May 2020
minnesota
Supporting families with children who are deaf & hard of hearing
COVID Response: MNH&V Service Adaptations & H&V HQ Resource Links Minnesota Hands & Voices (MNH&V) is Adaptations to MNH&V’s services have ready to support families with a child been made due to the pandemic. Hands & Voices Head Quarters who is deaf or hard of hearing (dhh), ready • In-Person visits have been replaced with to support you! MNH&V metro staff are video conferences We are Community. currently working remotely, just like our • MNH&V Events through June have been greater Minnesota staff who have always postponed We are Family. worked from home. MNH&V has a long • MNH&V will continue to follow state We are Strong. history of working remotely so it was no recommendations for safety during Hands & Voices Headquarters (H&V HQ) problem to make the switch and continue the COVID pandemic, please check has dedicated a web page in response to to serve families without too much our website and emails for updates to the COVID pandemic with helpful links interruption. Except for the occasional annual and scheduled events for families who are doing their best to barking and family noises heard in the MNH&V staff are uniquely qualified to facilitate their child’s online learning and background, calls to offer support to understand what it’s like to parent a follow local safety guidelines. Families are families have continued as scheduled. child who is dhh and find ourselves in encouraged to share their ideas, resources, Especially now with added challenges the same challenging situations with and links they have found helpful during placed on families, feel free to reach out distant learning, comforting when you this turbulent time, please send email to by phone, email, or even send a text yourself are unsure, and finding enough [email protected] message, to your area Parent Guide or any meaningful activities to fill our days. Every Tuesday H&V HQ updates the web DHH Guide for support and resources or Find names, short biography, and contact page to add more content and keep the to ask one of our ASTra Guides (Advocacy, information for MNH&V staff at https:// information as current as possible. Many Support, and Training) your educational www.mnhandsandvoices.org/about-us/ resources & links are available in Spanish. advocacy questions. Wherever you are, guide-regions-and-bios https://handsandvoices.org/covid-19.html we have been there too.
All Families can Nominate an Exceptional Individual for a High Five Award The High Five Award is an opportunity for Email your nomination, subject line parents to publicly thank those who do more “High Five Award”, to [email protected] than expected on behalf of children who are dhh. Parents are invited to nominate another Winners will be announced at the MNH&V parent, teacher, interpreter, medical provider, Metro Family Picnic on Thursday, August 1st. community advocate, role model, or anyone Recognition for winners will also take place at who inspires your family! the picnic or, for greater Minnesota recipients, in a community convenient for them and the Now through July 1st, MNH&V is accepting nominating family. one nomination per family from parents.
651.265.2435 [email protected] mnhandsandvoices.org MNHandsandVoices mnhandsandvoices 1 May 2020 Minnesota Hands & Voices FOCUS Newsletter
Ever-Changing Comprehensive List of Books for Children with Hearing Differences Families can access a comprehensive List, and Comments. If you don’t have list of books that are written for, by, or Google Sheets the cover images may EMPLOYMENT about children and/or individuals who be omitted, but the content of the list have a hearing difference. This list was is still accessible. Disclaimer: they did OPPORTUNITY developed and is regularly updated not read every book on the list and the thanks to the collaboration of two books do not necessarily reflect their dedicated DHH Teachers, Emily Manson views. This list covers books about every MNH&V Parent and Taylor Thomas. Even though they communication mode, perspective, and Guide for Southeast work for different school districts, this hearing difference. Asian Communities book list represents one of their many collaborations in support of students Please email either of them if you would The MNH&V Southeast Asian who are dhh. like to add a book or report an error. Communities Parent Guide Emily Manson, DHH Teacher with St. Paul position offers 10 hours a week, “Google Sheets was used so the list could Public Schools, [email protected] some evenings and weekends, be live and ever-changing,” said Taylor Taylor Thomas, Lead DHH Teacher with and a family-friendly work Thomas. “We update this list periodically ISD 917, [email protected] environment. so be sure to check the far right column, ‘Date added to this list’, to see if your list is List of Books for Children with Hearing MNH&V Parent Guides receive up-to-date.” Differences Google sheets link: https:// specific training and team support. docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tC_ Parent Guides are responsible For each book there is helpful information NgRT3eIkotBrq9qCRXDhDjSYmQg for the initial and follow-up beginning with a cover image in column 09O56JScGdVfs/edit?usp=sharing connections critical to families one, then from left to right: Title, Author, who have a newly identified child Short Description, D/HH Character, Age