As a parent or caregiver of your Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing or DeafDisabled child, do you find yourself trying to…
- Read from a story book to your child and need guidance?
- Chat with your child when you are in a project?
- Carry a conversation with your teenager but feel limited?
ODHH Family Mentor Services is available to provide assistance and support to such parents, caregivers and families to develop different ways to communicate and interact with your child.
Family Mentors are Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing and DeafDisabled adults specially trained to provide links between families of Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled or Hard of Hearing child and the community where they live. Also, they serve as positive role models to these families.
We serve children with speech impairment if the family is interested in following the ODHH service goals such as learning sign language.
Family Mentors provide following services to families:
- Teach American Sign Language to family members.
- Provide support while the family learns to interact with the child.
- Talk about their childhood experiences.
- Share Deaf culture information.
- Demonstrate visual, listening or tactile devices.
- Give a link to Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing or DeafDisabled resources.
If you are a parent or caregiver and need this service, please contact Family Mentor Services:
odhh@dshs.wa.gov • (360) 339-4902 (Videophone) • (360) 725-3450 (Voice)
This service does not charge a fee.
Click here to see the postcard of Finger Spelling Alphabet and Numbers.
“After given the opportunity to learn from a Family Mentor, the importance of fully accessible communication in our home was solidified. With help of the mentoring program, we were given the encouragement and tools needed to make that happen.” ~ From a parent who received the service.