I have nearly two decades of experience advocating for the autism community. My current role is Director of Parent Education and Outreach for the Cope Center for Autism.
Director of Parent Education and Outreach
Cope Center for Autism, Autism Nonprofit Start-Up | Ridgewood, NJ
In this senior leadership role within a rapidly growing autism nonprofit, I am responsible for designing, launching, and scaling the organization’s parent education, outreach, and support services. The position was created at a formative moment in the organization’s development, requiring entrepreneurial leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to build programs from the ground up. My work focuses on ensuring that families navigating an autism diagnosis have access to high-quality information, trusted referrals, and compassionate guidance as they move through the complex landscape of medical, educational, and therapeutic services.
From the earliest stages of the organization’s growth, I worked closely with the executive leadership team and medical staff to develop a comprehensive framework for parent education and support. The goal was to create systems that would empower families with knowledge, reduce barriers to services, and foster strong connections between parents and the network of professionals who support autistic children and young adults. The work required both strategic planning and hands-on program development, combining community engagement, service design, communications strategy, and organizational leadership.
Over time, the parent education and outreach division has grown into a central component of the organization’s mission. By building infrastructure, forming partnerships across the autism ecosystem, and creating scalable resources for families, the program now serves a wide network of parents, clinicians, educators, and community partners.
Organizational Development and Program Launch
One of my primary responsibilities has been designing and launching the organization’s parent education and outreach division. At the outset, there were no established systems for providing structured support to families. I therefore developed the operational framework for the program, including processes for responding to parent inquiries, delivering consultations, providing referrals, and maintaining ongoing communication with families. These systems ensure that parents receive clear, reliable guidance at each stage of the autism journey—from the initial diagnosis through adolescence and into adulthood.
A central component of this work was developing a parent support protocol specifically designed to reduce trauma following an autism diagnosis. For many families, the diagnostic process can be overwhelming and emotionally difficult. Recognizing this, I created a structured approach to supporting parents during this critical period. The protocol focuses on helping families understand the diagnosis, access appropriate services, and build a realistic and hopeful path forward for their child. By coordinating closely with the organization’s medical team, the protocol ensures that families receive consistent, compassionate guidance across both medical and educational contexts.
Another key initiative involved building and managing a robust referral network of professionals who specialize in autism-related services. Families often struggle to identify trustworthy therapists, physicians, attorneys, educators, and service providers who understand the complexities of autism. To address this challenge, I developed relationships with a wide range of professionals across the region and established systems for referring families to highly qualified providers. This network helps ensure that families are connected to services that are both effective and aligned with their child’s specific needs.
In addition to developing referral networks, I created the organization’s parent service model. This included defining the structure of parent consultations, identifying core program offerings, and establishing a pricing framework that would allow the program to operate sustainably while remaining accessible to families. The service model clarifies the organization’s role in supporting parents and ensures consistency in how services are delivered.
Because communication and information access are critical components of family support, I also led the development of the organization’s digital presence. This work included writing and designing a comprehensive 26-page website using WordPress. The site provides families with accessible information about autism, available services, educational resources, and upcoming programs. In addition to serving as a public-facing platform for the organization, the website functions as an educational hub for families seeking trustworthy information.
Community engagement has been another essential component of the program’s growth. I built a mailing list that now includes more than 6,100 individuals, including parents, clinicians, educators, and community partners across the broader autism ecosystem. This network allows the organization to share information, distribute educational materials, and promote programs that benefit families and professionals alike.
To further expand awareness of the organization’s services, I launched targeted social media campaigns designed to reach families seeking autism-related support. These campaigns have helped increase visibility, attract new participants to educational programs, and connect families with the resources they need. Social media has also become a valuable platform for sharing research findings, highlighting community resources, and promoting events that support autism awareness and education.
Leadership, Outreach, and Strategic Growth
Beyond building the program’s infrastructure, my role involves ongoing leadership in the delivery of services and the expansion of community partnerships. A core component of my work is consulting with families who are navigating the complex network of autism services. I provide guidance to parents of children and young adults up to age 21, helping them understand educational options, therapeutic interventions, and long-term planning strategies.