who is dhh. They work closely Range, Lexile Level, Date Added to This with the MNH&V team and learn the best way to support our MNH&V families. They organize and lead family events, represent MNH&V in the community, and participate in family support activities. Your personal experience Thanks for your of the challenges and joys of contribution! parenting a child who is deaf or hard of hearing (dhh) helps We rely on your generous support other parents who are just support to build better lives starting their journey. for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. To find out more or to apply Make a tax-deductible and send a resume, please visit February 24, 2020, Shelby, DHH Guide, met with a family donation today. at a coffee shop in Duluth. She gave an El Deafo book as Lifetrack at https://recruiting. a gift during the visit. paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/ DONATE DHH Guides are available to visit with families, share Details/83733 their experiences, answer questions, and brighten spirits through video conferencing. To set up a visit please email Heidy Nazario, DHH Guide Supervisor, at [email protected]
FOCUS is published quarterly by Minnesota Hands & Voices, a program of Lifetrack. Information in this newsletter about other organizations does not imply endorsement by MNH&V or Lifetrack. © 2020 Lifetrack Newsletter editor: Mary Stadelman 709 University Ave. W., St. Paul, MN 55104
2 651.265.2435 [email protected] mnhandsandvoices.org MNHandsandVoices mnhandsandvoices Minnesota Hands & Voices FOCUS Newsletter May 2020
Transition Resources & Information for Individuals who are DHH Plus This article will respectfully use the child’s IEP, person-centered planning, term “dhh plus” to refer to the nearly self determination, employment, and help 40% of individuals who are deaf or hard understanding the rights of individuals of hearing (dhh) and managing a co- with disabilities. https://www.pacer.org occurring disability. The Minnesota Transition Guide for Parents raising a child who is identified Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing is as dhh plus understands that some day your child’s options or the availability another great source of information for their child will transition to adulthood. of services to meet specific needs can be families. The guide is not an exhaustive That journey to adulthood can take many difficult to find. list, but it is a useful tool to start unique and diverse paths depending on transition conversations. The Guild the situation. Some children become a “In rural Minnesota a lack of recommends students in 9th grade or full-grown adult right before our eyes transportation and workers for support earlier should attend their IEP meetings with just a faint memory of parental services is a challenge,” said a greater to help their parents and the rest of effort, while for other children the road to Minnesota mother of a daughter who is the IEP team set transition goals that independent living can require more than just turning 21 this month. work best for them. In the last chapter, what their parents alone can provide. Additional Considerations, the Guide PACER Center provides individual lists general information and resources Finding the right combination of assistance, workshops, publications, that could be relevant to families with community support, services, post and a wealth of online resources and a child who is dhh plus like Social secondary education options, and information for families raising a child Security Administration Benefits, Housing employment opportunities for your with disabilities. They have extensive Assistance, Guardianship, etc. Download transitioning child who is dhh plus information to help families to start The Minnesota Transition Guide for is key to their ability to someday live thinking about “transition”. PACER Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing independently. Whether you live in covers a wide range of topics such as, at www.cehd.umn.edu/dhh- resources/ the metro area or in greater Minnesota when to add transition skills to the Transition-Guide/default.html
MNH&V Introduces Sharice McMorris, New Metro Parent Guide “This has been one heck of a journey support, and offering ideas to explore and we are still in motion,” said Sharice different pathways to help her son reach McMorris, the new Metro Parent Guide. his full potential. She is looking forward to “Everyday is a new day and we make providing emotional support and resources the best of each moment regardless of to families raising a child who is deaf, the situation.” deafblind, and hard of hearing. Sharice is a proud mother of three “We face so many challenges every children. Her oldest two children have day,” said Sharice when asked what typical hearing and her youngest child, words of wisdom she would like to share age 5 years old, is deaf, bilateral severely with families. “The obstacles that are profound. As a family they enjoy spending put before us are in place to help build time together, outside when they can. character and strengthen our abilities. Be When Sharice has free time she enjoys open to try new things, and stand firm listening to music, reading, and writing. behind what you believe in.” Often Sharice feels grateful to MNH&V for Contact Sharice by phone at 651-265-2357 being a major help to her family, providing or email at [email protected].
