2022 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Virtual Conference
March 13 - 15, 2022
Effective Family Engagement: A Panel on the Power to Influence EHDI Systems
The panel will focus on family engagement within EHDI programs, including experiences of how family engagement can improve the system as well as challenges met and challenges overcome. This presentation will share practical strategies regarding Family Engagement priorities within EHDI systems and how the participants of the conference can enhance their work in this area. Family members from all over the U.S. with diverse life experiences will be represented on the panel.
- Participants will be able to identify strategies to enhance Family engagement in state/territory systems
- Attendees will gain the perspective of families on how they can positively impact EHDI systems.
- Participants will gain skills in how to overcome challenges in ensuring family engagement.
Presenter: Janet DesGeorges
Janet DesGeorges lives in Boulder, Colorado and is Executive Director of Hands & Voices Headquarters. Janet has presented to groups worldwide about the experiences of families as they journey through life with a child with deafness or hearing loss. Ms. DesGeorges received a program certificate from the MCH Public Health Leadership Institute in 2011 at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. As an EHDI Systems advocate, Janet believes in the principles and guiding philosophies of Hands & Voices towards a parent-driven, professionally-collaborative approach when supporting families in the early years. Her areas of interest include Leadership Development for parents who participate in systemic improvement; Deaf Education Reform and Improvement; Children’s Safety and Success(preventing child abuse and neglect); Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Systems; and Parent/Professional partnerships in Quality Improvement processes.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Djenne-amal N. Morris brings passion, humor, and real-life experience to her role as a national and international parent/professional trainer, facilitator, and motivational speaker whose view of the world is not as it is, but as it could be. As a mother of an amazing son with CHARGE Syndrome, she strives to build an atmosphere of support and empowerment for families of children with special needs and the professionals who serve them. This has led to her career working with families of children with special needs in various roles as Women’s Ministry Leader, and Family Specialist for the New England and North Carolina Deaf-Blind Projects, and Parent Educator. Professionally, Djenne serves as Family Faculty/Multicultural Advisor for the NC-LEND program at UNC-Chapel Hill. She is a co-author of The Art of Collaboration: Lessons from Families of Children with Disabilities. Djenne holds a BA in Psychology from Clark University and holds a Certificate in Diversity & Inclusion from Cornell University. Djenne and her husband Michael of 30 years have 3 children. Malik, 26, is a graduate of the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf. He is independent and living his best life in a group home for Deaf young men. Imani, 27, is a future MPH focusing on Maternal and Child Health. Her youngest Zakiya, 21, is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and a future Audiologist.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Karen Wisinski lives in Brighton, Michigan, and is mom to two teen boys. The youngest is hard of hearing. Karen is Program Director for Michigan Hands & Voices™, and part of the Michigan team that worked to build membership, an active board, a successful Guide By Your Side™ program, and an ASTra program in less than four years. Karen is the 2014 recipient of The Seaver Vision Award from Hands & Voices Headquarters.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Laura Gramer and her family reside in Seattle, WA. They are deaf parents to two deaf sons. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. Laura currently vice chair on WA Hands & Voices board and board president for Hearing Speech Deaf Center. She served on various commissions and boards in Washington and Illinois. Laura and her family are involved in the deaf community.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Mariana is the mother of two children, her youngest was born profoundly deaf. Her biggest passion is to ensure that every Hispanic child with hearing loss in Indiana has access to and receives qualified services to meet their needs and achieve successful outcomes.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.