Resources by state
Help near you, in any state.
Tennessee and the eight states next door, each with the same five starting points: newborn hearing follow-up, early intervention for babies and toddlers, the state school for the Deaf, a parent group, and the state office for Deaf and hard of hearing people. After that, the national lookups that cover every state. Every link was checked in September 2026.
Jump to: Tennessee · Kentucky · Virginia · North Carolina · Georgia · Alabama · Mississippi · Arkansas · Missouri · Any state
We list what each program says about itself. We have not checked program quality, and details like cost and phone numbers change, so call and ask. Know a resource we missed? Send it our way.
Tennessee
Start at home.
Statewide programs. For Memphis, Bartlett, and Jackson, see the West Tennessee list on the Resources page.
Newborn hearing follow-up: Tennessee Department of Health newborn screening program. Open the Newborn Hearing Screening tab for the 1-3-6 plan, what to do if your baby did not pass, and the infant audiology directory. If you did not get a follow-up letter, call 615-532-8462.
Early intervention, birth to 3: Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS). Voluntary, at no cost to families, and any parent can refer. Call (800) 852-7157.
State schools: Tennessee School for the Deaf, Knoxville, a tuition-free public school for toddlers through grade 12 with day and residential options, (865) 579-2500. West Tennessee School for the Deaf, Jackson, preschool through grade 6, with family events and free ASL storytimes, (731) 423-5705.
Parent to parent: Tennessee Hands & Voices. Parents of Deaf and hard of hearing children who connect families with each other, advocacy help, and events, with no bias about how your child communicates.
State office: Tennessee Council for the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing. Six regional centers where Deaf and hard of hearing people and their families get information and communication help, including Memphis (Bridges West, 901-701-6800) and Jackson (Jackson Center for Independent Living, 731-668-2211).
Deaf mentors: Deaf Mentor and Parent Advisor Program, Tennessee Schools for the Deaf. A Deaf mentor or a parent advisor visits your home to help a child from birth to age 5 build language, in ASL or spoken English by your choice. Spots are limited, so ask early. (865) 579-2500.
East and north
Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia.
Every state has its own names for the same five doors. The label at the start of each line tells you which door it is.
Kentucky
Newborn hearing follow-up: Kentucky Newborn Hearing Screening Program. Why babies are tested at birth, the timeline for follow-up, and parent guides in English and Spanish. Email ehdi@ky.gov, or call the Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs at (800) 232-1160.
Early intervention, birth to 3: First Steps, Kentucky Early Intervention System. Most families pay nothing; families with the highest incomes share the cost. Call (877) 417-8377.
State school: Kentucky School for the Deaf, Danville, pre-K through grade 12, day and residential. Its Outreach program runs free monthly online ASL sessions for parents. 859-239-7017.
Parent to parent: Kentucky Hands & Voices. Trained parent guides, family events, and information with no bias about communication choices. (888) 398-5030.
State office: Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Information, advocacy, interpreter referral, and phone equipment for people who qualify. (800) 372-2907.
Virginia
Newborn hearing follow-up: Virginia Department of Health, Early Hearing Detection and Intervention. Newborn screening, follow-up testing, and links to early intervention and family support. Email va_ehdi@vdh.virginia.gov.
Early intervention, birth to 3: Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia. Help for babies and toddlers who are not developing as expected, open to eligible families regardless of ability to pay. Find your local point of entry in the site’s directory.
State school: Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, Staunton, a public residential school from preschool through high school, with family ASL lessons and a family resource center. Family Engagement Services 540-332-9015.
Parent to parent: Virginia Hands & Voices. Parent-led support, resources, and events for families of Deaf and hard of hearing children. 804-404-3352. Also family navigators at VCU’s Center for Family Involvement, parents who help you find state and national resources, helpline (877) 567-1122.
State office: Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Phone equipment for people who qualify, an interpreter directory, and specialists who train Deaf and hard of hearing people and their families. 800-552-7917.
North Carolina
Newborn hearing follow-up: North Carolina EHDI, for families. What to do after a baby does not pass, plus support groups and help paying for hearing aids for ages 0 to 3. 866-431-7434.
Early intervention, birth to 3: North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program. Services at home and in everyday places through local Children’s Developmental Services Agencies; no family is denied for inability to pay. (855) 623-2759. Ask about the Early Learning Sensory Support Program (under Programs and Services), which offers family training for Deaf and hard of hearing children from birth to 5.
State schools: North Carolina School for the Deaf, Morganton, pre-K through grade 12, (828) 432-5200. Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf, Wilson, day and boarding, (252) 237-2450.
Parent to parent: BEGINNINGS for Parents of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Statewide parent educators who visit families at home and explain communication options without taking sides. 919-715-4092.
State office: North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing. Seven regional centers with information, interpreter referrals, and communication equipment. 1-800-851-6099.
Georgia
Newborn hearing follow-up: Georgia Early Hearing Detection and Intervention. The 1-3-6 timeline, follow-up testing, communication options, free mobile audiology, and a hearing aid loaner bank for babies up to 36 months. Find your local coordinator through the site.
Early intervention, birth to 3: Babies Can’t Wait. Evaluation and service coordination at no cost; other services on a sliding scale, and no family is denied. Find your local contact through the site.
State schools: Georgia School for the Deaf, Cave Spring, where students learn in ASL and English, residential program and summer camps. Atlanta Area School for the Deaf, Clarkston, a day school from preschool through high school with ASL classes for families, (404) 296-7101.
Parent to parent: Georgia Hands & Voices, Guide By Your Side. Trained parent guides and unbiased information about communication choices, free to eligible families. (678) 310-5886.
