Bill > A4986

This bill establishes the Early Language Access Program within the New Jersey Department of Health to provide comprehensive language instruction and support services for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind children aged five and younger. The program will offer free services that include matching eligible children and their families with an interprofessional team of professionals such as sign language associates, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and teachers specializing in deaf and visually impaired education. Services will be available up to 25 hours per week in various settings like childcare centers, preschools, and homes, with instruction tailored to the family's preferred communication mode, which could include American Sign Language, spoken language, or multimodal approaches. Additional support services will encompass case management, interpreter coordination, resources for hearing aids and communication devices, sensitivity training for healthcare and education providers, and comprehensive consultation to ensure evidence-based, individualized care. To qualify, families must provide proof of the child's hearing loss, age, and New Jersey residency. The program aims to support early language development and meet the unique communication needs of deaf and hard of hearing children and their families.

Health and Social Services

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A4986