2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/10/2025 | 2:25 PM - 2:55 PM | Statewide Outreach Center: Family Immersion Camp For DHH 0-5 and Parents | 301
Statewide Outreach Center: Family Immersion Camp For DHH 0-5 and Parents
Throughout America, there are many camps, retreats, and events offered to families with a child who have a hearing difference. Less than ten of these events are offered to families with a child who is under the age of 5, even fewer are focused on this specific population when it comes to immersion in ASL. Although some states offer ASL Immersion Camps to adults to improve their ASL skills, there are less than 5 nationwide camps that focus on parents and fostering their child’s early language acquisition through the use of the bilingual-bicultural approach. The Statewide Outreach Center utilized mentors from the Deaf Mentor program to host their first Family Immersion Camp. This is an invitation-only event for families who are participating in the Deaf Mentor program and have a child under the age of 5. Data, testimonials, and input were collected and will be presented to share ideas to help support families with young children who are deaf or hard of hearing. This camp aligns with current goals of language acquisition, strengthening communication strategies, and learning about literacy topics related to children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Key takeaways from this pilot program, will be shared with the audience.
- Participants will learn about a statewide event for families pursuing the bilingual-bicultural approach for their young children with hearing differences.
- Participants will be able to discuss the importance of DHH adult involvement events offered to families of children with a hearing difference from birth to 5 in their state.
- Participants will be able to explain the importance of having events targeted towards families with children birth-5 who are deaf or hard of hearing in their state.
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Presenters/Authors
Heather Parker
(Primary Presenter), Statewide Outreach Center, heather.parker@tsd.texas.gov;
Heather Parker brings her 15+ years of experience in the education of the deaf into her current role as the Birth to Three Outreach Specialist with Texas Statewide Outreach Center. Heather is fervently committed to helping families and young children develop a strong language foundation and sense of belonging. In her role as the Birth to 3 specialist, she curates resources and fosters connections that meet the ever-changing needs of families with children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
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