Omni Acquires JusticeWorks, Forging a Human Services Powerhouse

NASHVILLE, Tenn. and PITTSBURGH, PA – March 03, 2026 – In a significant move that reshapes the national landscape of social services, Omni Family of Services today announced its acquisition of JusticeWorks YouthCare. The deal effectively doubles the size and scope of the Nashville-based Omni, creating a human and behavioral health services powerhouse that will now operate across ten states with a combined workforce of over 1,200 employees.

JusticeWorks YouthCare, a Pittsburgh-based agency founded in 1999, is highly regarded for its specialized programs addressing the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. The acquisition marks a major expansion for Omni, a national leader in child welfare and behavioral health since 1991. The combined entity aims to provide a more comprehensive continuum of care for children, adults, and families.

"We are so excited to welcome JusticeWorks to our Omni family," said Omni Family of Services CEO, Jane Wintz. "Founder, Dan Heit, and the entire team at JusticeWorks have dedicated their lives to building better futures for youth, families and communities. I've long admired their work and the programs they've built to support children and families. They complement and go hand-in-hand with the work we do at Omni."

Wintz emphasized the strategic benefit of the merger, stating, "With this acquisition, not only will our Omni footprint expand, we'll bring JusticeWorks programs and services to our Omni clients to help even more families thrive."

A Strategic Consolidation in Human Services

The acquisition reflects a broader trend of consolidation within the U.S. human services sector, where providers are scaling up to meet growing demand and navigate complex funding environments. By integrating JusticeWorks, Omni significantly strengthens its market position, expanding from five states into a ten-state network. JusticeWorks currently operates in Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Nevada, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, creating new territories and deepening Omni's existing presence in shared markets.

This expanded scale positions the organization to become a more influential voice in policy discussions and a formidable competitor for state and local service contracts. The ability to offer a wider array of evidence-based practices across a larger geographic area enhances its capacity to serve a diverse range of vulnerable populations. For communities within this new ten-state footprint, the merger promises a more robust and integrated network of support for those navigating the challenges of the child welfare, behavioral health, and juvenile justice systems.

A Shared Mission and Expanded Services

Leaders from both organizations have stressed that the acquisition is fundamentally mission-driven. JusticeWorks YouthCare was founded by behavioral health leader Dan Heit with a mission "to build better futures for children and families." This aligns seamlessly with Omni's long-standing commitment to delivering high-quality, trauma-responsive care.

"Our mission has always been to build better futures for children and families," said Heit, who will continue to serve the organization as CEO Emeritus. "We know that Omni Family of Services shares that same passion and mission. When we started talking about what it could look like for us to join forces, we quickly realized that we could really accelerate the change we want to see in the world by doing this work together."

The synergy between the two agencies is particularly evident in their service offerings. Omni provides a broad spectrum of services, including foster care, adoption, and community-based mental health, while JusticeWorks brings deep expertise and signature programs in the juvenile justice field. The combination allows the new entity to offer a holistic care model that can address the multifaceted needs of a single family, from mental health counseling to support for a youth involved with the justice system. This integration is expected to reduce service gaps and provide more streamlined, effective support for clients.

The Employee Ownership Advantage

A defining feature of this acquisition is the unique organizational structure of Omni's parent company, 3LS Inc. As a family of employee-owned companies, 3LS Inc. will now welcome the more than 600 employees of JusticeWorks into its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This move not only doubles the number of participants in the plan but also introduces a powerful incentive structure in a field often challenged by high staff turnover and burnout.

"We are thrilled to welcome the JusticeWorks team, not just into the Omni family, but into our 3LS family of employee-owned companies," said Eric Strickland, CEO of 3LS Inc. "We're essentially doubling the amount of people participating in our employee ownership plan and most importantly, we're doubling the number of kids and families we're serving. It's a win across the board."

In the human services sector, an ESOP can foster a profound sense of ownership and purpose among staff. By giving employees a direct financial stake in the organization's success, the model aligns their personal interests with positive client outcomes, potentially leading to higher quality care, improved staff retention, and greater innovation. For the former JusticeWorks employees, this transition offers an opportunity to build personal wealth while continuing their mission-driven work.

Heit commented on this unique benefit, stating, "Now, as a member of the Omni and 3LS Inc. family of employee-owned companies, our team members will benefit from the value that their exceptional work helps create. The future is going to be very exciting."

The integration of two distinct corporate cultures into a shared-ownership model will be a critical task for the leadership team. However, the potential for a more engaged, stable, and motivated workforce represents a significant competitive advantage and a powerful tool for achieving the organization's social mission on a national scale.