ISPA Having A Banner Year

The Independent Small Programs Alliance (ISPA) marked a number of important events and service awards in the first half of 2008. ISPA celebrated 3 years of operation. Andy Anderson, ISPA Managing Partner and ISPA Founder, stated how proud he was to have
given ISPA members an opportunity to tackle a major concern.

That concern was the marketing opportunities, capability and industry position that was lacking for many small to smaller programs and schools. The need was identified when Anderson was the executive Director at NATSAP. "I could see the difficulty small programs and schools were having in getting, attention, recognition and a place at the table when marketing against large well-funded programs and conglomerates."

Building on a series of Private Dinner Meetings with Educational Consultants and other gatherings, ISPA and its members are solidly grounded in the Therapeutic/Private Pay Industry. The outstanding Dinner Meetings at NATSAP Savannah 2008 and IECA Minneapolis 2008 will be followed by "specialized involvement" at NAROPA 2008, APA attendance and IECA Baltimore/IECA Foundation Sponsorship.

At NATSAP in Savannah, ISPA hosted 42 Educational Consultants and 29 ISPA member representatives at IL Pasticcio Restaurant in Downtown Savannah. Il Pasticcio was acknowledged by USA Today as one of the top 10 Italian Restaurants in the United States.

The Savannah Dinner Meeting combined opportunities for Consultants and ISPA members to discuss industry issues, share ideas and strategies. Items discussed ranged from Ethical considerations in the Private Pay Business, to legislation that might negatively impact programs and Ed Consultants alike.

At IECA in Minneapolis, the Second Annual Gem Award was given to co-recipients Sue Bigg, Educational Consultant from Chicago, IL and Nancy Masland, Educational Consultant from Tucson, AZ. The Gem Award is given to an Ed Consultant or consultants " for selfless service, professionalism, leadership and compassion. The consultant is a professional who understands the important place of independent small programs in the Private Pay Industry."

Sue Bigg and Nancy Masland exemplify the very best in service to our field and the families they work with each day. Sue and Nancy are professionals who have made their mark on Educational Consulting, service to families and a positive relationship with all programs and schools and especially independent small programs.

IECA Minneapolis, while off in attendance as a whole, was a huge success for ISPA. The ISPA Dinner Meeting was held at the Nicollet Island Inn in the middle of the Mississippi River. What an incredible venue. 25 Educational Consultants and 20 ISPA Member Representatives had an outstanding evening of food, beverages and sharing of ideas related to the state of our business today. Most of our time that evening was spent in reviewing and discussing the Miller Bill.

2008 also saw new members join ISPA. Dragonfly Adventures in Klamath Falls, OR, Mount Carmel Youth Ranch, in Cody, WY, Life Development Institute (LDI) in Glendale, AZ and Wilderness Treatment Center in Marion, MT are the most recent ISPA members.

The remaining member - partners that make up the 12 member Alliance are - New Lifestyles located in Winchester, Virginia, Building Bridges, Inc. located in Thompson Falls, Montana, The Oliverian School located in Pike, New Hampshire, F.L. Chamberlain School located in Middleboro, Massachusetts, Alpine Academy located in Salt Lake City, Utah, Grove School located in Madison, Connecticut. Kaplan College Preparatory School located in Miami, FL, and RedCliff Ascent of Springville, UT.

ISPA looks forward to the second half of 2008 with confidence and excitement. For information on ISPA call Andy Anderson, MRA at 727-512-9144.