DID YOU KNOW....


The Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) is commonly used to screen cognitive function
in a clinical setting. The measure has been published in over 50 languages;
however, the validity and reliability of the MMSE has yet to be assessed with
the culturally Deaf elderly population.

Participants consisted of 117 Deaf senior citizens, aged 55-89 (M = 69.44, SD =
8.55). Demographic information, including state of residence, age, and history
of depression, head injury, and dementia diagnoses, were collected.

A standard form of the MMSE was used with modification of test administration
and stimuli including translation of English test items into a sign-based form
and alteration of two items in order to make them culturally and linguistically
appropriate.

Significant correlations were observed between overall test score and education
level (r = .23, p = .01) as well as test score and age (r = -.33, p < .001).
Patterns of responses were analyzed and revealed several items that were
problematic and yielded a fewer correct responses.

These results indicate that clinicians need to be aware of cultural and
linguistic factors associated with the deaf population that may impact test
performance and clinical interpretation of test results. On the basis of these
data, there is an increased risk of false positives obtained when using this
measure. Further research is needed to validate the use of this measure with the
culturally Deaf population.




Clinical Evaluation of the Mini-Mental State Exam with Culturally Deaf Senior
Citizens.
Dean PM, Feldman DM, Morere D, Morton D.
Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2009 Oct 27.




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I have put the cards used in my research exploring voice
hallucinations in Deaf people on my UCL staff page so that clinicians
can access for use in clinical work with D/deaf people. Feel free to
upload them and I would appreciate your feedback. They were developed
for a British D/deaf population but could equally be used in other
English speaking cultures. I stress that the text on the cards should
be presented in sign language by a native or near native signer to
ensure optimal understanding.

http://www.dcal.ucl.ac.uk/team/joanna_atkinson.html

All the best

Jo



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The seventh in the highly successful Supporting Deaf People online conference
series will take place between the 3-6th February, 2010

This year's themes are:

     * Interpreting in specialist settings
     * Interpreters, fallout and vicarious trauma
     * Effective interpreting, politeness, face and culture

Workshops of particular interest to mental health interpreters might be:

- Working with Dysfluency in Mental Health Settings by Charlene Crump
- Vicarious Trauma: Implications for Interpreters by Karen Malcolm
- Stress, Burnout and Vicarious Trauma: The Benefits of Supervision for
Interpreters by Ali Hetherington
- Interpreters and vicarious trauma: Stress and coping strategies by  Karen
Bontempo and Dr Valerie van Loggerenberg

For more info see here: http://www.online-conference.net/sdp2010/programme.htm

Registration is now open and the early bird discount is available until the 31st
of October, so sign up today!

If you're not sure how an online conference works, see
http://www.online-conference.net/sdp2010/faq.htm or email
judithm@... for more info. They're easy to use, you need no
special equipment or software and they are really, really convenient -
participate from work, home or an internet cafe! Up to 2.0 RID CEUs are
available for the conference.

If you have not attended an SDP conference before, here's what a few previous
delegates said:

"This was my first SPD and I wanted to thank you for all the incredible work
that you did pre-conference, as well as during. WOW!! What an amazing
experience. I hope to return for more of this type of learning."

"This was one of the best conferences I have ever experienced ­ whether in
person or online. The caliber of the presentation materials and conference
participant posts far exceeded my expectations. I look forward to the next SDP
online conference and will definitely recommend this conference to others."

"Clearly, I really enjoy this conference! The flexibility, easy-to-navigate
style and non-threatening interaction with fellow delegates keep me coming back
year after year. The presentations are thorough and relevant to my work. What an
asset SDP is to the learning process of interpreters worldwide!"

Judith Mole
Direct Learn Services

________________________________
From: DeafServices@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DeafServices@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Hamerdinger, Steve
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 9:17 AM
To: DeafServices@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [DeafServices] Important Time Change: DST at 1:00 PM Not 10 AM
Importance: High



We need to move the start time for the DST meeting to 1:00 PM.  We will be at
the Montgomery Area Mental Health Authority, 111 Coliseum Blvd.

