Kate McKenna, MEd, MSEd, MS, BCBA
Association for Science in Autism Treatment
Established in 1965 by Paul and Mildred Krentel as a home for children with developmental disabilities, Melmark has long been known as the “house that love built.” Today, Melmark is an ever-growing organization with schools and facilities in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and North Carolina, that serves individuals across the lifespan. Melmark is, in their own words, “committed to enhancing the lives of individuals within diverse communities with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families by providing exceptional evidence-based and applied behavior analytic services to every individual, every day.” Melmark’s organization rests on a foundation not just of love but also on 6 Core Commitments: compassionate care, integrity in all we do, highly skilled workforce, evidence-based practices, a unified culture, and best outcomes.
The 6 Commitments are not separate and distinct values. Rather, taken together they reflect a broader underlying philosophy of valuing the individuals they serve, seeing them as competent human beings with goals and dreams of their own, and collaborating with students and families to design educational and behavioral interventions that support maximum independence. The organizational structure at Melmark is designed to support the diligent monitoring of policies, facilities and programs to ensure that educational and clinical standards are achieved and maintained. This is a commitment to ongoing excellence, a willingness to ask hard questions, looking forward instead of resting on laurels and past accomplishments. Every aspect of life at Melmark unites as an organizational culture committed to fulfilling its mission and vision.
In its work with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families Melmark strives to deliver a standard of care marked by a compassion that is demonstrated in empathy, kindness, and genuine respect. That respect is seen in the collaboration between colleagues at Melmark and between Melmark and families. Goals are set and programs created to achieve the maximum possible proficiency and are developed in collaboration with all stakeholders. Planning for generalization opens the possibility of the availability of using acquired skills in new activities, which is especially useful in less restrictive environments.
Melmark uses scientific evidence and performance data to inform all decision-making, and actively promotes the use of evidence-based best practices throughout the organization. This reliance on data-driven analyses is in keeping with their belief that affecting positive change is most effectively accomplished with the use of interventions and teaching methods that are supported by research and scientific study.
Melmark takes seriously its obligation to create professional development opportunities for its personnel and understands the importance of involving families through educational programs, workshops, and webinars. To this end, Melmark has partnered with Endicott College to encourage and support their staff in pursuing graduate studies in ABA, special education, and autism. Their Expert Speaker Series in behavior analysis draws speakers from the top of the field, who present on a variety of topics. The lecture series is free and open to the public. In an effort to contribute to the research and knowledge base in the fields of applied behavior analysis (ABA), autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and special education, Melmark’s senior staff and associates conduct training sessions in applied behavior analysis (ABA) and special education for local and national professionals. In addition, they present research posters, papers, and symposia at regional and national conferences as well as publishing research studies in peer-reviewed research journals.
These 6 Core Commitments guide Melmark’s new 2022 Strategic Plan which will involve opening Stoughton Day School in Stoughton, Massachusetts this month. The school will provide specially designed instructional programs based on applied behavior analysis (ABA), related services, family training, and enriched teacher student ratios of 1:2 for student with autism, acquired brain injury, intellectual or developmental disabilities, or who demonstrate challenging behaviors that require a specialized educational environment. This spring also will mark the opening of a new 31,000 square foot school building at the Melmark site in Charlotte, NC. The 14 additional classrooms, clinical support spaces, offices, fully accessible restrooms and new lunchroom will substantially increase the number of students that Melmark can serve in the Charlotte region. Click here for more information about Melmark’s programs.
As Melmark moves forward with its next phase of growth and expansion, the 6 Commitments will serve as both guideposts and a spotlight on its mission – assembling a highly skilled group of educators, therapists, and clinicians, who are supported by an organizational culture that emphasizes acting with integrity and compassion, using evidence-based practices to work towards the best possible outcomes, as it continues to have a lasting, positive impact on the lives of the people it serves.
Citation for this article:
McKenna, K. (2023). Melmark: A commitment to best possible outcomes. Science in Autism Treatment, 20(5).
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