Utah’s Journey in Obtaining Services for Students who are Deaf-Blind

Diverse terrain of Utah

What is the main focus of your program?

3 Main areas of Service in Utah Funding Sources Teachers of the Deaf-Blind Interveners

Funding Sources State and Federal $ Background of Funding Current Funding

State Funding $ 2,450,000 State Funding Director of Deaf-Blind Services and Utah DB Project 8 Full-time Deaf-Blind Teachers 5 Part-time Deaf-Blind Teacher 85-90 interveners 2 Full-time Office Support Staff

Federal Funding $ 92,039 Federal Funding TA Activities 25% of one support staff Family Support Specialist 85-90 interveners 18% of Project Coordinator

Background of How Funding was obtained Early 90’s- money was allocated through different agency Need for services in Part B/school system Mid 90’s- parents advocated for funding Interveners and DB Teachers Legislators allocated state funds/moved funding to USDB

Current Happenings with State Funding State Report Partnerships with Utah State Office of Ed, University of Utah, Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, LEA’s, BabyWatch, Utah State Board of Ed Day on the Hill

Current Happenings with State Funding continued Specific strategies we have found to be effective in working with government or educational professionals either locally or on a larger scale Parents are a key factor Advocacy piece during our parent conference Take opportunities to let legislature be aware of our students and their needs School on the Hill-Student’s write letters to legislators asking them to come and meet them Training opportunities for School Districts.  School Districts are invited to attend intervener training.  We also go to the Districts to provide training on DB strategies

Teachers of the Deaf-Blind Available to Every Student Deaf-Blind Endorsed Key Component to Successful Service Delivery

Deaf-Blind teacher for every student Every student IDENTIFIED with a combined vision and hearing loss receives support Range of Services Available Level of Support Dependent on Need Determined by IEP Team

Teachers are Deaf-Blind Endorsed 11 of 14 Teachers of the Deaf-Blind have a deaf- Blind Endorsement (100% of our full-time teachers) Offered by University of Utah and Utah State University as a Multi-Sensory Consortium Attached to an Existing Special Education License Bachelors or Masters

Key Component to Successful Service Delivery A comprehensive system of support for students who are deaf-blind positively impacts their learning outcomes and social and emotional well being. Providing supports to classroom teachers and IEP team members who may have little or no understanding of deaf-blindness. Raising awareness of deaf-blindness through trainings and simulations for community and family groups.

Interveners Intervener Services Listed in Utah’s State Code All Interveners are Supervised by a Deaf- Blind Teacher Employed by Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind

Intervener Services listed in state code Provide Access to Information/ Facilitate Communication Formally Trained Service That is Available to All Eligible Students

employed by Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Work in Any Setting Throughout the State Where the Student Attends School We Have Jurisdiction Over Employees training attendance student assignment Focus on Student Independence vs. Dependence

Conclusion Diversity of Students Diversity of State of Utah Diversity Nationally/Internationally Political Climate Know Political Leaders Agency Collaboration

Video- Overview of Utah Deaf-Blind Services http://bit.ly/DBSOverview