The CARE Project TCP Family Retreat National Initiative Funded by the Oberkotter Foundation Johnnie Sexton, Au.D., Grant Director Patti Martin, Ph.D., Collaborative Partner Teresa Caraway, Ph.D., Collaborative Partner
Johnnie Sexton, Au.D. Financial Disclosure Executive Director, The CARE Project Intellectual Property Rights, The CARE Project Non-Financial Disclosure Founder/Developer, The CARE Project
Patti Martin, Ph.D. Financial Disclosure Consultant, National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management Collaborator, The Care Project Oberkotter Grant Director of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology at Arkansas Children s Hospital. Non-Financial Disclosure Represents the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association on the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing
Teresa Caraway, Ph.D. Financial Disclosure CEO of Hearing First Non-Financial Disclosure None
Stuff you didn t even know you wanted to know English has more vowels than there are letters for them Most common vowel is schwa My Spanish sounds American because of diphthongs Some sounds can be either vowels or consonants Most languages have at least 3 vowels You don t need all the vowels to write a novel
VOWELS: what s that got to do with supporting families? A - All in this together E - Empower I - Information O - Observe U - Understand/Don t Underestimate
A: All in this Together Goal: Support families on the journey
E: Why Empowerment? Support only takes you so far Parents are the experts on their children and need to know/believe this and acquire skills to let others know Don t want to build dependency on professionals Affirming experience for families It s what families need to be able to make it through the times/challenges ahead
E: I remember looking at my sweet baby and thought to myself I don t think I ve got what it takes When I look back, I can t imagine my life any other way! Our lives have been enriched beyond measure by the people we have met along the way. I wouldn t change a thing.
E: Guiding Principles of an Empowering Philosophy: All people have existing strengths and capabilities as well as the capacity to become more competent. The failure of a person to display competence is not due to deficits within a person, but rather to the failure of social systems to provide or create opportunities for competencies to be displayed or acquired. In situations where existing capabilities need to be strengthened or new competencies need to be learned, they are best learned through experiences that lead people to make self-attributions about their capabilities to influence important life events.
I: Information: Families get the good stuff from other families How did you get him to wear his hearing aids all the time? Do you worry about? What in the world does it mean when (insert name of Professional) says? Do you know how to read your audiogram? What if I don t make the right decisions? Does your kid ever get made fun of? What s the best advice anybody ever told you? Will you meet me for a margarita/coffee?
O: Observe: Things I do better as a professional because of families... Keep baby close when sharing news Assure them that they are going to get too much information Reassure them that they will hear it multiple times Am honest when I don t know the answer Embed interactions with families into our processes Connect students to kids who are D/HH and their parents Invite parents to the table Maintain my edge.still love my job!
U: Understand it s a process Don t Underestimate families
Meet Belinda!
The CARE Project The CARE Project 501c3 public charity Tool Kit Devoted to helping families Reach acceptance Advocate/move forward Help professionals understand the importance of processing emotions Facilitate active listening between parents and professionals through use of shared experiences
The CARE Project Brings Together Families Professionals Communities
The CARE Project Family Support Share Network Connect Empower Advocate
The Emotional Journey
TCP Family Retreats
Retreat Mission Families work through the emotional process Families share their journey with others Parents move towards acceptance Families become empowered with knowledge Kids who are deaf and hard of hearing to connect with each other
Retreat Experiences Family Retreat Experiences Bring families together for a few days to share. Volunteer staff (Audiologists, SLPs, Teachers, Grad Students) Families Core families: early in the process Mentor families: further along in the journey
Retreat Agenda Social Free time for families with children Dads group Moms group Teens/kids group Sibs group Group meals (bonding time) Bonfires/smores
Retreat Agenda Educational Seminars (parents only) The Emotional Journey Auditory Access Using Everyday Activities as Language Learning Opportunities Navigating Technology Planned children s activities Field trips Learning songs (video) Art activities
Retreat Agenda Filming family stories Parents sign up Voluntary Meet in the afternoon with Media Director Private opportunity to share Major emotional breakthroughs occur Helps those being filmed Helps future families through shared stories
So, What is The CARE Project Retreat Experience Like for Families?
Meet the Wilharms
Three Year Project (12-1-2016 to 11-30-2019) TCP GRANT PROJECT
More to come..
Project Components TCP Family Retreats in 10 states Based on MCH map for 10 regions Management, logistical and financial support from TCP Virtual TCP Retreat experience to be available simultaneously (Hearing First) Virtual TCP Communities for ongoing communication and connectedness (Hearing First)
Hearing First as a Collaborative Partner www.hearingfirst.org
Powering Potential Hearing First connects families and professionals to the information, knowledge and skills needed to improve outcomes Supporting Families Equipping Professionals Awareness
Hearing First Powers Community Professional Learning Community Family Support Community Learning Experiences Coaching & Mentoring
TPC Family Retreat Online Family Support Community through Hearing First Before the Retreat: A safe private online community group will provide the opportunity for families attending the retreat to connect and share in preparation for the face to face retreat During the Retreat: Families will be encouraged to share nightly reflections online in their private group After the Retreat: ofamilies will have their group to continue connecting, encouraging and supporting one another as well as be able to connect with all families across the 10 expansion sites ofamilies will have the opportunity to participate in an online interactive webinar a few months after the retreat as an ongoing boost
Join an online Hearing First community! PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY ACTIVE NOW FAMILY COMMUNITY LAUNCHING APRIL 2017
Expectations for Host States Identify Project Partners within your state EHDI Program Assist with local arrangements Recruit volunteers (professionals, students, mentor families) Recruit families with children D/HH
Expectations for Non-host States Identify and arrange for state EHDI system stakeholders as observer participants Assist with retreat as active participants Gain knowledge/tools to implement a retreat in their states
QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
Thank You! johnnie@thecareproject.com www.thecareproject.com Find us on Facebook