ISD as a Statewide Resource

1
ISD as a Statewide Resource Outreach Services
for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children

• Dr. David Geeslin, CEO/Superintendent

2
How ISD became a Statewide Resource

• ISD was established as a Residential School in
  1848 by legislation
• ISD Advisory Board and a task force examined the
  potential for consolidation of ISD and ISB 1997
• The task force proposed legislation removing ISD
  and ISB from Department of Health, establishing
  School Boards for both Schools, establishing both
  schools as Statewide Resource Centers, including
  Outreach Services and Consultative services for
  public schools

3
In accordance with House Enrolled Act No. 1904,
Section II, IC20-16-2-1

• The Indiana School for the Deaf was established
  as a state educational resource center that
  includes the following
•      A residential and day school
•        Outreach Services
•      Consultative services to local educational
  agencies to assist them in meeting the needs of
  locally enrolled students with hearing
  disabilities.

4
Interesting Note

• Legislation was passed in the spring of 1999,
  during the same legislative session that passed
  the UNHS legislation for Indiana Hospitals
• Universal Newborn Hearing Screening was added to
  the list of Newborn screening required by all
  birthing centers in Indiana and became the
  responsibility of the Department of Health

5
Stakeholders Committee

• Stakeholders included LEAs, Parents, Department
  of Education Representatives, Early Intervention
  providers, Teachers of the Deaf, Interpreters,
  ISD Administrators, Deaf and Hard of Hearing
  Services
• One day focus group meeting identified their
  needs in order to serve deaf and hard of hearing
  children
• Recommendations included, establish a website
  describing Outreach and as a central site for
  events in Deaf Education, Statewide conference
  for Deaf Educators, etc

6
Challenges

• Perception of ISD as placement, self serving
• Perception of ISD as place for profoundly deaf
  children only
• Viewing ISD as placement for MH Deaf children
• LRE interpretation, close to home
• BIBI meant ASL only, only have signing at ISD,
  only have expertise in signing
• Stakeholders with scars from working with early
  BIBI movement

7
Opportunities

• Establish a website describing Outreach and as a
  central site for events in Deaf Education
• Host or create a Statewide conference for Deaf
  Educators
• Create other networking opportunities for
  teachers of the deaf in public schools with ISD
  and other Deaf educators, since most feel
  isolated
• Generate a Newsletter or email list serve to
  share information regularly

8
Strategic Planning

• Strategic planning began in 2002 with input from
  ISD School Board, Administration, Parents, and
  Stakeholders
• Developed goals and objectives that are reviewed
  annually based on feedback and data
• Materials have branded Outreach with logo used
  on brochures, materials and the website.

9
www.deafkids.org Or www.hh-kids.com
10
Working Together

• Collaborative efforts ensure that no child is
  left behind
• Outreach Services are for all 2200 deaf and hard
  of hearing children throughout Indiana

11
(No Transcript)
12
We believe that all deaf and hard of hearing
children

• Can learn, grow, and change
• Should not be left behind educationally
  emotionally or socially
• Have the right to fully access the information in
  their environment
• Should reach their full potential as human beings
• All programs and services are family-centered

13
Current Opportunities

• Indiana political climate, still embraces LRE,
  local control
• Indiana DOE and Early Intervention system lacks
  specialized consultant in Deaf Ed
• New initiatives and opportunities emerging with
  RTI/IDEA changes/EHDI programs

14
Indiana Hands Voices

• Outreach Services was instrumental in bringing
  Hands Voices to Indiana. The National Chapter
  presented at the First Annual Family Conference
  and gained the attention of Indiana families who
  have since established an Indiana Chapter. We
  are now collaborating with Hands Voices and IDH
  for the upcoming 5th Annual Family Conference for
  newly identified children and their families.
• www.inhandsandvoices.org
• www.handsandvoices.org

15
5th Annual Deaf Educators Conference

• Collaboration with DEL, ISD, RID
• Planning committee consists of ISD, public school
  teachers and administrators, and private oral
  school in Indianapolis
• Last Week of July in Indianapolis

16
Results since 2001

• Early Identification of deaf and hard of hearing
  children.
• Training for Early Language Development project
  has increase capacity throughout the state, with
  plans to continue growth and coverage throughout
  Indiana.
• Network of providers birth through 21 as a result
  and an increase in capacity.
• Network of Deaf Educators via Annual conference
• Collaboration with DEL on Deaf and Hard of
  Hearing Project, lead by Karen Goehl

17
Future Directions

• Continue to support the Deaf Education Committee
  addressing the National Deaf Education Project
  and Indianas action plan as a result of the
  National Summit in May 2006-2008
• Numerous research projects in progress
• Annual Update on Strategic Plan based on feedback
  from stakeholders, and Roundtable meetings
• Continue to provide support for students with
  cochlear implants
• Greater use of technology to bring support to
• rural families and throughout the state of
  Indiana
• Better communication with the Deaf Community on
  why and what we need to do

18
Forward Thinking

• Take a lead on new initiatives
  RTI/PBS/Transition for Deaf and hard of hearing
  children
• Please seek feedback regarding Future Directions
  and needs from your school as a Statewide
  Resource Center
• Deaf and hard of hearing student needs are
  changing.
• Be involved with your EHDI system and lead the
  way for early intervention of deaf and hard of
  hearing children
• Early language access leads to acquisition leads
  to future of deaf children.

19
The Time is Now

• Be the change you want to see for deaf and hard
  of hearing children
• Waiting on the world to change????