CCHAT Hearing Programs – Toddler, Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten

CCHAT Hearing Programs – Toddler, Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten includes speech-language games and lessons as part of its daily activities. The programs are for children who are deaf and hard of hearing and use custom-built programs, small class sizes, small caseloads, individual help, and parent education and support. The staff is described as qualified and able to speak and teach in both English and Spanish, and children with hearing impairment who want a listening and spoken language approach can enroll, with sign language described as not the only option because children who are deaf and hard of hearing can learn spoken language.

• Ages: 2–5 years old
• Schedule: Traditional school year with a 6 Week Diagnostic Program
• Price: Services are provided at no charge for children who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families.

The program includes a 6 Week Diagnostic Program to discover if CCHAT is a good fit for a child, and there is an onsite visit option and travel solutions for families who live far from CCHAT. The playground is described as CCHAT's New Playground and an extension of the classroom, with room to run and space to grow, and is used for children who are deaf and hard of hearing to practice listening, build friendships, develop confidence, and enjoy being kids. Parental involvement is described as a core component of CCHAT’s curriculum, and programs are available for newborns, toddlers, preschool, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and primary grades, as well as mainstream support, extended school year, and extracurricular programs. CCHAT’s mission states that it is a program in Sacramento that helps children who are deaf and hard of hearing succeed at no cost to their families. The Executive Director of CCHAT Center is Ronda Rufsvold, PhD, LSLS Cert AVEd. Early diagnosis between 0–3 years of age is described as critical because there is a small window of opportunity to correct the problem. CCHAT has sponsors who support their community, hosts fundraising events such as Big Day of Giving, Uncorked (a pirate-themed “Swashbuckling Soiree”), and Bike 4 Fun to raise money for CCHAT kids and their program, and has an active community of parents with guest speakers, guided tours, and panel discussions.

Last updated June 25, 2026.