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.