Who we are

Exceptional Schools for Exceptional Children

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 over 80 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

More Information

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 a trade 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 calling 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.

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

M. Ames
Immediate Past President

MICHAEL AMES

RFK Community Alliance

Regional Delegates

Western Region

Bert Carter, Wille Ross School for the Deaf

  • Jill Brewer, Springdale Education Center
  • Shaun Cusson, Hillcrest Educational Centers
  • Jody Michalski, White Oak School
  • No Alternate

Central Region

  • Michael Ames, RFK Community Alliance
  • Karen Bishop, Learning Center for the Deaf
  • Brian Doyle, Center for Applied Behavioral Instruction
  • Karen McCarthy, Brandon School & Residential
  • Jessica Sassi, The New England Center for Children
  • Alternate: Phillip Ekberg, Wayside Youth

Greater Boston Region

  • Ed Bosso, Perkins School for the Blind
  • Michael Culhane, Farr Academy
  • Sarah Folk, Milestones
  • Bridget Irish, Cotting School
  • Laura Lajewski, COMPASS
  • Mark Lucier, Community Therapeutic Day School
  • Pam Sullivan, Walker
  • Alternate: Amy Sousa, Guild School
  • Alternate: Wil Fredian, Gifford School

Northeast Region

  • Joe Cronin, St. Ann’s Home and School
  • Rita Gardner, Melmark New England
  • Chris Hunt, Professional Center for Child Development
  • Ryan Plosker, New England Academy
  • Lori Steers, Nashoba Learning Group
  • Alternate: Lygia Soares, Merrimac Heights Academy

Southeast Region

  • Kathleen Lovenbury, Crystal Springs
  • Maureen Philbin, Fall River Deaconess Home
  • Gerry Pouliot, Latham Centers
  • Larry Sauer, League School for Autism
  • Deb Blair, May Institute
  • Alternate: Bisser Dokov, JRI
Massachusetts Map