Why Teach ASL to Hearing Caregivers? Hire Deaf Employees!: All of this is great news, but more work remains to be done in educating Georgia about the needs of Deaf people with developmental disabilities. The article below quotes one of the plaintiffs’ lawyers: “…the remedy will require the state to set up programs to help prospective caretakers learn American Sign Language, and to make sure group homes are adequately staffed with the right professionals.”

How about hiring Deaf professionals who ALREADY are fluent in American Sign Language?!!! It seems a no-brainer, but apparently the state is in serious need of education when it comes to meeting the needs of its Deaf group home residents with developmental disabilities, a population that needs direct services from Deaf professionals who can communicate clearly with them and understand the subtle nuances of signing so often characteristic of this group.

Judge: State (Georgia) discriminating against Deaf people with disabilities

By Bill Rankin
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

11:16 a.m. Thursday, May 3, 2012
The state of Georgia is discriminating against people who are deaf and mentally and developmentally disabled by denying them meaningful access to mental health services, a federal judge has found.

In a recent ruling, U.S. District Judge Richard Story found the state is failing to provide appropriate group home care to such individuals and does not have enough mental health care practitioners who are proficient in American Sign Language. Because of these deficiencies, the state is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the judge found.

The plaintiffs, Story ruled, “have produced sufficient evidence to prove as a matter of law that deaf consumers, because of their deafness, and as a result of several institutional failures on the part of the state, are denied meaningful access to the mental heath care services provided by the state to the general public.”

Story said crafting a remedy to the problem must still be accomplished and said he was convinced one can be found through a collaborative effort. He directed a magistrate judge to oversee mediation between lawyers for the state and the plaintiffs — two deaf adults who have severe mental illness and developmental disabilities — to find a solution.

Find this article at:
http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/judge-state-discriminating-against-1430596.html

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
* Individual positions may be responsible for some or all of the listed duties and/or other related duties
* Conduct diagnostic studies to identify needs, limitations, and strenths of students
* Provide recommendations for instructional strategies to educational staff
* Perform Function Behavior Assessments and develop Behavior Intervention Plans
* Maintain student files per State and local guidelines
* Participate in continuing education courses and workshops

KNOWLEDGE OF:
* Policies, procedures, and programs of the immediate work unit
* Principles and practices of administration and management
* Agency or program rules, regulations, and operating procedures
* Principles,methods and procedures for diagnosis and treatment of mental dysfunctions
* Federal and State, statutes, policies, and procedures related to child psychology

SKILLED IN:
* Judgement and decision making
* Computer and related software
* Analysis and evaluation
* Report preparation

ABILITY TO:
* Communicate information and ideas effectively so that others will understand
* Administer/score assessments and interpret results
* Demonstrate counseling techniques to staff
* Bend, stoop, reach, and sit for extended periods of time

SPECIAL CONDITIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
* Must be able to pass FBI and State background check
* Defensive Driver Training Program to be completed by all agency personnel that drive on State business
* Master’s Degree in Psychology or a related field
* Valid certification as required by Arizona Department of Education
* Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience
* ASL (American Sign Language) skills if working with students/staff who are deaf or
* Braille skills if working with students/staff who are visually impaired

AGENCY JOB BOARD ID: ASDB

For more information: https://secure.azstatejobs.gov/pljb/azgovjobs//mainjb/applicant/jobClick.jsp?count=1&id=44600

Saturday September 8, 2012
Minnehaha Falls
4801 South Minnehaha
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55412

Click on the picture to make it bigger.

May 29 – June 1, 2013

Hilton Minneapolis/Airport/Mall of America
3800 American Boulevard East
Bloomington, Minnesota 55425

Goal of the Conference

The American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association (ADARA) is pleased to announce the 2013 ADARA Conference, a national conference to be hosted in Minnesota. Our conference theme is “Blazing New Trails” which refers to “doing something different,” “doing early or pioneering work that others will follow up on,” and “doing something that no one has done before, especially something important for other people.”

This conference seeks to provide training and networking opportunities for mental health professionals, vocational rehabilitation counselors, independent living service providers, educators, interpreters, transition specialists, community-based rehabilitation providers, and any support staff in the helping professions.

