About Our Organization

Merakey Allegheny Valley School (Merakey AVS) is a non-profit organization which provides homes and a full range of services to individuals with all levels of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The majority of the nearly 800 individuals that we support are diagnosed with severe or profound IDD. In addition, most of the people we serve have multiple physical disabilities, extensive medical complications and may require supports for challenging behaviors. Merakey AVS operates facilities in nine Pennsylvania counties: Allegheny, Beaver, Bucks, Butler, Dauphin, Lebanon, Mercer, Montgomery, and Philadelphia.

An individualized plan of care is developed for each person with the goal of achieving his/her highest level of independence, while enhancing quality of life. Services range from physical, occupational and communication therapies to vocational training and employment support. Therapeutic activities and developmental training focus on sensory, environmental and pre-vocational skill development.

Merakey AVS provides its services through more than 120 programs and facilities including campuses, community group homes and day program centers. Specialized programs that respond to the unique needs of individuals with IDD include: memory care, communication technology, sensory and technology homes.

Merakey AVS has been providing care for individuals with IDD since its founding in 1960. In all that we do, we aim to provide quality programs and facilities to help individuals with IDD entrusted to our care to live with purpose and dignity, and to provide opportunities and choices to help them grow and function at their full potential as independently as possible.

In 2008, Allegheny Valley School became an affiliate of Merakey, a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation that serves as the parent organization of its nonprofit and for-profit affiliated organizations.

Guiding all of Merakey are the following:

Our Purpose

Putting our heart and soul into exceptional care.

Our Vision

To be a nationally recognized provider of the highest quality health and human services.

Core Values

Merakey core values

How We Are Funded

Funding for Merakey AVS services comes from various sources including government programs and private donations. Medicaid is our primary source of support. This funding covers operating costs such as housing, food, utilities, medications, program services, and the salaries of staff that provide care and treatment for the residents.

Medicaid funding does not provide the start-up capital for things such as equipment, property, program expansion and renovations. Contributions to the Merakey AVS Capital Development Fund from individuals, foundations, corporations, and community groups help us to cover non-reimbursable expenditures and are vital to maintaining our level of care. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Click here to donate now!