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Parents and centers stress funding for community centers for the deaf and hard‑of‑hearing
Summary
Parents, center directors and community advocates said Ohio's community centers for the deaf provide critical early‑intervention, mentoring and literacy services and asked the subcommittee to preserve or increase funding.
Several witnesses told the Senate Medicaid subcommittee that Ohio's seven community centers for the deaf and hard‑of‑hearing are essential for early intervention, language access, and ongoing supports.
Bridgette Skugin, mother of Molly (a child born with microtia and atresia), described how her family was connected to early intervention, Help Me Grow, a deaf mentor and local community center after a failed newborn hearing screen. She said the center's playgroup and deaf‑mentor services helped her daughter develop confidence and communication skills and asked the committee to support an amendment increasing funding for community centers under the Department of Developmental Disabilities.
Tim Skaggs, director of the Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Cleveland, said many deaf children graduate high school with low reading levels because families do not acquire sign language naturally. He said centers teach sign language, provide mentors and act as community hubs; the state has seven such centers and they carry heavy responsibilities supporting clients' health literacy and legal navigation.
Witnesses asked that funding be preserved to ensure centers can continue outreach and services. No formal action was taken at the hearing.