Presentation Proposals

Presentation proposals for concurrent sessions, pre-conference sessions, or poster session should address effective or innovative practices used in working with deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing consumers in the settings of mental health, rehabilitation, school, independent living, transition, group homes, etc.

Submitted proposals should include learning objectives and references that will assist in applying for professional continuing education units for conference attendees. Proposals for concurrent sessions should be for 90 or 180 minutes long. Proposal topics are listed below, but are not limited to:

Possible Areas and Topics

• Interfacing education and mental health
• Working with trilingual families
• Testing demonstrations
• Olmstead, recovery, peer support
• Supporting community living options
• Drug/alcohol abuse treatment strategies
• Trauma informed care
• Working with low functioning/language dysfluent consumers
• Developing cultural competency
• Therapeutic techniques/theories & effective counseling techniques & strategies (e.g., EMDR, DBT)
• Mental health/chemical dependency interpreting • Deaf/Hard of Hearing cross-cultural conflicts
• Professional management
• Public policy
• Using technology in therapeutic settings
• Navigating the new health care environment
• Client-centered approaches/ Early interventions
• Career assessments
• Residential programming
• Levels of care: residential, outpatient, intensive, group homes
• Job coaching/Job placement
• Transition
• Autism
• Vocational evaluations
• Work adjustment

Process for Submitting Proposals

1) Complete the attached presentation proposal form.

2) Develop a brief abstract of the presentation, not to exceed 125 words. If accepted, this description will be included in the program book.

3) Briefly describe how your presentation ties into the conference theme.

4) Briefly describe experience, qualifications, or credentials which reflect your expertise for your intended presentation topic.

5) Submit a summary, not to exceed 500 words, of the proposed presentation for review by the planning committee. This summary should include a minimum of three (3) learning objectives.

6) Include a short biography (up to 125 words) for each presenter.

7) Workshop sessions will be 90 or 180 minutes long. Put all the above information in MS Word and e-mail with the application form attached to:

Mr. John Gournaris
2013 ADARA Conference Chair
John.Gournaris@state.mn.us

Selected presenters (two per presentation) will be provided free registration for the conference. Presenters will be responsible for their own travel, lodging, meals, and incidental expenses. Please plan to bring your own laptop computer for PowerPoint presentations.

Conference proceedings will be published and disseminated following the conference.

The deadline for submitting proposals is November 15, 2012.
ADARA
www.adara.org

celebrating April as Child Abuse Prevention Month

Child Abuse and Neglect – Prevention & Perspectives from the Deaf Community

Friday, April 27, 2012

1:00pm – 4:30pm

Healy Hall Auditorium

Presentations will include:

1:00 – 2:30 “The Deaf Perspective: Raising the Bar for Sexual Abuse Prevention” by Shannon Reese, MA, NCC, Deaf Services Coordinator from the Alabama Department of Mental Health – Office of Deaf Services. Shannon is a Deaf professional with extensive professional experience in the area of child abuse and neglect. She will share professional perspectives on prevention and the impact of child abuse and neglect for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

2:45 – 4:00 “Breaking the Silence” by Joyce Allan, R.N., a registered nurse and psychiatric clinical nurse specialist with 40 years of experience working with children, adolescents and adults. Joyce is also a child of Deaf adults (CODA) who will tell her empowering story as a survivor of sexual abuse, including the powerful positive impact of the Deaf community on her personal journey. Joyce shares her experiences in honor of her mother, Marjorie Forehand, who attended the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind.

4:00 – 4:30 “The VSDB Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Project” by the VSDB CAP Team. The VSDB CAP Team will share information about the primary prevention program available for elementary and middle school students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing in Virginia public schools. The CAP curriculum was developed by the International Center for Assault Prevention (ICAP). Information about requesting this program for specific public school or community-sponsored programs will be shared.

Alternative Solutions Center’s Crusade in Addressing the Gaps in Mental Health Care for the Deaf

Suing for Equity in Services: Early last month in Florida, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc., together with the National Association of the Deaf, filed a lawsuit seeking accessible medical services for Deaf citizens in the state. The lawsuit charges Humana Insurance and the Florida Department of Financial Services with violating the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Humana providers allegedly refused to provide ASL interpreters for Deaf patients. Humana also refused to accept VRS calls from Deaf members.

