2022 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Virtual Conference
March 13 - 15, 2022
THE ANTONIA BRANCIA MAXON AWARD FOR EHDI EXCELLENCE
Sheri Farinha
I would like to nominate Sheri Farinha for the Antonia Brancia Maxon Award. Since 2012, Sheri has worked tirelessly to ensure Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and their families receive the education and support they deserve. She was critical in launching the Language Equality & Acquisition for Deaf Kids– Kindergarten - Readiness (LEAD-K) campaign, which she co-founded. Her organization LEAD K Family Services is the current recipient of the California HRSA Grant in which Sheri is the PI. LEADK Family Services ensures families of newly identified babies are connected with their Part C, 0-3 provider, and connects families with parent mentors and Deaf coaches.
The LEAD K campaign has been hugely successful in getting legislation passed in different states to end language deprivation of DHH children. This is a direct response to the alarming number of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children entering kindergarten without a language foundation in either American Sign Language or spoken English. Each state's legislation differs based on the stakeholders involved. A key to the success has been the inclusive approach towards proponents of both American Sign Language and spoken English for DHH children. This has been groundbreaking for EHDI. Since California's LEAD-K law, SB 210, passed in 2015 DHH, the language development of children ages 0-5 is being assessed every 6 months in either ASL or English, or both. This provides families and educators with critical information on whether the child is meeting the language milestones and making age-appropriate language growth. It also provides information on how California's Deaf education system can improve.
Sheri Ann Farinha is an accomplished leader, advocate and policy maker for improving the quality of life of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) children. For the last 29 years as the Chief Executive Officer of NorCal Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing, she has been actively involved in supporting families with DHH children. She headed the California Deaf Newborn Identification Advocacy Stakeholder Coalition, a group of advocates, leaders, CODAs, parents of deaf children, and grassroots supporters. Sheri was instrumental in passing the California Assembly Bill 1836, "The Deaf Children's Bill of Rights" in 1994. A product of mainstreamed education, she learned ASL and majored in Deaf Education when she attended California State University Northridge. She went on to receive her Master's degree in 1984. Her legislative and leadership skills have ensured that any California legislation pertaining to DHH children and individuals has representation from the DHH community.