W isconsin E ducational S ervices P rogram for the D eaf and H ard of H earing (WESP-DHH) Outreach Program Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

The Dreaming… The Dreaming… “It takes a village…” Facilitated identification of needs with DHH teachers – conducted regionally Facilitated identification of needs with DHH teachers – conducted regionally “Needs” shared with Stakeholder groups including parents and people both urban and rural areas “Needs” shared with Stakeholder groups including parents and people both urban and rural areas

Evolution of WESP-DHH –Mission / Vision was developed by stakeholders –Strategic Plan drafted by Advisory Committee –Proposal to the DPI Superintendent and legislature –Bill passed with funds to support a newly designed Wisconsin Educational Services Program-Deaf and Hard of Hearing; WSD and Outreach Program –Outreach Director hired … a new beginning…

The Wisconsin Design Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Special Education Team Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WESP-DHH) WESP-DHH Wisconsin School Outreach Program for the Deaf

The Outreach Program supports children who are deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind by providing a broad array of services to families and educational programs. Services and supports are determined based on the child’s needs. The Outreach Program supports children who are deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind by providing a broad array of services to families and educational programs. Services and supports are determined based on the child’s needs. WESP-DHH Outreach Mission….

Wisconsin Statistics…

Consultant Staff Can assess and consult in a variety of areas: Educational achievement Educational achievement Speech development Speech development Language development Language development Auditory development Auditory development Sign communication development Sign communication development Social/emotional development Social/emotional development Deafblindness Deafblindness Communication access Communication access

Consultant Staff Services Provided to School Districts and Birth to 3 Programs: Services Provided to School Districts and Birth to 3 Programs: –Assessment and Evaluation –Consultation –Written Evaluations and Recommendations –Participation in the IFSP / IEP team meeting –Staff in-service and training

Unique Programs… Unique Programs… Guide-By-Your-Side Guide-By-Your-Side Deaf Mentor Project Deaf Mentor Project Parent Conference Parent Conference Deafblind Services Deafblind Services Captioned Media Captioned Media ASL Distance Learning ASL Distance Learning

Guide-By-Your-Side A Parent-to-Parent Program Guides are parents of children who are deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind. Guides are parents of children who are deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind. Service is free-of-charge. Service is free-of-charge. Bilingual guides are available. Bilingual guides are available. Provide in-home support to parents of a newly identified child Provide in-home support to parents of a newly identified child

Deaf Mentor Project Deaf Mentor Project Provides a Deaf Mentor to any family with a child who is deaf or hard of hearing and under the age of 6 to: Provides a Deaf Mentor to any family with a child who is deaf or hard of hearing and under the age of 6 to: –Teach the family American Sign Language –Model interactions with the child –Share aspects of Deaf Culture –Modeled after the Deaf Mentor project from SKI*HI in Utah

Annual Statewide Parent Conference Annual Statewide Parent Conference Over 120 families at this year’s conference Over 120 families at this year’s conference Led by parents Led by parents Deaf and hard of hearing role models Deaf and hard of hearing role models Variety of activities Variety of activities Latino family outreach efforts Latino family outreach efforts

Distance Learning Opportunities Currently: Broadcast from W S D American Sign Language as a world language to high school students Broadcast from W S D American Sign Language as a world language to high school students Future Plans: ASL classes for parents statewide ASL classes for parents statewide Staff courses Staff courses

Deafblind Services Collaborative Workgroup currently meeting to vision and develop a collaborative statewide plan, including: Collaborative Workgroup currently meeting to vision and develop a collaborative statewide plan, including: –Deafblind Coordinator, WESPDHH –State Consultants, DHH and VI, Dept. of Public Instruction –WI Center for Blind and Visually Impaired –Federal Deafblind Project (WDE) –Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing –Division of Vocational Rehabilitation –Helen Keller Regional Resource Center

Professional Development & Supports Professional Development & Supports Year round conferences and workshops Year round conferences and workshops Networking and Professional Support: Networking and Professional Support: –DHH teachers, Educational Audiologists, Educational Interpreters, etc. Professional Library & Clearinghouse of materials Professional Library & Clearinghouse of materials Presentations for School Administrators Presentations for School Administrators

Future dreaming… Future dreaming… Use of technology-distance learning- sign language for parents Use of technology-distance learning- sign language for parents Pen Pals program Pen Pals program Shared Reading Program Shared Reading Program Latino Family Focus Latino Family Focus Literacy-based Summer Programming for kids Literacy-based Summer Programming for kids In-home Auditory Training for parents (similar to Deaf Mentor Project) In-home Auditory Training for parents (similar to Deaf Mentor Project) Chat rooms for professionals Chat rooms for professionals

Collaborative partners for change… Collaborative partners for change… WI Department of Public Instruction State Consultants Wisconsin School for the Deaf Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Federal Deafblind Project Department of Health and Family Services – –Wisconsin Sound Beginnings (EHDI program) – –Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing – –Wisconsin Birth to Three Program Wisconsin Personnel Development Project Wisconsin Families for Hands and Voices Stakeholders

Together it Works! Together it Works! Birth to 3 Programs Parents and Families Communities State Education Agency National Organizations & Resources State Health Agency Schools

Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WESPDHH) For more information, contact Marcy Dicker Dropkin Outreach Director v/tty Or visit our website: