MSSCA: Mat-Su Valley’s best-kept secret

Why is the unassuming gray building on the corner of Shennum Drive and the Palmer-Wasilla Highway the Valley’s best kept secret?

As the largest non-profit employer in the Mat-Su with well over 200 employees, serving more than 1,850 individuals last year, Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults (MSSCA) has grown responsibly and steadily over the past 25 years. Consumers are its first priority. MSSCA employees are always talking about “consumers” because the people they “serve” are not their clients or their patient; those labels suggest they might know what’s best for an individual.

You may have never heard of MSSCA or if you have, perhaps you’re not really sure what it does. But if you have an infant or grandchild with autism, Down syndrome or cerebral palsy, you’ve probably met at least one of the teachers from MSSCA’s Infant Learning Program in your home. Or if you have a neighbor or family member with a developmental disability, you are probably acquainted with the residential/ supported living services, job “coaches,” respite care, or with one of the care coordinators. If you’re an educator, perhaps you’ve heard of it through the Fetal Alcohol Resource Project, which helps to coordinate evaluations of children with possible fetal alcohol syndrome.

OK, don’t take my word for it, here’s what MSSCA employees and consumers who responded to a recent survey had to say about the organization:

n 87 percent of employees rate their opportunities for on-going professional development as good or excellent.

n 89 percent rate the flexibility of their schedule as good or excellent.

n 96 percent of employees rate the attitudes of consumers and families toward MSSCA as good or excellent.

n It shows, because 82 percent of employees rate the consumers as what they like best about their organization.

n In 2008-2009, 94 percent of families enrolled in Infant Learning Program reported feeling their children had benefited from the program. Two examples from the many parent comments: “This is a great service to have in our community. My son may not have progressed as far as he has without these services.”

“ILP is more than valuable and beneficial. Our teacher has taught me to be a better parent and helped to meet our daughter’s needs. ILP has helped our daughter to excel.”

n In a 2008 Consumer Satisfaction Survey that asked how MSSCA has impacted/assisted the individuals served, the themes mentioned were “services have provided stability, safety, security, consistency and foster independence.”

Twenty-five years is a long time in the life of a non-profit, but I assure you the demand for services for people with disabilities from birth through adulthood has only grown. However, MSSCA has long since outgrown the gray, boxy building on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway and the search for a new building/property began almost two years ago. So, if you feel as I do that having services available for all ages of individuals with disabilities is important — not only for maximizing the potential of the individuals served, but also for the jobs this organization has created — then consider donating to MSSCA in its 25th anniversary year. You can donate through the Pick-Click-Give program through the Alaska State PFD website or decide this year MSSCA is your non-profit of choice to help it move to a better facility for the next 25 years.

If you would like more information, contact either John Cannon or Jean Kincaid (CEOs who did not take huge bonuses) at 352-1200.

Margaret Volz is former director of The Children’s Place and is a MSSCA board member.