WEBVTT

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All right.

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The EHDI family Leadership

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award was inaugurated in 2017.

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During the last several decades,

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it's become increasingly clear

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that EHDI only exists

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to improve the well-being

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of babies and families.

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Symbiotically engaged

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families are central

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to the success of any programs,

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and more specifically,

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to the success of children

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who are deaf or hard of hearing.

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This award honors parents

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or a family member of a child

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who is deaf or hard of hearing

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for providing exemplary leadership

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in their state EHDI system

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and whose leadership

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has led to improved outcomes.

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The recipient was selected by NCHAM’s

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Family Advisory Committee.

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I'm now pleased to introduce our chair

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for this Laura Gramer

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who's going to present the nominees

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and the winner of this year's award.

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Can you turn on the microphone,

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please, for the interpreter? Thanks.

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Good afternoon everyone.

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Before we announce this year's recipient,

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I would like to take a moment

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to thank the Family Leadership Committee

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for the time and care

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and thoughtfulness

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they put into reviewing nominations

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and selecting this year's awardee.

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This year we had five

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wonderful parents nominated.

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And their names are.

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We have five

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We have Marty

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Bleidt,

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Stacey.

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Luther,

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Ann Gaspich,

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Heidi Klomhaus

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and Anne

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Barlow.

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Come on up

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If you are here,

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please do come up on the stage.

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I know, Anne Barlow is not here.

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She's unfortunately stuck in Minnesota.

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But if any others, please come on up.

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Sorry,

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the light is a bit blinding up here.

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So it's my honor to introduce

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the recipient of the 2026

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Family Leadership in EHDI programs award.

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This award

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recognizes a

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parent who demonstrates

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exemplary leadership

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within the state's early hearing

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detection and intervention system.

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Someone

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who has lived their life experience

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to strengthen

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support for the deaf

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or hard of hearing children

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and their families.

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The person we are honoring today

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is many things and advocate a leader,

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a connector.

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But above all,

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she would say she is a mom.

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Three of her four children

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are deaf or hard of hearing.

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Like many parents, when her son

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was first diagnosed,

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she felt fear and uncertainty.

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But instead

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of stepping back,

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she leaned in,

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determined to learn

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to connect

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and to make the system better

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for families who would follow.

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16 years later

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her leadership continues

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to make a lasting impact.

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She currently serves

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as the Guide by Your Side

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program coordinator

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for Nebraska

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Hands and Voices,

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and the community outreach coordinator

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for Nebraska’s

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EHDI program,

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she also supports

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the state's Deaf Mentor program.

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In these roles,

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she helps ensure the newly

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diagnosed families

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receive the information,

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resources, and personal support

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they need.

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During a critical time.

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Families across Nebraska know

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that she's someone they can call

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when they feel overwhelmed.

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She not only sends

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resources to new families,

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she follows up personally,

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offering guidance,

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reassurance and connection.

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She's also helped build partnerships

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across the state, working closely

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with Nebraska’s Hands and Voices

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and Nebraska’s Association of the Deaf,

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And the EHDI team

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to strengthen family to family support

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and language access.

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One of her recent accomplishments

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was organizing

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an event called Autumn Blaze.

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This event was bringing families

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together for community

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activities and celebration.

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Whether she's

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supporting families, collaborating

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with community partners,

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or speaking up in meetings

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to ensure that parent’s perspective

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is heard.

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I'm almost done.

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She leads with compassion, authenticity

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and deep commitment

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to children and families.

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Her colleagues often described her

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as the glue that keeps the team together.

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It is my great pleasure to

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to recognize someone

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whose dedication

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has strengthened Nebraska's

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EHDI system

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and supported countless families.

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Please join me in congratulating the 2026

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Family Leadership

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in EHDI programs support to Stacey

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Luther from Nebraska.

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She works very hard

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and I understand from what she said

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she loves her coworkers 

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who help everyone

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And I hope she

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keeps doing what she loves.