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The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) recently submitted testimony to the House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations on the funding levels for three specific federal programs for fiscal year 2008.
The testimony from ASHA's President Noma Anderson [PDF] urged Congress to approve a 10% increase in funding for the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program, a 50% increase in funding for Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and a $2 billion increase in funding for IDEA, Part B.
The EHDI federal programs through the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide funds to the states for screening, diagnosing, and providing early intervention services for hearing loss in infants and young children. IDEA, Part C provides services to infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. IDEA, Part B funds special education services for school-age children. Roughly one-third of the children receiving Part B services have a communication disorder.
For further information, please contact Elizabeth Mundinger, ASHA's Director of Federal and Political Advocacy, by e-mail at emundinger@asha.org or by calling 800-498-2071, ext. 4473.
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