1. Utah’s Journey in Obtaining Services for Students who are Deaf-Blind

2. Diverse terrain of Utah

3. What is the main focus of your program?

4. 3 Main areas of Service in Utah
Funding Sources
Teachers of the Deaf-Blind
Interveners

5. Funding Sources State and Federal $ Background of Funding
Current Funding

6. State Funding $ 2,450,000 State Funding
Director of Deaf-Blind Services and Utah DB Project
8 Full-time Deaf-Blind Teachers
5 Part-time Deaf-Blind Teacher
85-90 interveners
2 Full-time Office Support Staff

7. Federal Funding $ 92,039 Federal Funding TA Activities
25% of one support staff
Family Support Specialist
85-90 interveners
18% of Project Coordinator

8. Background of How Funding was obtained
Early 90’s- money was allocated through different agency
Need for services in Part B/school system
Mid 90’s- parents advocated for funding
Interveners and DB Teachers
Legislators allocated state funds/moved funding to USDB

9. Current Happenings with State Funding
State Report
Partnerships with Utah State Office of Ed, University of Utah, Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, LEA’s, BabyWatch, Utah State Board of Ed
Day on the Hill

10. Current Happenings with State Funding continued
Specific strategies we have found to be effective in working with government or educational professionals either locally or on a larger scale
Parents are a key factor
Advocacy piece during our parent conference
Take opportunities to let legislature be aware of our students and their needs
School on the Hill-Student’s write letters to legislators asking them to come and meet them
Training opportunities for School Districts.  School Districts are invited to attend intervener training.  We also go to the Districts to provide training on DB strategies

11. Teachers of the Deaf-Blind
Available to Every Student
Deaf-Blind Endorsed
Key Component to Successful Service Delivery

12. Deaf-Blind teacher for every student
Every student IDENTIFIED with a combined vision and hearing loss receives support
Range of Services Available
Level of Support Dependent on Need
Determined by IEP Team

13. Teachers are Deaf-Blind Endorsed
11 of 14 Teachers of the Deaf-Blind have a deaf- Blind Endorsement (100% of our full-time teachers)
Offered by University of Utah and Utah State University as a Multi-Sensory Consortium
Attached to an Existing Special Education License
Bachelors or Masters

14. Key Component to Successful Service Delivery
A comprehensive system of support for students who are deaf-blind positively impacts their learning outcomes and social and emotional well being.
Providing supports to classroom teachers and IEP team members who may have little or no understanding of deaf-blindness.
Raising awareness of deaf-blindness through trainings and simulations for community and family groups.

15. Interveners Intervener Services Listed in Utah’s State Code
All Interveners are Supervised by a Deaf- Blind Teacher
Employed by Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind

16. Intervener Services listed in state code
Provide Access to Information/ Facilitate Communication
Formally Trained
Service That is Available to All Eligible Students

17. employed by Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
Work in Any Setting Throughout the State Where the Student Attends School
We Have Jurisdiction Over Employees
training attendance
student assignment
Focus on Student Independence vs. Dependence

18. Conclusion Diversity of Students Diversity of State of Utah
Diversity Nationally/Internationally
Political Climate
Know Political Leaders
Agency Collaboration

19. Video- Overview of Utah Deaf-Blind Services