DeafLEAD

DeafLEAD is a US nonprofit organization founded in 1995, originally known as the Youth L.E.A.D. Foundation. It is a Deaf-run and Deaf-led organization, focusing on providing comprehensive support services to Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened, and DeafBlind individuals.

Mission and Services

DeafLEAD's mission is to provide victim services, with a focus on crisis intervention, advocacy, case management, interpreting, and mental health support. The organization offers these services 24/7 to victims of crime and their families. Additionally, DeafLEAD lends its expertise to ensure that services for crime victims with hearing loss are culturally and linguistically appropriate.

Leadership

Dr. Stephanie Logan is a key figure in DeafLEAD's history, having become the first employee of what was then the Youth L.E.A.D. Foundation in 1995. She is responsible for establishing the organization's crisis line, which later evolved into DeafLine Missouri. Dr. Logan's leadership reflects the organization's commitment to Deaf-centered decision-making.

Achievements

Over its nearly three decades of operation, DeafLEAD has expanded its services significantly. It became the first "for Deaf, by Deaf" organization to receive accreditation through the American Association of Suicidology in 2018. Additionally, DeafLEAD was selected as a National Chat and Text Center for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and later became a statewide provider of Missouri's 988 Chat and Text Services.

Impact

DeafLEAD's unique approach as a Deaf-led organization allows it to provide services that are tailored to the needs of the Deaf community. This includes understanding the lived experiences of its members, which guides its decision-making processes. The organization plays a crucial role in supporting victims of crime and their families, ensuring they receive culturally appropriate care.