Landmark contribution will have generational impact and
accelerate the development of the EnvisionSMART™
Institute.
BERWYN,
Pa. and ANDOVER, Mass. and
CHARLOTTE, N.C.,
June 24,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Melmark, a nationally-recognized
non-profit human services provider, announced that it has received
an endowment gift of over $30 million
from an anonymous donor. The gift, the largest of any kind in the
organization's almost 60 year history, will fuel Melmark's mission
to enhance the lives of individuals with autism, intellectual and
developmental disabilities for generations to come.
This historic gift comes at an inflection point for direct care
service providers amidst a national workforce crisis. It will
support Melmark's commitment to employing a highly-skilled
workforce and the continuation of adult services which serve and
support countless individuals with autism and intellectual
disabilities who need and deserve Melmark's specialized programs.
This gift will also help close the gap as government reimbursement
rates for these services and staff wages have been stagnant for
over a decade.
"Our Melmark community is elevated and invigorated by this
gift at a critical juncture within the field due to consolidation
and downsizing which has resulted in less providers than ever
before and a growing need for the life-saving, around-the-clock
care that many adults require," stated Melmark President and CEO
Rita M. Gardner, M.P.H., LABA, BCBA,
CDE®. She added, "We believe that everyone deserves
access to quality education, care, and support throughout their
life, regardless of their abilities or challenges and this gift
will ensure that future generations of individuals with profound
needs are seen, respected, and supported with the highest level of
services needed."
A portion of the gift will also accelerate the development of
the EnvisionSMART™ Institute, an extension of Melmark's commitments
to elevating the field and raising the quality of service. Guided
by Melmark's Executive Vice President of Clinical Services
Frank L. Bird, M.Ed., LABA, BCBA,
CDE® and President and CEO Rita
M. Gardner, the Institute will share resources which are
foundational to Melmark's Model of Program Development and Clinical
Treatment, with a focus on world-class applied research and
creating and maintaining a top-notch professional development and
training environment. The Institute will use current research to
inform Melmark's processes and develop best practices for
individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) and
help secure the supports and resources needed to age in place and
live their best lives.
Melmark is a multi-state non-profit human service
organization providing clinically sophisticated evidence-based
special education, residential, vocational and therapeutic services
for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders,
developmental and intellectual disabilities, acquired brain
injuries and other neurological and genetic disorders. All
specialized special education services are based on the principles
of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and are designed based on each
student's individual needs.
Recognized as one of the leading providers in the country,
Melmark has a combined staff of over 1,200 at its service divisions
in Pennsylvania, New England, and
the Carolinas and serves 500 individuals from across the country.
To learn more,
visit www.melmark.org.
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SOURCE Melmark