Informed Decision-making for Intervention

• Dr. Sanjay Gulati – Language Deprivation Syndrome
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yy_K6VtHJw
• Matthew Hall, PhD – What Do You Mean, “Language Deprivation” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arCySZ80VKs
• “Deaf Children Need Access to Language, not (just) speech” Matthew L Hall, Wyatte C Hall, Naomi Caselli https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0142723719834102

Information about CMV

• Video: What is CMV?
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • CMV and Congenital CMV Infections
  • Babies born with Congenital CMV infection
  • Congenital CMV and Hearing Loss
  • CMV Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers
• National CMV Foundation
  • What is CMV?

• Information for Professionals (AAP-CO)
  • https://aapcolorado.org/congenital-cmv-infection-resources/
• The Colorado cCMV Family Network
• Handouts for Families
  • Why is My Baby Being Tested for cCMV? 
    • English
    • Spanish
  • If your child has tested positive for cCMV: We invite you to join the Colorado cCMV Famliy Network
    • English
    • Spanish

• Targeted Testing for cCMV in Colorado
  • Ideas for Improving Targeted Testing in Hospital Systems      
  • A PowerPoint presentation on targeted testing for cCMV in Colorado

• Congential CMV Research Centers
  • The University of Minnesota, Schleiss Laboratory
  • Baylor College of Medicine CMV Research Group
  • University of Alabama Birmingham Chimes Study

Advocacy for cCMV

• Information about advocacy for CMV education and screening is available at https://www.nationalcmv.org/cmv-research/legislation.aspx.
• Information about the annual Congenital CMV Public Health & Policy Conference is at cmv.usu.edu

Criteria for DHHDB Adults

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Conduct home visits and/or attend family events (in person or virtually) to act as a resource to families of deaf and hard of hearing children from birth-3 years of age
• Work in collaboration with Ascent Program staff
• Serve as a liaison between families and community resources
• Communicate with a variety of individuals, with or without a certified interpreter
• Support individual family decision-making
• Maintain confidential files/reports based on Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations
• Continue professional growth through annual training

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Policies, procedures, and programs of Colorado EHDI and the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB)
• Program rules, regulations, and operating procedures
• Individual differences in family cultures, values, and behaviors  

DISPOSITIONS:

• Ability to understand a variety of social perspectives
• Planning and organization
• Enjoy working with children and families
• Dependability
• Approachable

ABILITY TO:

• Communicate information and ideas effectively so that others will understand
• Work with families from diverse cultures and language backgrounds
• Create concise reports/emails
• Work in collaboration with families and Ascent Program staff

SPECIAL CONDITIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to pass FBI and State Background checks
• Must be deaf or hard of hearing
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Must live in the state of Colorado

What does the Ascent Program do?

The Ascent Program offers an opportunity for families of young deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind (DHHDBDB) children to connect with DHHDBDB adults. This is especially meaningful as most infants and toddlers who are DHHDBDB are the only DHHDBDB person in the family. The Ascent Program gives families an opportunity to interact with DHHDBDB adults. The goal of this program is for DHHDBDB adults to share their positive perspectives as well as their lived experiences of being deaf and hard of hearing. These experiences might include, but are not limited to:  

• Experiences growing up as a DHHDBDB person 
• Educational experiences
• Work/Career experiences
• Experiences communicating with others
• Perspectives on advocacy
• Support and guidance accessing resources
• Development of a healthy DHHDBDB identity

Why is the Ascent Program important?

Connecting with a DHHDB adult can support family members as they look to their child’s future and imagine possibilities. Parents and caregivers often have questions that can be best answered by DHHDB adults who have lived with the experience of being deaf or hard of hearing. While some parents may naturally focus on what is “missing” or what their child is unable to do, due to the impact of being deaf and hard of hearing, DHHDB adults can offer a positive perspective and optimism, as they build relationships with families. DHHDB adults can provide support to parents and caregivers as they bond with their DHHDB child.

The DHHDB adults in the Ascent Program are knowledgeable about the continuum of communication and language opportunities that DHHDB children are able to access and utilize. They receive training  and education on current trends and best practices in the field so that they may appropriately respond to any family questions and/or concerns, provide support, and create learning opportunities. While DHHDB adults may be asked to discuss their own communication and language experiences, a value held by the Ascent Program is to respect the choices and decisions made by each family. The role of the deaf or hard of hearing adult is to provide information and support tailored to each family’s needs.

What are the Ascent Program values?

• Access: Families can obtain the information they want and learn from a DHHDB adult’s experiences. Parents can obtain resources, connections in their community, and information about language and communication. 
• Community: Families can develop a sense of fellowship with a DHHDB adult with common interests.
• Empowerment: DHHDB adults can support families as they become more confident in the decisions they make. 
• Inclusivity & Diversity: The program is fully inclusive of all families and DHHDB adults  participating in the program.  Each family’s uniqueness is celebrated. 
• Informed Decision-Making: Families obtain the information, resources, and experiences they need to make decisions that are best for their family and their child who is deaf or hard of hearing. 
• Relationships: DHHDB adults and family members develop a sense of connecting, belonging, and learning from each other as family members navigate their journey.

