Amidst federal efforts to dismantle programs helping underserved communities, along with threats to several state protections for people with disabilities, Maren Christenson Hofer (MN LEND 2018-19) is part of a small but growing organization that is helping autistic children and their families to thrive.
Amidst federal efforts to dismantle programs helping underserved communities, along with threats to several state protections for people with disabilities, Maren Christenson Hofer (MNLEND 2018-19) is part of a small but growing organization that is helping autistic children and their families to thrive.
She is executive director of the Multicultural Autism Action Network (MAAN), a non-profit organization that provides education and training, one-on-one and group support for families who have received an autism diagnosis, and advocacy on issues important to the autism community. Fatima Molas (MNLEND 2016-17, pictured at left) is a co-founder of MAAN.
The work includes providing training for families from a range of cultural backgrounds on navigating the individualized education plan (IEP) process or home and community-based services. During the pandemic, the organization formed partnerships with healthcare providers to provide vaccination clinics for children with autism. MAAN also provides professional skill development for schools, state agencies, law enforcement, healthcare providers and others who work with people with disabilities in multicultural communities. Legislative advocacy forms the third leg of the stool.
“Last year, I think I personally testified on about 20 state bills,” Christenson Hofer said. “It’s growing quickly, and a lot of what we’re doing right now is defensive work to hold in place the gains we’ve made over the past couple of years and make sure none of the good work that is done is repealed.”
The organization fought to keep some state IEP requirements in place, testified on school-discipline issues around seclusion of students, and advocated for using HCBS to cover swimming lessons for people with disabilities who are at increased risk of drowning as a result of their disability.
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