Free Speech Services for Children

Helping local children overcome their speech, language, and learning challenges results in each child becoming braver, stronger, and smarter while reaching their full potential.

We envision a Central Valley where all individuals have equitable access to the behavioral health care they need and deserve. We give back to our community through our free clinic in Central Fresno.

Our Encourage Speech Services program offers hope and brighter futures to communication and/or developmentally challenged children from 18 months up to 15 years old. Formerly operating under the Friends of the Center/Scottish Rite organizations, Encourage Speech Services and Director, Tom Tatum, joined Sierra Meadows Foundation in 2023.

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Our director

Tom Tatum, Speech-Language Pathologist

Tom graduated from California State University, Fresno with a BA in Psychology, Communication Disorders and an MA in Speech Pathology. He began private practice in 1983, and has provided speech, language, and swallowing therapy services throughout the Central Valley, serving children and adults. In 1990, Tom began working with the Scottish Rite to build the Childhood Language Disorders Center, serving children with language, learning, and literacy challenges. The Center raised over $6M to treat 4,000 children in 30 years.

Free Speech Services for Children

Our director

Tom Tatum, Speech-Language Pathologist

a high school freshman, four grade levels behind, was failing school and seeking negative attention. After four months with Encourage Speech Services, he was reading only a half a grade level behind. His teacher described him as "a kid I want in my class." His mom said it best: "I got my boy back."