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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'It Takes Two: The Value of Deaf/Hearing Teams in Early Intervention' Track: 4 - Early Intervention Keyword(s): Deaf Adults, Hearing Professionals, Effective Teams Learning Objectives: Have a basic awareness of several successful programs across the country who are effectively incorporating deaf/hearing early intervention teams to serve families who have children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Evaluate some of the challenges and rewards of hearing/deaf early intervention teams from the perspective of the hearing and deaf/hard of hearing professionals working together on early intervention teams. Consider ways they can follow JCIH Guidelines to create more collaborative deaf/hearing early intervention teams in their own programs or professional practice. Abstract: Many programs across the country have followed the JCIH Guidelines and have started to include adults who are deaf or hard of hearing in all levels of early intervention programs. Some programs have incorporated deaf/hearing teams for many years, while others are just beginning to include adults who are deaf or hard of hearing as a vital part of their early intervention team. There can be some challenges to this process, and many rewards, but when professionals who are deaf or hard of hearing and professionals who are hearing come together and view themselves as an integrally related and connected team, the end result can be extremely beneficial to parents and families, and as a result, of great benefit to children who are deaf or hard of hearing. In this presentation some of the challenges and rewards of creating an early intervention program where deaf and hearing professionals understand the strengths each person can bring to the team and work cooperatively to create the best early intervention experience possible for every family they serve will be discussed, parent perceptions and experiences with unified teams will be shared, and perspectives on this experience from both deaf/hard of hearing professionals and hearing professionals will be expressed. An overview of some of the most successful programs across the country that have successfully integrated hearing/deaf teams will be described. 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 CART: CART Transcription is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Paula Pittman - Primary Presenter,POC SKI-HI Institute      Credentials: Ph.D. Director, SKI-HI Outreach      Other Affiliations: Director, Utah Parent Infant Program, Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind       Paula Pittman has been involved in the education of children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families for 30 years. She was one of the developers of the original Deaf Mentor Program at the SKI-HI Institute and is the director of outreach for the SKI-HI and Deaf Mentor Programs. She is currently the director of the Utah Parent Infant Program at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind and serves families in that program as a Parent Advisor as well.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Jodee Crace - Co-Presenter American Society for Deaf Children      Credentials: M.A. School Counseling with Deaf Students; SKI-HI Parent Advisor and Deaf Mentor Certifications      Other Affiliations: Gallaudet University, American Society for Deaf Children       Jodee Crace has a Master's in School Counseling with Deaf Students and has been in the Human Development career for 27 years ranging most of the life span from community-based mental health service to Early Education and Family Support service. Currently she is a Deaf Mentor in Indiana and co-teaches with The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Infants, Toddlers and their Families: Collaboration and Leadership Interdisciplinary Certificate Program. She is actively involved with the American Society for Deaf Children board and the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Stacy Abrams - Co-Presenter New Mexico School for the Deaf      Credentials: Master's Degree in Special Education/Disabilities and Risk Emphasis       I grew up bilingual. I graduated from Gallaudet University.then I graduated with a Master's Degree from University of California at Santa Barbara. Currently I am PhD student. Former Teacher of the Deaf. Currently the Deaf Mentor Program Coordinator at New Mexico School for the Deaf. Also a proud Deaf mom of two bilingual Deaf children.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial -