From the CEO
Advances in research, technology, and early intervention have expanded what is possible for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, particularly when they are identified early and receive timely access to intervention and support. That is why the Oberkotter Foundation’s partnerships and investments focus on expanding access to care and resources, connecting families to the latest advances in hearing health care, and developing solutions to the challenges that remain as children learn to listen, talk, and read.
New Funding Opportunity: Bringing Hearing Screening and Diagnostic Services Closer to Families
Across the country, long-standing barriers to care may disrupt or delay access to critical testing and intervention that support positive listening and spoken language development. That is why the latest funding opportunity from the Foundation aims to expand access to hearing screening and/or diagnostic services, so that more children receive quality and timely care as early as possible. You can learn more about this latest request for proposal by clicking this link.
Increasing Hearing Device Wear Time
Earlier this year, the Foundation released a funding opportunity to assist families in overcoming the challenges that can prevent full-time hearing device use in children who are deaf or hard of hearing. This request resulted in 11 projects that the Foundation will fund to help families establish and maintain device use during all waking hours to support children's long-term listening, spoken language and literacy development.
From breaking down barriers to care to supporting healthy hearing habits in the home, the innovation and commitment of our community are driving change for children and families. I look forward to our continued collaboration as we ensure children who are deaf or hard of hearing have opportunities to reach their full potential through listening and spoken language.
Teresa H. Caraway, PhD, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT
Chief Executive Officer
The Latest From the Foundation
Funding Opportunity Open for Submissions
The Oberkotter Foundation has released a request for proposals (RFP) to fund projects that expand access to pediatric hearing screening and/or diagnostic services by bringing care closer to children and families.
Early identification and intervention help ensure that children who are deaf or hard of hearing receive the care and support they need to achieve age-appropriate listening and spoken language skills. However, families across the country face many barriers that can disrupt or delay access to these critical services. Evidence shows that approaches that bring hearing healthcare outside traditional clinical settings and closer to families can improve service utilization and reduce loss-to-follow-up.
This RFP seeks to support organizations that want to develop, implement, or expand service delivery models that make hearing screening and/or diagnostic services more accessible. Nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations that are located and operating within the United States, with experience in early childhood hearing loss and social drivers of health access, are invited to apply.
News & Events
An Impact to Celebrate Today and Inspire Tomorrow
As the Foundation's 40th anniversary draws to a close, we invite you to explore the advancements in pediatric audiology and listening and spoken language over the past four decades. Visit the interactive timeline on our website to learn more about the innovations and transformative moments that have helped unlock new opportunities for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
