The Florida Coalition for Spoken Language Options
The Florida Coalition for Spoken Language Options (the "Coalition") is a parent founded, driven, and led non-profit supporting the needs of families pursuing qualified listening and spoken language tools and services for their children with hearing loss.
The Coalition is, at its core, supportive of the right of parents and guardians to choose the communication mode best suited to meet the needs of their individual child, recognizing that there are many factors to consider and communication options. In focusing on the particular needs of families pursuing a listening and spoken language option, it is not the Coalition’s position that this is the best option for every child. It is, however, a particular area of need and the one that this not-for profit is organized to support.
The Coalition works to facilitate and encourage collaboration between stakeholders and service providers to increase availability of and access to qualified services. Additionally, the Coalition provides parent mentoring, parent and public educational opportunities and resources on relevant topics, and facilitates an ongoing literacy program where participants complete literacy challenges and earn books and prizes mailed to their homes. The Coalition meets one on one, in groups, and via social media to proffer peer-to-peer, volunteer support to families throughout their child's journey.
Literacy Projects
Each year the Coalition conducts volunteer led language and literacy initiatives at no charge to families, reaching hundreds of children with hearing loss and siblings throughout the state of Florida. Children and families earn books by completing literacy and language challenges and receive parent education and mentoring. In 2021, children recieved over 600 books, and families completed more than 430 language and literacy goals.
Additional books are available for families in need at no charge throughout the year through service provider collaborations.
For more information or to sign up for upcoming literacy initiatives, email Literacy@DeafKidsCan.org.
Collaborative Partners
The Coalition partners with Listening and Spoken Language direct service providers and supporting organizations across Florida including (Alphabetical Order):
Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech
"Debbie School" - University of Miami Mailman Center Debbie Institute
Individual LSLS Providers/Private Clinics
Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation of Florida, Inc
Susan Nittrouer, PhD - University of Florida Speech Development Laboratory
Additional Collaborations on Specific Areas of Need
Get Connected
We love connecting families to the resources and services they need, including connecting with other families! We are all stronger together! If you would like to get involved, find out more about resources available to you, or have any questions, please reach out to Contact@DeafKidsCan.org or call 904-385-0115.
Please note that the Coalition does not sell anyone's personal information and will not give it to any company, organization, or entity except by the individuals' request.
Stay tuned for more resources and information as we build this page over time. Resources are always available by contacting us via email or phone.
Financial Support
The Coalition has not received and does not accept government funding. It is run by the volunteer efforts of committed parents of children with hearing loss. As a 501c3 Nonprofit Organization, your donations are tax deductible and will further our mission to help children with hearing loss access the services and support they need to thrive.