The Stepping Stones to Valuing Yourself as a Parent Leader
(12/14/2023)

Over the years Parent Leaders have greatly impacted system change through their contributions locally, statewide, and nationally. Building confidence in parents of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing can often lead to meaningful parent involvement and parent leaders. Through lived experience of advocating for their child, parents informally build leadership skills. Working in partnership with other valuable stakeholders, parent leadership is a strengths-based approach to family support founded on the belief that parents are most knowledgeable about the family experience. With confidence, knowledge and desire all parents have the potential to become strong parent leaders.

Presenters: Christine Griffin (WA H&V) and Cora Shahid *(CA H&V)

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Building and Fostering Connections Between your FBO and EHDI Programs
(8/10/23)

Do you want to create or expand upon your partnership with your state EHDI program or FBO (Family Based Organization)? What can you do by next week to get started? How can FBO’s help the EHDI program fulfill their parent-to-parent support objectives and metrics. The foundation can start with parent-to-parent support and expand to include diversity, equity & inclusion, reducing loss to follow up and collaboration with early intervention. We will share specific ways that we have partnered over our 15 years of working together as an EHDI Coordinator and a parent partner to achieve goals while strengthening our commitment to each program's success. Now’s the time to collaborate as EHDI programs write for their upcoming competitive grant applications. By taking a deeper dive into EHDI partnerships that support grant objectives, participants will walk away ready with ideas and written examples that they can put into action to improve upon support, resources, and outcomes for all.

Presenters: Carrie Balian and Ginger Mullin

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Don’t Set It and Forget It!
(4/6/23)

As leaders, we spend a lot of time and energy inviting others to join us at “the table” through recruiting and hiring new staff, bringing in new nonprofit board members, and/or finding new committee members to contribute to our systems work. However, without putting intentional thought into what we will do with these new individuals and “setting the table”, we could lose them before they become actively involved and engaged. Strategically designing and implementing orientation and onboarding processes can impact the longevity, enthusiasm, and sustainability of new leaders in an organization. Effective orientation encourages confidence and contributes to more productive involvement by providing key tools and organizational culture right from the start. Onboarding enhances this process providing more individualized, ongoing support setting he/she/they up for success. This session explores strategies and tips to help ensure that all the hard work put into finding the “right” individual pays off, and those who are coming into the fold are equipped to harness the enthusiasm that brought them to the organization in the first place!

Presenters: Janet DesGeorges and Terri Patterson

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Mentoring within the EHDI System: Where do you fit?      
(12/8/2022)

Join the Hands & Voices Family Leadership in Language and Learning (FL3) Center for a look at mentoring. Having mentors in your work life and having the opportunity to mentor others enriches our experiences as Leaders to approach work with our own lived experiences, as well as what we learn from others. During this presentation we will explore mentoring relationships from the parent leader perspective. You will leave with an understanding of what a mentor is, characteristics of a good mentor, and tools to strengthen relationships within your own state/territory system.

Presenter: Angelina Myers

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Measuring the Impact of Family-to-Family Support: Tools and Lessons Learning from a Learning Community

11/10/22

The Hands & Voices FL3 Center in collaboration with NCHAM’s NTRC hosted a Learning Community (LC) in Summer of 2022. The goal of the LC was to determine the most important domains (e.g., child/family well-being, knowledge, empowerment) of family-to-family support and how to measure those domains through a survey. A survey was created, piloted and tested with 12 LC members (parent leaders and EHDI program staff) within their states. This webinar provides lessons learned in the LC process including the quality improvement methodology used to create and trial a family-to-family support impact survey and discover considerations for how to incorporate this evaluation template into your own program.

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Diverse Family Leaders: Making Progress and Showing You How!

(8/11/22)

Join the Hands & Voices Family Leadership in Language and Learning (FL3) Center for a look at how to recruit and empower new family leaders from diverse, cultural backgrounds to become leaders in the systems that serve families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.  Drawing from their own experience as culturally diverse family leaders, Marbelly Barahona (LA Hands & Voices) and Lydia Hernandez (IL Hands & Voices) will engage attendees in a presentation that will share innovative strategies and creative solutions through different models, to support underrepresented families, as well as support diverse parent leadership development.

