Family Resource Group
Deaf-Blind July 2021 Update
Hope you are having a wonderful summer!
Sincerely,
Erin Campion
Family Resource Group Editor
Resource Guide for Supporting Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Individuals
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is excited to announce the first annual publication of the Resource Guide for Supporting Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Individuals.
The purpose of this guide is to offer resources in one central location for those who support or care for someone who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind and receives supports from ODP. The Guide provides some of the most frequently accessed resources to assist in addressing the unique needs of these populations, such as information about ASL courses, apps, home modifications, assistive technology, a foundational organizations directory, and so much more!
Development of this guide included input from individuals within the Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, and hearing communities and will be revised annually by ODP’s Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Advisory Committee.
This Guide will be available in the near future on MyODP.org under Training > Special Populations > Deaf Services
For questions, email RA-ODPDeafServices@pa.gov.
You can contact them and ask to be on their subscription list so that you receive notices as new materials and services are advertised.
Family-to-Family Communities (F2FC)
Connecting Families of Individuals with Deaf-Blindness via Distance Technology
F2FC brings families together to connect, share information and resources, and offer support to one another in the journey of supporting their family member with deaf-blindness.
F2FC Registration is now open until August 20, 2021!
Questions?
Contact Carol Darrah cdarrah@uga.edu or your state deaf-blind project.
Each F2FC is comprised of 8-10 family members, is guided by trained Facilitators, and meets once per month for 90 minutes via video-conference or phone. Topics are chosen by the group and include structured conversation and open sharing. Your regular participation is vital to the group!
Facilitators will contact participants in August. Monthly meetings will be September 2021 – May 2022.
Parent Town Hall with the Department of Education
Jul 29, 2021 08:00 PM
After a year and a half of grappling with the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, students across the country are slated to return to school in-person this fall. However, for many, especially parents, the return to in-person instruction has brought with it a variety of worries, hesitations, and questions:
- Will my child(ren) be safe at school?
- What COVID precautions should I look for in my child’s school?
- How will schools take my child's social and emotional well-being into account?
- Is the vaccine safe?
- Should I get the vaccine?
- Should my child(ren) get the vaccine?
This Parent Town Hall is a unique opportunity for parents to share their ideas and concerns, and to get their questions answered. During the event, panelists from the US Department of Education and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will answer parents’ questions and address concerns around the return to in-person instruction.