Home
Hands & Voices Regional Coordinators
Each Regional Coordinator is a Hands & Voices Chapter or program parent leader who lives in the region in which they are assigned, (Coordinators may temporarily support neighboring regions when a position is open). Each Regional Coordinator may focus on different aspects and activities based on the needs in their respective region(s), including Canada. We continue to grow this organizational leadership as a forum to support:
- Families of children who are deaf, hard of hearing or DHH Plus
- H&V Chapters and Start-up efforts
- Regionalized activities with partner agencies and organizations such as DeafBlind Projects, state National Association of the Deaf (NAD) affiliates, as well as state/provincial Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs, etc.
Our goal is to enhance and expand the leadership roles of recognized Parent Leaders in the Hands & Voices organization who model strong and diverse skill sets within their respective Chapters/programs, as well as throughout the overall organization. The Regional Coordinator provides and facilitates opportunities for Chapter leaders to come together in a smaller group setting on a quarterly basis within their geographic region(s) for peer-to-peer support, to share knowledge and build relationships. The value of the organic interchange of experiences, knowledge, creativity, and skills between leaders is exponential. Having access to timely, relevant information; connectivity to peers, and strong leaders; and peer-to-peer mentors, leads to the sustainable continuity and health of our Chapters/programs, as well as the organization.
Activities include:
- Providing ongoing guidance and support to Chapters within designated regions
- Creating network amongst states/provinces within the region for interaction and collaborative
events/trainings - Representing the H&V HQ organization at regional and national events
- Providing a platform for Chapters/programs, within their regions, to engage (ex. Facebook closed groups; Zoom virtual meetings, etc.)
This project meets a need within our organization and systems to continue to develop and enhance collaborative partnerships which will lead to better outcomes for children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Learn more about how to connect and engage with the Chapters and Programs that you share borders with, and how to receive support and resources from YOUR Regional Coordinator!
Questions? Email Terri Patterson, Director of Chapter Support at terri@handsandvoices.org
Meet our Regional Coordinators
Michelle John, MS, CEOLD: Region 1, 2 & 3 Coordinator (ME, VT, NY, RI, CT, MA, NH, NJ, DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV and Ontario CAN)
Vermont Hands & Voices Board President
michelle.john@hotmail.com
Michelle holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in psychology and sociology from Hofstra University, and her Masters of Science degree in community counseling and psychology with a specialization in addictions counseling from Springfield College. She also earned her certification as an End-of-Life Doula through the University of Vermont. Currently, she is in the final portfolio stage of becoming a certified DeafBlind Intervener. She is also a Newborn Screening Ambassador for Expecting Health, works closely with the National Center on DeafBlindness, and is a governor-appointed member of the VT Developmental Disabilities Council.
While spending many of her beginning adult years enjoying pursuing higher education, and proud of these accomplishments, she's just as quick to share life sent her in a divergent direction; her highest achievement comes from raising and educating her 3 children by being a stay-at-home parent. She is all things medical, educational, coordination and physical care to her 9-year-old DeafBlind+ (Plus) child who has a variety of significant medical complexities, and willing teacher to those with questions and readiness to learn—most often her other two children.
Michelle has been the President of Vermont Hands & Voices since 2018. In this role, she sits on a variety of Boards, Committees, Coalitions, Panels, and Councils to further the identified needs of children birth to adulthood, who are D/deaf/hard of hearing/plus and their families. She is passionate about inclusion of choices, D/HH/Plus adult infusion, all volunteer-organizations, NASDSE Guidelines, parents as paid caregivers to medically complex children, DeafBlind Plus needs, and siblings of D/d/hh/Plus individuals, as well as the vastly differing needs of families in rural living. Spending time in webinars, meetings, trainings, as well as presenting at and fully attending various conferences yearly keeps her up to date on best practices and technology available, as well as able to meet a variety of stakeholders who can become a resource to families across the US and Canada.
In her middle of the night “spare time”, she enjoys reading autobiographies, creating wild goals that sometimes seem unattainable, watching reality television and “American Greed”, and pretending to get some sleep.
Gine’ Baker: Region 4 Coordinator (FL, AL, NC, SC, TN, KY, MS, GA)
Kentucky Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side Coordinator
ginebky@gmail.com
Gine’ lives in South Central Kentucky with my husband, Logan and our wonderful three children. We enjoy traveling and spending time with family. I’m usually running kids to a sports practice, piano, or dance class in the afternoons.
My oldest and youngest have a hearing difference. Hands & Voices found me very early in this journey. I became a Parent Guide for our KY H&V Guide By Your Side Program in 2018 and our GBYS Coordinator in 2023. Encouraging parents in the early part of their journey is something I’m passionate about. I often tell parents I’ve been there and now I’m doing it all over again.
I have a duel bachelor’s degree in Public Health and Communication Arts a master’s in teaching Middle School Language Arts. I’ve worked in education, finance, and real estate.