Please share this with all who are interested

Steve Hamerdinger, Director
Office of Deaf Services
Alabama Department of Mental Health
PO Box 301410
Montgomery, Al  36130
Phone/VP: (866) 934-7606
This email may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. This
message and/or any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of
the addressee(s). This email is to be treated as confidential and may not be
used or disclosed except for the purpose for which it was sent. If you receive
this email in error, please contact the sender immediately, delete it, any
attachments, and all copies of it from your system, and destroy any hard copies
of it.  You are hereby notified that disclosing, copying, distributing, or
taking any action on the contents, attachments, or information herein is
strictly prohibited.





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Reminder that this coming Thursday we will be having our quarterly statewide DST
meeting.  We will beginning at 10:00.

The training topic this month will be an expansion and continuation of the
Sources of Dysfluency discussion that was held on line this past Tuesday
evening.  Charlene Crump will be leading us and I understand she has some
exciting things planned that could not be done on line, i.e. actually analyzing
video samples.

I hope to see you all there.

Steve Hamerdinger, Director
Office of Deaf Services
Alabama Department of Mental Health
PO Box 301410
Montgomery, Al  36130
Phone/VP: (866) 934-7606
This email may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. This
message and/or any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of
the addressee(s). This email is to be treated as confidential and may not be
used or disclosed except for the purpose for which it was sent. If you receive
this email in error, please contact the sender immediately, delete it, any
attachments, and all copies of it from your system, and destroy any hard copies
of it.  You are hereby notified that disclosing, copying, distributing, or
taking any action on the contents, attachments, or information herein is
strictly prohibited.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Tuscaloosa Regional Center will be
offering a Free Workshop for Hearing Interpreters, Certified Deaf Interpreters,
Deaf Interpreters in various settings

Communication Tools and Techniques

Presenter:  Shannon Reese, MA, NCC

October 29, 2009
5:00 pm to 7:00 p.m.

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Regional Center- Tuscaloosa
2412 Skyland Blvd. East, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35405

Contact Cindy Collins/Jan McGee to register or to request accommodations
205-345-2883 (voice) or contact either collins.cindy@... or
mcgee.jan@...

Objectives: This workshop was specifically designed to enhance an
interpreter’s ability to apply communication tools/techniques to communicate
with low functioning deaf people or deaf and hard of hearing people with minimal
to no language skills. This is a hands-on activity that will help the
interpreters expand their “toolkit” whenever working with this specialized
population and be able to understand the message being signed by the
client/student. It will also provide participants with opportunities to interact
with interpreters in the field of deafness and explore personal experiences and
helpful tips in applying their skills to service provision.

Workshop will be presented in sign language.

0.2 RID CMP/ACET CEUS offered

The Alabama Department of Mental Health is an approved RID CMP Sponsor.  This
activity has been awarded 0.2 CEUS in the area of Professional Studies by The
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf at the “some” Content Knowledge Level
for CMP and ACET participants.  Activity # 0263.1009.02.

Please return registration to collins.cindy@... or
mcgee.jan@...  or 2412 Skyland Blvd. East, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
35405. In the event the workshop is cancelled, you will be notified by email.
Name â
Deaf  or   Hearing or  H/H
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone      TTY       VP
Fax (
Email
Accommodation Request?


Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Regional Center and Office of Deaf
Services, Alabama Department of Mental Health have joined together to offer this
workshop to the Tuscaloosa Community of Interpreters, Signing Community, and
Interpreting students.

Attached (or in the attachments folder
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TERPINFO/attachments/folder/0/list ) is
information on the upcoming Breakout Conference  to take place on June 17-19,
2010 in Atlanta, GA.    The attached forms are the Call for Presentations and
Registration/Hotel information.

The Breakout Conference is a cooperative effort of ADARA and the Gallaudet
University Regional Center at Flagler College. Teh goal of the conference is to
provide training and networking oppportunities for mental health professionals
serving deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing adults and/or children who have
server mental illness or emotional disorders. WOrkshops will provide informaiton
that attendees will be able to implement and utlize in the workplace with their
clientele.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact Steve Larew at
SLarew@...<mailto:SLarew@...><mailto:SLarew@...<mailto:S\
Larew@...>>  or 866-948-8248 VP


Steve

Steve Larew, Director
Gallaudet University Regional Center
Flagler College
PO Box 1027
St Augustine,, FL  32085

866 948 8248


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

HOLD THE DATE!

