On Aug. 22, Longwood University’s Speech, Hearing and Learning Services (formally known as the Longwood Center for Communication, Literacy and Learning) moved into a new facility.
According to the Speech, Hearing and Learning Services web page on Longwood University’s website, the new facility is located on the corner of Main Street and Third Street in Farmville, Va. above the Heart of Virginia Free Clinic.
Professor, Graduate Coordinator and Director of Communication Sciences and Disorders Dr. Lissa Power-deFur stated, “We were able to be part of a planning for the use of the space. The space includes the faculty offices for Communication Science and Disorders. Then it includes the various services that we offer to the community.”
Power-deFur added, “The new facility is the next generation of the old facility we had, which was the Longwood Center for Communication Literacy and Learning. The new facility is larger – it’s accessible, according to the American disability tax – [and] it’s easier to get to and parking is more convenient.”
Furthermore, according to their web page, they provide three different types of services, which include Speech, Hearing, Language and Swallowing Services; Tutoring Services; and a service called Infant and Toddler Connection of the Heartland.
Power-deFur said, “These services are provided by graduate students in CommunicationScienceand Disorders, but we are also under faculty supervision.”
The tutoring services include math, reading, English, sciences, social studies and social skills.
These services are provided by Education majors and are under the supervision of the tutoring coordinator, reported Power-deFur.
The Infant and Toddler Connection Services is for children up to the age of three around Farmville.
According to the Speech, Hearing and Learning Services web page, the Infant and Toddler Connections provide intervention services and this helps create a learning environment, helping children develop life skills early on.
Moreover, these services are also available for seven counties in South Central Virginia.
Power-deFur stated, “This new facility has eight therapy rooms, and all therapy rooms are set up with one way mirrors so the parents can watch. “
She added, “They all have state- of-the-art recording equipment, so we can record the sessions, and they can review things later. We also have two group therapy rooms. We have a lab where we can do swallowing and voice evaluations. We even have a preschool room, which we use for our summer camps on preschool literacy.”
On Oct. 17 and Oct. 19, Longwood University’s Speech, Hearing and Learning Services is hosting two open houses. On Oct. 17, the Open House will be from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. On Oct. 19, the Open House will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Power-de Fur added, “The open houses are for some of our alumni to come and see the new facility, and it’s also for people in the community.
"We are trying to make it available for folks to see the certain services we have here and also for people who have been part of the program in the past to come back.”
In addition, Power-deFur said, “On Oct. 17, I’m mailing a Longwood bench recognizing Mrs. Gayle Daly. She retired last year as a director of the speech and hearing clinic, and there were a large number of donations made in honor of her retirement. So, we purchased a really nice Longwood bench, and we will be unveiling that on the 17th. “
For more information on Longwood University’s Speech, Hearing and Learning Services or the two open houses coming up, contact Dr. Lissa Power- deFur at her office number (434) 395-2972 or by email at powerdefurea@longwood.edu.
LU's Speech, Hearing and Learning Services is now on Main Street and Third Street, located above the Heart of Virginia Free Clinic.
