Fifty-seven early childhood and special needs educators received certificates on October 16 following the successful completion of the Speech and Scholars Project’s Unlocking Voices Educator Initiative 2026. Supported by the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund, the five-day training programme was designed to strengthen educators’ capacity to identify and support children experiencing speech and language difficulties.
The workshop commenced on October 12 at Shortwood Teachers’ College and concluded on October 16. CHASE contributed $3 million towards the initiative, which equipped the 57 educators with practical strategies to support children’s communication and language development in the classroom.
The training was facilitated by three US-licensed, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)-certified speech-language pathologists: Alesha Parsons, Ashley Hicks-Moore Holmes and Mary Brannon, who collectively brought more than 50 years of experience in paediatric and educational practice.
Selected by the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, the educators received training in language modelling, visual supports, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and classroom-based techniques for identifying and supporting communication difficulties.
Addressing a Critical Gap in Speech and Language Support
The initiative sought to address the limited availability of speech-language services in Jamaica, where access to assessment and therapy remained a significant challenge for many families. The Mico University College CARE Centre was identified as the country’s leading provider of speech-language services, with children often waiting more than a year for appointments. Private therapy can also be costly, while services concentrated in urban areas create additional barriers for families in rural communities.
Although the training was not intended to replace assessment or treatment by qualified speech-language professionals, it provided educators with practical tools to better support children’s communication needs during everyday classroom activities. By strengthening teachers’ ability to incorporate communication-support strategies into their teaching, the initiative sought to foster more inclusive learning environments and provide children with regular opportunities to develop their language and communication skills.
Commenting on the CHASE Fund’s investment in the programme, Chief Executive Officer W. Billy Heaven said:
“Every child deserves the opportunity to communicate, to be understood and to participate fully in learning. Teachers are often among the first to recognise when a child is experiencing communication difficulties, yet they may not always have the specialised tools to provide appropriate support. Through this investment, CHASE is helping to strengthen educators’ capacity to respond to these needs and create more supportive classroom environments. This is consistent with our commitment to projects that build capacity, address critical service gaps and improve outcomes for Jamaican children and their communities.”
Sydian Hammond, Founder and Executive Director of the Speech and Scholars Project, highlighted the significance of the initiative, drawing on her personal experience as the mother of a child with autism.
“I understand firsthand how transformative early support can be for a child and the challenges families face in accessing the services they need. CHASE’s support has helped turn this vision into reality by equipping 57 educators with practical skills to better support children with speech and language needs in their classrooms. We are deeply grateful to CHASE, the Ministry of Education and our partners for helping to create more opportunities for children to communicate, be understood and receive the support they need to thrive.”
The Speech and Scholars Project is a US-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to supporting children with autism and the families who care for them. Through education, advocacy, partnerships and capacity-building, the organisation works to improve outcomes for children in underserved communities by advancing early intervention and equipping parents, caregivers and professionals with effective training and support.
Building Capacity for Literacy and Inclusive Education
The Unlocking Voices Educator Initiative builds on CHASE’s ongoing support for projects that strengthen educational outcomes, improve access to specialised support and develop the skills of professionals working with children. Other initiatives previously supported by the CHASE Fund include:
- Read Right from the Start (RRFTS): In partnership with the United Way of Jamaica (UWJ), CHASE supported professional training for early childhood practitioners to strengthen children’s language and literacy development. The programme equipped teachers with practical strategies to enhance language acquisition and build the foundational skills needed for early reading.
- Lindamood-Bell Learning Process Workshops: Through funding to the Creative Language-Based Learning Foundation, CHASE supported workshops and seminars that introduced specialised approaches to addressing challenges in language, spelling, reading and comprehension. These methods use concept imagery, sound and speech to strengthen language comprehension, critical thinking and learning.
- Early Childhood Development Legacy Project: Implemented by the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) at the Savanna-la-Mar Inclusive Infant Academy in Westmoreland, this project supported the delivery of early childhood education services for children with special needs. The initiative represented a model of public-private partnership in advancing inclusive education and expanding learning opportunities for children with diverse developmental needs.
Through its investment in initiatives such as these, CHASE continues to support programmes that enhance educators’ skills, promote inclusive learning and help children develop the foundational abilities they need to succeed.