Communication Tools and Techniques Workshop

By Shannon Reese

October 29, 2009
5 pm to 7 pm

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Regional Center-Tuscaloosa

More information will be forthcoming!

This workshop is specifically designed to enhance an interpreter's ability to
apply communication tools/techniques to communicate with low functioning deaf
people or deaf and hard of hearing people with minimal to no language skills.

This is a hands-on activity that will help the interpreters expand their
"toolkit" whenever working with this specialized population and be able to
understand the message being signed by the client/student.


It will also provide participants with opportunities to interact with
interpreters in the field of deafness and explore personal experiences and
helpful tips in applying their skills to service provision.

All interpreters - at any level are welcome to come and learn!!!!



WORKSHOP DETAILS

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Time: 5:30-7-30 PM

"Communication Tools and Techniques"

Presented in American Sign Language

(No Voice Interpreter)

Presenter: Shannon Reese ADMH, Office of Deaf Services

2-hour Hands on Workshop

Registration Fee: $10.00

(JCCD Independent Contract Interpreters ˝ price)

Location: Easter Seals Central Alabama

Janice Capilouto Center for the Deaf

2125 E. South Blvd

Montgomery, Alabama 36116

334-288-0240 ext 234 Vickie Wood

vwood@...<mailto:vwood%40eastersealsca.org>

RID CMP / ACET CEUs 0.2

Activity # 0263.0909.04




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

DID YOU KNOW...

Within the deaf population, an extreme mental health professional shortage
exists that may be alleviated with videoconferencing technology-also known as
telehealth. Moreover, much needed mental health education within the deaf
population remains largely inaccessible.

Researchers have warned that the deaf population may remain underserved if
significant changes do not take place with traditional service delivery methods.

This article evaluated the efficacy of telehealth in teaching psychoeducational
objectives, with special emphasis given to its application to the deaf
population.

Results indicate that telehealth can be regarded as an efficacious and
cost-effective option in delivering health care to the deaf population.

Participants also indicated satisfaction with the telehealth technology. The use
of printed transcripts for educational purposes is encouraged given the
significant findings in this article.

The findings also have implications for the literature on single-session
interventions.


J Deaf Stud Deaf Educ. 2009 Summer;14(3):386-402. 2009 Apr 27.
Telehealth and the deaf: a comparison study.Wilson JA, Wells MG.
Brigham Young University. peanutbutterface@...



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Breaking News Alert
The New York Times
Tue, September 08, 2009 -- 12:44 PM ET
-----

New York State Discriminated Against Mentally Ill, Judge Rules

New York State had discriminated against thousands of
mentally ill people by leaving them in privately run adult
homes, which are usually larger than the disgraced
psychiatric hospitals they were intended to replace, a
federal judge ruled in a decision released on Tuesday
morning.

Read More:
http://www.nytimes.com?emc=na






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

DID YOU KNOW....





Differentiating characteristics of deafblindness and autism in people
with congenital deafblindness and profound intellectual disability.



BACKGROUND: In persons with deafblindness, it is hard to distinguish
autism spectrum disorders from several deafblind specific behaviours
caused by the dual sensory impairments, especially when these persons
are also intellectually disabled. As a result, there is an
over-diagnosis of autism in persons who are deafblind leading to
unsuitable interventions.



METHODS: Autism as specified by the DSM-IV was studied in 10 persons
with congenital deafblindness with profound intellectual disabilities.
Behaviours of people with deafblindness and autism (n = 5) and of people
with deafblindness without autism (n = 5) were observed in a
semi-standardised assessment.



RESULTS: All people with deafblindness showed impairments in social
interaction, communication and language. In contrast to persons without
autism, people with deafblindness and autism showed significantly more
impairments in reciprocity of social interaction, quality of initiatives
to contact and the use of adequate communicative signals and functions.
No differences between the groups were found for quantity and
persistence of stereotyped behaviour, quality of play and exploration
and adequate problem-solving strategies.



CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that there are some possibilities to
differentiate autism from behaviours specific for deafblindness. It also
confirms the large overlap in overt behaviours between people with
deafblindness and persons with autism.









