Deaf Mentor (Contract)

Summary: Youth and Family Connections is a family-centered support program that links adults who are Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing (DDBHH) with families who have children who are DDBHH (ages 0-22) throughout Illinois. Deaf Mentors provide an array of support services and help create and work towards individualized goals, which may be connected to language, communication, behavior support, academic achievement, Deaf identity, or self-advocacy skills. In addition to supporting families, Deaf Mentors also act as role models and assist with Youth and Family Connections events.  

Position Responsibilities: 

• Collaborate with families to determine and achieve appropriate program goals.
• Provide ongoing services to help families reach their individualized goals. 
• Support families’ communication opportunities with their child, including all communication approaches.
• Model conversational interactions using the families’ chosen communication approach.
• Share past and present personal experiences as a Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing person as it relates to individual families. 
• Provide relevant information and resources as it pertains to families’ individualized needs, priorities, and goals. 
• Provide information on assistive technology (auditory and visual) for DDBHH individuals as it relates to families.
• Assist families and children with learning advocacy and access skills.
• Outreach to Families and Professionals:
• Represent CHS at family events and networking groups to inform them of program activities.
• Provide information and referrals.
• Work with professionals through Youth and Family Connections to reach parents of children recently identified as being Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing. 
• Assist with Youth and Family Connections activities. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Must be Deaf, Deafblind or Hard of Hearing.
• Be an llinois resident.
• Experience in social work, psychology, counseling, early childhood education, or related human services field preferred. 
• Be flexible with scheduling sessions.
• Knowledge of the technology available to assist with effective communication with families. 
• Ability to be unbiased, open-minded, and supportive of family decisions with their communication and amplification approaches.
• Must follow HIPAA privacy laws and other policies of the program. 
• Ability to promote and adhere to agency values. 
• Commitment to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment.