[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 80 (Thursday, May 19, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONGRATULATING NAPSEC ON 45 YEARS OF SERVICE

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                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 19, 2016

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
the National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC) 
for their 45 years of excellent service and academic dedication to our 
country's individuals with disabilities. NAPSEC's educational 
therapeutic services, combined with over four decades of experience, 
are invaluable to the education community across the United States and 
to the many partners in my home state of New Jersey.
   Established in 1971, NAPSEC represents private specialized education 
programs including early intervention services, school programs, 
residential therapeutic centers, and college experience and adult 
living programs for individuals with disabilities and their families. 
The majority of NAPSEC's member programs provide services to publicly 
placed students with disabilities through the Continuum of Alternative 
Placements and Services required by the Individuals with Disabilities 
Education Act (IDEA). Originally enacted into law in 1975, IDEA is the 
primary federal statute governing special education for children from 
birth through age 21 and guaranteeing the rights of children with 
disabilities to a free public education that suits their needs.
   Nationwide, 6.6 million students with disabilities are ensured of 
and receive an education because of IDEA. While many of these children 
are successfully integrated into public schools and typical classrooms, 
IDEA requires that a variety of options are available to meet the 
individual needs of disabled students. Of these students, 3.4 percent 
are served in private specialized day and/or residential programs. 
NAPSEC member programs meet a vital need for individuals who are not 
able to thrive in a typical classroom environment, acknowledging each 
individual's unique experience, because every child has the right to an 
education that empowers them to succeed.
   NAPSEC's hundreds of affiliates bridge the gap and offer much needed 
services to publically and privately placed individuals. In addition to 
K-12 education, these services also include early intervention services 
for infants and toddlers. As co-chair of the Coalition on Autism 
Research and Education (CARE), I've seen firsthand the impact that 
early intervention makes in successful outcomes for children and 
applaud this attention to early intervention.
   Additionally, NAPSEC programs provide postsecondary college 
experience and adult living programs that serve individuals who have 
aged out of their school based supports and are no longer eligible for 
services under IDEA. As 50,000 individuals with autism, and many more 
with other disabilities, age out of their education based supports 
every year, supports and services for these individuals are critically 
necessary in ensuring that young adults with disabilities can 
successfully transition into the next phase of their lives. Their 
services needs do not end when they turn 21.
   NAPSEC programs improve educational outcomes for people with 
disabilities and empower them to achieve their full potential and make 
meaningful contributions to society. When individuals with disabilities 
are empowered to achieve, we all benefit.
   I remain impressed by the quality of care and expertise NAPSEC's 
partners provide to America's students with disabilities, including 
those with autism. Again, I offer NAPSEC my sincerest congratulations 
and gratitude for their 45 years of service to the disabilities 
community and look forward to NAPSEC's continued progress in the 
future.

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