Ohio School for the Deaf
The Center for Outreach provides support to districts, schools, agencies educators and families working to implement strategies that result in improved educational outcomes for children who are deaf or hard of hearing
Outreach is funded by title VI-B and state General Revenue in response to the need for coordinated services for students with a hearing loss Services are provided statewide to parents, school districts and programs Most services are provided at no cost; nominal fees for some workshops and activities
Programs and Services Early Childhood Outreach Professional development and technical assistance for early childhood and pre-school educators and programs School-Age Outreach Professional development and technical assistance for K-12 educators and programs Assessment Center Assessments for deaf, hard-of-hearing hearing and deafblind students, including Multi-Factored Evaluations (MFE)
Interpreting & Sign Language Resources Professional development and technical assistance for educational interpreters Assisting families and professionals seeking to improve their ASL skills Parent Mentor Support for parents of deaf, deafblind and hard-ofhearing students to work with their districts Special Collection at the State Library of Ohio Professional reference library on current and emerging g issues on education and deafness Parent resources Materials are reviewed and recommended by practitioners
Distance Education: Creating a program without walls Classroom Instruction Professional development IEP conferences & meetings Parent services Highly qualified staff Interdisciplinary team with advanced clinical and academic training Networking and Collaboration Provide forums for exchange of ideas Work with professional organizations and school/parent associations
Assessment services Objective multidisciplinary assessment Team members have expertise in deafness in addition to field of practice Educational Psychological Audiological Communication Testing instruments designed for deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing students Provide parents, local educational agencies and IEP teams with information to help make decisions on educational programming.
Creating Communities of Practice Based on alignment of: Ohio Department of Education: Operating Standards for Ohio Educational Agencies serving Children with Disabilities National Association of State Directors of Special Education: Educational a Services Guidelines for Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing Prioritized needs from stakeholder feedback Improve educational outcomes for all students who are deaf and hard of hearing in Ohio
Stakeholder Feedback* Assuring comprehensive, integrated, efficient statewide services focusing on language development for the birthto-five population upon identification Assuring continuity of services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing (transitioning from Part C to Part B) Assuring meaningful parent involvement Involvement of state department of education policy makers in creating systemic, statewide change Regionalization of services through fiscal incentives by the state department of education *November 2007 NASDSE Ohio Focus group
Recent Activities Collaborate with professional and stakeholder networks Deaf Educators Network Online Community Advisory Committees Collaboration with NOCCCI Hands and Voices and other parent groups Colleges and Universities Special Education Deaf Education* Early Childhood Interpreter t Preparation
Recent Activities: Expanded scope of involvement Attendance at National State Directors Summit Educational team ODE/OEC representative RIHP representative ti
Recent Activities: Cochlear Implant Task Force at the Ohio School for the Deaf Goal 3 of OSD strategic plan Research programs locally and nationally Develop and implement an educational program to support children with cochlear implants. COS staff consulting with OSD Curriculum and dinstruction ti Providing consultation and assistance
Challenges for Educators Student population is increasingly diverse Language development/communication ti needs add complexity Dwindling availability of funds for programs and services Lack of qualified professionals Service and program silos
Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. --Mattie Stepanek
For More information, contact: The Ohio School for the Deaf 500 Morse Rd. Columbus, OH 43214 614.995.1566 v/tty OutreachCenter@osd.oh.gov www.ohioschoolforthedeaf.org/outreach h f t h
All questions will be honored and answered at the end of this morning's proceedings during the Presenters' Panel. Please write your question/s on a note card.