Council of Affiliated State Asso

Association Focus
The California Alliance is a statewide association of private nonprofit child and family serving agencies committed to providing the highest quality of services in the most caring and effective fashion. Formed on January 1, 2000, through the merger of the CA Association of Services for Children, and the CA Association of Children's Homes, the Alliance and the parent associations have a combined history of more than 60 years of advocacy on behalf of California's most vulnerable children and families and the organizations that serve them.

Membership Benefits and Services
The CA Alliance provides legislative and regulatory advocacy on behalf of our member agencies regarding a wide range of key policy issues. The Alliance represents member agencies to the: Office of the Governor, State Legislature, Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Finance, Department of Mental Health, Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, and Department of Education.

The Alliance also provides interfacing with state agencies to get questions answered and problems resolved, offers three annual membership conferences for executives that offer Group Home Administration and professional CEUs with no registration fee, reduced rates at practitioner training seminars and conferences, agency inclusion in the Member Directory of Services, posted on-line and distributed to placing agencies statewide, and provides weekly Monday Morning Updates keeping member agencies abreast of current trends and policy developments.

Membership Procedures and Requirements
Must be child and family serving organizations with programs and services in the areas of child welfare, juvenile justice, special education or children's mental health, have as a primary agency, a not-for-profit, public benefit corporation designated by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization, meet Alliance or national accreditation standards, participate on the Board or on business and program committees, and remain current in their dues responsibility.

CAPSEF, a non-profit association, provides a basis for unity and action to serve the common interests among all private special education facilities, including cost reporting, the state approval process, state and federal statutes, and regulations impacting the private special education community. All Connecticut approved private special education facilities are members.

CAPSEF offers professional development, government relations, etc. to its members. They also advocate for SPED. Periodic mailings and meetings on current issues of concern to members; annual conference; salary and tuition survey; and recognition of outstanding educator.

Any approved school interested or engaged in providing services to children with disabilities.

The Illinois Association of Private Special Education Centers (IAPSEC) focuses on management training, staff training, legal issues/monitoring and development, skills and knowledge/ dissemination and training, and current issues/position papers.

IAPSEC is the formal vehicle for dissemination of information and development of group position statements. Holds annual conference and several seminars throughout the year.

IAPSEC membership form is developed and available. IAPSEC by-laws are printed and available. Members agree to accept by-laws and pay annual membership fee.

Accreditation Process Each member is responsible for its accreditation. Technical assistance is offered to IAPSEC members.

The Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities (MANSEF) is nonprofit organization of private special education facilities approved by the Maryland State Department of Education and created to promote quality services for children and youth with disabilities. They serve more than 4000 students between birth and 21 years of age.

MANSEF is committed to creating optimum educational opportunities in the least restrictive environment for all Maryland children and youth with disabilities. MANSEF unites a diverse community of educators, professionals, and parents into an accessible, visible, and effective organization that champions the continuum of services for special needs children and adolescents in Maryland.

Presents a united voice to review and respond to the issues and practice affecting private special education schools in the state.

James V. Major, Executive Director

Ronald Riggs, IOM, CAE – COO

The Massachusetts Association of Chapter 766 Approved Private Schools’ mission is to represent private special education schools in their goal of providing the highest quality education to students with special needs.

To fulfill this mission, maaps advocates to improve the environment in which Chapter 766 approved private schools work and helps them manage more effectively by offering information, training, and consulting.

94 parent organizations’ of Chapter 766 approved private special education schools are members of maaps and receive discounts on maaps activities and publications, access to cost-saving programs, and regular communications on issues and trends that affect special education schools.

Membership Benefits and Services

· Advocacy is provided on industry wide issues affecting all special education schools through legislative efforts and litigation initiatives.

· Technical Assistance concerning regulatory and rate setting matters.

· Information is disseminated through the monthly maaps news bulletin and detailed Member Advisories and Alerts on government regulations and activities.

· Leadership Opportunities are available on our Board through the six geographic regions of the state. In addition, there are opportunities available in our various committees and task forces.

· Marketing is provided through the maaps Directory of Member Schools and Related Services which is published every two years and mailed to every special education administrator and placement office in the Commonwealth and is available for parents at our office. This directory lists detailed information on the programs members offer and the populations they serve along with other related services. In addition, www.spedschools.com is our online Directory of Member Schools, which also has useful links for parents.

· The Annual Conference is a daylong educational program with a wide range of workshops on current topics, practices and technologies that meet the professional development needs of special education administrators, teachers, social workers and direct care staff.

· Cost Saving Programs

o Food and Related Products

o Fund Raising

o Insurance (Benefits & Prop./Casualty)

o Office Supplies

o Planned Giving Services

· Regular- maaps membership for the parent organizations of Chapter 766 approved private special education schools.

· Affiliate- maaps membership category for non Chapter 766 special education schools in New England.

· Associate- maaps membership category for organizations and companies such as consulting, training, accounting and law firms that provide professional services, goods and supplies that strengthen private special education schools.

Referral Services to Member Schools Yes (Membership Directory - Hardcopy and on-line)

To promote programs and policies that protect and enhance the well-being of individuals with special needs.

To ensure high standards of excellence in all New Jersey private schools and agencies serving individuals with special needs.

To serve as a source of information and referral for anyone seeking appropriate educational placement of individuals with special needs.

Voice for private schools on special education issues; monthly update of Department of Education and government activities through membership mailings; bi-monthly sharing of ideas and concerns; service on behalf of individual schools; information referral service; publication of CHANNELS, a journal about special education, the association newsletter INSIDE ASAH, and Parents Connection; annual conference with workshops and seminars on non special education issues; Representation on Commissioner's Advisory Council for Special Education and Nonpublic School Advisory Committee; and health and liability group insurance programs. Creates the professional development plan used by participating private schools and approved by the New Jersey Department of Education.

VAISEF is an association of Virginia private providers of specialized educational services for children and youth with special needs, and their families.

Comprehensive site visit feedback; periodic mailings with current information on services, regulations, state agencies, policies, and legislation; group insurance program; bi-annual conferences; representation on state committees and advisory boards; representation on relevant state taskforces; active liaison with other relevant associations; and representation at the state legislature by a registered lobbyist.

VAISEF offers two types of membership - Member and Member with Accreditation. Member facilities must possess current and appropriate license(s) to operate as required by the Commonwealth of Virginia and meet basic criteria set by the association. Members with Accreditation are facilities that meet the licensing and criteria for membership and successfully complete the VAISEF accreditation process.

Accreditation Process VAISEF is the accrediting body officially recognized by the Virginia State Board of Education.