In 1999, Merva Jackson, a social work intern with the former State of Connecticut Office of Protection and Advocacy, conducted a needs assessment among parents of children with disabilities within the African Caribbean American population in Hartford. Among her findings:

 

• Schools, agencies, and advocacy groups were providing very little information about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

• Likewise, parents had very limited knowledge of federally-protected parental or student rights and the services available for their children.
   

Merva founded African Caribbean American Parents of Children with Disabilities-better known by its acronym AFCAMP. In March 2001, the grassroots organization was incorporated. She served as our Executive Director until her passing in 2012.
 

Today, we serve diverse parents, youth and families in need of support with special education programs. They may also need to navigate the juvenile justice, child welfare, and health systems, including children’s behavioral health.

 

AFCAMP educates, trains and supports parents and youth to become active participants in their education and care. We also advocate for policy and program reforms to promote equal access to culturally and linguistically appropriate services within multiple Connecticut child-serving systems.