EARLY HEARING DETECTION AND INTERVENTION VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
MARCH 2-5, 2021

(Virtually the same conference, without elevators, airplane tickets, or hotel room keys)

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3/03/2021  |   3:15 PM - 3:35 PM   |  Application of Strategies for Fostering JOY: Suggestions for Professionals and Families   |  Topical Breakout

Application of Strategies for Fostering JOY: Suggestions for Professionals and Families

We (heart) Fostering Joy! Parents and professionals continue to collaborate to assist families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) to experience joy in their family journey. This presentation, conducted jointly by parents and professionals, will discuss both why it is beneficial for families to focus on joy, and how to support families in finding and cultivating joy in their everday experiences. By highlighting the science of the benefits of positivity, gratitude, and ‘living in the moment,’ this presentation will lay the groundwork for the importance and relevance of fostering joy, even – or perhaps especially – at a time when life is posing difficult challenges for so many of us. The Fostering Joy movement continues to grow! (Check out the Fostering Joy FaceBook page for families, the Instagram account for families and professionals, and the website, open to all: http://www.handsandvoices.org/resources/fostering-joy.htm). During this presentation, we will share a new reflective tool for families. Building on the progress that has been made by parents in this movement, this presentation will spotlight what professionals can do to foster joy among the families with whom they work. Join us as we share a new Tip Sheet for professionals. As we strive to further grow an inclusive and inviting movement for all who are privileged to work with and know children who are DHH and their families, we invite you to become a Joy Ambassador! No application needed, fees required, or job description to fulfill – just a desire to ‘be mindful of being joyful’ and to ‘spread the word’ about the importance of fostering joy in whatever way works for you.

  • 1. Describe at least two science-based benefits to demonstrating positivity and/or gratitude.
  • 2. Identify two or more strategies that could be readily implemented either as a professional working with families, or as a family member with a child(ren) who is DHH.
  • 3. Generate a self-statement about what it would mean in one’s own life to be a “Joy Ambassador.”

Presentation:
This presentation has not yet been uploaded.

Handouts:
Handout is not Available

Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference


Presenters/Authors

Amy Szarkowski (), Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, Amy.Szarkowski@childrens.harvard.edu;
Amy Szarkowski, PhD, is the Director of The Institute and The Clinic at the Children's Center for Communication/ Beverly School for the Deaf (CCCBSD), and faculty for LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities), at Boston Children's Hospital. Dr. Szarkowski holds an academic appointment as Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She is also an adjunct instructor for the Infants, Toddlers and Families (ITF) Interdisciplinary program at Gallaudet University.


ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.

Nonfinancial -
• Has a Professional (Research Committee Co-Chair) relationship for Volunteer membership on advisory committee or review panels.
• Has a Professional (Advisory Board) relationship for Volunteer membership on advisory committee or review panels.

Beth Jones (), Nevada Hands & Voices, bethj@nvhandsandvoices.org;
Beth Jones is the Executive Director for Nevada Hands & Voices, as well as the Guide By Your Side Coordinator and an Educational Advocate for the ASTra Program. Prior to beginning a family, Beth earned her master’s degree in Special Education and worked as an Autism Teacher and Behavior Mentor Teacher. Beth became involved with Hands & Voices when two of her three children were identified as being deaf/hard of hearing and has been a part of Nevada Hands & Voices since 2012. She serves on many state-wide and national committees, teams, and advisory boards as a parent leader to help advocate and support children who are deaf/hard of hearing.


ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -

Nonfinancial -

Nicole Hutchinson (), The River School, nhutchinson@riverschool.net;
Nicole Hutchinson holds a BA in Linguistics: American Sign Language from the University of California, San Diego and a MA in Deaf Education: Family-Centered Early Education from Gallaudet University. She holds teaching licenses in Deaf Education, Early Childhood Education, and Early Childhood Special Education. At The River School, Nicole coordinates the Parent-Infant Program for deaf and hard of hearing infants, toddlers and their families and teaches in a preschool classroom. Outside of The River School, she is co-chair of the Early Intervention Committee for the DC Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Board


ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -

Nonfinancial -

Candace Lindow-Davies (), Hands & Voices Headquarters, Candace@handsandvoices.org;
Candace is the mother of an adult son who is deaf plus other health concerns. For 16+ years, she developed and directed parent support services for MN Hands & Voices. May 2017, she became the Director of Outreach for Hands & Voices HQ and has served on the Core Management Team of the Family Leadership in Language in Learning or FL3 Center. She has developed materials for and provided technical assistance/training to family-based organizations in the US, US territories and China. She is passionate about supporting the needs of children/adults who are deaf/hh plus other health issues, creating health and employment equity, as well as ensuring families have access to adults who are deaf and hard of hearing. She is a Core Member of the Fostering Joy project, focusing on the joys of raising children who are D/HH.


ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -

Nonfinancial -

Jennifer Clark (), Hawaii Department of Health Early Intervention, Jennifer.Blohm@doh.hawaii.gov;
Jennifer Clark received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Disorders and Deaf Studies: Sign Language Interpreting, from California State University, Fresno and her Master’s Degree from Gallaudet University in Deaf Education: Family Centered Early Education. Since 2010, Jennifer has been working with D/HH/DB children (birth-3) as the Early Intervention Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Specialist for the Hawaii Department of Health.


ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.

Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.