GBYS – Statewide

Statewide Parent Guides are Guides available to all families in Colorado, whether related to unilateral hearing loss questions, Spanish speaking families, a representative of Deaf culture, or interested in questions about the state school for the deaf.

Statewide Unilateral Hearing Loss* (UHL*)
Parent Guide, and Data Outreach Coordinator:

*This parent guide is available for families who have children with unilateral hearing loss/Microtia throughout the state of Colorado.

Kelly Fernandez-Kroyer
720-937-8905
Kelly@co-hv.org
Fax: 720-491-4094

Kelly is a mom to two boys, one of whom has a unilateral hearing loss (UHL). She serves a unique role in the organization: ensuring that families referred from audiologists get connected with information about early intervention at the same time they are referred to the CO-Hear and Early Intervention system in the county where they live. As such, she also offers a connection to our GBYS program. Research shows that a majority of parents find that contact with experienced, prepared parents ranks as the most helpful support they receive after their child’s identification.

Kelly joins us with a wealth of experience in the support/nonprofit world. She will also be adding her experience to our resources supporting families raising kids with UHL.

– Learn more about Kelly’s family story here –

UHL Family Stories:

Chresta Brinkman, Parent Ambassador, Past Parent Guide

– Click here for Chresta’s Story –

Statewide Spanish-Speaking Parent Guide

Sonia Tapia-Loya – Parent Guide
Sonia@co-hv.org

More information coming soon…

Maria Rodriguez – Past Parent Guide

Un poco sobre mi
Bueno me llamo María Rodríguez: Yo soy la Coordinafora De Padres De Habla Hispana para Manos & Voces en el estado de Colorado. Soy la madre de una niña de 16 años que tiene pérdida auditiva profunda bilateral. Ella tiene un implante coclear. La operación se le hizo cuando ella cumplio los 2 años. Ella ah estado en una escuela publica desde pre-escolar (preschool).

A little about myself
My name is Maria Rodriguez; I was the Spanish Speaking Parent Coordinator for Hands & Voices in the state of Colorado. I am the mother of a teenage daughter who has bilaterally profound hearing loss. She has a cochlear implant that she got when she was 2yrs old and later went bilateral. She has been mainstreamed since preschool.

Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Adult Mentor Program

The Ascent program connects families and schools with Deaf/hard-of-hearing adults who can educate parents with children, ages birth to 3 years old, about their experience growing up with a hearing loss, access, identity, and creating a more deaf/hh friendly environment. A variety of adults can connect with families, including those who communicate in ASL, spoken English, simultaneous communication, and Cued Speech. Contact Kathy Sevier to learn more at ksevier@csdb.org. Click here: https://www.coehdi.org/2021/03/02/ascent-program-frequently-asked-questions/

(Past) Partner Project

This program connects families and schools with Deaf/hard of hearing adult partners who can educate hearing people on the experience of growing up with a hearing loss. A variety of Partners are available, including Partners who communicate in ASL, spoken English, simultaneous communication, and Cued Speech. Contact Carmela directly to learn more.  This project ended with the loss of the HRSA grant funding on April 1, 2020. We look forward to working with the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind on a Deaf/Hard of hearing Mentor Program to meet the needs of all families regardless of how they choose to communicate with their child. 

CSDB Parent Involvement Coordinator:

This position is no longer funded by the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind. We do however have a Board member who had a child attending the school and other parents we can connect you with. Please contact us about any questions you have about a child attending the school or about school activities or supports from Colorado Hands & Voices at info@cohandsandvoices.org. 

Also, consider contacting the CSDB Family Involvement Coordinator (a parent employed by the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind) at ficdeaf@gmail.com.