Sharice McMorris, Metro Parent Guide
Minnesota Hands & Voices is a program of Lifetrack 3 May 2020 Minnesota Hands & Voices FOCUS Newsletter
MNH&V Transition Talk with Shawnae MNH&V asked Shawnae, age 21, and her mother, Leslie, a series of questions about Shawnae’s experiences transitioning to adulthood. Shawnae lives with her family MNH&V Transition Talk in rural Minnesota. A lack of public The MNH&V Transition Talk column is a transportation and staff working in the new series to celebrate diversity within service areas she needs present a few our community of transitioning young barriers for her. At times she feels isolated adults. It will feature comments from a and wishes there were more social diverse group of young adults who are activities for her and her peers. However, dhh, DeafBlind, and dhh plus, along with Shawnae has developed skills, goals, and comments from some of their parents. is working towards reaching her full Shawnae potential as an adult. The idea of this column series is to other things that interest me.” prompt family conversations and to gain Shawnae was born with Microtia Atresia perspective from the experiences of this right-sided grade 3, meaning there was no Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) has been diverse population of individuals who are external ear canal and an underdeveloped a steady support for Shawnae explained or have transitioned to adulthood and inner ear. As an infant she was not a Leslie. A VR counselor first joined the families that have and/or continue to candidate for reconstruction surgery. Shawnae’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) support them. When she was 5 years old, Bone Anchored meetings in the 10th grade throughout Hearing Aid (BAHA) a relatively new high school and continues today. Working “It is never too early to have technology, was available and she was at the Thrift Shop Shawnae has a VR job conversations with your child about surgically implanted with the device. She coach to help develop her soft skills for their future plans and really listen to used the BAHA along with an FM system customer service, using the register, and their thoughts and ideas,” said one throughout elementary school. Later in restocking merchandise. mother with a son who is dhh attending 9th grade, she developed health problems college. “Some of my son’s ideas were What do you wish was different with the BAHA and over the years has very insightful and others were just plain in your situation? tried other technologies, but now prefers hilarious, and always always different “Driving on my own to be more to not use hearing equipment. Shawnae every time.” independent and have more of a social is dhh plus, unilaterally deaf with other life,” said Shawnae. Leslie agrees having issues involving mental health, attention According to Federal law transition a driver’s license would give her daughter deficit disorder, and intellectual. To planning is required to start by the time more independence. your child turns age 16, but in school best support Shawnae, Leslie has been districts across Minnesota IEP teams are appointed her legal guardian. This allows What are you most proud of? starting earlier by including students in Shawnae an opportunity to accomplish Shawnae is most proud of overcoming transition conversations. Families can what she can independently and Leslie to some of her anxiety issues. also take an active role in teaching life assist as needed. Leslie is so proud of Shawnae’s strength of skills to their children along the way. What are your interests? character, for never giving up. Leslie can We are asking more people to share their Shawnae replied, “Art.” see that strength continue to grow as she stories for this series, MNH&V Transition transitions into an adult. Leslie went on “Shawnae is very creative. She loves art, Talk. If you are a young adult who is dhh, to say that she has always been a strong anime, and animals,” said Leslie. “She DeafBlind, or dhh plus and in the process advocate for Shawnae, even pushing her, loves going on trips and history! Abraham checking off transition skills or have a and she admits to having struggles to Lincoln is her favorite President!” few years of adulthood under your belt or this day, but she can see Shawnae really a parent of a recent adult, we would love Do you work or volunteer? beginning to advocate well for herself as a to hear from you. Please email MNH&V, “I work at a Thrift Shop,” said Shawnae. young adult. subject line “Transition Talks” to at “My free time I volunteer for MNH&V or [email protected]
4 651.265.2435 [email protected] mnhandsandvoices.org MNHandsandVoices mnhandsandvoices Minnesota Hands & Voices FOCUS Newsletter May 2020
Hands & Voices, Visually Maximize Communication & Safety in Home Environments Hands & Voices Family Leadership in by gathering clear photos of faces for Language and Learning (FL3) publication each extended family member, as well EMPLOYMENT titled, Maximizing Your Child’s Visual as photos of special family friends you Access, Tips to Create a Visually Rich consider to be “family”. Then label each OPPORTUNITY World for Your Child who is photo with the Deaf or Hard of Hands & Voices person’s name Maximizing Your Hearing offers and/or a graphic to Hands &Child’s Voices Visual Access MNH&V Parent Tips to Create a Visually Rich World many ideas and Cómo maximizarfor Your Child elwho is Deaf or Hard of Hearing use as a memory Guide for the helpful tips for acceso visual de su hijo clue for younger Consejos para crear un mundo visualmente rico para su Northeast African improving your hijo sordo o con problemas de audición Manos children if possible. child’s over all Communities understanding of FL3 H&V The MNH&V NE African their world. This Maximizing Your Communities Parent Guide 4-page publication Child’s Visual position offers 10 flexible hours is an easy-to-read Access, Tips to Create a Visually bullet-point list of Hands & Voices a week, some evenings and PO Box 3093 Boulder CO 80307 303-492-6283 Rich World for
