Who we are

The Massachusetts Association of Approved
Special Education Schools

What is MAAPS?

MAAPS is your community of out-of-district, approved special education schools - all of which offer a vital service to both public school district and privately placed students. I should know; I was one of them.

Attending one of the MAAPS member schools provided me the appropriate skills I needed to flourish in my education. I never felt more included than when I attended a specialized school. Today, it is my privilege to advocate on behalf of all of the approved special education schools as the Executive Director of MAAPS.

MAAPS represents approved schools for students with special needs in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. MAAPS provides a range of services to its members, including professional development, marketing, diversity initiatives, government relations, external affairs, and peer enterprises. Membership in MAAPS affirms a commitment by our schools to ethical practices, non-discrimination, and extraordinary education.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth Becker, Esq.
Executive Director

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Learn More About Our Work

Meet the Staff

EDRB head shot

Elizabeth Dello Russo Becker

Executive Director
ebecker@maaps.org
AK head shot

Amanda Kane

Director of Membership
akane@maaps.org
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Susie Vanseth

Operations Coordinator & Policy Researcher
svanseth@maaps.org

MAAPS is an association that provides services and advocacy for member schools.  MAAPS does not provide placement consultations or facilitate referrals for individual students.  If you are a parent or professional reaching out about an individual student, please refer to the online directory for school admission contact information and the placement resources section of maaps.org for other helpful information.

If you are a parent or caregiver looking for family support or special education information and resources, please contact the Federation for Children with Special Needs.

Other inquiries, please visit the Connect page.

Meet the Board

S. Cusson
President

SHAUN CUSSON

Hillcrest Educational Centers

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Vice President

KATHLEEN LOVENBURY

Crystal Springs, Inc.

C. Hunt
Treasurer

CHRIS HUNT

Partners in Child Development (PCD)

B. Irish
Clerk

BRIDGET IRISH

Cotting School

E. Bosso
Delegate-at-Large

ED BOSSO

Perkins School for the Blind

L. Lajewski
Delegate-at-Large

LAURA LAJEWSKI

COMPASS

Regional Delegates

Massachusetts Map