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Successful Leadership Transition: You’ve Got This!
(4/7/2022)

Join the Hands & Voices Family Leadership in Language and Learning (FL3) Center for a walk through how two Parent Leaders at Illinois Hands & Voices has successfully moved from a Presidential Board of Directors to an organization lead by an Executive Director without leadership turnover. Leadership is ever-evolving; this session will address how one family-based organization has successfully transitioned and grown from the ground up through developing and embracing policies, processes, descriptors and relationships.

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Introverts Can Be Great Parent Leaders (12/9/2021) 

Join the Hands & Voices Family Leadership in Language and Learning (FL3) Center for a look at up to half of your possible parent leaders. Are they quiet at meetings? Do you wonder if they can engage other parents? Explore the topic of the introvert leader during this session and leave with practical strategies to engage the quiet ones on your EHDI mission. Drawing upon her own experience as an introvert, Sara Kennedy will engage attendees in a presentation where participants will leave with a greater understanding of how to work with parents – and others – who are introverts.

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Choosing Deafness: An Inspirational Story of Love and Leadership from Kenya

with Jackline Oduor

In this remarkable story of love, loss, deafness and adoption, Jackie Oduor will share some of her journey as a mother of deaf children, including becoming an adoptive parent who ultimately chose with her heart and…. chose deafness.  Jackie  shares her emergent journey of becoming a leader, who did not seek leadership, but nonetheless humbly stepped up to serve in a country of need and in her words, “never to despise the small beginnings.”  This presentation from our 2020 Virtual Conference will inspire you to do likewise.

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Creating Authentic Partnerships: Parents and Professionals
(8/12/2021)

When parents and professionals view one another as equal partners, a true partnership can develop through collaboration. Collaboration between Parent Leaders and EHDI professionals requires respect, trust, and a consistent, mindful effort to communicate. These are important elements of partnership in the co-production of services that are designed to meet the unique needs of families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing from the diverse and cultural populations in your state or territory. This webinar will discuss how Arizona EHDI has evolved, how parent partnerships are viewed, the level of parent leader involvement, and how parents have moved from a seat at the table to leading at the head of the table.

Presenters:   Heidi Klomhaus and Lylis Olsen

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Family Support: Proof is in the Data
(7/27/2021)

This Family EHDI Data Learning Community (FEHDI) webinar is hosted by NCHAM and the FL3 Center to provide an opportunity for EHDI Programs and Family-based Organizations (FBOs) to have discussions about how and what data to track/report for the 2020 HRSA Objective “increase by 20 percent (from year one baseline), the number of families enrolled in family-to-family support services by no later than 6 months of age.” This webinar is intended to share the learning from this work. This work began with when a group of EHDI experts, the FL3, and NTRC convened a workgroup to develop tools for programs to help meet this new program objective. Using QI methodology, the tools were then tested in a Learning Community setting. During this webinar, EHDI Coordinators and parent leaders shared opportunities and challenges they encountered, and tools developed to help them strive to meet the objective.

Presenters:   Vicki Hunting, H&V / FL3 Center

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How to Build and Sustain Your Team
(4/8/21)

This one hour webinar provides strategies and addresses the critical importance of motivating your team and implementing effective succession planning in your organization. Relationships are the key to ensuring your team is poised to do the important work you are tasked with in supporting families raising children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and to continue the sustainability of productive, healthy growth through intentional planning.

Presenters:   Karen Hopkins M.Ed CAS and Michelle Thomas M.Ed

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Time Management as Self-Care
(12/8/20)

You will learn a variety of easy to implement strategies to increase personal and work productivity, as well as improve your own well-being.

Presenters:   Terri Patterson, H&V HQ Dir. Chapter Support, Alyson Ward, M.S., IA, CHES, NCHAM

https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/media/webinar-12-08-2020.html

Eight Reasons to Say Yes to Early Intervention:  Supporting Families During the Time of COVID-19

This H&V FL3  presentation describes a new resource that has been developed for families to show the positives of early intervention. The “8 Reasons” infographic can serve as an important tool, now more than ever in supporting families understanding the importance of Early Intervention. 

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Building Collaborative Relationships for Families

(8/27/2020)

In order for a system to be effective for a family, one must be able to be familiar and build relationships with various stakeholders. This webinar identifies various systems and how these can influence and/or impact a deaf or hard-of-hearing child’s life, as well as what this mean for their families. The role of collaboration and strategies that can be used is included.

