23/09/2022
An exciting announcement for the friends of Autism Society Montgomery County (ASMC/MCASA) and Howard County Autism Society (HCAS)
The Autism Society Montgomery County (ASMC) and the Howard County Autism Society (HCAS) announce the merger of the two Autism Society of America affiliates to expand supports and services for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.
Founded in the early 1960s by parents and professionals dedicated to the education and welfare of adults and children with severe disorders of communication, the volunteer-led ASMC has worked to improve the lives of persons with autism through advocacy, information, referral, support groups and financial aid.
“As you might imagine, the decision to relinquish our separate identity was not an easy one for us,” said longtime ASMC Board member and past President Liz Roth. “Many wonderful and dedicated people have invested many years of their lives working to better the lives of those with Autism in Montgomery County and, because that remains our primary goal, a merger now with an active and vibrant HCAS is appropriate.”
“ASMC has been in existence nearly 60 years – even longer than the Autism Society of America – and many of our former board members played key roles in the early years of the ASA,” Roth continued. “The world has changed considerably in the past 60 years, but the need to provide help and support to those with autism and their families has not. ASMC no longer has the manpower or resources to actively serve our local community, but we are confident that the inclusion of our members in the programs and services of the Howard County Autism Society will work to the benefit of the Autism community in both counties,” she concluded.
Don Barrick, HCAS Board President, shared, “HCAS is honored to join forces with ASMC and continue its work to serve Autistic individuals and their families in Montgomery County. As our service footprint expanded during the pandemic, HCAS found itself serving more and more individuals and families from the Autism community in neighboring Montgomery County. Many people from ASMC and its predecessors, NSAAC and later MCASA, were true pioneers in the early days when little was known about Autism. ASMC was on the leading edge of advocacy and support for individuals who are now in their 40s, 50s and 60s. We stand on the shoulders of their founders and, with their guidance and blessing, will continue to carry on the good works they began many years ago.”
The two organizations have been in discussions regarding a possible merger for several months. HCAS already serves several Montgomery County-based individuals and families with resources, support groups, employment and social opportunities.
The primary oversight for the merged organizations will rest with HCAS. Staffing and resources will be available to support the Montgomery County community in the coming months with headquarters remaining in Columbia, MD. Over the next 10-12 months, HCAS will be reaching out to the Autism community in Montgomery County to determine gaps in services it might fill, identifying potential funding resources, and building partnerships with other Autism and disability-focused organizations to support community members there.
For additional information, please contact HCAS Executive Director Melissa Rosenberg, [email protected] or 410-290-3466.
Please go to the Howard County Autism Society and the Autism Society Montgomery County page for information on the Walk/Run on October 1, 2022 at Centennial Parl.
