: Pennsylvania DOH ICF survey (Allegheny Valley School). A December 2025 Pennsylvania Department of Health survey of a Merakey Allegheny Valley School intermediate care facility found that the facility failed to thoroughly investigate an abuse allegation and that an incident was reported late. These are state survey findings. Source
- 2026 — Regulatory report card: New Jersey DHS Licensed Provider Report Card. For the July 2025-June 2026 period, New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities rated Merakey New Jersey (23 homes) with an overall score of 2 out of 3 stars, including 1 star on timely follow-up with protective and corrective actions in response to critical events. Source
Complaint and Harm Types in the Merakey Record
Across the public records reviewed, these are the kinds of harm that recur — the same kinds our firm investigates in group homes and ICF/IIDs. If your loved one experienced any of these, it may support a claim:
Who May Be Legally Responsible
Because Merakey operates through separate state entities and brands — and because the parent company, the licensed operator, the employer of the staff, and in some cases the property owner may be different companies — a lawsuit may need to name more than one defendant. Names that have appeared in records involving these homes include:
- Merakey USA
- Merakey Pennsylvania
- Merakey Allegheny Valley School
- Merakey New Jersey
- Merakey Montgomery County
- Merakey IDD Philadelphia
What to Do If You Suspect Neglect or Abuse in a Group Home or ICF
- Get medical care. Call 911 or go to the hospital for any serious injury, sudden decline, or unexplained bruising, fracture, or weight loss.
- Report it. Notify the home’s administrator in writing, the state or county developmental disabilities agency that receives incident reports, adult protective services, and law enforcement for any suspected crime.
- Find the licensed entity. Ask for the license or check your state’s provider lookup; the company on the license is often a state subsidiary or brand name rather than the parent company.
- Document everything. Take photos, write down dates, times, and names, and save texts and emails.
- Request records. Ask for incident reports, the individual service or program plan, medication administration records, and staffing schedules. Guardians and authorized representatives usually have access rights.
- Be careful with statements and documents. Do not give recorded statements to insurers or sign releases or arbitration agreements before talking to a lawyer. Deadlines can be short.
Why Families Bring Group Home and ICF Cases to Michael Hill Trial Law
These cases are won by lawyers who try them. Michael Hill and the team at Michael Hill Trial Law focus on neglect and abuse in group homes, ICF/IIDs, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities, and the firm has obtained record results, including $26 million, the highest recorded verdict against a nursing home in Ohio history. The firm’s main office is in Cleveland, Ohio; it practices nationwide, its attorneys are licensed in numerous states, and it works with affiliate firms across the country. The review is free, and you owe nothing unless we recover for you.
Start your free, confidential case review | Call (800) 659-2712
Frequently Asked Questions About Merakey
Is Merakey a nonprofit, and what was it called before?
Merakey is a multistate nonprofit (501(c)(3)) headquartered in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania. It was known as NHS Human Services before rebranding as Merakey in 2018.
What is the Yewdall wrongful-death lawsuit?
In 2022, the mother of a Woodhaven Center resident who died with a cleaning wipe lodged in her trachea filed a wrongful-death suit alleging staff responsibility. Merakey denied responsibility, the manner of death was ruled undetermined, and no charges were filed. The claims are unproven allegations.
What are the Northwestern Academy lawsuits?
In 2024, numerous people filed lawsuits alleging they were sexually abused by staff as children at the former Northwestern Academy, a juvenile facility Merakey operated and closed in 2016. These are allegations that have not been proven; outcomes have not been found.
Has Merakey paid any government penalties?
Yes. In December 2021, Merakey Allegheny Valley School agreed to pay $126,891.02 to the HHS Office of Inspector General to resolve allegations it employed an individual excluded from federal health care programs; the organization self-disclosed the matter.
How many group homes does Merakey operate?
At least 129 (about 106 through its Allegheny Valley School division in Pennsylvania plus 23 in New Jersey). A full company-wide total is not published.
Can I sue a group home or ICF operator for neglect or abuse?
Generally, families may bring civil claims against a group home or ICF operator when neglect or abuse causes injury or death, and the parent company and the licensed entity may both be proper defendants. Deadlines, damage rules, and required pre-suit steps vary by state, and arbitration clauses and Medicaid liens can matter. A lawyer licensed in your state can explain your options. Michael Hill Trial Law offers free, confidential case reviews for families nationwide.
Who is legally responsible when someone is harmed in a group home?
Often more than one company. These operators frequently run each home through a separate local entity that holds the license, while the building may be owned by another company and staff employed by a third; for-profit owners and investors can sit above all of them. The right defendants depend on who held the license, who employed the staff, who managed care, and who owned the property at the time of the harm.
What if we signed an arbitration agreement?
Courts do not always enforce these arbitration clauses. Whether one applies depends on who signed it, the authority that person had, and the state's law. Keep a copy of everything you signed and have a lawyer review it before assuming you cannot bring a claim.
How do I check a group home or ICF's inspection and complaint record?
Group homes are licensed and inspected mainly by state developmental-disabilities and health agencies; ICF/IIDs are also certified and inspected under federal CMS rules. Use the state agency's provider lookup for the state where the home is located, and ask the agency for inspection reports and substantiated complaints.
About Michael Hill Trial Law
Michael Hill Trial Law represents families in group home, ICF/IID, nursing home, and assisted living abuse and neglect cases. The firm’s main office is in Cleveland, Ohio; it practices across the country, its attorneys are licensed in numerous states, and it works with affiliate firms throughout the United States. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients, including a $26 million jury verdict for wrongful death, the highest nursing home verdict in Ohio history. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Learn more about group home and ICF/IID neglect cases, wrongful death, and physical and sexual assault, or meet our team.
Sources
Information on this page comes from government records, court filings, regulatory reports, company statements, and news reports, linked below. Lawsuits and criminal charges are allegations unless a court has ruled. Findings by state agencies may be subject to appeal.
- ProPublica - Merakey Philadelphia (EIN 23-2175924)
- ProPublica - Merakey Pennsylvania (EIN 23-2799679)
- HHS-OIG - Merakey Allegheny Valley School civil monetary penalty
- AP - Woodhaven resident death; Yewdall lawsuit
- AP / ABC News - accusers describe abuse at PA juvenile facilities
- Philadelphia Inquirer - juvenile facility sex-abuse lawsuits
- Levy Konigsberg - Northwestern Academy lawsuits
- New Jersey DHS - Licensed Provider Report Card (FY2026)
- Pennsylvania DOH - Merakey Allegheny Valley School survey
- Behavioral Health Business - Merakey acquires I Am Boundless
This page provides general information about a company that operates group homes and intermediate care facilities. It is not legal advice and does not mean that any particular home or employee did anything wrong. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Last reviewed November 12, 2026.
