The Learning Disabilities Association of Maine is very pleased and excited to announce that Brenda Bennett of Oakland has begun her position as new our Executive Director. She recently assumed these responsibilities from Rita Furlow, who left LDA to begin her law practice helping families with special education concerns.

Brenda's most recent position was as a Respite Director for nine counties serving families who are caring for their child with special needs at home. Her decades of experience in business management in prior positions helped her develop her program to serve more than 700 families in the area assigned to her, and this same experience will help Brenda meet the needs of hundreds of families looking for assistance from LDA each year. Brenda also has personal experience with the issues surrounding learning disabilities, as she has endeavored to help her adult son with learning disabilities through school and other challenges. Brenda was also a member of LDA of Maine's Board of Directors for 13 years.

As mentioned, Rita Furlow, who is also an attorney, has been the Executive Director of LDA of Maine for three years. After leaving LDA at the end of December, she started her solo practice assisting and advocating for families who are having problems obtaining special education services for their children. She will continue to be involved in LDA of Maine and will soon join its Board of Directors.