ESU Foundation Awarded $150,000 Grant for University Speech and Hearing Center Upgrades

The East Stroudsburg University Foundation has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development to support upgrades at the university’s Speech and Hearing Center. The funding, which was secured by the work of Rep. Maureen Madden, will facilitate the acquisition of a new VALT Video Observation and Recording System and ClinicNote, a cloud-based, HIPAA-compliant electronic medical records platform.

“I am beyond thrilled to have played a role in securing these taxpayer funds for our community. ESU’s Speech and Hearing Center has long been at the forefront of innovation in treatment and training in speech and hearing therapies.” said Rep. Madden. “The addition of the VALT program and ClinicNotes software continues ESU’s commitment of providing the best possible care for clients and invaluable education for care providers. I look forward to witnessing the impact these new capabilities will ensure.”

The Speech and Hearing Center, operational for 50 years through ESU’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, provides free services to more than 100 clients annually, including assessments and treatments for communication and swallowing impairments. The new technology will replace outdated equipment, allowing for secure, real-time observation of therapy sessions and safeguarding client information with advanced Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Active Directory features. These upgrades will enhance both the quality of client care and the security of sensitive data.

Rachel Wolf, Ph.D., professor and chair of the communication sciences and disorders department, stated, “This generous grant, made possible by Rep. Madden, will significantly elevate our ability to provide exceptional service and training. The new VALT system will allow real-time, secure observation of sessions, ensuring both better client care and enhanced supervision of student therapists. Meanwhile, ClinicNote will streamline our record-keeping, ensuring compliance with HIPAA standards and improving overall efficiency.”

The enhancements will not only advance the center’s technology but also fortify the practical training of 50 graduate students studying communication sciences and disorders, equipping them with experience using cutting-edge tools essential for their professional growth, she added.

About the ESU Foundation: Since 1986, the ESU Foundation has secured and stewarded private gifts and grants that benefit ESU and its students. Every year, thousands of generous donors support the Foundation and the university in its mission of educating students, research, and public service. For more information on the ESU Foundation, call (570) 422-3333 or visit esufoundation.org.

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