2024 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 17-19, 2024 • Denver, CO
3/19/2024 | 11:00 AM - 11:55 AM | A State Government Model Program for Early Language and Literacy Development for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children | Capitol 2
A State Government Model Program for Early Language and Literacy Development for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children
The New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a state government agency under the Department of Human Services. The Division implemented a Language Instruction Program for deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind children ages 0-5;11. This opt-in program enhances opportunities for DHH children to acquire American Sign Language (ASL) prior to school entry, regardless of their caregivers’ degree of ASL proficiency. The program receives referrals from New Jersey’s EHDI hearing consultants, early intervention providers, and medical professionals. Families are also eligible to sign up directly with no income restrictions; all services are provided at no cost to families.
Participating children receive up to 25 hours a week of services from an ASL-proficient Deaf Language Associate (DLA), in naturalistic settings (e.g. home, childcare center, preschool, summer camp, etc.). The Division is partnering with The College of New Jersey’s Center on Sensory and Complex Disabilities and Temple University to develop a formal curriculum and certification, literacy programs, and additional family supports to ensure that DLAs are equipped to provide high-quality services. TCNJ and Temple University are developing an evaluation protocol for the program to collect data and track language outcomes for participating children and support quality improvement. The program also provides additional supports that enhance the family’s ability to support their child’s language and hearing loss journey.
This model program is an enhancement to the state’s early intervention system, and aligns with JCIH goals 10 & 11, as well as the Maternal Child Health Bureau’s goal for states to increase the likelihood of achieving language acquisition milestones by age 3 by finding ways to “plug the leaks” in the pipeline from EHDI to early intervention and beyond.
- Participants will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the NJ DDHH language instruction program as a model program that may be replicated in other states.
- Participants will be able to describe the initiatives of NJ DDHH and its higher education initiatives that focus on language and literacy as well as associated family supports.
- Participants will demonstrate knowledge of the components of the state's evaluation protocol in achieving language outcomes.
Presentation:
3478265_16183ElizabethHill.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
3478265_16183ElizabethHill.docx
Presenters/Authors
Elizabeth Hill
(Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter), NJ Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Elizabeth.Hill@dhs.nj.gov;
Elizabeth Hill is Executive Director of the New Jersey Department of Human Services' Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. With a career distinguished by accomplishments in various leadership roles and a steadfast commitment to innovative and visionary program development, Ms. Hill has consistently fostered engagement, forged partnerships, and advocated for policies that improve the lives of individuals with disabilities, with a special focus on children and families. Ms. Hill holds a Master of Social Work degree and an undergraduate degree in Government.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
• Has a Professional (Elizabeth Hill is Executive Director of the New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The Division funds and oversees the Campaign for Language and Literacy Excellence at The College of New Jersey)
relationship for Other volunteer activities.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with The New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; The College of New Jersey; Temple University.
Nature: Elizabeth Hill is Executive Director of the New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The Division funds the language instruction program and oversees the Campaign for Language & Literacy Excellence at The College of New Jersey.
Matthew Hall receives a salary from Temple University, and provides support to CLLE via a paid contract with The College of New Jersey.
.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Heather Osowski
(Co-Presenter), The College of New Jersey, osowskh1@tcnj.edu;
Heather Osowski has worked in the field of Deaf Education for over 17 years. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Masters of Arts in Teaching degree, both from The College of New Jersey and holds New Jersey teaching certifications in Elementary Education and Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and her Supervisory Certification. During her tenure at the state school for the Deaf in New Jersey, Ms. Osowski was a high school instructor, the transition coordinator and led programs such as Community-based Instruction and Person-Centered Approaches in Schools and Transition. Through these roles, Ms. Osowski collaborated with various state and national agencies and organizations supporting individuals in the Deaf, hard of hearing and Deafblind community. She is fluent in American Sign Language and continues her involvement with the Katzenbach Parent and Staff Education Foundation as an executive board member. Ms. Osowski is dedicated and passionate about supporting the needs of students and families in the Deaf, hard of hearing and Deafblind community.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from TCNJ Center for Sensory and Complex Disabilities.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with The College of New Jersey's Center for Sensory and Complex Disabilities' Campaign for Language & Literacy Excellence.
Nature: Project Coordinator for The Campaign for Language & Literacy Excellence.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Jerry G Petroff
(Co-Presenter), Center for Sensory and Complex Disabilities, petroff@tcnj.edu;
Dr. Petroff is a Professor at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), School of Education in the Department of Special Education, Language and Literacy. His experience working on behalf of students, youth and adults with disabilities and their families spans several decades. Holding a doctorate in psychological studies in special education, and a master’s degree in speech pathology and audiology, he has developed expertise in inclusive education, early communication, social network development, assistive technology (augmentative and alternative communication), and the transition of students with disabilities from school to adult life. In addition, Dr. Petroff is the Executive Director of TCNJ's Center for Sensory & Complex Disabilities and Faculty Director of the Career & Community Studies Program at TCNJ. He is a trained and experienced facilitator that has conducted hundreds of successful person-centered plans, systems-based strategic planning (e.g. schools, government agencies, etc.) as well as other group processes. Lastly, As a father of two boys, Jerry has a particular interest dad’s role in child development and the education of their children.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with New Jersey Division of the Deaf / HOH.
Nature: Receives funding to support project activities .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Matthew Hall
(Co-Presenter), Temple University, matthall@temple.edu;
The overarching goal of Matt Hall’s research program is to maximize all d/Deaf children’s developmental potential. As an assistant professor of Communication Sciences & Disorders at Temple University, he applies knowledge from cognitive/developmental psychology and linguistics to questions that concern DHH children, their families, the professionals who serve them, and other stakeholders. He is particularly concerned with the paucity of evidence regarding language acquisition and psychological development in DHH children whose hearing parents have chosen to include ASL as part of their child’s access to language. In his reading of the literature, strong and contradictory claims have been made without sufficient empirical support. He is therefore committed to increasing the quality of the empirical evidence so that clinicians and families can make better-informed decisions.
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.