J Intellect Disabil Res. 2009 Jun;53(6):548-58. Epub 2009 Apr 23.

Hoevenaars-van den Boom MA, Antonissen AC, Knoors H, Vervloed MP.

Department of Diagnostics, Royal Effatha Guyot Group, Sint
Michielsgestel, The Netherlands.





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

DMH Office of Deaf Services and Gallaudet University Regional Center
will be offering a Workshop at the Janice Capilouto Center for the Deaf



for Hearing Interpreters, Certified Deaf Interpreters, Deaf Interpreters
in various settings



Team Interpreting for Deaf and Hearing Interpreters



How to Work Effectively in Community-Based Settings



Presenter: Carole Lazorisak



September 12, 2009



9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.



Janice Capilouto Center for the Deaf (JCCD)



2125 E. South Boulevard, Montgomery, AL



$50.00 Registration Fee



Lunch is on your own from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.



Contact Shannon Reese to register or to request accommodations



334-353-4703 (voice) or shannon.reese@... (VP) 334-239-3780



Checks should be made payable to AL-ASLTA



This workshop will focus on a range of techniques of interpreting, and
differing settings and roles expected of a Deaf Interpreters and Hearing
Interpreters team in various settings, the benefits, the "how-tos" and
'what-for's".



Participants will have the opportunity to discuss interpreting scenarios
that may benefit from the use of a DI/HI team, to participate in role
play and to analyze the factors which contribute to a successful team.



0.525 RID CMP/ACET CEUS offered



The Alabama Department of Mental Health is an approved RID CMP Sponsor.

This activity has been awarded 0.525 CEUS in the area of Professional
Studies by The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf at the "some"

Content Knowledge Level for CMP and ACET participants. Activity #
0263.0909.01.



Please return registration to shannon.reese@... or Office of
Deaf Services, PO Box 301410, Montgomery, AL 36130 In the event the
workshop is cancelled, you will be notified by email. Refunds should be
requested in writing.



Name



0 Deaf 0 Hearing 0 H/H



Address



City



State



Zip



0 Phone 0 TTY 0 VP ( )



Fax ( )



Email



Accommodation Request



Office of Deaf Services, Alabama Department of Mental Health, Mental
Health Interpreter Training Project (MHIT).



http://www.mhit.org/programsprojects/deafinterpretertraining.html





Shannon Reese, MA, NCC

Deaf Services Coordinator

ALDMH, Office of Deaf Services

PO BOX 301410

100 N. Union Street

Montgomery, AL 36130-1410

334-239-3780

334-242-3025 (fax)

shannon.reese@... <mailto:shannon.reese@...>
(email)

reesesha@... <mailto:reesesha@...>
(pager)

This email may contain legally privileged and/or confidential
information. This message and/or any files transmitted with it are
intended solely for the use of the addressee(s). This email is to be
treated as confidential and may not be used or disclosed except for the
purpose for which it was sent. If you receive this email in error,
please contact the sender immediately, delete it, any attachments, and
all copies of it from your system, and destroy any hard copies of it.
You are hereby notified that disclosing, copying, distributing, or
taking any action on the contents, attachments, or information herein is
strictly prohibited.





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Guardianship and Special Needs Trust for Individuals with Disabilities
and the Elderly



PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE

Guardianship and Special Needs Trust for Individuals with Disabilities
and the Elderly



~NO REGISTRATION FEE~

DATES AND LOCATIONS



BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

AUGUST 18, 2009

United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham

120 Oslo Circle,

Birmingham, AL 35216

205.944.3900



HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA

SEPTEMBER 17, 2009

ES Brooks School of Real Estate

2312 Memorial Parkway, Suite J

Huntsville, AL 35801

256.539.3236



MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA

OCTOBER 14, 2009

Auburn University Montgomery

Alabama Training Institute

The Bailey Building

400 South Union Street

Montgomery, AL 36104



MOBILE, ALABAMA

NOVEMBER 12, 2009

Cottage Hills Baptist Church

4255 Cottage Hills Rd

Mobile, AL 36633

251.660.2422





COURSE DESCRIPTION



This course is designed to provide specific information on guardianship
issues and special needs trusts for attorneys, care coordinators, other
professionals and individuals with disabilities and their families. The
course is designed as a series of workshops, each of which is
personalized to the specific intended audience. Issues in guardianship,
privacy restrictions, entitlement resource limitations, financial
planning, inheritance, expectation management, and forms will be
discussed. Information on the Alabama Family Trust will also be
provided.



