ACF Co-Founders Receive 2019 Friend of Education Award

The 2019 Mideastern Region Friend of Education Award, given by the Pennsylvania State Education Association Mideastern Region (PSEA-MER), is being presented to Frank and Linda Kuepper, co-founders of the Autism Cares Foundation (ACF). The Kueppers, of Richboro, Pennsylvania, are being honored for their advocacy for students with autism.

The Mideastern Region Friend of Education Award is given each year to an individual or organization whose leadership, acts or support has significantly benefited education, education employees, or students in Bucks and Montgomery Counties.

“The Kueppers’ establishment of the Autism Cares Foundation has helped support families and individuals living on the autism spectrum by offering integrative resources for life enrichment in a safe and respectful environment, including the public schools in our community,” said Alan M. Malachowski, president of PSEA-MER. “Our entire community benefits when our public schools can help enrich the life experiences of individuals with autism.”

As the parents of a child with autism, the Kueppers co-founded ACF in 2007 as a means of helping others through the “puzzle” that is autism. The foundation, located in Southampton, Pennsylvania, exists to assist in “unwinding” the twists and turns associated with navigating the system surrounding autism, and to create opportunities whereby individuals with autism - both youths and adults - can engage in the type of play and other activities that other people enjoy, in a safe and secure environment. Events offered include an annual prom, music, arts & crafts, bowling, race events, movies, theaters, physical fitness programs, glee club, iPad enrichment programs, and much more.

“We are extremely honored to receive this prestigious award from the Pennsylvania State Education Association Mideastern Region for the services provided by Autism Cares Foundation,” said Linda Kuepper. “Our organization provides more than 200 activities and outings each year, often in coordination with our local school districts.” Frank Kuepper added, “We work closely with our school districts to facilitate the education of students about special needs individuals. Our educators lead the way in developing the learnings of acceptance and understanding amongst our students, which are essential characteristics for our leaders of tomorrow.”

PSEA-MER is the Mideastern Region of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, and is comprised of the 44 local teacher associations that represent more than 15,000 public school educators in Bucks and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania. For more information, visit https://www.psea.org/regions/mideastern-region/