History
The Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center was established in 1960. First known as the Children’s Rehabilitation Ranch, it was developed to provide physical and speech therapy services to children in Lakeland. In the first five years, roughly 60 patients were seen each year. In 2009, we provided services to both children and adults numbering 15,000. In the early days, we were staffed by all volunteers. Today, 34 paid staff provide services throughout Polk, Highlands and Hardee county as well as throughout Florida and southern Georgia.
Mission
Our mission is “To provide the highest quality speech, language and hearing services, always in a caring manner and never limited by one’s ability to pay.” Our goal is to ensure that everyone with a communication problem has a place to turn for help. The help we provide comes in many forms – speech therapy for a child, a hearing aid for an elderly person, a diagnostic hearing test for an infant, a caring staff member who counsels families, and the list goes on. The ability to communicate is a priceless gift.
Vision
To be THE Speech and Hearing Solution.
Core Purpose
We provide speech and hearing solutions that bring JOY to people’s lives.
Our Core Beliefs
- Providing the highest quality and compassionate care for all, regardless of ability to pay
- Embracing the highest standards of ethics, honesty and integrity
- Treating everyone with dignity and respect
- Continuing to improve service through innovation and professional development
- Being good stewards of all of our resources
- Working together to meet common goals
- Passionately pursuing professional excellence