One area of particular expertise is supporting families during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. This stage often presents significant challenges as families navigate changes in educational services, employment opportunities, and independent living supports. I work with parents to develop transition plans that address college readiness, vocational pathways, and the broader process of preparing autistic young adults for greater independence.
Education is another key pillar of the program. I lead a variety of initiatives designed to provide parents with accessible, high-quality information about autism and related services. These initiatives include a bi-monthly newsletter that shares research updates, practical guidance, and information about community resources. The newsletter has become an important channel for maintaining ongoing communication with families and strengthening the organization’s broader network.
In addition to written resources, I organize and moderate an expert webinar series that provides families with direct access to specialists in fields such as education, therapy, medical care, and legal advocacy. These webinars offer parents the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and ask questions about the challenges they face. By making these conversations accessible to a broad audience, the program helps democratize knowledge that might otherwise be difficult for families to obtain.
As the program has grown, I have also taken on responsibility for supervising and mentoring a team of parent support specialists. This includes guiding staff in best practices for working with families, providing professional development, and ensuring that all interactions with parents reflect the organization’s commitment to compassion, respect, and evidence-based information. Building a strong team has been essential to expanding the program’s reach and ensuring that families receive consistent, high-quality support.
External representation is another important component of my role. I frequently represent the organization through webinars, podcasts, and professional collaborations with other agencies and programs. These appearances help raise awareness of the organization’s work while also contributing to broader conversations about autism services and family support. By sharing insights from our program and learning from other professionals in the field, these collaborations strengthen the organization’s position within the autism community.
Developing and maintaining partnerships with stakeholders across the autism ecosystem is also central to my work. I collaborate with educators, clinicians, nonprofit organizations, and advocacy groups to ensure that families have access to a coordinated network of services. These partnerships allow the organization to extend its impact beyond its immediate programs and contribute to a more connected and supportive community for autistic individuals and their families.
Digital communications play a significant role in expanding the reach of the program. Through social media platforms and email communications, I share research findings, promote educational opportunities, and highlight stories that raise awareness of autism-related issues. These efforts help connect families with valuable information while also fostering a sense of community among parents who may otherwise feel isolated in their experiences.
Finally, as a member of the organization’s leadership team, I contribute to broader strategic discussions about the nonprofit’s growth and long-term direction. This includes participating in conversations about hiring strategy, organizational priorities, mission development, and program expansion. Because the parent education and outreach division interacts closely with both families and professionals, it provides valuable insight into the needs of the community and the opportunities for the organization to expand its impact.
Ongoing Impact
The parent education and outreach program continues to evolve as new needs emerge within the autism community. I remain actively engaged in expanding the resources available to families, identifying new educational opportunities, and strengthening partnerships with organizations that share our mission. By continually refining the program and developing new tools for parents, the division plays a vital role in helping families navigate the challenges and opportunities that accompany an autism diagnosis.
Through a combination of program development, community engagement, and strategic leadership, my work has helped establish a comprehensive support system for families seeking guidance and connection. The program’s continued growth reflects the importance of providing parents with reliable information, compassionate support, and access to a network of professionals who are committed to improving the lives of autistic individuals and their families.
The Autism College Connection
About 18 years ago, when my son was diagnosed with autism, I began reading every book that I could find on the topic and interviewing experts. Out of necessity, I became an expert, too. I love writing about autism and helping parents navigate the system.
After spending years helping parents through volunteer work and publications, in 2014, helping autism parents became my full-time job.
The Autism College Connection website
In 2024, I became the CEO and founder of The Autism College Connection. I supported parents as they helped their young people “take the big leap” from high school to adulthood with bi-monthly newsletters, regular webinars, and private services.
I now provide direct support for parents at The Cope Center for Autism. I still produce a regular newsletter for the ACC and maintain a website with tips and tricks.
The Autism College Connection book is coming soon.
Sign up for the newsletter here:
Laura McKenna, PhD 