Vancouver mom appointed to early-learning group

Kelli Burnham of Vancouver has been selected by the Washington State Department of Early Learning to serve on the new Parent Advisory Group. Burnham is the only Southwest Washington resident in the 17-member group.

The advisory group will act as a sounding board for decisions, ideas, and questions that shape the future of the department and early-learning programs throughout the state.

Burnham said she applied for the appointment because as a parent of a child with hearing loss, she brings “a unique perspective.”

At birth, her daughter failed two hearing-loss screening tests, a standard test given to all newborns. Based on her daughter’s hearing loss diagnosis, she was guaranteed early intervention services from birth until age 3.

However, early intervention ends at age 3. Some children may receive services through their school district, but those services aren’t guaranteed. That leaves a potential gap in developmental services from age 3 to 5 or beyond for children who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Burnham said she will advocate for heightened support and guaranteed quality services for families with deaf and hard-of-hearing children once early intervention has ended.

To learn more, visit www.del.wa.gov and search for “Parent Advisory Group.”