SCHEDULE AND AGENDA

Guardianship and Special Needs Trust



FOR ATTORNEYS

9:00 am-12:00 pm

* Examination of Guardianship issues and solutions.
* Exploration of the impact of public assistance benefits for
persons with disabilities and the elderly.
* Explanation of revocable and irrevocable forms.
* Discussion of child support, inheritance issues and management
of expectations.
* Discussion of referral of families to appropriate attorneys.
* Summary of options available to attorneys for individuals with
disabilities and their families, including the Alabama Family Trust.







COORDINATORS, FAMILIES & PROFESSIONALS

For Aug: 1:00-4:00 pm

For remaining dates: 4:00-6:00 pm

* * Examination of Guardianship issues and solutions.
* * Discussion of issues in financial planning for individuals
with disabilities and their parents.
* * Description of resource limitations and the impact of
financial contributions to Medicaid, SSID and SSI.
* * Clarification of special needs trusts and the provisions
provided on behalf of individuals with disabilities and the elderly.
* * Discussion of the Alabama Family Trust







FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND FAMILIES

For Aug: 5:00-7:00 pm

For remaining dates: 4:00-6:00 pm

* * Examination of Guardianship issues and solutions.
* * Discussion of issues in financial planning for individuals
with disabilities and their parents.
* * Description of resource limitations and the impact of
financial contributions to Medicaid, SSID and SSI.
* * Clarification of special needs trusts and the provisions
provided on behalf of individuals with disabilities and the elderly.
* * Discussion of the Alabama Family Trust.





PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE

Guardianship and Special Needs Trust for Individuals with Disabilities
and the Elderly

**** Pre-Registration Is Required ****

(Registration deadline one week prior to course date)

Please Print Legibly

Name: First: _________________________ Last: ___________________________




Title or Role:
___________________________________________________________



(e.g., Attorney, Educator, Social Worker, Caregiver, parent, Individual
with a disability)



Are you a family member of an individual with a disability? _______Yes
______No



Organization Employed by:
________________________________________________



Address: ______________________________________________________________



City/State/Zip:
__________________________________________________________



Area Code & Telephone: _________________________________________________




Email Address: _________________________________________________________




Choose Date/Session (AM or PM):

Date: _______________________________ AM ___________ PM ____________

August 18, 2009 - Birmingham, AL October 14, 2009 - Montgomery, AL

September 17, 2009 - Huntsville, AL November 12, 2009 - Mobile, AL



Complete and return by mail, fax or email:

Anita Davidson

Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program

Box 870395

Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0395

Fax: 205.348.3909

Phone: 205.348.4928

Email: akdavidson@...

If you need special accommodations, please contact Anita Davidson.





Shannon Reese, MA, NCC

Deaf Services Coordinator

ALDMH, Office of Deaf Services

100 N. Union Street

Montgomery, AL 36130

205-986-9213 (text)

334-242-3025 (fax)

shannon.reese@... <mailto:shannon.reese@...>
(email)

reesesha@... <mailto:reesesha@...>
(pager)

This email may contain legally privileged and/or confidential
information. This message and/or any files transmitted with it are
intended solely for the use of the addressee(s). This email is to be
treated as confidential and may not be used or disclosed except for the
purpose for which it was sent. If you receive this email in error,
please contact the sender immediately, delete it, any attachments, and
all copies of it from your system, and destroy any hard copies of it.
You are hereby notified that disclosing, copying, distributing, or
taking any action on the contents, attachments, or information herein is
strictly prohibited.





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

DID YOU KNOW...





AIM: The aim of this study was to elucidate factors related to the high
rate of mental health disorders seen in those with impaired hearing,
including social factors and audiological measures.



