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Washington State Department of Social & Health Services
Office of the Deaf and

Hard of Hearing?




*October 2023 Newsletter*



October Header Image

"*Image description*: Top:?""blue?background. Left: DSHS logo; right: Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Bottom: green background. Left: Date.?""Bottom: ceramic ghosts and pumpkins in front of a green background."

ODHH October 2023 Message [ [link removed] ]

"*Video and Image description*: October 2023 Newsletter on blue background. Play icon in red. October message is interpreted by Suzanne Mannella, Community Program Manager."

*Click [ [link removed] ]** to watch Newsletter in ASL [ [link removed] ]*

"This fall will be hectic for all staff with conferences, events, meetings and workshops," says Earnest Covington III, director for the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH). In September, we gave two Medicare Basics workshops to preparate individuals for Medicare enrollment, in partnership with Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA), who assist people in the process of enrolling into Medicare and figuring out which parts individuals would most benefit from. If anyone needs assistance in navigating the changes impacting Medicare before enrolling, make a free appointment with a SHIBA advisor [ [link removed] ]!

As October begins, we want to take a moment to recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month. As residents of Washington State, it's essential to think about Advocacy and Employment Resources available for those who are Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, and Speech-Disabled.

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*Case Management Services begin in Vancouver, Washington*

On October 1, the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) began supporting case management services in Vancouver, Washington. We are collaborating with Washington Advocates of Deaf & Hard of Hearing (WADHH) to expand Case Management services in the southwest region of the state. Zachary DeLoya, executive director, is partnering with ODHH staff Hope Crumley, field supervisor, and Jonah Thompson, team lead. "This change is a complex and challenging decision," says Zachary." We are committed to excellent service and support for our communities, and we are excited to collaborate with ODHH. This change will benefit and support our Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing community."

"This transition from WADHH to ODHH might take some time, but we are excited to see the improvements," says Earnest. "I appreciate your patience as we transition Vancouver Case Management services to ODHH."? If you have any ideas or questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with us by email at [email protected]

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*NEWS AND EVENTS*

News and Events

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ODHH will participate in several events this month, including a* CDHY/WSD invitational on October 13* in Vancouver, Washington; *DeafNation on October 14* in Portland, Oregon; and *Abused Deaf Women?s Advocacy Services (ADWAS) 30th annual ?Hope and Justice? gala on October 14* in Seattle. We will be hosting a training workshop for* Service Providers on October 17*, and for *Residential Facilities on October 30.?*In addition, ODHH will be attending DSHS' *DVR In-Service Conference on October 24-25*. ?I am honored to work alongside our team, who are committed to supporting the DSHS mission to ?Transform Lives,?? says Earnest.

We are also thrilled to share that *Earnest attended GCDE's 31st annual Governor's Employer Awards Program on Friday, October 6*. He will also be the keynote speaker at the *Washington State Association of the Deaf (WSAD) conference on November 3 and 4* in Ellensburg.

*Additionally, ODHH will be presenting an update to the ASL Emergency Alert demonstration program at DeafNation*. The community response to this effort has been well-received. Emergency managers were able to use this information to collaborate with the support team during the September wildfires in Eastern Washington. We look forward to sharing our insights with you there!?

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*EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: CLAUDIA FOY*

Claudia Foy

"*Image description:* White woman with shoulder-length silver hair, standing in front of a quilted background."

Our October spotlight is on Claudia Foy, Human Services Program Manager at ODHH. Claudia will be celebrating her 17th anniversary with ODHH on October 23. Congratulations, Claudia!

Claudia oversees Family Mentor Services at ODHH, as well as the SSP/CN Support Service Provider/CoNavigator contract with DeafBlind Service Center, DBSC. At this time, ODHH's Family Mentor program has seven trained family mentors. 6 mentors cover Western Washington. One mentor covers Yakima and Tri Cities. We have maxed out in the number of families we serve at this time, with a waitlist. We hope you will spread the word to possible Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf Disabled adult role models that you think would be good for the role of family mentor.? Please encourage them to contact Claudia at [email protected].

Thank you and happy anniversary, Claudia!

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*TRAINING AND PRESENTATIONS*

Books stacked in front of a gray background

"*Image description:* Books stacked in front of a gray background"

The Training and Presentation Program is asking for YOUR ideas for trainings and presentations topics of interest to our communities. Are there any previous trainings or presentations that you found beneficial and would like to have again or to build upon? To learn how to start a business? Do you want to learn from an expert on being retirement-ready, buying a house/property? Would you like to watch an expert talk about social justice or environmental issues? We want to support you with training opportunities that benefit our communities.??

?Please share your ideas with us at [email protected] <[email protected]>

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*Who We Are*
The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) provides programs and services for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and Speech Disabled individuals, their families, and service providers in Washington State. ODHH works to ensure that services and resources are accessible and inclusive to all Washingtonians.

*What We Do*
ODHH operates under the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and is entrusted with fulfilling its legislative mandate outlined in RCW 43.20A.725.
ODHH?s work includes:

Advocacy: ODHH advocates for the rights, interests, and needs of individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf Disabled, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and Speech Disabled. The Office works to eliminate communication barriers and promote equal opportunities in various service areas, including training, consultation, contract management, information and referrals, and resources to promote communication equity.

Coordination: ODHH is a centralized resource. The Office collaborates with governmental, business, and community stakeholders to develop and implement policies, programs, and initiatives that address and ensure that state services and resources are accessible and inclusive to all Washingtonians.

*Contact Us!*
800-422-7930 Voice
360-339-7382 VP
[email protected]




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