What is a Deaf coach?

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A Deaf Coach is a deaf adult who is fluent in sign language and has the skills to work with hearing families with deaf and hard of hearing children. The Deaf Coach collaborates with the various school District’s early intervention specialists to coordinate and provide services, reinforcing the language goals of the child and the family.

Learn more about what we offer by clicking the expandable list below.

Services provided by the Deaf Coach

  • Prepares the child for Kindergarten
  • Focuses on language acquisition for success in Kindergarten
  • Meets with the family for 1 to 1.5 hours each week at their home
  • Engages the family in sign language communication, including vocabulary
  • Models the use of sign language and visual cues when interacting with the child
  • Provides useful strategies for visual communication
  • Shares information and resources about Deaf Culture and the general experiences from a deaf individual’s perspective
  • Introduces families to events in the Deaf Community

Who May Be Interested in the Deaf Mentorship Program?

Families with deaf and hard of hearing infants or young children under age 5 who want the benefits of providing a linguistically and culturally rich environment for their child to enhance language acquisition.

Families who want to explore all possible options to support their child’s future success.

Families who seek the opportunity to learn a variety of firsthand experiences and challenges faced by deaf children and adults in a safe environment.

Expectations of the Deaf Coach

DCS screens Deaf coaches for their fluency in American Sign Language, their ability to communicate and develop rapport with families, and their comfort in interacting with young children. DCS seeks Deaf coaches who have completed a college education or possess professional experience providing ASL instruction, and involvement in working with youth. We employ coaches who support all types of communication needs. Deaf coaches are non-judgmental, neutral and respect parents’ choices. All deaf coaches are screened via a background check. Deaf coaches are expected to participate in specific required trainings during staff meetings.

Curriculum

Deaf Coaches provide essential tools and resources for families and their children. DCS utilizes specialized curriculums developed for use by deaf coaches which incorporates a variety of resources designed to promote maximum benefits for the child and family.

  • ASL For Families – A series of 37 topics to help families learn ASL for use in everyday environments and routines
  • Early Visual Communication Strategies – A series of 18 topics summarizing strategies to focus on the child’s visual environment so the child is able to shift toward acquiring language
  • Deaf Culture – Designed to introduce families to Deaf Culture and the Deaf Community
  • SB 210 Milestones – Language Milestones were developed by the SB 210 committee for children who are Deaf or hard of hearing, birth to five years of age. The Deaf Coach will support their families and the early intervention specialist by ensuring their children are making the progress necessary to be ready for Kindergarten. More information can be found at https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ss/dh/sb210langmilestones.asp

For more information about the program, please contact your school district’s early intervention specialist or contact our Youth and Family Services Director at 619-550-3435.

Photo Gallery

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  • In the background is a beige sofa and yellow table. There are blue pillows on the sofa. A woman wearing pink is seated on the floor with a small child in a light blue dress in her lap. The woman is holding open a book and signing while the child looks at what’s in the book.
  • Background is an Asian mural. Three adults and baby sits at a table with food and plates. They are all looking at the camera and smiling except for the baby who is eyeing a plate of salad.
  • Background is an Asian mural. Two adults and a baby sits at the table. They are looking at pictures of different signs for food. The woman in blue shirt is signing “cereal” and the man in black shirt is signing “kiss-fist”. The baby in the red shirt is reaching towards some paper.
  • Background: Background has a big brown leather sofa, white walls. A blond woman in black and blue is looking away from the camera and signing “Two-Minutes” to a man and woman, both has big smiles and is copying the teacher.
  • Background has a big brown leather sofa, white walls with picture frames, and a window. A blond woman in black and blue skirt is signing “when: towards four adults who is following along with the “when” sign. They all are seated. Visible next to the teacher is a whiteboard with various W-words written on them.
  • Pool with stone blocks in background and foreground. Woman in red smiles and gestures for a young child in orange to jump in. A smiling man looks on this behind the woman.
  • Pool with stone blocks in background and foreground. Two people stands in the pool. The woman in black swimsuit signs “water” while the other woman in red swimsuit points at the water in the pool.
  • White wall and brown sofa background. Two smiling women sit. A young boy in a gray t-shirt and holding a toy is also smiling and sitting there. The other woman is holding an orange stuffed lion toy
  • Living room in front of big brown sofa. Woman in DCS shirt signing “pig” along with a mother and a son.