Need Family-to-Family Support?

Whether your child was just identified with a hearing loss, or you are just going through the testing, or you are a seasoned parent just looking for support & information to help your child thrive, welcome!

The Family Leadership in Language and Learning Project of Hands & Voices is here to support your journey.  We want to connect you with direct family-to-family support in your area.  Please see listing below for the family leader or family based organization in your state/territory.

For Family to Family Support Programs/Resources in your state or Territories, explore:

• AG Bell: A National organization around since 1890
• Deafchildren.org   The American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) is committed to empowering diverse families with deaf children and youth by embracing full access to language-rich environments through mentoring, advocacy, resources, and collaborative networks.
• www.familyvoices.org  Family Voices aims to achieve family-centered care for all children and youth with special health care needs and/or disabilities.
• www.handsandvoices.org   Hands & Voices, a parent driven family support and advocacy organization that provides unbiased support.  click on map for support resources in your location.
• The National Cued Speech Association: The National Cued Speech Association champions effective communication, language development and literacy through the use of Cued Speech.

A listing of state/territory level family-based organizations and family leaders partnering with their EHDI Program

The Hands & Voices Military Project

The Hands & Voices Military Project believes that together through awareness, collaboration, and support, we can aide in the timely support for active duty and retired armed forces families raising children who are deaf or hard of hearing.  The project aims to connect your family to your local Hands & Voices Chapter to help you feel prepared to navigate through each new duty station. The hope is parents will find more ease in transitioning the medical and educational homes for their children with this connection. There is also a growing support group on Facebook, specifically for military families with children with hearing loss: Hands & Voices: Military Family Support.

Below are some resources that may support your journey:

	NEW RESOURCE! 8 Reasons to say YES to Early Intervention for your Child who is Deaf/Hard of Hearing New infographic resource to share with families on the importance of Early Intervention as soon as you have a confirmed diagnosis.
	Maximizing Your Child’s Visual Access Tips to Create a Visually Rich World for Your Child who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Cómo maximizar el cceso visual de su hijo - Spanish Version
	A Parent’s guide to the JCIH Supplement.  This Parent’s Guide was developed by the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Parent to Parent Committee, which is made up of parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing as well as a diverse group of professionals who support families in EI and beyond.
	Resources below are on the CDC website https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/freematerials.html
	CDC – Decision Guide to Communication Choices
	CDC – Making a Plan for Your Child

Explore the other sections of this FL3 website section for resources on Language, Literacy, and Social Emotional growth of your child.