2024 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 17-19, 2024 • Denver, CO
EHDI FAMILY LEADERSHIP AWARD
Valerie James Abbott
Valerie is first and foremost a loving parent of a child diagnosed with late onset hearing loss at age 2. Since that time, Valerie started at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Center for Family Involvement where she has worked for several years in different roles. Valerie became a 1-3-6 family educator, working closely with families who have a child with newly diagnosed hearing loss in an unbiased manor. She was also the Coordinator for the HRSA Learning Community for the state of VA. Valerie has also served on the board for Virginia Hands & Voices. Valerie was subsequently elected and is currently serving as a Co-Chair of the VA EHDI Advisory Committee. Shortly after becoming elected, Valerie sparked a successful initiative to have a parent and a professional working as the leaders of the VA EHDI Advisory Committee, which was unanimously voted into the VA bylaws. Valerie also helped to promulgate the regulations for Virginia's Administrative Code for congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) screening.