Families of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing across North Carolina rely on BEGINNINGS for critical support, guidance, and advocacy. With state funding eliminated, BEGINNINGS is unable to provide the full range of services that parents and children depend on. But you can help change that! By reaching out to your local representatives and the NC Budget Conference Committee, you have the power to make your voice heard and help restore BEGINNINGS’ full services, ensuring that every family has access to the resources and support they deserve.
Take Action Today
1. Contact Your NC Representative
Call or email your NC Representative and ask them to fully restore BEGINNINGS funding so services can resume.
Use this message when reaching out:
“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.”
2. Email the NC Budget Conference Committee
Send an email with the subject line: Fully Fund BEGINNINGS For Parents of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Here are the key contacts:
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
Sen. Michael Lee: Michael.Lee@ncleg.gov
Sen. Kevin Corbin: Kevin.Corbin@ncleg.gov
Sen. Brad Overcash: Brad.Overcash@ncleg.gov
Sample Email Message
Dear Representative [Insert Representative’s 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.
Due to the loss of state funding, BEGINNINGS has been forced to drastically reduce its services since August 29, 2025. Currently, the organization can only provide limited support to newly identified children with hearing loss and is unable to continue serving the 1,300 families across North Carolina who have relied on their guidance, education, and advocacy.
Please fully fund BEGINNINGS in the 2025-2026 Budget so services can resume as soon as possible.
BEGINNINGS has provided support to parents of children born with hearing loss for 38 years, giving families the information needed to make communication choices and connecting them with resources for appropriate intervention. BEGINNINGS continues to support parents until their child turns 22, helping them advocate for services during their school years and the transition to adulthood.
[Insert Your Personal Story Here: Please share how BEGINNINGS has impacted your child, your family, or your community. Personal stories are powerful and help demonstrate why these services must be restored.]
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Email]
Each action you take brings BEGINNINGS closer to resuming full services, ensuring that no family is left without the support they deserve. This is a true demonstration of how a committed community can come together to create change, and we are so grateful to each of you for being part of this effort.
