<< BACK TO AGENDA

ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Early Intervention: The Missing Piece' Track: 4 - Early Intervention Keyword(s): Mentor, Deaf, Role Model Learning Objectives: Discuss and analyze the need for Deaf Mentor Programs. Develop a local collaborative Deaf Mentor Program Abstract: From newborn hearing screening to the first home visit, parents with deaf or hard of hearing children meet with an overwhelming number of professionals. Each Audiologist, Pediatrician, Speech Therapist, Teacher, etc., has knowledge and expertise that is invaluable to families. As we know more than 90% of Deaf children are born to hearing parents who never expected to have a Deaf/HH child. They have never had to think about hearing aids, cochlear implants or learning a new language. They have never asked the questions that parents want to ask a Deaf person the minute they find out they have a Deaf child. The EI process needs to include Deaf/HH adults who have powerful and enriching life experiences to fill in this missing piece. The Deaf community is a diverse population with adults that use cochlear implants, oral only communication, are native ASL users, or grew up with SEE Sign, etc. A well-matched Deaf adult to the family’s priorities can serve as a role model for the child, a guide to the parents and play and integral role on the EI team. As suggested in the 2013 Supplement to the JCIH 2007 Position Statement “All Children Who Are D/HH and Their Families Have Access to Support, Mentorship, and Guidance From Individuals Who Are Deaf/Hard of Hearing” This presentation will focus on how to make this a reality. We will share our experience implementing a Deaf Mentor program and the benefits experienced by families and the EI team. We will share our advice, funding sources and best practices for setting up a local program in a cost effective way. Presentation: This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online. Handouts: Handout is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
-             ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Cheryl Petzold - Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter,POC Placer County Office Of Education      Credentials: BA Deaf Studies California Teaching Credential, Deaf Education       Cheryl has been working with D/HH students since 2007. She received her Bachelor's degree in Deaf Studies from California State University, Northridge and her Teaching Credential in Deaf Education from San Jose State University. Cheryl has had the opportunity to work with D/HH children from pre-school to high school in SDC classrooms as well as an Itinerant Teacher. In 2011, she found her passion working in Placer County's Infant Development program with families with deaf and hard of hearing children ages birth to three. She continues to expand her network and collaborate within her community in an effort to improve curriculum and overall services for deaf and hard of hearing children.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Kara Kreutz - Co-Presenter Placer County Office of Education      Credentials: Kara Kreutz MS, CCC-SLP       Kara Kreutz is a Speech Therapist working for Placer County Office of Education for 14 years. During that time she worked as a teacher for children with communication delays and disorders in a SDC classroom, served as an itinerant speech pathologist, and has worked as part of the Infant Development Program the last 7 years. She is proud to now be part of a dedicated, proactive team serving Deaf and hard of hearing children and their families. Kara appreciates the new insights she gains with every family she serves and the fantastic team she is grateful to be part of. Each has inspired her as they walk their own unique paths. Kara and her husband also own Cool Physical Therapy and Speech Services in Cool, CA. She lives in Auburn, CA with her husband and two daughters.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Amanda Stewart-Morris - Co-Presenter Placer County Office of Education      Credentials: Masters in Education       Amanda has been involved with the Deaf community since 1994. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development from Brigham Young University, and her Master’s of Education in Early Childhood Special Education/Deaf and Hard of Hearing from Lewis and Clark College. Amanda worked at the California School for the Deaf, Fremont, as a Student Life Counselor and taught Preschool/Kindergarten at the Jean Massieu Bilingual-Bicultural Charter School in Salt Lake City. She then took the role of Program Specialist at the Utah School for the Deaf for the Parent-Infant Program (PIP), where she implemented the Ski-Hi Curriculum for Parent Advisors and worked closely with the newly-formed Deaf Mentor Program. Since 2003, Amanda has been serving as a Teacher of the Deaf in Placer County's Infant Development Program, guiding families through the journey of having a child who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial -