Our Mission
The Heather Mebane Speech Foundation is dedicated to honoring the legacy of Heather Houin Mebane, a devoted speech therapist who served the Jefferson Parish Public School (JPPS) system with compassion and commitment. Our mission is to empower speech therapists within JPPS by providing financial support for their professional development through continuing education opportunities. By offering grants to attend educational conferences, we aim to enhance the skills of these professionals, ensuring they continue to make a profound impact on the lives of individuals with communication disorders—just as Heather did throughout her career.
Grant Process and Criteria:
Grant Overview:
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Grant Amount: Up to $2,000 to cover conference registration and travel expenses.
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Funding: The grants will be funded from an investment account established with the money raised through donations. Additional fundraising efforts may be undertaken in the future to sustain and expand the program.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Employment: Applicants must be currently employed as a Speech Therapist or Audiologist within the Jefferson Parish Public School. This will be verified by the Director of Speech and Hearing Student Support.
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Professional Development: The grant is intended for those seeking to attend a continuing education conference relevant to the field of Audiology and/or speech-language pathology. Conferences should be recognized for their contribution to the field.
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Commitment to JPPS: Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to continuing their service within the JPPS system after attending the conference and be willing to share their knowledge learned with their colleagues.
Application Process:
1. Application Submission:
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Interested candidates must submit an application through the Heather Mebane Speech Foundation.
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The application should include a statement of purpose, outlining the conference they wish to attend, how it aligns with their professional goals, and the expected impact on their work within JPPS.
2. Review and Selection:
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Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee: Heather's sisters: Christina Mamlouk and Katherine Marchese, the Head of the JPPS Speech Therapy and Hearing Department; and one or more of Heather’s 3 children.
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The committee will evaluate applications based on the relevance of the conference, the applicant's dedication to the JPPS system, and the potential impact of the conference on their professional development.
3. Award Distribution:
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​Selected recipients will receive a grant of up to $2,000, which will cover conference registration and travel expenses. Funds will be disbursed directly to the chosen Grant recipient.
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Proof of conference registration and travel plans must be submitted to the Foundation prior to money disbursement to grant recipient.
4. Post-Conference Requirements:
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​​Recipients are required to submit a brief report to the Heather Mebane Speech Foundation detailing their experience at the conference and how it has contributed to their professional growth.
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They may also be asked to share insights with colleagues within the JPPS system to further enhance the collective knowledge and expertise of the department.​
The Heather Mebane Speech Foundation strives to carry forward Heather's passion for speech therapy by investing in the professional development of those who continue her work. Through this foundation, we ensure that Heather's dedication to helping others will endure, fostering excellence in speech therapy for years to come.
Apply Here
Download this PDF and submit your application to hmspeechfoundation@gmail.com by June 1, 2025; in the subject line type Application.