After your child has been diganosed with a hearing difference, you may be unsure on where to go for help to best support your child and make sure they are developing on track. There are special programs and services available to help you, your family, and your child.
Programs are voluntary but valuable partners to help make sure your child’s needs are met. These programs can provide
free
help and answer questions you may have about raising a child who is deaf or hard of hearing.
It is recommended to enroll in services offered by Early Intervention (EI) programs as soon as possible to help your baby learn and develop important skills while your baby’s brain is growing and developing. To learn more about EI services for deaf and hard of hearing children in Oregon, click
here.
Click on the different sections to learn more about different services available to you and your family starting at birth:
Guide By Your Side is a free program for parents, families, and caregivers raising a child who is deaf or hard of hearing. They provide unbiased information and emotional support from trained parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Children with a diagnosed hearing loss will be automatically referred to this program for follow up.
They offer:
- Help exploring language access and technology options
- Family-to-family connection (parents and children)
- Relevant trainings
- Support in Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs), Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and 504 plans
- Local events (both in person and virtual)
- Trained parent advocates by your side
- An active Facebook community
- In-person support at doctor and Early Intervention visits
- Annual Family Camp for deaf and hard of hearing children and their families
To learn more about GBYS and get in contact with their program:
Call: 971-258-0797
Email:
info@handsandvoicesOR.orgVisit them online at
www.handsandvoicesor.org
Early Intervention programs are free services through the Oregon Department of Education that provide individualized coaching and support for families to help your child achieve their potential in all areas of development, including communication, both signed and spoken. Children with a diagnosed hearing loss in one or both ears are highly recommended to enroll and can greatly benefit from these services.
To learn more about EI programs in Oregon and getting connected with your local program, click
here.
The Oregon Family to Family Health Information Center is a free service housed at the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) that supports families and caregivers of children with special health needs when navigating complex health care systems. They are staffed by parents of children and youth with a variety of health conditions and provide free one-to-one support, training, and printed materials to families and professionals who serve them.
To learn more about the Oregon Family to Family Health Information Center and get in contact with their program:
Call: 855-323-6744 (English) or 833-990-9930 (Español)
Email:
contact@oregonfamilytofamily.org
Visit them online at
www.oregonfamilytofamily.org
Oregon’s Public Health nurses provide comprehensive assessments, case management and individual teaching. Public Health nurses help families set goals for making healthy lifestyle choices and fostering personal growth. Programs include Nurse Family Partnership, Babies First! and CaCoon.
To ask about receiving services or to refer your patients to these programs, contact your
local health department.
Oregon DeafBlind Project is a local program that provides free support services for children in Oregon who are DeafBlind ages birth to 21 years of age.
To learn more about the Oregon DeafBlind Project and get in contact with their program:
Call: 503-916-5570
Visit them online at
https://www.crisoregon.org/ourservices/oregon-deafblind-project
OHA’s EHDI Program helps identify and coordinate referrals for deaf and hard of hearing children up to 36 months of age. Following a hearing loss diagnosis, we will mail you a package of written information that outlines resources available to you. We are available to answer questions about connecting with programs throughout the state to support your child.
To learn more about EHDI and get in contact with our program:
Call: 888-917-4327
Email:
Oregon.EHDI@odhsoha.oregon.gov
As your child grows, there are other programs in Oregon that may be helpful to explore both as resources and to learn more about opportunities for your child as they get older:
Bridges Oregon is a local Deaf-led organization that offers free services and support to Oregonians who are deaf and hard of hearing. They provide services that reduce communication barriers and increase access to essential systems, including healthcare, education, employment, and emergency services.
To learn more about Bridges Oregon and get in contact with their program:
Call: 971-202-1500
Email:
info@bridgesoregon.org
Visit them online at
bridgesoregon.org