Presenters: Djenne-amal Morris and Nancy Hlibok Amann

https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/media/webinar-8-27-2020.html

Creating an EHDI System that Partners with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adults

(7/13/2020)

Deaf and Hard of Hearing adults are a valuable part of the family journey and the EHDI System. This webinar explores guidelines created by the FL3 Center that states/territories can use to increase meaningful participation of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adults in the EHDI System.

Presenters: Karen Putz, Stephanie Olson, Heidy Nazario, Darcia Dierking

https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/media/webinar-7-13-2020.html

The How To of Human Resources at a Non-Profit Without a ‘Human Resources Department’

(4/9/2020)

Being in a leadership role at a non-profit can stretch us into areas of management that we haven’t yet had much experience. This webinar, the fifth in our Leadership Series, will examine ways to build and sustain diverse teams through recruiting, training, and evaluation.

Presenters: Lisa Kovacs and Karen Wisinski

https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/media/webinar-4-9-2020.html

Understanding your Leadership Style and the Value of Mentoring

(12/12/19)

This one-hour webinar, the fourth in the Hands & Voices Leadership series, will focus on leadership styles and mentoring. This training will provide examples of leadership styles that will allow the participants to determine their own leadership style as well as insight on those that they work with. The value of mentorship, tips and ideas on how to find diverse mentors from the continuum of parent and DHH Adult perspectives, and how to be a mentor to others will also be discussed.

Presenters:  Amanda Hvass and Molly Martzke. 

https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/media/webinar-12-12-2019.html

Family Engagement in Systems Leadership

(8-8-2019)

This one-hour webinar, the third in the Hands & Voices Leadership series, will focus on family engagement in systems leadership through the topics of: family leadership representing diverse family experiences, family leadership in systems from diverse and cultural populations, systems and legislative advocacy.

Presenters:  Cheryl Deconde Johnson, Rana Ottallah and Lisa Kovacs. 

https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/media/webinar-8-8-2019.html

The Parent Perspective of D/HH Guides, Mentors, and Role Models in the EHDI System

(6/26/19)

The inclusion of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) adults in the lives of families with children who are D/HH can have a profound impact for everyone involved; child, parent, professionals, and D/HH adults.  Families will share their experience in working with D/HH Guides, Mentors, and Role Models in early intervention.  An inside look at early intervention from the parent perspective. 

Presenters:  Karen Putz, Amanda McGowan, Veronica Roman 

https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/media/webinar-6-26-2019.html

Building your Skills in Nonprofit and Conflict Management

(4/19/19)

This webinar will provide an overview of essential elements on nonprofit management -   the development and management of funds; strategic planning, delegating and monitoring of goals and objectives; tracking progress; Conflict Management – e will explore the basics of these components and tools that we can use to evaluate and guide our plans and actions.  
Presenters: Terri Patterson, Molly Martzke.

https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/media/webinar-4-11-2019-Nonprofit-conflict-man.html

Building your Confidence in Leadership and Enhancing your Public Speaking Skills

12-13-2018

This is the first of three Webinars brought to you by the Hands & Voices Leadership to Leadership (L2L) Program

Hands & Voices believes that Leaders can be developed by enhancing one’s natural ability with skills development through formal and informal learning opportunities. To meet individuals on their journey of Leadership that is unique to serving families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Hands & Voices will be hosting a series of webinars focusing on different components of Leadership. This first webinar will take a closer look at Confidence and Public Speaking.  Confidence and Public Speaking go hand in hand in delivering a message or an idea and are integral components of personal leadership and systems level participation.
Presenters: Karen Putz, Janet DesGeorges, Lisa Kovacs

https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/media/webinar-12-13-2018.html

An Evidenced-Based Conceptual Framework of Parent-to-Parent Support

(11-2-2018)

An essential principle that guides family-centered early intervention for children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) is that all families should be connected to social and emotional support systems (Moeller et al., 2013). Existing evidence indicates that, for parents with children who are D/HH, parent-to-parent support is a vital service not otherwise provided in our systems of care. This presentation will: (1) describe the evidence-based development, constructs and components of the conceptual framework of parent-to-parent support, and (2) provide an introduction to how Hands & Voices is utilizing the framework in their parent-to-parent support work through the Guide By Your Side Program. This is the first of two webinars on this topic. The second webinar scheduled for January 2019 will include examples of the practical application of the framework in parent-to-parent support programming that includes defining family goals and developing activities that will help families achieve their desired outcomes.

