About Us

The MERC Project is funded through Contract ED–06–CO–0094 of the Office of Migrant Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education of the United States Department of Education. The contractor, the Center for Human Services, along with its sub-contractors Social & Health Services, Ltd., EnCompass, and Support Services International (SSI) developed this web site.

The Center for Human Services (CHS) of Bethesda, Maryland, is the home of the Migrant Education Resource Center. With over 40 years’ experience assisting government and private sector clients to design, operate, and evaluate programs, CHS has wide-ranging expertise in a number of areas critical to the successful development and implementation of MERC. These areas include managing an information clearinghouse, developing culturally competent print and electronic curriculum and training modules, providing assessment and evaluation services, and organizing government conferences, events, and exhibits. With over 20 years’ experience administering HEP in three Mid-Atlantic States, the adult component of migrant Even Start in Pennsylvania, and two vocational rehabilitation programs for disabled migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, we understand the needs of the migrant community and those who serve them.

CHM, the Communications and Health Marketing Division of Macro International, Inc. is a national leader in Web site and database development and support, as well as in the creation of CD-ROM, video, and Web-based interactive training; Support Services International, recognized as an expert in the areas of research, analysis, and evaluation; and EnCompass, a company with a long and impressive track record in managing events, conferences, and meetings for private organizations and national and international agencies. Consequently, the MERC Team has a wealth of talent and expertise to bring to the MERC Project. The team is directed by Paula M. Errigo, M.Ed. a 32-year-veteran of the Migrant Education Program, and includes training and technical Assistance Specialists Merced Flores, David Gutierrez, and Sal Arriaga, all program and training specialists.