The Alternative Press

The Lake Drive Foundation was presented with a $5,000 grant from the TD Charitable Foundation to support the comprehensive early intervention services provided by The Sound Start Program for babies who are deaf and hard of hearing at the The Lake Drive School for Children with hearing loss.

The group meets weekly for support and education provided by a teacher of the deaf, occupational therapist, speech and language therapist and pediatric audiologist. Additionally, Sound Start professionals provide individual therapies in families’ homes throughout  11 northern and central New Jersey communities.

At 18 months, toddlers in Sound Start can attend a full day intensive, inclusive nursery program also held at Lake Drive School.  Learning side by side with hearing peers, at age three they graduate ready for preschool at Lake Drive or in their home communities.

Founded in 1969, Sound Start has helped more than 1,000 infants and toddlers who are deaf and hearing impaired from throughout northern and central New Jersey develop the communication skills to achieve in school and fulfill their potential.  “Despite the proven results, state funding covers less than one third of The Sound Start Program’s services,” states Lake Drive Foundation President, Stephanie Deyo. “This grant from the TD Charitable Foundation will permanently and dramatically help change these babies’ lives.”

Sound Start operates under the auspices of The Lake Drive Programs in Mountain Lakes which offers New Jersey’s most comprehensive continuum of educational opportunities for children with hearing loss from birth through high school graduation.

For more information about The Sound Start Program, newborn hearing screening, signs of hearing loss, or to make a donation visit www.lakedrivefoundation.org.