Presented by Dr. Shelia Moodie (authors Henderson, Johnson, Moodie)

https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/media/webinar-11-2-2018.html

Attachment and Trauma in DHH Adopted Children (10/10/18)

As both parents and professionals of two Deaf adopted sons, the presenters offer a unique perspective to professionals and parents.  The presentation includes information on trauma and how it affects brain development including language, learning and behavior.  They also discuss how parent leaders and providers can identify and work with the unique challenges that adoptive families face that result from attachment issues and trauma typically associated with adoption. Providers learn how to develop an effective partnership with families who have adopted deaf children, as well as how to utilize parent to parent support in reaching their goals with the families. 

Presenters:   Jon Bergeron, PhD and Shelly Bergeron

https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/media/webinar-10-10-2018.html

A Deeper Dive into Family Engagement:  Supporting Parents on EHDI Advisory Committees and Learning Communities (9/6/18)

This session expands on the topic of family engagement discussed during webinars facilitated by Hands & Voices in 2017.  Strategies for how to support parents serving on EHDI Advisory committees and learning communities are shared, including recruitment tips, orientation plans, and meeting contribution ideas. The FL3 document “Tips for Meaningful Participation by Parents and Adults who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing Serving in Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Systems” was featured.

Presenters:  Candace Lindow-Davies and Christine Griffin (WA Guide By Your Side/H&V)

https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/media/webinar-9-6-2018.html

What Families, FBOs and EHdi Programs Want: Findings from a National Needs Assessment (8/2/18)

This webinar will expand on the results and next steps of the National Needs Assessment that has recently been completed by the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM) for the Hands & Voices FL3 program. The results of this needs assessment will provide input to the H&V FL3 program in providing assistance to families of children who are D/HH, all coordinators of state/territory EHDI programs, and directors of family-based organizations who are contracted with their state/territory EHDI programs. The presentation also includes an overview the assessment methodology; reveal the details of the needs of families, family-based support organizations, and EHDI programs; and discuss next steps.

https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/media/webinar-8-2-2018-NeedsAssessment.html

An Inside Look at DHH Mentor, Guide, and Role Model Services in EHDI and Beyond (2-9-2018)

Mentors, Guides, Role Models--what's the difference? This webinar shows the different service models and definitions of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Mentors, Guides, and Role Models. Minnesota and Maine share an inside look at their programs and how they serve families through the different models of service. 

https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/media/webinar-2-9-2018.html

Co-Production of Services: Family/Professional Partnerships in EHDI Systems (7/26/17)

This presentation will describe the theory of co-production of services (Batalden M, et al. 2015) which encourages collaborative work on healthcare system design. The conversation will move beyond ‘how to get families involved’ to discussing the process in which families co-produce the system’s activities side-by-side with professional partners.  Concrete suggestions and examples, along with objective tools and measurements for ensuring successful outcomes in the family/professional partnership dynamic will be shared.  Presenters: Janet DesGeorges, Executive Director, and Molly Martzke, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Hands & Voices.
Primary Audience:  EHDI program staff, pediatric health care professionals and other EHDI stakeholders. Additional audience participants encouraged to attend:  Family leaders, family-based support organizations.
https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/media/webinar-7-27-2017.html

Fostering Family Engagement and Leadership in EHDI Systems (8/31/17)

This session will define and describe the characteristics of family leadership in state based learning communities and EHDI Program Advisory Committees.  Additionally, information will be given that identifies tools, including the JCIH Self-Assessment Tool, to encourage and evaluate family engagement and leadership in local EHDI systems.  Participants will explore how new family leaders can prepare for their role in upcoming activities and give the seasoned family leader new tools to engage in the EHDI system.     Presenter:  Candace Lindow-Davies, Director of Outreach, Hands & Voices
Primary Audience:  Family leaders, family based support organizations.  Additional audience participants encouraged to attend:  EHDI Program Staff, pediatric health care professionals and other EHDI stakeholders
https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/media/webinar-8-31-2017.html

You too? Me too! The Impact of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adults on the Parenting Journey (9/29/17)

Examine the positive impact that Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH) mentors, guides and role models can have on the families and their children. The journey begins and ends with families but there is so much that Deaf/HH mentors, guides, role models can do to support parents raising confident and happy children. Sharing everyday experiences and expertise from a diverse group  of Deaf/HH professionals may reduce parenting stress and increase the joy, hope and expectations that parents may have for their child.

https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/media/webinar-9-29-2017.html