Pathfinder was founded by Phyllis Padgett in Jacksonville about 20 years ago. She started out with only six student workers and a station wagon. Her vision was to provide a service to the handicapped and their families. She wanted to provide care for these people and let their family members go to work. Now service is provided to about 800 people in the area, by a staff of 350 people and 85 vans.
Pathfinder is a non-profit, private agency.
They receive funding from state Medicaid. And some from Arkansas Title 20. Children with diagnoses of developmental delay, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, or a broad category called other. Including all diagnoses stated above except developmental delay. Pathfinder uses physical therapy for the medicaid waiver program, consultation, when prescribed for children in preschool.