Gallaudet University Receives $3.75 Million to Establish Early Hearing Intervention Center

Gallaudet University has been awarded a $3.75 million cooperative agreement by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to establish a new centre within the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) National Network. 

The five-year agreement funds the creation of the "National Beacon Center for Early Language System Accountability and Data."

This centre, one of three national technical assistance centres financed to enhance EHDI systems, will ensure that deaf and hard-of-hearing newborns, infants, and young children up to age three receive the necessary support and timely services to improve language acquisition outcomes.

Gallaudet University will collaborate with Hands & Voices, designated as the Family Leadership in Language and Learning Center, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, which will act as the Provider Education Center. These partnerships aim to advance EHDI service systems across the nation.

The National Beacon Center will assist EHDI programs throughout the United States and support the national service system for deaf and hard-of-hearing children. The centre's responsibilities include working with HRSA and EHDI stakeholders to provide families with accurate and comprehensive information to make informed decisions regarding assistive hearing technologies and communication modalities.

The centre's services will include consultations, webinars, regional summits, continuous training, education, and technical assistance for state EHDI programs, professionals, medical and allied health providers, early intervention providers, and families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children.

Roberta J. Cordano, President of Gallaudet University, commented on the university's role and collaboration: ""Gallaudet University is honored to work with the Maternal Child Health Bureau and to be partnering on this important endeavor with MCHB and the many trained professionals and experts throughout the nation."

Gallaudet University, chartered in 1864, is an institution of higher education committed to the advancement of deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deafblind individuals through American Sign Language and English.

HRSA funds this project as part of an award totalling $750,000, and governmental sources provide all financing.