Nebraska Statewide Educational Programs and Support Services for Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Rhonda Fleischer

History Nebraska School for the Deaf enrollment – 38 students 668 students statewide Legislative decision to close NSD’s campus. Four regional programs were established. Regions are state funded with dollars that had been budgeted for the NSD campus cost. Committee of stakeholders was established and continue to operate as a standing committee of SEAC. Arrangement with the Iowa School for the Deaf assures a full continuum of placement options are available. LEA - Educational costs NDE - Residential costs

Nebraska made a commitment to enhance the educational programs that children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing receive through their local schools (LEAs)

students 77 interpreters No certification requirements 39 deaf educators in mainstream programs. 712 students 115 interpreters State added interpreter qualification requirements to Rule 51 in deaf educators

Nebraska Regional Programs’ Role Approved by State Board of Education - December 10, 2004 Act as a networking system – distribution lists –Monthly coordinators’ meetings via polycom or IP –Quarterly reports to SEAC from all stakeholders –Twice a year stakeholders meetings –Coordinator report quarterly to Nebraska Association of Special Ed Supervisors –Coordinators –Each region has advisory mechanism including administrative steering committee

Create social and educational opportunities for students, including summer educational experiences Statewide Activities –Fall Secondary Activity –Elementary Extravaganza –Space Camp –Storytelling Festival –Winter Dance –Arts Festival –CCDHH -- Speech Contest –Close Up –Camp Anderson Each region has numerous activities in their region

Technological Connections –Ichat/Skype/V pads –Video Phones –Jr. NAD through polycom –Exploring Academic Bowl team over distance –iChat project between Grand Island Public Schools and Oregon School for the Deaf

Encourage family involvement –Sign language classes for families –Parents are always encouraged to participate and required to participate with preschool students –Parents are involved on advisory committees –Summer parent/professional workshop –iPod/DVD connections Spelling words PT exercises Promote cooperative agreements among service providers and equity for all children Coordinators are familiar with community and school services that are available in their region and share information with districts and families

Develop increased professional development opportunities –Annual summer workshop for parent/professionals –Financially support staff and parent attendance at National Conferences –Bring in National Presenters Establish Interpreter Training –EICP (UNC) –ASK-12 EIPA testing –UNO established interpreter training program –Boys Town and Regional Mentoring Face to Face and through distance technology –Interpreter listserve to address issues

Develop increased professional development opportunities –Annual summer workshop for parent/professionals –Financially support staff and parent attendance at National Conferences –Bring in National Presenters Establish Interpreter Training –EICP (UNC) –ASK-12 EIPA testing –UNO established interpreter training program –Boys Town and Regional Mentoring Face to Face and through distance technology –Interpreter listserve to address issues

Act as a resource to families, students, and schools –Assist districts with program development –Recruiting/hiring/interviewing assistance –Always available to answer questions –Lending libraries Provide access to Deaf and hard of hearing role models –Every activity Provide information about technological equipment and specialized materials and information –Tech tubs –Lending libraries –FM systems available to borrow

Act as a resource to families, students, and schools –Assist districts with program development –Recruiting/hiring/interviewing assistance –Always available to answer questions –Lending libraries Provide access to Deaf and hard of hearing role models –Every activity Provide information about technological equipment and specialized materials and information –Tech tubs –Lending libraries –FM systems available to borrow

Additional technology uses –iChat/Skype/Vpad used for meeting attendance –Sign book/story on iPod –Record activities to share at IEP meeting –Using iMovies/photos to develop language –Recording lectures (interpreted) when student is absent –Download educational podcasts to send home –Used to develop sign vocab –Students record themselves and can self assess –iMovie makes it easy to add captions

Challenges –Critical to have strong invested leadership –Keeping current -- Technology is changing quickly –Firewalls –Interfacing technology –Training –Aging staff –Open mindedness and support of administration (training) –Sometimes there is a trust issue since we aren't part of schools –Everyone doesn't have access to tech –Copyright laws –Appropriate use of equipment –$$$

More than 190 of Nebraska’s 243 school districts have used services from the regional programs since 1997

Resources Regional Programs -- State Plan -- UNC - EICP ASK EIPA -- Rhonda Fleischer -- State Liaison for Programs for Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing