speakmiracles.org

Clinical & support: Family services

Family services

At DePaul, we know that a good auditory-oral education involves more than just the child and his teacher; it involves the family as well. We believe that strong support for our families is the key to our students' success.

Our Family Service Coordinator is available Monday through Friday to answer questions about the school and its programs, provide resource information and give families a tour of the school. Home visits to provide information may also be arranged at the family's convenience.

Through the direction of the Family Service Coordinator, DePaul offers several programs to help support parents and other family members. These programs are open to all Western Pennsylvania families who have children with hearing loss and are free of charge:

SOS (Sounding Out Seminars)

This is a series of informational programs for parents and other family members of children with hearing loss. Speakers include doctors, audiologists, educators and other professionals discussing topics relating to your child's hearing, health, education and well-being.

ESP (Education and Support for Parents)

Our ESP sessions are held the third Wednesday of each month from September thru May, and are open to all parents of deaf and hard of hearing children. A parent education session is held followed by a parent support group meeting. Our support group is a time for parents and other family members to meet and discuss the challenges and concerns they face. A certified counselor is present during these sessions to help facilitate discussion among the members. Often times, just knowing that there are other parents with similar situations, hopes and fears can bring comfort and support.

Parent Mentoring

New parents, at their request, can be paired with current DePaul parents to provide consultation and support. Other parents of children with hearing loss are often the best resource for families when they first learn of their child's diagnosis. Families are often matched based upon the child's level of hearing loss and/or geographical location.

The DePaul Parent Group

DePaul has an active parent group which meets several times throughout the school year. This group organizes several social events throughout the year for DePaul families and staff as well as a Santa's Workshop, Book Fair and Staff Appreciation Luncheon. All DePaul parents are welcome and encouraged to join.

For more information about DePaul's family services and programs, please contact Mary Beth Kernan, Family Service Coordinator, at 412-924-1012.