Haverhill, MA (April 2, 2026) —  The Clerc Center’s Regional Early Acquisition of Language (REAL) Project has announced the establishment of a new regional center, REAL-East, at Northern Essex Community College. The center will operate within GURC-East, part of the Gallaudet University Regional Centers (GURCs), which have served the eastern region since 1980.

This expansion is part of a broader effort to ensure Deaf and hard-of-hearing children have access to rich, early language experiences from the very beginning, while strengthening the REAL Project’s regional model and supporting collaboration across systems that serve children and families.

The REAL Project, housed within the Clerc Center, develops practical, evidence-informed resources and connects families, early intervention programs, schools, and medical systems to trusted information and tools. REAL-East will serve as a regional hub for professional learning, cross-system collaboration, and the alignment of existing programs and initiatives.

Northern Essex was selected for its strong community partnerships and its long-standing collaboration with the Gallaudet University Regional Center-East.

“Northern Essex Community College is proud of our decades-long partnership to elevate ASL services and support our young residents who are Deaf and hard of hearing,” said NECC President Lane Glenn. “Just as important, this partnership supports young people across a 13-state region, with NECC serving as the hub for this broader region in supporting early language acquisition. This initiative reflects the values of NECC, our faculty, staff, and students in the absolute best of ways.”

Guided by a vision of a unified ecosystem of care, REAL supports a system in which families can move seamlessly across services and supports, with access to clear, meaningful guidance grounded in research. The goal is for every family to feel supported, informed, and hopeful about their child’s future. REAL does not provide direct services. Instead, it strengthens existing efforts, supports collaboration across systems, and promotes informed decision-making to help children build strong language foundations early in life.

“This model allows us to be more responsive, collaborative, and intentional in how we support families and professionals,” said Dr. Sarah Honigfeld, Director of Early Intervention and REAL at the Clerc Center. “By strengthening connections and aligning efforts, we can improve access to resources and support strong language foundations early in life.”

Organizations and community members interested in partnering with the REAL-East Regional Center are encouraged to connect with the REAL Project.

About the REAL Project

The Regional Early Acquisition of Language (REAL) Project, housed within the Clerc Center, works to ensure Deaf and hard-of-hearing children have access to rich language experiences from the very beginning. REAL develops practical, evidence-informed resources and connects families, professionals, and systems to trusted information that supports informed decision-making and early language development.

Gallaudet University at NECC

Gallaudet University opened its Regional Center on the campus of Northern Essex Community College in June 1980. One of four regional centers across the United States, its primary mission is to provide and foster educational opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing children, youth, and adults in the eastern and mid-Atlantic regions – Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland,  Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.