Advocating For At-Risk Youth
Every child has a constitutional right to an adequate education. The Menta Group leaders are actively involved at the local, state, and federal levels. With the mindset that all children will succeed if given a chance, the organization believes that state and federal funds should be earmarked for children who live in poverty. Poverty is the number one contributing factor to student dropout, suspension, expulsion, academic failure, and school-based crime.
State Level
- Gubernatorial Assignment to The Illinois State Council on Re-enrolling Students Who Dropped Out of School
Representatives from The Menta Group participated on the Illinois State Council. The council was charged with carrying on the work of the Task Force on Re-Enrolling Students Who Dropped out of School by continuing to examine and develop ways to address the growing issue of students who left school before earning a high school diploma.
- Legislative Assignment to the Illinois State Task Force on Special Education Funding
Representatives of The Menta Group worked with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to prevent the state from reallocating $250,000,000 in funds for children with disabilities. They conducted detailed data analysis and presented the information to Chicago leadership, working with CPS to assure that these funds remain with the poorest, neediest children in the state. This work continues to ensure that these dollars are not taken from CPS and given to the wealthier districts in Illinois.
- State Work Groups
The Menta Group is actively involved in The Illinois State-Wide Transition Fair, Legislative Committees, Rules and Regulations Committees, IAASE, IAPSEC, Employment First, and the Governor’s Task Force on Employment First.
- Leadership in Educational Organizations
The Menta Group leadership team holds board positions and serves on committees in educational organizations such as Illinois Association of Private Special Education Centers, Transitioning of Special Education Students, and Employment First. In Arizona, the team is actively involved with SEAA, CEC, CASE, Alternative School Network, Employment First, AZ Public Engagement Task Force, and many other associations across the state.
Menta’s Federal Partnerships
- National Association of School Psychologists is a professional association that represents more than 25,000 school psychologists, graduate students, and related professionals throughout the United States and 25 other countries. The world’s largest organization of school psychologists, NASP works to advance effective practices to improve students’ learning, behavior, and mental health.
- Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. Autism Speaks enhances lives today and is accelerating a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow.
- National Association of Private Special Education Centers gives Menta’s leadership team an active voice at the federal level, advocating for children with disabilities across the nation.
- Council of Exceptional Children is a professional association of educators dedicated to advancing the success of children with exceptionalities. We accomplish our mission through advocacy, standards, and professional development.
- CASE-CEC is an international professional educational organization which is affiliated with the Council for Exceptional Children whose members are dedicated to the enhancement of the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of each individual in society.
- International Society of Technology Education (ISTE) is the largest teacher-based, nonprofit organization in the field of educational technology.
- Alternative School Network re-engages diverse communities of learners to actualize their true academic potential & personal goals by promoting educational innovation, workforce opportunities & civic participation for future leadership and service.