1. The 2012 JVDNC Conference October 10, 2012 Denver, CO The Hands & Voices O.U.R. Project: Observing, Understanding, and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect for Children who are D/HH Janet DesGeorges Executive Director, Hands & Voices Headquarters Sara Kennedy Executive Director, Colorado Families for Hands & Voices

2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: OUR MENTOR Dr. Harold Johnson, H&V Board Member; Michigan State University Hands & Voices copyright 2012

3. Janet’s Story “I don’t have time for this”, “This isn’t my area of focus/expertise”, “This is too hard/sad” The statistic that changed me The video that changed me Hands & Voices copyright 2012 "I said ‘Somebody should do something about that.’ Then I realized I am somebody." — Lily TomlinLily Tomlin

4. Sara’s Story One of the “one in four girls” Encouraged by what parents CAN do and CAN teach Stopping the cycle Hands & Voices copyright 2012

5. Today’s Objectives Who we are Why US? Share our process for taking on this topic ORGANIZATIONALLY ACTIVITIES we’ve accomplished NEXT STEPS Hands & Voices copyright 2012

6. Hands & Voices Hands & Voices copyright 2012

7. Hands & Voices Mission Hands & Voices is dedicated to supporting families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing without a bias around communication modes or methodology. We’re a parent-driven, non-profit organization providing families with the resources, networks, and information they need to improve communication access and educational outcomes for their children. Our outreach activities, parent/professional collaboration, and advocacy efforts are focused on enabling all children who are deaf or hard of hearing to reach their highest potential.

8. THE COLORADO PROJECT How We Started Hands & Voices copyright 2012

9. Activities of the CO PILOT Step 1: Initial Networking Feb 2009 Establish an effective and efficient system to communicate with and share information between project members. Each participant will set up – Skype, iVisit, wiki Step 2: Initial Preparation Establish opp’s for basic information gathering Step 3: Information Dissemination and Gathering Ask each of the participating project members to establish one formal, and/or informal opportunity a month to discuss the topic of CA/N, e.g., talking with another parent, meeting with a teacher (or other professional), talking with a community group, etc. – Data Tracking via the personal LOGS Hands & Voices copyright 2012

10. The Colorado Pilot Project 2009-2010 Personal Logs – You have to ask the questions before you have the answers – Tracking questions as growth measures Guiding Questions – What questions do we need answered? Learning the Basics – Observe, Understand, Respond – Began with Do, Tell at a staff meeting, Feb 14, 2009 Community of Learners – Growing together Hands & Voices copyright 2012

11. Personal Logs Keep a running, dated log of your evolving questions, insights/ideas and resources (e.g.., both interpersonal, informational, organizational, etc.) concerning both the topic and conversations concerning CA/N as experienced by children who are deaf/hard of hearing (d/hh). Keep a running, dated log of your conversations concerning “O.U.R. Children.” Within that log, please note the following: – Date/Duration/Participants/Information Shared/topics discussed/Resources Used/Questions Asked/Locally Available Services Hands & Voices copyright 2012

12. Guiding Questions What are we talking about? Why should I have to deal with this problem? What do I need to know? How is this problem now being addressed? If I decide to get involved, what would I be expected to do? Where can I go for more information?

13. Hands & Voices copyright 2012 Learning the Basics Learning the basics: OBSERVING- – Opening our eyes to the issues – Learning the basic statistics – ‘Observing’ skills in our roles in the EHDI system and beyond. UNDERSTANDING – – We have an obligation individually and collectively to make a difference. – “I’ll know what to do the next time…” RESPONDING – – Institutionalizing the message to the EHDI system – Resources specifically for families/professionals in deafness – Responding to “I am not the guy.”

14. O.U.R. Children14 Community of Learners Inform… Encourage… Support… Enhance our ability to observe, understand and respond to our children. Engage in conversations to protect our children. … one another as we:

15. Hands & Voices copyright 2012 Resources we’ve used Collin Ray 11 th Commandment video http://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=CK3Rpo7_i-M Do? Tell? Kids Against Child Abuse www.kidsagainstchildabuse.org

16. TAKING IT BEYOND THE BORDERS OF COLORADO The O.U.R. Children’s Safety Project Hands & Voices copyright 2012

17. Three Actions 1.Pass-it-on: Share this presentation, and it related resources, with at least one other parent, and then ask them to “pass-it-on.” 2.Share the Story: Have a conversation with your child about abuse and neglect (see attached “Helping Parents Talk to Children” document), then share the story of how it went so that other parents can learn from your experience. 3.Recognize the best and Challenge the Rest: Ask the professionals who work with your child what they are doing to protect your child from abuse and neglect, then share the resulting reactions, information, resources, programs, and questions so that we recognize the best and challenge the rest. Send the resulting information to: Janet DesGeorges or Harold Johnson.

