Thursday, March 31, 2022

Job Posting: Administrative Assistant

 

Click Photo to Apply for this position today!

The position acts in the role of Administrative Assistant for the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education in support of the Audiology program. This position also includes data entry, scheduling, and interaction with customers. 

A Day in the Life:

Provision of administrative support as assigned through activities related to audiology and Center functions including:

  • Scheduling and coordination of assessments; this position acts as primary scheduling contact with parents/families for audiology appointments and includes:
  • Tracking scheduled appointments (sending and documenting confirmations and reminders via phone call, text, email)
  • Sending and tracking reports and related documents to assure timely delivery to appropriate entities (including appropriate documentation in database)
  • Tracking communications with parents and other professionals regarding specific children in Center database
  • Working closely with the assessment and audiology teams to support staff, children, families and visiting professionals during assessments and hearing evaluations
  • Working knowledge of clerical procedures, specialized forms and data base programs used in performing specialized office duties, including Center database
  • Gathering and preparation of child information from a variety of sources (e.g. school districts, physicians, audiologists, parents) for compilation of a child profile and previous test results as necessary to assure all information is received prior to child’s appointment
  • Manage child/student records including paper and electronic files
  • Initially prepare child paper folders and electronic folders in database and help maintain test data in charts 

Clerical Assistance to Audiology Coordinator

  • Input Indiana First Steps billing for audiology appointments and durable medical equipment
  • Process hearing aid invoices and monitor PO balances through spreadsheet

Center Concierge and initial point of contact for the Center:

  • Answering the Center’s main and cell phone numbers, refer calls to appropriate staff and triages inquiries to appropriate parties/team
  • Answering the EWAC door (in response to the doorbell), warmly receiving appointment and non-appointment visitors and appropriate notification of staff
  • Liaison with the Pitney Bowles courier on a daily basis to ensure that mail is received and leaves the building as expected
  • Monitor and assure waiting room and family room are clean and organized prior to each business day

Miscellaneous duties include but may not be limited to:

  • Mail check as necessary and when notified of delivery at ISD for interdepartmental or other mail
  • Process and maintain detailed paperwork and files relating to function of unit

 

What You'll Need for Success:

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment: 

  • Ability to demonstrate a consistently positive, supportive demeanor towards staff and visitors
  • Ability to establish priorities, set deadlines and manage multiple tasks related to the duties of the position
  • Knowledge of the State systems the incumbent must interface with, such as but not limited to PeopleSoft
  • Thorough understanding of FERPA and HIPPA regulations that ensure child/student rights to privacy
  • Basic knowledge of the policies, programs and activities of the office and the ability to apply these to pertinent situations
  • Ability to anticipate problems that would create barriers to achieving goals and initiate corrective action
  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing 
  • Ability to use Microsoft Office applications for office communications and for maintenance of appropriate electronic calendars
  • Ability to work well with a diverse staff 
  • Strong interest in being part of a team comprised of professionals, parents and deaf and hard of hearing individuals who will work together to create exemplary statewide services and model programming for others to follow

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role does not provide direct supervision to direct reports.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

  • The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
  • Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) and vision/dental coverages
  • Wellness program (offers premiums discount for the medical plan)
  • Health savings account (includes bi-weekly state contribution)
  • Deferred compensation account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
  • Two (2) fully funded pension plan options
  • Group life insurance
  • Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
  • Paid vacation, personal and sick time off
  • Competitive leave policies covering a variety of employee needs
  • 12 company paid holidays, 14 on election years
  • Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  • New Parent Leave
  • Free Parking
  • Free LinkedIn Learning

 

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Monday, February 21, 2022

Family & Community

 

Navigating Special Education Today

Join us for this special four-part series that will help you understand your child's educational rights and work effectively with school personnel to maximize your child's educational opportunities.

In this webinar series, you will learn:

  • What to expect in the special education process
  • How an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is created
  • What procedural safeguards are available to you
  • Skills for effective advocacy
  • How to resolve disputes 

This is a great workshop for anyone that is new to special education and a great refresher for others.


Dates: Thursdays, February 3, 10, 17 & 24
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm (Eastern)
Presenters: Cheri Dowling & Kelly Meissner
Platform: Zoom
Cost: $75*

*ASDC members, save $25 on registration. 
Email cheri@deafchildren.org to receive your discount code.
Not a member yet? Join here for $35

Our IDEAL Parent Document now includes Spanish language milestones.









  

Monday, February 14, 2022

Tacklin' Assessment - Social Emotional Development

 

Nurturing the Mind

Children who are deaf or hard of hearing may have significant delays in acquiring social emotional skills, including Theory of Mind, due to a lack of adequate access to language Check out these Early Social-Emotional Development skills and tips!



 


"Deaf children can become socially and emotionally competent if given the same opportunities as hearing children to develop self awareness, independent thinking, and good problem-solving skills over the course of their development." -  Calderon & Greenberg, 2003 

Resources for social-emotional skill development

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Job Posting: Audiologist

  


Join our team!