State office and home visits: Georgia Pathways, run by the Georgia Commission for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing, helps families find early intervention, school options, and language resources. Georgia PINES sends early intervention specialists to your home for birth to 3, free to PINES families, and its Deaf Mentor Program brings a Deaf adult to your home each week to teach ASL and share Deaf culture, (470) 437-4774.
South and west
Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri.
Two of these states have no Hands & Voices website we could verify, so we list the closest parent support we could confirm.
Alabama
Newborn hearing follow-up: Alabama Department of Public Health, newborn hearing screening. What the test is, what results mean, and how to get follow-up help. (866) 928-6755.
Early intervention, birth to 3: Alabama’s Early Intervention System. Coaching for parents and caregivers to help a child learn during everyday activities. Child Find 1-800-543-3098.
State school: Alabama School for the Deaf, Talladega, part of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, with elementary, high school, and career tech programs and dorms for all grades.
Parent to parent: Alabama Hands & Voices. Parent-to-parent support, Guide By Your Side, monthly online gatherings, and advocacy training. (205) 677-3136.
Regional centers: AIDB Statewide Regional Centers. Ten centers across Alabama with early intervention for babies and toddlers at no cost, sign language classes, interpreter services, and assistive technology.
Mississippi
Newborn hearing follow-up: Mississippi State Department of Health, EHDI for families. What your baby’s screening result means and what to do next. 601-576-7427 or 800-451-3903.
Early intervention, birth to 3: First Steps, Mississippi early intervention. A service coordinator and early interventionists who work with you at home and in the community. (601) 576-7427 or 1-800-451-3903.
State school: Mississippi School for the Deaf, Outreach, Jackson. Serves Deaf and hard of hearing children from birth to 21 with family ASL classes, campus tours, consultations, and hearing assessments. 601-984-8000.
Parent to parent: Mississippi has a Hands & Voices chapter but no website we could verify; find its contact on the Hands & Voices chapter list.
State office: Office on Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. A list of qualified interpreters, answers about hearing loss, and training for families, schools, and businesses. 800-443-1000.
Arkansas
Newborn hearing follow-up: Arkansas Department of Health, infant hearing caregiver information. The 1-3-6 timeline for screening, testing, and early help. (501) 280-4740 or 1-800-462-0599.
Early intervention, birth to 3: First Connections. Any parent can refer a child under 3, no diagnosis needed, and the evaluation has no out-of-pocket cost. 1-800-643-8258.
State school: Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind, Statewide Services, Little Rock. Early intervention therapists and family education anywhere in Arkansas, plus community ASL classes taught by Deaf staff. 501-324-9506.
Parent to parent: Arkansas Hands & Voices. Trained parent guides and Deaf and hard of hearing adult guides who support families from birth on. (501) 932-7700.
State office: Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Arkansas Rehabilitation Services. Interpreter lists, free phone equipment for people with hearing loss, and training, mostly aimed at adults. 1-800-330-0632. Deaf community: Arkansas Association of the Deaf.
Missouri
Newborn hearing follow-up: Missouri Newborn Hearing Screening Program, for parents. What to do if your baby passed, did not pass, or has confirmed hearing loss. 573-751-6266.
Early intervention, birth to 3: Missouri First Steps. Parents can refer by phone or online; families may pay a monthly fee based on income. 866-583-2392, ext. 3.
State school: Missouri School for the Deaf, Families First, Fulton. A parent advisor visits your home or meets online about an hour a week, birth through age 8, at no cost, and stays neutral on communication method. 573-592-2543.
Parent to parent: No Hands & Voices chapter is listed for Missouri. The Family Partnership Program connects you with parents of children with special health care needs, including Deaf and hard of hearing children, 573-751-6246. The MOHEAR Project meets families early by phone, video, or in person.
State office: Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Certifies interpreters, runs a hearing aid assistance program, hosts a family camp, and shares language milestone tools for young children. 573-526-5205. Deaf community: Missouri Association of the Deaf.
Any state
Lookups that cover the whole country.
Official directories where you pick your state. Some are kept more current than others, so confirm a contact before you rely on it.
Newborn hearing program in your state: EHDI contacts by state (NCHAM), the name, phone, and email for each state’s program (last updated 2022, so confirm), and state profiles (NCHAM) with each state’s laws and materials.
Early intervention in your state: Early intervention contact information by state (CDC), phone numbers to ask for an evaluation for a child under 3, and Part C coordinators by state (ECTA Center).
Parent groups: Hands & Voices chapters. Find your state’s chapter; an asterisk means it offers Guide By Your Side, one-on-one support from a trained parent.
Schools for Deaf students: CEASD member schools and programs. An alphabetical list, so look for your state’s name.
Help with IFSPs and IEPs: Find your Parent Center. The free parent training center in every state that explains your rights in early intervention and school.
Deaf adults working with families: Deaf and hard of hearing adult involvement programs by state (NCHAM). Mentor, guide, and role model programs, where they exist.
State office for Deaf and hard of hearing people: State agencies (NASADHH). Interpreters, equipment, and referrals; not every state has a dedicated agency.
Deaf community: State association affiliates (National Association of the Deaf). Not every state has an active affiliate.
Children with special health care needs: Family Voices, find help in your community. Family-run organizations and Family-to-Family Health Information Centers for care, insurance, and support questions.
Local groups and ASL classes: State and local resources (American Society for Deaf Children). A crowd-sourced list by state that opens as a document; quality varies, so check what you find.
Questions welcome
Wherever you are starting, your questions are welcome.
Send us a note. You do not need to know the right words to ask. If you know a state resource we should add, tell us and we will review it.