SOUND BEGINNINGS PROGRAM
Delta Zeta Sorority Kicks Off New Philanthropy Program
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| Chris Kern, Delta Zeta’s National Vice President of Alumnae Affairs, and Dr. Karl White at the Sound Beginnings Kick-Off, Delta Zeta Annual Convention, July 10, 2004 |
Delta Zeta's philanthropy program, Sound Beginnings, was unveiled at the Sorority's national convention on Saturday, July 10, 2004 in Tampa, Florida. This important program raises awareness of the need for newborn hearing screening and the importance of starting early intervention when a hearing loss is identified before six months of age. Delta Zetas have been involved with service to speech and hearing organizations for over five decades now and are certain to help many children and families through this effort.
Delta Zeta is partnering with the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM) at Utah State University on the development and implementation of the Sound Beginnings program. At the 2004 Delta Zeta annual convention, Dr. Karl White, Director of NCHAM, explained that the technology to identify a hearing loss in babies when they are just a few days old is now used in almost all hospitals and is painless for the baby (download
PowerPoint presentation). "Identifying the hearing loss is only the first step though," Dr. White remarked. "Once a hearing loss is identified, it is important for parents to begin an intervention program that works for their family. There are many options for children today, but early intervention - especially when begun before six months of age - makes a tremendous impact on how that child will learn and socialize." Dr. White also debuted the video that was developed by NCHAM in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics and
Delta Zeta Sorority. Delta Zeta chapters, both alumnae and collegiate, will distribute the video and brochures as part of this new program.
The following are resources that our alumnae and collegiate chapters can use to educate their membership and community about the Sound Beginnings Program.
Suggested Web Sites