The autism, intellectual, and developmental disability fields regularly face challenges as the result of external regulatory, legislative, legal, and financial actions. These factors frequently have a direct impact on the delivery of services to the children and adults served, their families, and service providers.
To stay up-to-date on current topics affecting the field, nationally and regionally, and to find out about advocacy strategies and action items, please check this page regularly.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Advocacy and Resources for Autism and Intellectual Disability
Melmark Pennsylvania is an active member of PAR, which has the mission of enabling a service provider community that is an effective political, economic, and social force that ensures a person-centered, viable, quality service system that betters the lives of people with intellectual disability and/or autism.
New England
Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools
Melmark New England is an active member of the Massachusetts Association of 766 Approved Private Schools (maaps). The statewide association was founded in 1975 with the mission of providing educational programs and services to students with special needs. Members are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education under the state’s special education law, Chapter 766.
Carolinas
State Legislators Visit Melmark Carolinas
In September 2019, Melmark Carolinas welcomed Senator Natasha Marcus, NC Senate District 41. We thank Senator Marcus for taking the time to learn more about the children Melmark serves at its division in the Carolinas, as well as the obstacles to Free Appropriate Public Education so many families in this region face.