FL3 Office Hours

Hands & Voices offers “FL3 Office Hours” on selected Thursdays throughout the year. The time will alternate between 11 AM and 6 PM Mountain Time (MT). Please adjust for your time zone.

The goal is for parent & DHH adult leaders, family liaisons, EHDI program staff and family-based organizations to network with one another, discuss the featured topic, share resources and have Q&A time. The topics are chosen because of their importance to the work of providing parent-to-parent support for families with children who are deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH). Each session is led by rotating Hands & Voices staff and guests.

Please assign one Parent or D/HH Leader per program to attend and bring back information.

Captioning will be provided. For other access needs, please register 1 week prior to the date and indicate your needs.

Registration is required 48 hours in advance. (One week prior for communication access requests.)

Registration confirmation, Zoom access, password and captioning information will be sent to registrants the day prior.

Register For The FL3 Office Hours on Zoom Below.

October 16th, 2025

1 pm ET / 12 pm CT / 11 am MT / 10 am PT

Communicating with Clarity: Identifying and Sharing a Common Goal with Partners and Sponsors
Register Today

We will explore strategies for strengthening cross-cultural, particularly Deaf-Hearing partnerships, by clearly communicating shared goals with a focus on the well-being of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) children and
their families.

Through real-life examples and practical discussion, we will examine how reframing messages to center the DHH community rather than focusing primarily on accessibility can lead to more authentic, sustainable collaborations. We’ll also explore how to build and maintain values-based partnerships with community allies, funders, and sponsors, particularly those who represent the DHH community and culture.

Participants will leave with practical tools and strategies to align missions, communicate compelling stories, and cultivate partnerships that foster lasting impact and community trust.

Join with other family and DHH leaders and share your questions, resources, and strategies on this topic in this interactive discussion.

One person per organization is preferred to keep the group manageable.
Registration is required at least 48 hours in advance. (One week prior with communication access requests.)

Objectives:

Reframe Messaging: Participants will learn strategies to craft messages that center the lived experiences and connections with the DHH community to inspire shared ownership and stronger support.
Participants will define when and what makes partnerships successful and thriving.

Presenters:

Emily Burke, DHH Infusion Co-Coordinator
Facilitator: Sara Kennedy, Hands & Voices HQ

Presenter Bios:

Emily Burke lives in Dallas/Fort Worth with her Deaf husband, Deaf teen, and KODA. Emily obtained her BA in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota, MA in Developmental Psychology and PsyS (Specialist in School Psychology) from Gallaudet University. Before joining Hands & Voices, Emily worked as a school psychologist serving Deaf/HH children. She worked as a Parent Education Guide with Minnesota Hands & Voices then when their family moved south, Emily served on the Texas Hands & Voices board. Currently, Emily is a DHH Infusion co-coordinator at the HQ level. She is passionate about connecting and bringing the best out of the Deaf/HH community.

Registration Open