Summary:
Background
VersiCare Group’s mission is clear: helping people succeed. That seemingly simple mission guides every aspect of VersiCare Group’s work, from how they treat the individuals and families they serve to employee interactions and acquisitions. Operating seven distinct brands in Midwest and Southeastern states, VersiCare serves thousands of children and adults with intellectual and development disabilities and related issues through federal, state and local home- and community-based programs.
Because VersiCare Group is grounded in a mission fueled by dignity, trust and person-centered care, the company approaches potential acquisitions with care and attention. Not every company serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other related issues is necessarily a mission fit, but shared vision and values were the driving factors in VersiCare’s 2025 acquisition of Michigan-based CHS Group, LLC.
Founded in 2006 by Joe Bates, a veteran in the I/DD field, CHS Group grew from one client to serving more than 300 people each day. With a focus on empowering people through community inclusion, independent living and meaningful life experiences, CHS provides services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness, mobility impairments and aging-related needs across Michigan. VersiCare Group acquired CHS Group’s Community Living Support (CLS) and respite services, a move that expanded VersiCare’s footprint in Michigan to nine counties.
With more than 30 years of experience serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, CHS Group founder Joe Bates built his company’s reputation on serving clients and families who often have difficulty securing the right services.
“For the population we serve, it’s often extremely challenging to find the services and support they need,” Bates said. “At CHS Group, we consider the individuals we serve as family and treat them like our family members. If I had a son or daughter who needed these services, I would want CHS to serve them.”
As a result, CHS is known throughout the Michigan counties it serves — Monroe, Washtenaw, Lenawee, Calhoun and Wayne — for:
As the business grew, CHS Group faced challenges related to administrative processes, recruitment and technology — typical pressures for organizations positioned for growth. With its well-respected reputation in Michigan and person-centered, family approach to care, CHS seemed like a perfect match for VersiCare Group as the company looked to expand its footprint in Michigan.
After a long tenure in the intellectual and development disabilities sector, Bates previously considered selling a portion of CHS’ service lines two-and-a-half years earlier but ultimately decided he wasn’t ready to sell at that time.
In 2025, when he was ready to sell 80% of the CHS business, Bates explored several acquisition options, but ultimately chose VersiCare because:
“What mattered most to me was finding a partner who understood what makes CHS special,” Bates said. “VersiCare wasn’t looking to change our structure — they wanted to enhance what we do well.”
During the CHS Group acquisition, VersiCare’s goal was to maintain the core qualities, values and practices that set CHS Group apart as a trusted provider in Michigan.
To ensure seamless integration and little to no disruption to the individuals and families CHS serves, VersiCare and Bates worked together to identify clear non-negotiables, including:
This approach reinforced VersiCare Group’s understanding that CHS’ success in the communities it serves was built on their strong reputation of treating individuals and families with dignity and respect as well as their record of delivering high-quality, person-centered care. Recognizing these characteristics as valuable, VersiCare was able to move forward with a plan that enhanced them rather than drastically changed them.
Recognizing the practices, values and characteristics that set CHS Group apart from other area providers, VersiCare Group sought to provide seemingly “behind-the-scenes” support that made it easier for CHS employees to focus on serving individuals and families. This included:
As a result, Bates said, CHS Group leadership and staff were able to focus more directly on service delivery and growth by giving all their attention to what matters most: serving individuals and families.
A collaborative, partnership approach was important to Bates as he moved through the acquisition process, and VersiCare Group delivered on that expectation.
“I was confident that VersiCare shared our values in our approach to service,” Bates recalled. “They engaged our senior leadership early and often during the acquisition and transition process, so that we could make decisions together as a team.”
This team approach, focused on finding the best way forward together, also included:
By approaching the transition as a true partnership, VersiCare Group demonstrated its commitment to honoring CHS’ identity while smoothing the path forward. Rather than imposing a new model, VersiCare chose to listen first, understand what made CHS strong and work alongside its leaders to protect those defining qualities — enhancing them through thoughtfully streamlined systems and supports that allow the organization to thrive long-term.
Within the first year:
“The communication we had with VersiCare’s leadership team during the acquisition process and transition was exceptional,” Bates said. “Another key fit was that they weren’t coming in and changing the structure. Instead, VersiCare Group sought to enhance what we did well and combine that with what they do well.”
Most importantly, Bates said, individuals currently served by CHS and their families experienced little to no disruption to day-to-day services, thanks to VersiCare’s approach and desire to keep long-term staff members and leaders in key roles.
“There was maybe one family member who had a few questions,” Bates recalled, “but it was reassuring to families to continue to see the same faces every day.”
VersiCare Group aims to become the premier regional provider of intellectual and developmental services, as well as related offerings, with an emphasis on expanding access to high-quality, person-centered care. While growth is part of that focus, VersiCare is mindful in the way it approaches acquisitions, seeking providers who share our vision, values and mission.
VersiCare’s acquisition of CHS Group, LLC, reflects this values-aligned approach, choosing partnership over control and conformity. VersiCare deeply understands that mission and values are what drive growth that benefits individuals and families — and are committed to an acquisition approach that isn’t solely focused on growth, but rather amplifying the mission to help people succeed.
At VersiCare Group, growth is not about scale alone — it’s about impact. By bringing the right partners together, honoring what already works and investing in people, VersiCare continues to help individuals, caregivers, and communities succeed — together.
