SKI-HI Parent Advisor Training

 Join the CDHHE Network as an Early Intervention Provider
Our network of providers educates and supports families
throughout the state of Indiana when their child is identified
as deaf/hard of hearing. We will train a nd support you as a
member of this unique network!

From the Director, Bethany Colson

So far, 2019 has been a productive year for the Center. In addition to our continued services and outreach through our three program areas ― Audiology, Early Intervention and Deaf Education ― we have engaged in a variety of   opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing children, their families and professionals who serve them across the state. It is a privilege for us to participate in both local, statewide and national events as a sponsor, presenter and/or      exhibitor. There are a multitude of organizations for families and professionals to tap into, collaborating with other organizations allows information we share to reach further and have deeper impact.

Here are various highlights from the first quarter of 2019:

· Engagement in a pilot project with First Steps to participate in intake meetings with families

· Presentations at national and state conferences, including the National Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Meeting,   National ASL and English Bilingual Consortium for Early Childhood Education Summit and the Indiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention

· Gathering of deaf educators regionally at our DHH roundtable meetings

· Arrangement of open-captioned movies for families to enjoy

· Sponsorships at events for parents and families to receive information and meet one another, including Hands & Voices Advocacy Support & Training (ASTra) event, Hearing Indiana’s Listening & Spoken Language Conference, upcoming EHDI Family  Conference and Indiana School for the Deaf’s PTCO Day

· Facilitation of trainings for early intervention providers including Ski-Hi Parent Advisor and upcoming Deaf    Mentor training

· First quarterly meeting of the new Center Advisory Committee for 2019-2020

I look forward to the wonderful accomplishments we can make in the upcoming months.

Opportunity to Provide Early Intervention Services with our CDHHE Network!

We are excited to announce the next training for future SKI HI Parent Advisors. If you qualify or are already a credentialed First Steps provider with a degree in deaf education, speech and language and/or early childhood education with expertise in working with deaf and hard of hearing children you may be able to become a parent advisor. 

SKI HI Parent Advising 

What is the purpose?

A family-based home intervention program that offers unbiased support and well-rounded resources in natural environments for families with infants and toddlers who are deaf and hard of hearing.

What is involved? 

Ongoing early intervention home visits utilizing the SKI-HI curriculum and other resources, which include information and activities for families on early communication, audition, assistive technology, American Sign Language, Aural-Oral Language, emotional support and more.  In addition, the SKI-HI parent advisor connects the family to other services, entities and families.

SKI HI Curriculum Topics

First Visits & Family SupportInfants 0-12 Months
Hearing Aids
Cochlear Implants

Being Deaf, Basic Communication Issues & Approaches

Earliest Interactions

Natural Environments & Routines

Play & Concept  Development

Young Children with Special Needs &/or Challenging Behavior

Young Children with Minimal, Mild, Unilateral, Conductive, and Auditory Neuropathy Hearing Losses

Young Children with Syndromes & Other Medical Conditions

Early Visual Communication

Early Spoken~Language through Audition

Early Auditory Learning

Communication Methodologies

Literacy

Our next training series in 2019 will take place across three weekends:  Feb. 15 and 16, April 12 and 13, and May 31/June 1.  Please contact Cindy Lawrence at clawrence@isdh.in.gov or at 317-232-0899 if you would like further information about becoming a parent advisor to work with families of deaf and hard of hearing children.