2027 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 22-24, 2027 • Bellevue, WA
3/17/2026 | 1:45 PM - 2:15 PM | Growing Our Own: Advancing the Workforce Through Collaborative Preparation Pathways | Orlando
Growing Our Own: Advancing the Workforce Through Collaborative Preparation Pathways
Across the USs, programs serving children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) face a persistent and growing workforce shortage. Many qualified Teachers of the Deaf (TODs) leave the profession prematurely due to limited support, high workload, and insufficient preparation for the complex demands of their roles (Singer, Travers, & Peng, 2024). Simultaneously, the number of deaf education preparation programs has declined—from approximately 65 in 2010 to only 51 across 30 states—leaving 20 states with no such programs (Scott, Pagliaro, Kilpatrick, & Smith-Warshaw, 2025). This shrinking pipeline has intensified the shortage of skilled professionals capable of supporting children’s communication, language, and literacy development.
Nationwide, educator shortages are widespread, with roughly ? U.S. teaching positions either vacant or filled by an under-qualified individual (Learning Policy Institute, 2025). In response, “Grow Your Own” (GYO) initiatives are effective strategies to expand the workforce through locally driven recruitment and affordable, collaborative preparation pathways (U.S. Department of Education, 2024). These programs demonstrate success in mobilizing paraprofessionals, community members, and related service providers into fully certified teaching and specialist roles (National Academy of Education, 2025; Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board, 2024).
This session applies these national strategies to the specialized field of deaf education and early hearing detection and intervention. Presenters will share examples of collaborative university–district-agency partnerships and professional advancement pathways that enable practitioners to “level up” their skills—from foundational professional development to graduate-level preparation and even Listening and Spoken Language Specialist (LSLS) certification. Framed around the theme of growth, advancement, and opportunity, this session will equip participants with actionable strategies for launching or scaling “grow your own” initiatives to cultivate a sustainable, highly qualified workforce prepared to meet the diverse needs of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (Bowen et al., 2023).
- Identify key factors contributing to the current workforce shortage in deaf education and early hearing detection and intervention fields, including gaps in preparation and specialized skill development.
- Describe the principles and practices of successful “grow your own” initiatives that leverage collaboration among universities, schools, and community partners to expand workforce capacity.
- Apply strategies for creating or scaling professional preparation pathways that promote advancement—from foundational skill-building to graduate-level preparation and LSLS certification—to strengthen the continuum of care for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Presentation:
View Presentation File
Handouts:
View Handout File
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Jenna Voss
(Primary Presenter,Co-Author), Butler University, jvoss1@butler.edu;
Jenna Voss, PhD, LSLS Cert. AVEd, is an educator, mentor, and consultant specializing in listening and spoken language for deaf/hard of hearing learners. She supports professionals, promotes collaboration, and presents internationally. Learn more at www.jennavoss.com.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Butler University.
• Receives Grants for Management position from Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) 325K .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Butler University
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) 325K Grant.
Nature: Salary;
Grant Project Director.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Alexandria Mestres
(Co-Presenter,Co-Author), University of Miami Children's Hearing Program, asm120@med.miami.edu;
Alexandria Mestres holds degrees in Education of the Hearing Impaired and Elementary Education as well as a Masters in Applied Learing Sciences. Alex has worked as an administrator, professional development trainer, and consultant in the fields of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education and Early Childhood. She is currently working for the University of Miami Children's Hearing Program as the educational specialist.She also works across multiple counties in the state of Florida as a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist for Charter Schools. She also works with AGBell's LEAP program, and serves ACIA's scientific committee.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with University of Miami Children's Hearing Program
Academica Charter Schools
Charter Schools USA
AGBell Florida
ACIA.
Nature: employment, consulting, board member, scientific commitee.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.