Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP), a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, announced that Sequel Youth and Family Services (Sequel), a portfolio company of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners IV L P, has completed the strategic acquisition of Camelot System of Care (Camelot). Sequel develops and operates residential and community-based programmes for people with behavioural, emotional, or physical challenges – focusing on at-risk and delinquent youth.
Camelot, which also serves at-risk youth, has developed unique residential programmes that focus on children with autism and autism-related disorders. With the addition of Camelot, Sequel has strengthened its position as a leading, diversified behavioural health organization in the US, now operating 31 programs in 16 states that serve a broad spectrum of clients.
The investments in Sequel and Camelot were funded from Levine Leichtman Capital Partners IV, L P, $1.1 billion private equity fund. According to Lauren Leichtman, co-founder and CEO of LLCP, “The Camelot acquisition is an important strategic addition to the Sequel platform, bringing programme and payor diversity, as well as strength to our management team. We are delighted to continue our support of Jay Ripley and Adam Shapiro and their team as they work to build a world-class behavioural health business.”
Jay Ripley, chairman of Sequel Youth and Family Services, will continue to lead the company. He will take on the additional role of CEO as Adam Shapiro, founder and co-chairman, takes a step back from day-to-day operations. Ed Irby, Camelot’s chief operating officer, will assume the role of president and chief operating officer of the combined entity. Ripley commented, “I am very excited about adding the Camelot programs and their dedicated staff to Sequel. Camelot’s successful, specialized programmes are highly complementary to ours and we expect our combined programming capabilities to be a great win for all of our clients and customers. We are grateful for the continued support of LLCP on this accretive acquisition and look forward to further collaboration in the future.”
Camelot was advised by Cain Brothers & Company. Senior debt financing was provided by Fifth Third Bank and MidCap Financial LLC.
Levine Leichtman Capital Partners is a investment firm that manages approximately $5.0 billion of institutional investment capital through private equity partnerships, distressed debt and leveraged loan funds. LLCP is currently making new investments through Levine Leichtman Capital Partners IV, L.P., and Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Deep Value Fund, L.P. Prior investments by Levine Leichtman Capital Partners include CiCi’s Pizza, Hackney Ladish, Jon Douglas Real Estate Group, Overhill Farms and Quizno’s.