Hands &PO Voices Box 3093 ideas for families with [email protected] Ph# 303-492-6283 www.handsandvoices.org weekends, and a family-friendly Boulder CO 80307 303-492-6283 Your Child who work environment. children ages birth www.handsandvoices.org Ph# 303-492-6283 to young adult, using [email protected] is Deaf or Hard MNH&V Parent Guides receive any communication of Hearing has many other specific training and team modality, and includes parent support ideas and tips you’ll find helpful, plus it support. Parent Guides are ideas and resources. includes a list of additional resources to responsible for the initial and check out online. follow-up connections critical Some of the ideas found in the publication to families who have a newly are somewhat easy to implement and Find both English or Spanish versions of identified child who is deaf or just make sense; you’ll wonder why you the FL3 H&V Maximizing Your Child’s hard of hearing (dhh). They work hadn’t considered doing it sooner. Visual Access, Tips to Create a Visually closely with the MNH&V team and Rich World for Your Child who is Deaf or learn the best way to support our Example: Turn on the lights in your Hard of Hearing at handsandvoices.org/ MNH&V families. They organize child’s bedroom at night when you fl3/resources/toolbox.html and lead family events, represent comfort them so facial expressions and communication are visible to them. Some Minnesota Department of MNH&V in the community, Health Hearing Loss Home and participate in family children who are dhh feel more secure Modification Checklist support activities. Your personal having a nightlight or a flashlight handy experience of the challenges in their bedroom. This checklist provides ways to assess and joys of parenting a child access problems in home environments Other ideas could be a real game-changer for individuals who are dhh and lists who is dhh helps support other for your child who is dhh and build on parents who are just starting solutions. The checklist starts with a their overall feelings of belonging; well series of yes/no questions to use as a their journey. Candidate for this worth the extra effort and time it could position must be fluent in Somali. guide from accessible safety alerts such take to do. Plus, it could make for a fun as fire or carbon monoxide detectors to To find out more or to apply group project for the whole extended improving room acoustics and adding and send a resume, please visit family to do during the COVID pandemic, closed captioning on screened devices. Lifetrack at https://recruiting. of course working digitally from home. Also included are lists of vendors, service paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/ Example: Create photo flashcards providers, and regional Deaf and Hard of Details/117452 of relatives to review before family Hearing Services (DHHS) office locations. gatherings or holidays and arrange https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/ them to create a simple family tree. Start Public/DHS-7905-ENG
Minnesota Hands & Voices is a program of Lifetrack 5 May 2020 Minnesota Hands & Voices FOCUS Newsletter
MNH&V Welcomes, Kelsey Woodward, DHH Guide “What working at MNH&V means to so, too, is the experience of growing up me, is that we are unbiased,” said Kelsey with parents who are dhh. Woodward, MNH&V DHH Guide. “We help support and guide families with a child Kelsey identifies as deaf and is fluent in who is dhh.” American Sign Language (ASL). In her spare time Kelsey enjoys spending quality Kelsey Woodward joined the MNH&V time with her daughter, going to fun new team as a DHH Guide in the summer of places, and exploring in the community. 2019. Kelsey is a native Minnesotan and currently lives with her daughter in Forest “Sharing my personal stories with the Lake, MN. Her daughter who has typical parents,” Kelsey responded when asked hearing is lovingly referred to as a CODA, what opportunities she liked best about which stands for a Child Of Deaf Adults. being a DHH Guide. She continued, “Helping to find resources they would find According to the National Institute of useful for their child.” Health, about 90% of infants who are dhh are born to parents with typical hearing. You can contact Kelsey directly by email On the flip side, CODA International at [email protected]. reports that 85% to 90% of adults who To set up a video visit with Kelsey or any are dhh statistically have children with other DHH Guide please email typical hearing. It is a unique experience Heidy Nazario, DHH Guide Supervisor, to grow up as an individual who is dhh; Kelsey Woodward at [email protected]
Masonic Motorcycle Club International #24 and the Farmington Freemasons Corinthian Lodge #67
Thank you to the Minnesota Masonic Robin Coninx, Metro Parent Guide Supervisor, pictured with some of the Masonic Motorcycle Club International Motorcycle Club International #24 members at their annual potluck gathering. (MMCI#24) for their generous donation and for requesting a matching grant, Founded over 20 years ago, MMCI#24 the audience, and then was honored to be which MNH&V also received, from the researches organizations to donate to presented the MMCI#24 donation check Farmington Freemasons Corinthian Lodge every year that is locally funded and from Gordie Aune, Jr. #67. Their continued support over the exclusively serves Minnesota residents. At years has been instrumental in funding their 17th Annual Social/Potluck held on MNH&V thanks the Masonic Motorcycle MNH&V’s events that specifically support February 22, 2020, Robin Coninx, Metro Club International #24 & Farmington the social emotional needs of children Parent Guide Supervisor, shared MNH&V’s Freemasons Corinthian Lodge #67 for who are dhh and their families. mission, answered a few questions from their continued support and generosity.
