2022 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Virtual Conference
March 13 - 15, 2022
2/28/2017 | 9:40 AM - 10:10 AM | Lifetrack's Deaf Mentor Family Program: An Evaluation of the Experiences and Outcomes for Participating Families | Grand Hall D
Lifetrack's Deaf Mentor Family Program: An Evaluation of the Experiences and Outcomes for Participating Families
Adult role models/mentors who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) support the language acquisition and social development for families of infants and young children who are D/HH by sharing personal experiences or information about being D/HH, educational and communication opportunities, using hearing technology, and about the Deaf community and Deaf culture. For families who have chosen to use American Sign Language (ASL), the use of adult mentors and role models trained in ASL-based mentoring curriculums specifically supports the family’s learning of ASL.
In 2014, Wilder Research was contracted by Lifetrack to conduct a study to better understand the needs and preferences of families with young children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) related to its family mentoring programs. The results from these data collection activities were triangulated and synthesized to produce key findings and recommendations. The results of this study have been used by Lifetrack to expand its outreach and offerings, particularly in terms of reaching populations that may currently be underserved.
In 2015, a secondary assessment project was conducted by Wilder Research to evaluate the Deaf Mentor Family Program and inform the expansion of the D/HH Role Model Program. The purpose of this evaluation was to assess program outcomes and to help Lifetrack understand how to best meet the needs of these families. This evaluation also informed Lifetrack as they expand programming to include the D/HH Role Model Program, which will serve families with children ages birth to 21 with priority placed on families with young children who are newly identified as deaf or hard of hearing. This new program will offer exposure to a variety of communication choices and represent the diversity of
types of hearing loss. A logic model was created showing the program in its current form, as well as a vision for expansion.
- Learning about the result of a study conducted by Wilder Research Center to better understand the needs and preferences of families with young children who are deaf or hard of hearing related to its family mentoring programs.
- How the results from these data collection were triangulated and synthesized to produce key findings and recommendations.
- An evaluation of the Deaf Mentor Family Program was created to assess the program outcomes and the help Lifetrack understand how to best meet the needs of these families.
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Presenters/Authors
Nicole Brown
(), Minnesota Dept of Health, nicole.brown@state.mn.us;
Nicole Brown is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and has worked in Minnesota’s Maternal and Child Health/Public Health field for over 19 years at both the state and local level. She is the supervisor for Newborn Screening long-term follow-up and is Minnesota’s EHDI Coordinator responsible to provide long-range planning and direction for the development, implementation, and evaluation of a statewide EHDI system for children once they are identified with hearing loss. Nicole served as the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners’ liaison to the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Improving the Effectiveness of Newborn Hearing Screening, Diagnosis, and Intervention. She has worked with NCHAM as Quality Improvement Advisor and is the parent of two children who are deaf.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Danelle Gournaris
(), Lifetrack, Danelleg@lifetrack-mn.org;
Danelle has been at Lifetrack since 2012 as Deaf Family Mentor Program Supervisor. The Deaf Mentor Family Program at Lifetrack, based in St. Paul, Minnesota is a statewide program that provides Deaf Mentor and Language Role Model to hearing families with deaf and hard of hearing children. Danelle currently supervises 25 Deaf Mentors with approximately 145 families served since 2012. Prior to Lifetrack, she was a family counselor at a school district for one year and a deaf mentor for seven years. In 2000, Danelle earned her Masters of Arts in School Counseling from and her Masters of Science in Administration from Gallaudet University. She is also a Certified Deaf Mentor Trainer. Danelle currently serves as a board member for the Metro Deaf School, a deaf charter school in St. Paul, Minnesota.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -