Michigan Hands&Voices

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program sponsors the Guide-By-Your-Side Program (GBYS) which offers support to families when they first learn that their child is deaf or hard of hearing. A number of parents that have a child who is deaf or hard of hearing serve as mentors for this special program. The goal of the program is to provide parents with support, serving as a resource for information and steps to take to ensure their child receives the necessary support. Sometimes support is simply talking with someone who has been there. When a parent first learns that their child is hard of hearing or deaf it can be very overwhelming. A few of the questions that may run through a parent's mind.....What can I expect? How do I get my child the support he or she needs? How do I communicate with my child? What do I do next? If you are asking yourself any of these questions, a GBYS mentor can help.

Highlights of the Program include:

• Free service offered throughout the State of Michigan

• Personal visit by one of the GBYS mentors

• GBYS binder filled with important resource information

• Non-biased view of communication modes

• Information on Children's Special Health Care Services, Early On Program and more

• Opportunity to talk with another parent who has a child who is deaf or hard of hearing

For more information on the GBYS program call 517-335-8955 and ask for a GBYS referral.