18. Child abuse and neglect is a reality. Unfortunately, it is a reality our children are at even greater risk to experience. In recognition of this risk, Hands & Voices has taken a leadership role to address this problem. This leadership, as supported through the work of faculty and staff from Michigan State University, ChildHelp, and the National Exchange Club Foundation, has the potential to reduce the odds that our children will become victims Child abuse and neglect is a reality. Unfortunately, it is a reality our children are at even greater risk to experience. In recognition of this risk, Hands & Voices has taken a leadership role to address this problem. This leadership, as supported through the work of faculty and staff from Michigan State University, ChildHelp, and the National Exchange Club Foundation, has the potential to reduce the odds that our children will become victims. Observe. Understand. Respond Project Director, Harold Johnson, PhD, H&V BOD Network of “Bright Spots” Where are the “bright spots” that indicate we’re doing something effective and helpful?

19. Just one of our many “bright spots” Monica Acord, Executive Director, Child and Youth Advocacy Center in WV, speaking on the topic of children with developmental disabilities, and the need for additional training for professionals working with children, as well as chronic underreporting of abuse/neglect. http://deafed-childabuse-neglect- col.wiki.educ.msu.edu/Bright+Spot-+Monica+Acord Hands & Voices copyright 2012

20. IMPACT in the broader world… Hands & Voices

21. Hands & Voices copyright 2012 Projects in CO Kidpower People Safety Classes, 2010, 2011, sharing 30 Day Challenge The Daylight Project TDV classes through DOVE OUR info in every Welcome Bag, table display and presentation

22. On the Horizon Presentation and articles: – Taking the OUR Project to the IEP and IFSP – American Academy of Audiology: “The Jocelyn Project” anti-bullying task force – Parents and Advocates as Faculty: Pilot project with Michigan State University. What’s next? Hands & Voices copyright 2012

23. If I decide to get involved, what would I be expected to do? Recognize... –...that as hard as child abuse and neglect is to think about, it is MUCH harder for our children to experience Accept... –...that if we do not act, more children will experience more abuse and neglect and for even longer periods of time Learn.... –...how to observe, understand, recognize, and PROTECT our children

24. Hands & Voices copyright 2012 If I decide...(cont.) Share... –...information concerning child abuse and neglect with key individuals with whom you interact Recognize... –...those individuals, agencies, school, organizations, etc., that are effectively dealing with the issue of child abuse and neglect as experienced by children who are d/hh via posting information on the “Deaf Education Community of Learners Concerning Child Abuse & Neglect” wiki site

25. Hands & Voices copyright 2012 If I decide...(cont.) Join... –...your colleagues at the “Deaf Education Community of Learners Concerning Child Abuse & Neglect” (http://deafed-childabuse-neglect- col.wiki.educ.msu.edu/) to...http://deafed-childabuse-neglect- col.wiki.educ.msu.edu/...find resources...share what works...collaborate with you peers as we work to Observe, Understand, Respond & Protect our children.

26. Collaborative Partners www.childhelp.org 1-800-4-a-Child www.childhelp.org www.kidpower.org and in Colorado, www.kidspowercs.org www.kidpower.org www.kidspowercs.org DOVE Advocacy Services www.deafdove.orgwww.deafdove.org Hands & Voices copyright 2012

27. Hands & Voices, in collaboration with Michigan State University, Child Help, and the National Exchange Club Foundation, do not accept the “status quo.” We do not accept that while our children are at greater risk to experience abuse and neglect, the “powers-that-be” remain focused on other topics that are deemed to be more pressing and more important. We can lead the way by enhancing our ability to observe, understand, respond to, and protect our children through three simple actions.

28. Hands & Voices copyright 2012 Where can I go for more information? http://deafed-childabuse-neglect-col.wiki.educ.msu.edu/

29. Hands & Voices copyright 2012 Responses - Questions – Concerns – Action! What do YOU know re. CA/N? What do YOU now want to know re. CA/N? What concerns do YOU have re. getting involved with the O.U.R. Project work? Where do YOU go from here?

30. “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” -Theodore Roosevelt Hands & Voices copyright 2012

31. Closing Thoughts “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead Hands & Voices copyright 2012

32. Hands & Voices HQ Email: parentadvocate@handsandvoices.org Website: www.handsandvoices.orgwww.handsandvoices.org Colorado Families for Hands & Voices www.cohandsandvoices.org Email: Sara@cohandsandvoices.org Information about the O.U.R. Project http://deafed-childabuse-neglect-col.wiki.educ.msu.edu/http://deafed-childabuse-neglect-col.wiki.educ.msu.edu/) soon to be added to www.deafed.netwww.deafed.net Hands & Voices copyright 2012