May 6-10, 2024 - Virtual via Zoom
May 6-10, 2024 - Virtual via Zoom
Experiencing belonging–knowing where and with whom you belong –is integral to human existence. Children belong first to a family, a cultural group, a neighborhood and a wider community. For children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) their human right for communication and connection may be impacted by limited and/or inconsistent access to language. In this presentation presenters, Christine Griffin (Washington State Hands & Voices), Kerianne Christie and Kris Cheng (Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth) will be defining belonging as it relates to the unique needs of our children who are DHH, through the collaboration between parent support services and providers. Attendees will learn strategies to help foster and develop skills for parents they work with to help them understand the importance of instilling a sense of belonging in their child.
Kris Ching is the director of Birth-5 Outreach Services for Washington Center for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Youth or CDHY. Her focus is on developing statewide systems that ensure all parents and families receive accurate and complete information using national best practices from identification to enrollment in and delivery of early intervention services. Kris is a graduate Gallaudet University’s Infant Toddler Family (ITF) Collaboration & Leadership Interdisciplinary graduate program and proudly served on the board of Washington Hands & Voices since 2008.
Kerianne Christie has worked in the field of Deaf Education for 21 years, primarily in WA state. She grew up in New York and her pursuit of education brought her to the Pacific NW where she attended Lewis & Clark College to achieve master’s degrees in Deaf Education: Early Intervention & K-12. Kerianne is dedicated to providing high quality specialized educational services and has been a National Board Certified Teacher since 2010. Kerianne currently fills the role of Birth-to-Three Program Coordinator for CDHY DHH Outreach Services in Washington.
Christine is the parent of two young adult children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing Plus. Christine has worked in the realm of family-to-family support since 2006 and is currently the Program Coordinator of the Guide By Your Side (GBYS) and brand new Advocacy Support & Training (ASTra) programs with Washington State Hands & Voices. She's also the Parent Co-Chair of the Early Hearing Detection, Diagnosis and Intervention (EHDDI) Advisory group, and Regional coordinator of western Hands & Voices chapters. Christine earned a MEd degree in Adult Education in 2017 with a focus on parents as adult learners.
