Speech and Language Center harrisonburg
Submitted photo

The Speech and Language Center will soon have a new home in Downtown Harrisonburg. The SLC announced plans this week to consolidate its two Rockingham County facilities at 181 S. Liberty Street.

The move is expected to be complete some time this summer.

“This expansion represents a full-circle moment for our team,” said Lora Nalberczinski, SLC founder. “We began as a small local practice with a big commitment to families and relocating to Downtown Harrisonburg allows us to grow while staying deeply connected to the community that helped build us.”

Therapy services offered at the new location will include applied behavior analysis, speech, occupational and feeding therapies. SLC also plans to add mental health services.

The downtown location will serve up to 100 families each day.

Current space constraints have forced several SLC employees to work remotely, so the expansion is welcome news to SLC team members.

“Bringing our team together under one roof will strengthen collaboration and ultimately allow us to better serve children and families across the Shenandoah Valley,” said Nalberczinski.

Harrisonburg Economic Development Director Brian Shull said the city is excited to welcome the center to Harrisonburg.

“I had the pleasure of meeting Lora when she started her business 18 years ago,” said Shull. “Her team has helped so many Shenandoah Valley families over the years. I am thrilled that Harrisonburg can partner with SLC as it enters its next growth phase.”

Harrisonburg Economic Development and Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance assisted SLC with the expansion process.

“HDR is thrilled to welcome this business and its employees into the downtown community, and we have already been brainstorming ways to partner together on our low-sensory festival programming and additional ways to support the families they serve,” said Andrea Dono, HDR executive director.

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Published by Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is a reporter and ad manager for Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of "Virginia Tonight," a nightly TV news show, both broadcast on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television. You can reach her at crystal@augustafreepress.com.