Who is eligible for the Ascent Program?

• Families of DHHDB children; and
• Children birth to 36 months of age; and 
• Families who live in the state of Colorado

Who are the adults who work with the Ascent Program?

• Diverse group of individuals; 
• Who enjoy working with children and families;
• That live in various geographic regions throughout the state; 
• Who honor family values & family decision-making; and 
• Are willing to collaborate with a variety of people from diverse backgrounds

What are the criteria for working with the Ascent Program?

Click on this link: In-Depth Criteria 

How do I apply, as a DHHDB adult, to work with the program?

Contact:

Kathy Sevier

Email: ksevier@csdb.org

Phone: 720-441-1229 

Text Only: 720-317-0031

How do I sign up to receive a visit from a DHHDB adult?

Contact:

Kathy Sevier

Email: ksevier@csdb.org

Phone: 720-441-1229 

Text Only: 720-317-0031

Colorado EHDI Ascent Program 

Criteria for DHHDB Adults

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Conduct home visits and/or attend family events (in person or virtually) to act as a resource to families of deaf and hard of hearing children from birth-3 years of age
• Work in collaboration with Ascent Program staff
• Serve as a liaison between families and community resources
• Communicate with a variety of individuals, with or without a certified interpreter
• Support individual family decision-making
• Maintain confidential files/reports based on Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations
• Continue professional growth through annual training

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Policies, procedures, and programs of Colorado EHDI and the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB)
• Program rules, regulations, and operating procedures
• Individual differences in family cultures, values, and behaviors  

DISPOSITIONS:

• Ability to understand a variety of social perspectives
• Planning and organization
• Enjoy working with children and families
• Dependability
• Approachable

ABILITY TO:

• Communicate information and ideas effectively so that others will understand
• Work with families from diverse cultures and language backgrounds
• Create concise reports/emails
• Work in collaboration with families and Ascent Program staff

SPECIAL CONDITIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to pass FBI and State Background checks
• Must be deaf or hard of hearing
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Must live in the state of Colorado

Program Philosophy

The Ascent Program offers an opportunity for families of young deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind (DHHDB) children to connect with DHHDB adults. This is especially meaningful as most infants and toddlers who are DHHDB are the only DHHDB person in the family. The Ascent Program gives families an opportunity to interact with DHHDB adults. The goal of this program is for DHHDB adults to share their positive perspectives as well as their lived experiences of being deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind. These experiences might include, but are not limited to:  

• Experiences growing up as a DHHDB person 
• Educational experiences
• Work/Career experiences
• Experiences communicating with others
• Perspectives on advocacy
• Support and guidance accessing resources
• Development of a healthy DHHDB identity

Connecting with a DHHDB adult can support family members as they look to their child’s future and imagine possibilities. Parents and caregivers often have questions that can be best answered by DHHDB adults who have lived with the experience of being deaf or hard of hearing. While some parents may naturally focus on what is “missing” or what their child is unable to do, due to the impact of being deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind, DHHDB adults can offer a positive perspective and optimism, as they build relationships with families. DHHDB adults can provide support to parents and caregivers as they bond with their DHHDB child. 

The DHHDB adults in the Ascent Program are knowledgeable about the continuum of communication and language opportunities that DHHDB children are able to access and utilize. They receive training  and education on current trends and best practices in the field so that they may appropriately respond to any family questions and/or concerns, provide support, and create learning opportunities. While DHHDB adults may be asked to discuss their own communication and language experiences, a value held by the Ascent Program is to respect the choices and decisions made by each family. The role of the deaf or hard of hearing adult is to provide information and support tailored to each family’s needs.

Program Values

• Access: Families can obtain the information they want and learn from a DHHDB adult’s experiences. Parents can obtain resources, connections in their community, and information about language and communication. 
• Community: Families can develop a sense of fellowship with a DHHDB adult with common interests.
• Empowerment: DHHDB adults can support families as they become more confident in the decisions they make. 
• Inclusivity & Diversity: The program is fully inclusive of all families and DHHDB adults  participating in the program.  Each family’s uniqueness is celebrated. 
• Informed Decision-Making: Families obtain the information, resources, and experiences they need to make decisions that are best for their family and their child who is deaf or hard of hearing. 
• Relationships: DHHDB adults and family members develop a sense of connecting, belonging, and learning from each other as family members navigate their journey.

Program Mission 

The Ascent Program connects deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind adults of diverse backgrounds and experiences with families to build relationships, share resources and develop a support system to empower families of infants and toddlers who are DHHDB as they make informed decisions to positively envision their child’s future.

Program Vision

Deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind adults guiding families to envision all possibilities for their young children.

See below for our flyers:

Long Version

Short Version