The Indiana Department of Health is currently seeking an Audiologist within the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education. This position will act as a point of contact for the provision of technical assistance and support throughout the state.
This employee will provide direct services to families as well as collaborate with professionals throughout the state, assisting the center with the mission: To promote positive outcomes for all deaf and hard of hearing children through information, services and education. The Center is seeking professionals with experience providing pediatric audiological services, working with families, and collaborating with other professionals – sharing resources and expertise.

Audiologist

This position provides audiological services to children ages birth through school exit. The audiologist in this position will develop and provide resources to families and professionals as a primary point of contact for provision of technical assistance and support throughout the state. Travel is required, including travel with other staff members through the Center’s mobile unit- to ensure continuity of care, enhance likelihood of successful outcomes for children/students who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Job Posting: https://workforindiana.in.gov/job-invite/269883/

For further information about this position:
Contact Michelle Wagner-Escobar, Audiology Coordinator

Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education
Indiana Department of Health
Mailing Address: 2 N. Meridian Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 232-7438 Phone
(317) 520-3301VP

Job Posting: Early Intervention - Educational Consultant

 

Join our team!

The Indiana Department of Health is currently seeking an Educational Consultant within the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education. This position will act as Early Intervention Specialist for the CDHHE Network serving deaf and hard of hearing children and their families in Indiana's First Steps early intervention program.

This employee will provide direct services to families through the First Steps early intervention system as well as collaborate with professionals throughout the state, assisting the center with the mission: to promote positive outcomes for all deaf and hard of hearing children through information, services and education.  The Center is seeking professionals with experience providing early intervention services, working with deaf/hard of hearing infants and children, as well as families, and collaborating with other professionals - sharing recourses and expertise. 

Early Intervention Specialist

This position provides early intervention services to children ages birth to three, facilitating high-quality service delivery through a coaching model in the family's natural environment. Travel is required to meet this need. Teleintervention will also be utilized. This position collaborates with the Early Intervention staff to plan and implement professional development opportunities and resources for our CDHHE network contractors. This position works to build understanding and capacity of provider throughout the state and represent our Center in collaboration with First Steps, Local Planning and Coordinating Council (LPCC) representatives, Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EDHI) Parent Guides, and others.


For further information about this position:
Contact Cindy Lawrence, Early Intervention Coordinator

Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education
Indiana Department of Health
Mailing Address: 2 N. Meridian Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 232-0899 Phone
(317) 520-3301VP

Monday, February 7, 2022

Language and Literacy Corner

 

Starting with a good foundation

Literacy development support starts with a good foundation. An educational interpreter in the state of Indiana should have at least a high school diploma or equivalent and hold and maintain either Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certification or an Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) rating of 3.5 or higher. In addition, the interpreter should have access to and a good understanding of the IEP goals and objectives of the students for whom they interpret.

If a student is unable to process information presented in a signed and/or spoken language, it is highly likely that they will be unable to read it. The educational interpreter is often the only professional in the child’s educational setting that can identify breakdowns or gaps in a child’s signed language development. When these gaps/breakdowns are identified, the educational interpreter should be working in tandem with the classroom teacher, speech language pathologist, and teacher of the deaf

TIPS

The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center provides these tips that an educational interpreter can employ to support reading aloud in the classroom:
  • Use appropriate pausing and allow the students to take in the book visually so they can see the English text and illustrations on the pages. 
  • Highlight key vocabulary or phrases within the story visually on the blackboard, overhead, or laptop connected to a projector or television. 
  • Give the student a copy of the book for reference during the read-aloud. 
  • For read-aloud time with student participation, have the interpreter confirm where the group is within the text to assure the student who is deaf or hard of hearing is in the appropriate place. 
Educational interpreters have the benefit of close and frequent contact with students. Leveraging their time and expertise can be a powerful tool to attaining a major goal of education – language and literacy proficiency. 

Additional Resources:

Monday, January 31, 2022

Staff Spotlight

Welcome to the team Dr. Kayla!

We welcomed Kayla Whitaker to our staff in November as the newest addition to the Audiology team at the Center. She comes to us from Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Kayla has roots in the Midwest. She is originally from Dayton, Ohio and received her Bachelors of Science and her Doctor of Audiology degrees from the University of Cincinnati. 

Kayla has experience serving on or working alongside the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention taskforces in multiple states, including Connecticut, Ohio, and Tennessee. She strives to provide excellent audiological services and to guide families through the process of hearing aid selection and the daily use of amplification through open communication, teamwork, and maintaining a positive environment for all children and their families. Kayla is an expert at working with children of all abilities. 

Fun Facts!

  • Kayla and her husband have three cats at home: Benny, Beau, and Jeff 
  • Kayla loves to cook and bake
  • Kayla enjoys making pottery and painting with watercolors