The Fostering Joy Project
- Registrations -

Please register below for these meetings so we can track participants and ensure accessibility needs. Register now by clicking the link below.

Please join us for our Fostering Joy Community of Learners calls this school year!

Open to all: H&V Chapter and program leaders, family-based support organizations, EHDI system stakeholders, educators, and individual family members. Please join the H&V Fostering Joy Project for building a community of support and joy.

For best results, registration is required 48 hours in advance. Auto-captioning will be provided. Please register one week ahead for additional access requests. Watch for the Zoom link and captioning information to arrive in an email after you register.

Thank you for being a part of the joy movement! Register Now for this Upcoming Meeting:

Fostering Joy
Navigating Military Life with DHH Children

Date: Tuesday, January 20th, 2026
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm MT

Please register for this meeting so we can track participants and ensure accessibility needs. Register now by clicking the link above. When you register, the zoom link will be sent to you.

Description of event:

Learn from the presenters:

How the military project assists military families preparing to move with our own personal lived experiences.
Why chapter leaders should share the military project with any local military families.
How to find joy in exploring a new duty station.
How to find joy within establishing new educational and care teams.

Presenters:

Amanda McGowen - Co-Lead, Board Member
(Coast Guard Spouse)

McGowen family Amanda is the parent of three Hard of Hearing children, including an eleven-year-old as well as nine-year old identical twins. The twins were found to be Hard of Hearing after both referred from their newborn hearing screenings; the oldest was diagnosed with bilateral hearing loss at age three, after passing newborn hearing screening and testing within average limits in booth testing following the twins’ diagnoses. Following their oldest child’s diagnosis, the McGowens began regularly attending the local Hands & Voices events in Maine, where they were stationed at the time, and a short time later Amanda joined the Maine chapter of Hands & Voices as a board member. From there, she was introduced to the Hands & Voices Military Project and is now a Board Member and Co-Lead. She has also joined the board of the Vermont chapter of Hands & Voices, where the family is currently stationed. Their family has previously been stationed in Pennsylvania, Maine, Washington, Alaska, Vermont, and Oregon.

Nicole Rogers
Board Member (Air Force Spouse, Retired)

Nicole Nicole is the mother of two daughters, the youngest of whom is severe to profoundly deaf. After failing her newborn hearing screening in Okinawa, she was medevac ’d to Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, where she was diagnosed with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD). When she was eight months-old, the family was reassigned to Luke AFB, Arizona through the Exceptional Family Medical Program (EFMP). While in Arizona, Nicole became involved with Hands & Voices events and joined the local chapter. Upon relocating to Alaska, a Hands & Voices connection introduced her to Chelsea Hull, and the Hands & Voices Military Project, further strengthening her advocacy efforts. Since becoming part of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, Nicole has built strong connections and friendships. She is passionate about networking and helping families find the support they need. She is excited to be a part of the Hands & Voice Military Project Board and looks forward to supporting military families on their journeys.

Watch for more upcoming opportunities from the Fostering Joy Project:

We are seeking additional members to our committee and will share more information at this meeting. Look for another April event coming your way!

Why the Fostering Joy Movement?

Because we know what it means to be the family of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing. You may be overwhelmed, feel alone, worry about your child’s communication and what you need to do next. AND as parents, we know how important it is to just celebrate your child! To see all the many gifts your child brings, to take time to enjoy each other, and to share your joy with others that understand. THAT is what we mean by Fostering Joy! Join the community! Find out more information about this project here: https://handsandvoices.org/resources/fostering-joy.htm

Please join us and feel free to share this information with others!

For more information, contact us at janet@handsandvoices.org www.handsandvoices.org