It is with heavy hearts that we share this news: BEGINNINGS will suspend operations effective August 29, 2025 due to the loss of funding from our state grant.
This spring, the NC Senate removed funding for BEGINNINGS in the FY 26 budget, while the NC House fully funded our work. When the Legislature adjourned on July 31, 2025, without passing a full budget, our future funding remained uncertain.
On July 22, 2025, we were also notified that NC DPI would not be releasing funds to BEGINNINGS under the current Continuing Budget Authority memo. While we are eligible for these funds, our non-recurring status meant NC DPI had discretion to withhold them.
As a nonprofit, we can weather short delays in funding, but the complete loss of our largest grant makes it impossible to sustain services at this time.
What this means for our BEGINNINGS families:
- Our Parent Educators will work with families as they are able through September 1, 2025.
- We will not schedule new services after that date.
- We are focusing our resources on maintaining our nonprofit status so that we can resume operations when funding is restored.
For 38 years, BEGINNINGS has walked alongside Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and their families, providing support, education, and advocacy. This mission is still at the core of who we are, and we are determined to return as soon as possible.
We are deeply grateful for your continued support, understanding, and advocacy during this difficult time. Together, we will work toward a future where BEGINNINGS can once again provide the services our families depend on.
Help Restore BEGINNINGS Services
You can call or email your N.C. Representative now to request funding to be restored to BEGINNINGS so services can resume for families of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
Tell them:
“I am a constituent of your district and I am asking you to Fully Fund BEGINNINGS For Parents of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.”
You can also email the NC Budget Conference Committee with the subject line:
Fully Fund BEGINNINGS For Parents of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
House Education Appropriations:
Rep. Brian Biggs: Brian.Biggs@ncleg.gov
Rep. David Willis: David.Willis@ncleg.gov
Rep. Tricia Cotham: Tricia.Cotham@ncleg.gov
Rep. Hugh Blackwell: Hugh.Blackwell@ncleg.gov
House Appropriations Chairs:
Rep. William Brisson: William.Brisson@ncleg.gov
Rep. Erin Pare: Erin.Pare@ncleg.gov
Senate Appropriations:
Senator Michael Lee: Michael.Lee@ncleg.gov
Senator Kevin Corbin: Kevin.Corbin@ncleg.gov
Senator Brad Overcash: Brad.Overcash@ncleg.gov
Sample Email:
Dear Representative [Insert Representatives Name],
I am writing in reference to the 2026 Appropriations Act. Please pass a budget that includes funding for BEGINNINGS For Parents of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing from the Public Instruction - General Fund Pass-through Grants Budget Fund 101191.103.
Please fully fund BEGINNINGS in the 2025-2026 Budget.
BEGINNINGS has provided support to parents of children born with hearing loss for 38 years, providing the information needed to make communication choices and resources for appropriate intervention for their children. BEGINNINGS continues to support parents until their child turns 22 to help them advocate for services for their school aged child and during the transition to adulthood.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Email
You Can Also Help By Donating
If you’d like to support BEGINNINGS during this critical time, your gift will help us maintain our nonprofit status and prepare to resume services as soon as funding is restored. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference.