6 651.265.2435 [email protected] mnhandsandvoices.org MNHandsandVoices mnhandsandvoices Minnesota Hands & Voices FOCUS Newsletter May 2020
Jorden Curran, Owner of J.C. Office Support Jorden Curran is a Minnesota business In preschool Jorden started learning owner of J.C. Office Support. J.C. Office American Sign Language (ASL) and used Support offers a variety of products and hearing aids. Later when he was 9 years services for home or business use such old he received a Cochlear Implant (CI). as address label printing, data entry, and Over time he found he received very little mail assembly to name a few. J.C. Office benefit from his CI, so as a teenager Jorden Support can also convert hand-written discontinued using his CI. address books to a digital spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel. Additional services “I call Minnesota home, because SDSD include fundraising opportunities for closed and I have access to good Deaf various organizations. and DeafBlind programs and services,” commented Jorden. “I am DeafBlind Jorden was born deaf although there which is my connection to MNH&V.” was no family history of deafness. At 10 years old he was identified with Jorden’s work history includes working Usher Syndrome, a condition that affects for the Library, Ace Hardware, Hyvee, and both hearing and vision. His vision an Insurance Agency. He enjoys fishing, loss, Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), causes hunting with his father and grandfather, light-sensitivitivity and progressive as well as swimming and bike riding. Other interests include history, maps, degeneration of vision. Jorden, his parents, Jorden Curran, Owner & Operator of J.C. Office Support and a sister lived in Brookings, SD, all sports, and the Green Bay Packers. where he attended South Dakota School Please contact Jorden at J.C. Office Support for the Deaf (SDSD). In high school he by email at [email protected] transferred to Minnesota State Academy or text message at 651-200-8129. for Deaf (MSAD) where he graduated. Now, Find him on FaceBook or Etsy at Jorden lives in an apartment in Apple www.facebook.com/JC-Office-Support/ Valley, MN. www.etsy.com/shop/JCOfficeSupport
“It’s a really neat place, one side is the Upper Northwest. “Adam’s grandpa Paul Bunyan Land and the other is a helped at the event last October and, from village called This Old Farm,” said Leslie what I understand, who started it all!” Carnegie-Hilde, MNH&V Parent Guide for Paul Bunyan Land is an amusement park boasting a trademark 26-foot-tall animated and talking statue of Paul Bunyan. The park was originally founded Adam Rademacher in 1950, located in Baxter, MN, In 2003, & Paul Bunyan Land a local family-owned attraction named This Old Farm, bought the statues, Thank you to Adam Rademacher, owner rides, and all, then moved it just east of of Paul Bunyan Land and who is also Brainerd, MN. Now Paul Bunyan Land an American Sign Language (ASL) offers expansive amusement rides and Interpreter, for hosting MNH&V’s Trunk attractions, including This Old Farm or Treat Family Event for the past several and a campground. A prefect location years at Paul Bunyan Land. By far, for families to plan a future summer northern Minnesota’s most popular and vacation in beautiful greater Minnesota. well attended events thanks to Adam’s generosity, the amazing location, and ASL More information about Paul Bunyan services all provided at no cost to MNH&V. Adam Rademacher Land at https://paulbunyanland.com
Minnesota Hands & Voices is a program of Lifetrack 7 minnesota
709 University Ave. W. St. Paul, MN 55104
NEWSLETTER
Minnesota Hands & Voices FOCUS Newsletter May 2020
2020 Annual H Minnesota Hands & Voices H Metro
Thursday, August 6th Free for Families: H Dinner 5:00-8:30 pm (rain or shine) H Fun Games H Entertainment Como Park Midway Pavilion H Face Painting 1199 Midway Pkwy, St Paul, MN H Door Prizes!
TM
Calling all the Superheroes in the MNH&V Community! Dust off your superhero costume or come as you are to join our Hands & Voices’ League of Heroes!
Find more details online at www.mnhandsandvoices.org/news-events/current-news-events.aspx
8 651.265.2435 [email protected] mnhandsandvoices.org MNHandsandVoices mnhandsandvoices