A National Issue: Although this lawsuit was filed in Florida, the issue is a national one and the results will carry implications across the country. Very few insurance companies reimburse providers for the cost of interpreters during appointments and very few providers willingly pay for interpreters. Deaf consumers are left with few options for accessible medical and mental health services. It is also typical for insurance companies to give Deaf members a list of in-network providers who claim to be fluent in ASL, but who, in reality, have often taken only one or two ASL classes and have minimal or no knowledge of ASL and Deaf culture. When Deaf consumers voice complaints, both the insurance company and the providers point fingers at each other, refusing to take responsibility.

Best Solution: So, what is the ideal solution for meeting Deaf consumers’ needs? We offer the following guidelines to insurance companies:

1. When it’s an option, make it possible for the Deaf person to see a Deaf provider fluent in ASL. This should be a priority and the preferred standard of care over matching the Deaf consumer with a hearing therapist who signs or a hearing therapist and an interpreter. If this means authorizing out-of-network services, do it. Research shows that psychotherapy sessions and certain types of medical consultations can be conducted successfully using videophones and webcams. Studies also show that Deaf people prefer working with Deaf therapists and that utilizing interpreters in psychotherapy sessions not the best option.

2. Hire a consultant to evaluate in-network providers’ ASL skills. Require hearing providers to hold national sign language interpreting certification from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) or meet an advanced level of ASL proficiency. If providers fail to meet this standard, remove them from the list of providers who are qualified to work with Deaf consumers.

3. Require in-network providers to provide ASL interpreters, period. If they refuse, take them off the provider list.

Really, it is as simple as that.

Click here to read the full article about the lawsuit: Humana, State of Florida Sued for ADA Violations

Deaf People Seeking Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings: Whether you are a Deaf person who has been sober for many years or one who is struggling to take steps toward sobriety, you are probably more than aware that Deaf-friendly and accessible AA meetings are difficult to find. Many Deaf people rely on individual therapy sessions for regular support in dealing with addictions issues, but sometimes there is no substitute for the experience of gathering in an AA group. The power of connection and understanding can be important aspects of recovery.

We came across an app called “12 Step Meetings”, which enables users to locate nearby 12-step meetings. It lists the address, distance, and contact information, making it a handy tool for anyone seeking a 12-step meeting.

Wouldn’t it be great if someone made an app specifically for Deaf AA meetings? It could identify Deaf-run meetings and ASL-interpreted meetings. The app could even contain contact information in case advance notice about an interpreter request is needed. A great project for a Deaf app designer!

JSSA, a fast growing community based non-profit/nonsectarian organization serving the Greater Washington, D.C. area, has an immediate opening in our Fallsgrove/Rockville, MD location.

Hourly – Clinical Social Worker or Clinical Professional Counselor is needed to provide individual, family and group therapy and case management with children, adolescents, and adults who are deaf and hard of hearing. LCSW-C or LCPC and strong ASL (American Sign Language) skills required. Some evening hours necessary.

Hourly position offers clinical supervision by master clinicians; free in-service continuing education training throughout the year, and exciting opportunities for professional growth. Competitive Salary.

Send resume and salary requirements to: Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA), Attn.: HR, 200 Wood Hill Road, Rockville, MD 20850, fax 301.309.2596, e-mail hr@jssa.org Visit our website at www.jssa.org for more information.

Community Support Services for the Deaf, Inc. Job Opportunities – Part-time Residential Counselors

CSSD, Inc., is currently hiring Part-time Residential Counselors to work with Individuals who are Deaf adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities in the Baltimore area. Minimum requirements include a high school diploma, proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL), and a valid driver’s license.

Job duties will include assisting with daily living skills, community activities, medication administration, budgeting skills, & general support & education.

Patience, caring, & respectful attitude are also required.

All positions are direct-care and pay hourly, between $10-$12/hour. The following shifts are available:
Saturday – 7a-3p, 9a-3p, 3p-11p, and/or Sunday 7a-11p, 9a-11p

If interested, please contact Leanne Fescina at 410-597-8780(v), 410-597-8806 (tty), 443-348-8256 (VP) or email at jobs@cssdinc.org