17th ANNUAL EARLY HEARING DETECTION & INTERVENTION MEETING
March 18-20, 2018 • Denver, CO
3/19/2018 | 11:50 AM - 12:15 PM | Embedding Parent to Parent Support and Deaf Role Models and Mentors Into The Early Intervention Process | Capitol 7
Embedding Parent to Parent Support and Deaf Role Models and Mentors Into The Early Intervention Process
Facilitated by a Parent, Deaf Role Model, and Director of Early Intervention, this presentation is aimed at parents and the professionals that are tasked with supporting or implementing systems of early intervention in their state. This presentation will foster deeper understanding of the importance of early parent to parent support as well as early connection to Deaf and hard of hearing role models and mentors in families early intervention process. This presentation will draw from current research on parent to parent support and Deaf adults supporting parents, as well as the presenter's own experiences with these supports. We believe this presentation will support early intervention systems in recognizing the importance of focusing on more than the child's hearing levels in understanding family needs. By giving real life examples of program suggestions and specific ideas for implementation of a statewide program that embeds parent to parent support and deaf and hard of hearing role models into the system, participants will be able to take information back to their states and encourage their state part C agencies to implement similar processes. Maine's model, Memorandum of Understanding and process documents will be shared. This process supports improved outcomes for the child by supporting the overall improvement of the family's quality of life by embedding supporters that have "been there" in the early days and weeks of early intervention services.
- Participants will be able to identify ways to embed Parent to Parent Support and Deaf Role Models and Mentors into their state's early intervention process.
- Participants will be able to describe at least three reason why Parent to Parent Support and connection to Deaf Role Models and Mentors is important in early intervention.
- Participants will be able to describe how one statewide system of early intervention benefits families.
Presentation:
15805_7987KarenHopkins.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
15805_7987KarenHopkins.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 -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Melinda Meyers
(), Maine Educational Center for the Deaf, melinda.meyers@mecdhh.org;
Melinda Smith Meyers received her Bachelor of Social Work from Gallaudet University and studied Early Childhood Special Education at the University of Maine. She has worked as a home based early interventionist for deaf children, ASL Family Trainer, and family case manager. She worked for The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MECDHH) in the preschool, parent infant and Deaf Mentor programs. Melinda is currently the Deaf Mentor and ASL for Families Coordinator at MECDHH where she supports children and families in the Parent Infant, Preschool and Early Childhood and Family Services and Outreach programs. Melinda is married to a deaf man, and has two hearing grown children and three granddaughters in Maine.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Rebecca Brady
(), Maine Hands & Voices/GBYS, rabrady0627@yahoo.com;
Becky is Maine's Guide By Your Side Coordinator.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Megan Garrity
(), Maine Hands & Voices/Deaf/HH Guide Program, megan.garrity@mecdhh.org;
Megan is the Coordinator of Maine's Hands & Voices Deaf/HH Guide Program
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -