Transcript Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Massachusetts Commission
for the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing
Roberta J. Perry
Lead Case Manager/Children Specialist
June 10, 2013
MCDHH
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Established in1986 by Massachusetts General Law
Focal point within the Commonwealth for Deaf, Late Deafened and
Hard of Hearing adults and children
Principal agency providing leadership, education, advocacy and
direct services
Mission: to empower Deaf, Late Deafened and Hard of Hearing
individuals and their families to receive equitable opportunities in
ALL aspects of society
National model for other states
Interpreter/CART Referral Services
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State registry for Interpreters and CART
[Communication Access Realtime Translation]
Matches freelance and/or staff interpreters and
CART providers with requests
Conducts screenings for individuals seeking to
provide interpreter services
Communication Access, Training & Technology Services
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Information Resources
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Information and support on Assistive Technology
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Publications and Resource Library
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Trainings, Presentations, Exhibits and Demonstration
Center
Case Management
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Provide a wide range of services to adults and children with hearing
loss
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Service plan development
Cross-agency service coordination
Communication advocacy
Education and information
Provide assistance to state, public and private
agencies in implementing procedures to
enhance service delivery to Deaf, Late
Deafened and Hard of Hearing individuals, as
well as, ensuring communication
Children Specialists
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Positions created in 1999
Support Newborn Hearing Screening Law
enacted1998
Specialized positions to work with families and
agencies in meeting communication, developmental
and educational needs of children diagnosed with
hearing loss
Children Specialists cont.
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Staffed by professionals with expertise in hearing
loss and match communication needs for deaf and
hard of hearing
Provide technical assistance to Early Intervention
and Educational programs regarding the
communication needs and cultural perspectives of
Deaf and hard of hearing children
Children Specialists cont.
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Provide parent education and objective information
relative to the effects of hearing loss at birth,
during childhood and the teenage years
Provide comprehensive coordination of care from
birth until high school graduation or 22 years of
age
Assist parents in working with other agencies
Children Specialists cont.
Identify strategies for:
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appropriate usage of hearing aids
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assistive listening devices and hearing aids
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alerting and signaling devices
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medical procedures
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communication and language development
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co-existing medical diagnoses
Children Specialists cont.
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Provide advocacy and support to families and
agencies in the development and utilization of
service plans
Consult with and educate other service providers
about the special needs of children who are deaf
or hard of hearing
Children Specialists cont.
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Provide information and referral to specialized
services for:
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speech and language
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ear/nose/throat
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psycho-educational evaluation and testing
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mental health
Children Specialists cont.
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Assist families with transition out of Early
Intervention at age 3
Provide information, preparation and facilitation
around eligibility for special education services
CHILDREN SPECIALISTS/SERVICE AREAS
Northeast/Boston Region
Melissa Adams 617-740-1659
[email protected]
Southeast Region
Diane Crouse 617-740-1652
[email protected]
Central Region
Terri Pancare 508-860-4007
[email protected]
Western Region
Roberta Perry 413-886-0517
[email protected]