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The latest edition of Vista Autism Services’ Early Spring 2025 Newsletter is here! This issue highlights exciting program expansions, upcoming events, and critical advocacy efforts to ensure continued support for individuals with autism. Read on for key highlights and how you can get involved.
Nzenalu Obinelo reflects on two years with Vista, expressing gratitude for the dedication of staff, supportive families, community partners, and generous donors. He highlights key developments, including:
CoVE Program Expansion: Extending services to Elizabethtown to support more students.
Early Intervention Growth: Plans to expand to the West Shore, increasing access to early childhood services.
Service Reach: Vista now serves over 500 individuals annually, reflecting the growing demand for our services across South Central Pennsylvania.
Please note the following upcoming closures:
The Vista School: March 14 (In-Service)
CoVE: March 14 (Early Dismissal)
Outreach: March 14 (PM), March 17 (Half Day)
Vista Adult Services: March 10 (Staff Learning Day)
Please check our program calendars on our Resources for Parents and Caregivers page for the complete list and most current information.
While other Approved Private Schools (APS) in Pennsylvania receive state funding based on stable, long-established enrollments, The Vista School remains locked into funding levels from 20 years ago—when it was just a small, newly founded school.
Funding is frozen at 2004 levels: The APS funding formula, established through Act 70 of 2004, set funding allocations based on student enrollments. When this law was enacted, Vista had only 27 students, unlike other APS schools that had been fully enrolled for decades.
Today, Vista serves over three times that number of students yet still receives funding for only 24, despite the school’s critical role in serving students with autism in Central Pennsylvania.
Other APS schools in Pennsylvania do not face this issue—it is unique to Vista due to its growth after the funding formula was locked in place.
📢 Vista is the only APS in Central Pennsylvania: Without an increase in state funding, students and families in this region are at risk of losing access to the specialized education that Vista provides.
📢 Districts rely on Vista to meet an unmet need: The demand for Vista’s programs continues to grow, especially in transition services and job training for young adults with intellectual disabilities.
📢 This is an issue of fairness: APS schools in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia have been receiving steady funding for decades, while Vista has been underfunded since the day the law was enacted.
We are calling on Pennsylvania legislators to amend the APS funding law to ensure Vista receives the same fair funding as other APS schools. This amendment would:✔ Adjust Vista’s funding to reflect its actual enrollment✔ Ensure Central Pennsylvania students have equal access to APS services✔ Support Vista’s expansion to meet district needs for job training and life skills programs
📢 Take action today! Send a message to your legislators and help us fight for fair funding:👉 Support the Amendment
Join us on June 7 for a day of connection and support at our 18th Annual Vista Golf Classic. This event plays a crucial role in funding programs that make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
We invite you to read the full Vista Vantage Point—Spring 2025 Newsletter to learn more about these stories and more.
Sign up for our email list to receive regular updates and be part of the meaningful work happening across Vista Autism Services. Together, we’re making unique potential within reach for everyone.
👉 Read the Newsletter Now 👉 Subscribe to Our Email List
Thank you for being a vital part of our Vista Autism Services community. Your support and engagement are what make these successes possible!
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