Collaboration with low incidence service providers is a crucial and important component of providing all children and families, in Part C, with research-based support. However, figuring out the dynamics and logistics of how this actually works for districts/programs can be challenging. Children with hearing differences and their families often have unique and specific needs that require the specialized education and training in deafness from a specialized provider, such as a teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing. In this session the presenters will share literature that supports Part C collaboration with low incidence service providers, as well as Minnesota specific resources that could be utilized for collaboration planning. Additionally, participants will learn from practitioners in the field who have found both challenges and successes in creating collaborative environments for Part C services.
Cindy is the mother of a Deaf adult who received early intervention services in the state of Washington. She is also a Teacher for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing. She has been in the role for 18 years. In the past, she has worked for an education district serving six districts. She now works only in the Bemidji school district. Cindy is passionate about providing quality, specialized, and meaningful services that empower families to be actively involved advocates for their children with sensory loss to provide children with hearing loss have the best outcomes possible in their education.
Marleigh Van Arsdale is a Teacher for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing who started her teaching career as a science teacher for the first seven years. She then went back to school to become a Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Her interest in the field was due to her own hearing loss from having Meningitis as an infant. This is now Marleigh’s eighth year serving in the role of itinerant Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing.
Jess is the Minnesota Statewide Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Specialist with the Minnesota Low Incidence Projects. Jess has a background of working with children with hearing loss and their families as a Teacher of Deaf/Hard of Hearing in Northwestern Minnesota. She has focused much of her career on supporting young children with disabilities and their families during the early childhood years.
