2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/11/2025 | 10:10 AM - 10:40 AM | The DHH Plus Child and the IFSP | 303
The DHH Plus Child and the IFSP
“What is the goal for your child?” This is a complicated question for families of DHH Plus children navigating multiple diagnoses and attending their first IFSP. Prioritizing a child’s needs for language learning can be difficult when there are other life-altering concerns, especially when a family is just starting their journey.
Family advocacy for children who are DHH Plus is foundational to the success of deaf and hard of hearing children in early intervention. To become successful advocates, parents and family members must be empowered to not only understand the Early Intervention system, but also the laws and regulations impacting that system from IDEA, 504, and ADA.
Learn from a DHH Plus parent and an educational advocate in this workshop, which will provide families and professionals an introduction to the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP), insight into what DHH Plus families experience, and strategies on how to advocate for quality services for children with complex needs.Special considerations to include in the IFSP will be reviewed, with resources and services that families can use during the IFSP process from entrance to transition to preschool.
- Attendees will identify three unique challenges experienced by DHH Plus families in early intervention.
- Attendees will describe how to prioritize language learning needs within the IFSP for complex children.
- Attendees will learn at least two specific strategies in advocating for quality services, specialists and intensity of services.
Presentation:
3545975_18160BrookeMontgomery.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Brooke Montgomery
(Primary Presenter), Hands & Voices, brooke@handsandvoices.org;
Brooke has been with Hands & Voices Headquarters since 2022 as the Social Media Director and is part of the core management team for FL3. Prior to that, Brooke was the Assistant Director and Parent Guide at the chapter level for Kentucky Hands & Voices. Brooke is the mom of 3 sons; the youngest is DHH Plus. Brooke is passionate about bringing awareness to the community of parent leaders and DHH children, with a special interest in the DHH Plus and sibling experiences. Current projects include coordinating the Off to a Great Start web resources and campaign as well as leading the H&V Facebook group for DHH Plus parents/caregivers. Brooke is a mentor in the Leadership 2 Leadership program and believes in the power of parent to parent connection in growing and sustaining new leaders. Brooke celebrates the collective journey and the shared sense of community that our DHH families experience.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Hands & Voices.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Hands & Voices.
Nature: employed by H&V.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Sara Kennedy
(Co-Presenter), Hands & Voices, Sara@handsandvoices.org;
Sara is a mom of four adult children, including a daughter born at home and later-identified as deaf after a progressive loss. An occupational therapist by training, Sara has served at Hands & Voices since 2001 as the editor for the quarterly newspaper, the Communicator, and a trainer for the educational advocacy program, ASTra. She has a particular interest in advocating for hearing screening in the homebirth community. She was a coauthor for the Virtual Waiting Room web presence at Hands & Voices, the handbook Bridge to Preschool: Navigating a Successful Transition as well as articles and presentations on topics ranging from children's safety, promoting self-advocacy, the decision process around cochlear implants, supporting fathers and rural families. Sara was a past director and Guide for Colorado Hands & Voices (2011-2022).
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.