It is my objective to identify Music Therapists within NER working to advocate for the profession with the ultimate goal of developing a regional Government Relations Task Force. Nicole Peraullt continues to network and address Government Relations issues in her home state of Rhode Island. In addition, Shannon Laine, a Music Therapist working primarily with children diagnosed under the spectrum of Autism, has been active in advocating in the state of New Hampshire for the benefits of music therapy with this specific population. Shannon has been provided with wonderful sponsorship through the Community Music School in Manchester, NH and will be featured in an interview to be aired on NPR on February 2nd. The interview will also be available online at nhpr.com. Currently, funding for Special Education Music Therapy services in New Hampshire is determined at the local level on a case-by-case basis. It is our hope that the interview, which highlights the success of an individual client, will help to raise awareness of Music Therapy in the state and ultimately aid in making connections with New Hampshire Government Officials and the Department of Education. Thank you to all the Music Therapists in the region striving to build Government Relations.

Interested in increasing awareness of/access to Music Therapy services in your community? Please contact me via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it You don’t have to go it alone!