Allentown, Pa. – [April 20, 2026] – Magellan Health, Inc. announced today that Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania, Inc. (Magellan) will host the 2nd annual Autism Community Walk in Allentown to support National Autism Acceptance Month, in collaboration with Lehigh County HealthChoices, Northampton County HealthChoices, Autism Society Lehigh Valley, NAMI Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem Health Bureau, and PA Courts. This free event is open to the public with a focus on sharing important community resources for transition-age individuals and adults with Autism. The event will be held on Sunday, April 26 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at Lone Lane Park (30 Lone Lane, Allentown, PA 18104) and attendees are encouraged to wear walking shoes.
Magellan administers behavioral health benefits in Pennsylvania through HealthChoices contracts in Bedford, Bucks, Cambria, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, and Somerset counties.
The 2nd Annual Autism Community Walk will include:
- Two Keynote presentations
- Kevin Dougherty, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice
- Benay Berger, Bethlehem Bureau Director of Nursing & Community Connections, and Carissa Cam, Bethlehem Health Bureau Community Engagement/Data Analyst
- Welcome remarks from Autism Society Lehigh Valley, NAMI Lehigh Valley, and Magellan
- Resources and promotional materials for transition-age individuals and adults with Autism
- 15+ local and statewide organizations in attendance
- Organizations scheduled to have resources available include Access Services – TIP Program; Allentown Police Department; ASERT; Autism Society Lehigh Valley; Bethlehem Police Department; Bethlehem Health Bureau; Haven House; KidsPeace; Lehigh County HealthChoices; Magellan; NAMI of Lehigh Valley; Northampton County HealthChoices; Nulton Diagnostic & Treatment Center; PA Courts; RHA Health Services; Step by Step; The ARC of Lehigh & Northampton Counties; Upper Macungie Police Department; Vision for Equality/PA Family Network
- A .75-mile community walk within Lone Lane Park
- Family entertainment activities
- Bethlehem Health Bureau spin wheel to offer individuals of all ages the opportunity to challenge police officers in a variety of fun fitness activities
- Rock painting activity to create a themed rock to take home from the event
- Cornhole games
“Magellan, together with our county partners, welcomes autistic individuals, their families, their support networks, and the general public to attend the Autism Community Walk on April 26,” said Tom Walker, senior account executive for Lehigh County and Northampton County, Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania. “This free event offers a family friendly environment and provides a convenient opportunity to connect with a unified team of community stakeholders.”…