Dana Slama: Region 5 Coordinator (MI, IN, IL, OH, MN, WI and Manitoba CAN)
Indiana Hands & Voices President, ASTra Advocate
Dana resides in Central Indiana with her husband of 17 years, Brian, and their twin boys, Rocco and Hunter. Hunter was diagnosed with profound bilateral hearing loss shortly after failing his newborn hearing screen. As a new parent with many unanswered questions and choices about hearing loss, Dana found a family of support and friendships after connecting with Indiana Hands & Voices. She joined INHV in 2019 and served on multiple committees before taking over the role as President in 2022. She also works as an ASTra advocate. Dana's goal for the Chapter is to bring more awareness to their mission and the support they provide families.
Dana spent over a decade working in the pharmaceutical industry and holds a MA in Communications from Boston University. She is a proud New Jersey native and loves to travel with her family. Both of her boys play travel baseball, golf and are very active. Her ideal vacation spot - on the beach with a book in her hand!
Angelina Myers: Region 6 Coordinator (TX, LA, AR, OK, NM)
Arkansas Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side Coordinator
angelina.gbys@arhandsandvoices.org
Angelina was born in Indiana but grew up in Northwest Arkansas. She lives in Centerton, Arkansas with her wonderful husband Joshua and their four children (Alexander 14, Austin 12, Brayden 12, and Brylee 7). Angelina stays busy as an agent for a local insurance agency and acting principal of Myers Homeschool Academy.
Our journey to Hands & Voices began when our identical twin boys became candidates for hearing aids and cochlear implants. I was flooded with questions. How would they function in a hearing world? How would I parent them to become successful members of society? Would they ever be able to go down a slide or ride in an airplane? Am I making the right choice for their future? With the support of Hands and Voices and my team of professionals, I learned that: Yes! The choices I made for them were the best choices. Why? Because they were what worked for my family!
Jami Fries: Region 7 & 8 Coordinator (KS, IA, MO, MT, UT, ND, SD, WY, CO, NE and Alberta, CAN; Saskatchewan, CAN)
Colorado Hands & Voices Executive Director
Jami@co-hv.org
Jami resides in Northern Colorado with her husband, Eric, and two boys, Liam and Nathan. She started her journey with Colorado Hands & Voices after her son Nathan was diagnosed with a bilateral profound hearing loss at 6 months old from congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV). She started as a H&V Guide By Your Side Parent Guide and moved her way to the Executive Director for the Colorado Chapter.
Through her time with CO Hands & Voices she has presented at multiple national conferences and worked closely with the CO Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (CO-EHDI) system to make a positive impact for families that are raising children who are deaf/hard of hearing. In addition to her roles above, Jami works with the Colorado CMV Workgroup and runs the CO cCMV Family Network. She sits on multiple stakeholder groups and works closely with professionals within Colorado to bring parent perspectives to light.
Jami has a BA in Psychology and Philosophy and enjoys interacting with others away from the computer! She lives a busy life with her family as they hike, bike, paddleboard, and explore their world on their journey to success!
Cora Shahid: Region 9 & 10 Coordinator (ID, OR, WA, AK, AZ, CA, HI, NV and British Columbia, CAN)
California Hands & Voices Executive Director and ASTra Program Co-Coordinator
cshahid@cahandsandvoices.org
Cora and her husband, Naseer, live in San Diego, California, where they are proud parents of three children. Both of their sons are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. One was identified through newborn hearing screening and the other at 13 months of age. Their family's experiences inspired Cora's commitment to ensuring families receive respectful, unbiased support from the time their child is identified and throughout every stage of life.
For more than 20 years, Cora has dedicated herself to strengthening parent leadership, building supportive communities, and helping families recognize and celebrate the joy that can be found throughout their journey. She believes every child deserves to grow up feeling safe with a strong sense of belonging, supported by family, friends, and their community.
Her previous experience includes working as an ASL Interpreter at Wichita State University, a Montessori preschool teacher, parent mentor, and founding Board Member of California Hands & Voices. In recognition of her commitment to families, Cora received the 2014 Lee Katz Award from ASDC and the 2017 Parent of the Year Award from CAL ED.
Cora is the Executive Director of California Hands & Voices and California ASTra Co Coordinator. She is also a member of the Hands & Voices Fostering Joy Core Team and the Hands & Voices 5K Planning Committee. As both a graduate and mentor for the Hands & Voices Leadership-to-Leadership (L2L) Program and she enjoys supporting and connecting parent leaders across California and the western United States.
Cora is most passionate about lifting up parents at every step of their journey, from the moment they first learn their child is Deaf or Hard of Hearing, to discovering their own voice as leaders, to mentoring others through the Leadership-to-Leadership Program. She considers it a true honor to walk alongside families and believes that together we are stronger. By supporting one another, we build community locally, regionally, and nationally.
"We didn't realize we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun."
A. A. Milne
