2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
DUKE ENERGY CONVENTION CENTER
3/07/2023 | 2:15 PM - 2:45 PM | Supporting The Family Journey Instead of One Choice | DECC 212
Supporting The Family Journey Instead of One Choice
Professionals who have the honor of journeying with families through the first days, weeks and years after learning their child is Deaf or hard of hearing have an incredible responsibility. The initial professional interaction sets the stage for how the family bonds with their baby and how they approach their child’s acquisition of language.
Early on in their early intervention journey, parents of children who are Deaf or hard of hearing are faced with the challenge of choosing a form of communication for their child within weeks of learning their baby is Deaf or hard of hearing. During this critical time families benefit from support and information given in a way that supports families in reflecting on their process, making initial decisions, while sharing the concept of a life-long journey that may result in twists and turns and changes in their original decisions made for their child and family. Supporting families in an on-going exploration of language and communication approaches, meeting Deaf and hard of hearing adults, various professionals, and recognizing strengths in their child offer families the opportunity to make child and family-centered decisions as their child grows. How professionals follow the child's and family lead impact overall outcomes. Families supported in the ability to explore instead of making one final choice for how they will communicate with their baby in the beginning of their journey empowers families to learn and make informed decisions over time.
In this session strategies will be shared for supporting family reflection and empowerment throughout their early intervention process. Strategies for increasing parent engagement by using reflective practices will also be shared. Three parent/professionals of Deaf and hard of hearing children will share their experiences
- Participants will be able to identify three ways in which to support families in reflecting on their exploration of language and communication opportunities.
- Participants will be able to identify three ways in which to support families in reflecting on their exploration of language and communication opportunities.
- Participants will be able to identify three ways early interventionists can follow the family's lead in supporting family outcomes.
Presentation:
3420032_15680Karen Hopkins.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
3420032_15680Karen Hopkins.docx
Presenters/Authors
Karen Hopkins
(), The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf, karen.hopkins@mecdhh.org;
Karen Hopkins is the Executive Director of The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf and the principal investigator of Maine's HRSA grant. She brings over 30 years of experience as a collaborative teacher of the deaf, special educator, early interventionist and educational administrator to her work with Deaf and hard of hearing children. Her work with families, coupled with her own personal experience as a Deaf adult and parent of a daughter who is hard of hearing have inspired her to create systems that empower families. Karen oversees early intervention and statewide educational programming for children who are Deaf or hard of hearing birth to age 22 throughout the state of Maine. She is active in many organizations and boards in Maine, the Hands & Voices HQ Board of Directors and is involved with international FCEI programming including the Deaf Leadership International Alliance. Karen is the Board President of Hands & Voices Headquarters. Karen's current research as she finalizes her doctoral journey is focused on perspectives of family empowerment in early intervention systems for Deaf and hard of hearing children.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment,Management position from HRSA Maine Educational Center for the Deaf.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Nature: HRSA Grant recipient, employment.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Amber Woodcock
(), parent , amberwoodcock85@gmail.com;
Amber is a parent of child who is Deaf. Amber i the Guide By Your Side Coordinator for Maine's Family Based Organization Hands & Voices.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Grants for Employment from EHDI/HRSA.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Maine Hands & Voices .
Nature: Maine Hands & Voices is supported by the HRSA grant and is the FBO for the state of Maine. I am the Guide By Your Side and ASTra Coordinator for Maine Hands & Voices and am paid as a contractor through that grant. I also sit on the board for Maine Hands & Voices. .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Djenne-amal Morris
(), Hands & Voices HQ, djennemorris@gmail.com ;
Djenne-amal N. Morris, BA Djenne-amal N. Morris, BA brings passion, humor, and real-life
experience to her role as a national and international parent/professional trainer, facilitator,
and motivational speaker whose view of the world is not as it is, but as it could be. As a mother
of an amazing son with CHARGE Syndrome, she strives to build an atmosphere of support and
empowerment for families of children with special needs and the professionals who serve
them. This has led to her career working with families of children with special needs in various
roles as Women’s Ministry Leader, and Family Specialist for the New England and North
Carolina Deaf-Blind Projects, Parent Educator. She currently is the Family Faculty Advisor for the
NC-LEND program at UNC-Chapel Hill and President of the Board of Directors for Hands &
Voices Headquarters. Djenne is committed to creating an atmosphere of diversity wherever she
goes. She received her certification in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion from Cornell University and
does consulting and training professionally.
Djenne and her husband Michael of 30 years have 3 children. Malik, 26 a graduate of the
Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf. He is independent and living his best life in a group
home for Deaf young men. Imani, 27, is a future MPH focusing on Maternal and Child Health.
Her youngest Zakiya, 21, is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and a future Audiologist. Djenne and
Michael is enjoying their empty nest by traveling, growing their consulting business, and
enjoying evening wine on the porch!
Please visit her website:(www.todaywithdjenne.com)
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with .
Nature: .
Nonfinancial -
Non-Financial relationship with .
Nature: .