8 August 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For Further Information Contact:
Steve Hamerdinger, Past President
steve.hamerdinger@...

ADARA FORUMS PRESENTS "SERVING YOUTH AT RISK: A COGNITIVE APPROACH"

As part of the continuing series of online discussions, ADARA will be
offering a session on working with at - risk young deaf people.
The discussion on "Serving Youth At Risk: A Cognitive Approach" will
be led Anne Levy, Executive Director of COPD, on Monday, August 13th
at 8: PM Central Time (9:00 PM Eastern Time, 6:00 PM Pacific Time) in
the ADARA Chat Room.

COPD has responded to the needs of Deaf Youth with a service model
that encompasses vocational programming and cognitive skills
training. This program was based on the premise that Deaf persons
learn best through an experiential model with supports in how they
are identifying and thinking through problems. COPD will begin this
discussion with an overview of the program, the service design and
the specific strategies that have been found to be helpful with our
youth.

Anne Levy, with an MA from Gallaudet University has over 25 years of
experience is services to Deaf persons, persons who are Hard of
Hearing and the DeafBlind population. Anne currently oversees the
programs for youth at risk and develops the contractual relationships
to serve this group. Anne will be joined by two staff, Ann Ventola
MA from Gallaudet University, currently the Program Director of
Client Services. Ann has over 15 years of experience providing direct
support to persons with a hearing loss and is an expert in the area
of Mental Health Services. Ann together with Mike Gutierrez developed
the strategies that have been helpful with this program. Mike
Gutierrez, is the other staff person to join us has a BA and has over
15 years of direct services in the vocational area, providing
vocational services to Deaf youth for over 10 years.

ADARA wants to remind members that continuing education credits will
be awarded for members who participate in the discussion. Each
session will be worth 1.5 contact hours. Please be sure to check the
website (www.adara.org) prior to the discussion for information on
how to obtain CE credits. More enhancements are planned, including
expanded CEU eligibility.

The next discussion will be on September 10, when Alexis Greaves and
Gabe Lomas lead a discussion on "Play Therapy with Deaf Children."
To log onto the chat or to get transcripts, go to www.adara.org,
scroll down to the "Community" box and click on the "Chat Room"
button. Follow the instructions to log in.

People interested in lead future chats are welcome to contact Steve
Hamerdinger for more information as to how to do this.

ADARA is an organization of professionals networking for excellence
in service delivery with individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
ADARA strives to be the leader among professional organizations in
transforming the paradigm of rehabilitation of Deaf people to
enhancing the quality of life with people who are Deaf or Hard of
Hearing.

For more information see www.adara.org.

###