Small Steps in Speech and CASANA Partner to Fund Speech Therapy for Children with Apraxia of Speech

COLLINGSWOOD, N.J. - March 10, 2015 - PRLog -- Small Steps in Speech (SSIS) and The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA) announce a significant increase in scope of their partnership to provide grants for children’s speech therapy. Since 2013 CASANA has provided funds for therapy for children with Apraxia of Speech through Small Steps in Speech. Today CASANA announces that they have tripled the funds available for speech therapy and communications apps for tablets. Small Steps in Speech awards grants to children with speech and language disorders who need supplemental treatment. Founded in 2009, SSIS has provided over 300 grants totaling $500,000 to children and organizations throughout the United States. Through partnership with CASANA, SSIS will distribute CASANA-funded grants for therapy to children with apraxia of speech from families with low to moderate income who live within 50 miles of locations of the 2014 Walk for Children with Apraxia. Additional funding is available for qualified applicants from any location. Children with apraxia of speech typically require frequent and intensive speech therapy, especially initially and when severely affected. With appropriate and early speech therapy, most children with apraxia can become verbal communicators, speaking with their very own voices. Without the appropriate therapy, children with apraxia may never develop intelligible speech. Apraxia can be life altering for the families who struggle to find and afford sufficient help for their children. CASANA will provide funding to SSIS for the project with funds that were raised by the Walk for Children with Apraxia® [http://www.apraxiawalk.org]. SSIS will receive applications, operate the selection process, and distribute the therapy funds. “SSIS already has an excellent reputation as well as a solid application and selection process in place. While we know we cannot help all who may need it, with funding from CASANA, SSIS will be able to have a special focus on apraxia and aid some of those who are the most in need,” says Sharon Gretz, Executive Director of CASANA. “We at Small Steps in Speech are grateful to CASANA. Not only are we able to provide supplemental funding for speech therapy for children with apraxia, but this collaboration strengthens the reach of both organizations. Small Steps in Speech was founded in honor of fallen hero, U.S. Army Medic and Green Beret SSG Marc J Small. SSG Small supported the growth and improvement of all children and it is fitting that these funds will allow children the opportunity to be the best that the can be. Just as Marc was a hero to our country, I believe that our organizations are doing heroic work in helping so many children and their families improve their communication,” says Amanda Charney, Executive Director of SSIS.

About Small Steps in Speech (SSIS)

Small Steps in Speech is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to help children with speech and/or language disorders take the steps needed to be better communicators. This is achieved through grants and donations to service providers and qualifying charitable organizations on behalf of the children. Learn more at http://www.smallstepsinspeech.org.

About The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA)

CASANA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the system of support in the lives of children with apraxia of speech so that each child is afforded their best opportunity to develop speech and full communication. CASANA was founded in 2000 and is the only national nonprofit dedicated to those with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and their families. The organization raises awareness; provides support, information and education; and funds and supports CAS research. Learn more about CASANA and apraxia at http://www.Apraxia-KIDS.org.