A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Ohio Valley Voices’ ‘Silence to Speech’ campaign hopes to build school for deaf children in NKY


By Manda Hurdelbrink
Ohio Valley Voices

Ohio Valley Voices (OVV) brought their campaign “Silence to Speech” to Northern Kentucky and a presentation at the Fort Mitchell Country Club. The information-based evening was presented to educate the audience about their bold vision to serve ALL children who are deaf and hard of hearing in the Greater Cincinnati area.

OVV alumni, Sophie Blessing

OVV is an early intervention program, located in Loveland, that teaches children who are deaf and hard of hearing how to listen and speak through the use of cochlear implants and hearing aids. This innovative and effective program produces fantastic outcomes for those children who have received a medical diagnosis of hearing loss.

Maria Sentelik, OVV Executive Director explained the teaching process, “EARLY intervention before three years old, even beginning at four weeks is the key to success for these children. Sound by sound –– word by word –– we teach their brains to hear. As they learn to hear, talk, and read, this literacy development will open the doors to their future, and for them, the sky is the limit.”

OVV is one of only seven schools nationally to offer this results-driven program. Right now, the OVV in Loveland is at capacity and has run out of space to increase the number of children they can serve.

Presently, the capital campaign, “Silence to Speech” is underway for an expansion of the school campus in Ohio, and their long-term goal is to open a school in Northern Kentucky.

OVV family: Katie, Jeremy and Brayden Sharp

The evening presentation included: Welcome by V. Ruth Klette and Nancy Creaghead, OVV Board Members; Speakers: John Westerman, OVV Board President; Julie Carter, OVV teacher and her student Easton Menkedick; OVV Alumni, Sophie Blessing; OVV family, Katie, Jeremy and Braydon Sharp; and OVV Director of Development, Jeanne Jentsch.

The attendees had an opportunity to meet the OVV families and staff to learn more about the teaching process and see the amazing life-changing results firsthand.
 
To learn more about Ohio Valley Voices, see ohiovalleyvoices.org or contact: Jeanne Jentsch, 513.791.1458 ext. 125 or email jjentsch@ohiovalleyvoices.org

ABOUT OHIO VALLEY VOICES
 
OVV MISSION: Ohio Valley Voices teaches children who are deaf and hard of hearing
to listen and speak.

Julie Carter and Easton Menkedick

OVV VISION: Ohio Valley Voices believes that when given the proper tools, children who are deaf and hard of hearing can have bright futures and reach their potential.
 
OVV OUTCOMES:

• 83% of children who start before age 3 speak within normal limits
 
• 82% of children who start before age 3 read at or above grade level
 
• 58% of children who start after the age 3 speak within normal levels
 
• 63% of children who start after the age of 3 read at or above grade level
 
ALUMNI PROFILE: 83% of OVV graduates attend university or post-secondary education,
nearly 20% greater than the nation average.
 
* Statistics are from 2021-2022 academic year


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