The Menta Group operates 26 programs and 16 schools throughout Illinois and Arizona and continues to expand. With more than 40 years of experience, the evidence-based programs engage everyone involved in the lives of at-risk youth with the goal to address the unique needs of students, families, school staff and administrators, as well as their communities. The Menta Group still firmly believes in the core value upon which the organization was founded on in 1973 – every child has the right to be in school.

History

Bob Neubeck, Karen Evans, and Father Larry Cozzi founded The Menta Group in 1973 because there was a critical need to help children who were not achieving their potential in a traditional classroom setting.  They were alarmed at the devastating effects that behavior-related suspensions and expulsions were having on school-aged children. Beginning with one teacher and one student, the organization was born with the belief that all children will succeed if given the chance.

The Menta Group evolved into a dynamic, responsive, multi-state education non-profit, operating numerous private and public/private partnership schools. The organization still firmly adheres to its policy to never give up on a child and that no student will be rejected, suspended, or expelled. The Menta Group also expanded to offer additional non-profit educational services under the umbrella of Special Education Services (SES) as well as transportation services under the umbrella of Special Education Systems.

Mission

To provide innovative solutions to critical problems in education and human services.

Vision

We envision a society in which all youth can be successful. As an organization, we are especially committed to making success a reality for at-risk youth. We strive to be the recognized national leader in serving at-risk youth in educational and social service settings through the provision of empirically-based innovative solutions to critical problems in education and human services. Our goal is to also support the professionals who work with at-risk youth by focusing on program development, professional training, and child advocacy.