METHOD: A representative sample of 95 pupils (47 females, 48 males; mean
age 11y 1mo, range 6y 5mo to 16y, SD 2y 7mo) with hearing impairments of
at least 40dB and normal non-verbal intelligence (IQ 97.5, SD 19.5), was
assessed audiologically and with a structured clinical interview giving
both current and lifetime diagnoses, and the Strengths and Difficulties
Questionnaire. Detailed social information was gathered from parents and
teachers.



RESULTS: Point and lifetime prevalence rates for any psychiatric
disorder (32.6%; 45.3%) and depression (7.4%; 26.3%) were higher than in
general population samples and not related to the degree of hearing
loss. There was a relation between having a lifetime diagnosis and the
child's ability to be understood within the family (25.6% vs 7.7%, odds
ratio 4.12 [1.2-14.1], p=0.02). Internalizing mental health disorders
were between three and six times more likely in those who had been
teased, maltreated by classmates, or isolated.



INTERPRETATION: We conclude that the increased risk of depression in
those who have been teased, isolated, or maltreated is not peculiar to
deafness, but the ability to make oneself understood is, and is modestly
related (r=0.22-0.34) to the probability of these adverse experiences.





Dev Med Child Neurol. 2009 Aug;51(8):635-41.

Correlates of mental health disorders among children with hearing
impairments.Fellinger J, Holzinger D, Sattel H, Laucht M, Goldberg D.

Health Centre for the Deaf, Hospital of St. John of God, Linz, Austria.
Johannes.Fellinger@...





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Please forward this information to consumers, family members, community
stakeholders and others.


***************************
Community Meetings to Explore How Alabama Department of Mental Health
Can Better Serve Consumers and Their Families

Stipends Available for Consumers/Family to Attend

The Department of Mental Health (DMH, formerly known as DMH/MR) is
coordinating a series of county-based planning meetings to be held in
August and September.

Consumers, family members, providers, community stakeholders and other
interested parties should attend these meetings.   At these meetings,
DMH will:

* Review its planning process
* Review local needs and state-level priorities in services for
adults and children with intellectual disabilities, mental illnesses or
substance abuse issues
* Provide an overview of the budget outlook
* Review data for the mental illness, substance abuse and
intellectual disability divisions

A directory of all local planning meetings is available in PDF format at
a link on DMH's homepage:    http://www.mh.alabama.gov/
<https://webmail.ua.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=3054fa05b6554322a6716d706274d38
c&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.mh.alabama.gov> .   This directory provides
dates, times, and locations of each local planning meeting and is sorted
by county.  Please visit often as the document will be updated as new
planning meetings are scheduled.

DMH will pay $25 stipends to consumers and family members to help them
pay for expenses (travel, child care, etc.) they incur to attend these
meetings.   Information about the stipend can be found in the meeting
directory.

If you have any questions about these meetings, please contact ADAP at
800.826.1675 or via email at adap@...
<https://webmail.ua.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=3054fa05b6554322a6716d706274d38
c&URL=mailto%3aadap%40adap.ua.edu> .

Or, contact  Michelle Vilamaa, Strategic Planning Specialist with DMH.
Ms. Vilamaa can be reached at 334.353.7257 or via email at
Michelle.vilamaa@...
<https://webmail.ua.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=3054fa05b6554322a6716d706274d38
c&URL=mailto%3aMichelle.vilamaa%40mh.alabama.gov> .



Nancy Anderson

Staff Attorney
Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program
University of Alabama
526 Martha Parham West
Box 870395
Tuscaloosa, AL  35487-0395
205-348-4928
205-348-3909 (fax)
1-800-826-1675 (toll-free)





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

See http://www.mhit.org/programsprojects/deafinterpretertraining.html
for up to the minute information


Steve Hamerdinger, Director
Office of Deaf Services
Alabama Department of Mental Health
PO Box 301410
Montgomery, Al  361130
Phone/VP: (866) 934-7606

This email may contain legally privileged and/or confidential
information. This message and/or any files transmitted with it are
intended solely for the use of the addressee(s). This email is to be
treated as confidential and may not be used or disclosed except for the
purpose for which it was sent. If you receive this email in error,
please contact the sender immediately, delete it, any attachments, and
all copies of it from your system, and destroy any hard copies of it.
You are hereby notified that disclosing, copying, distributing, or
taking any action on the contents, attachments, or information herein is
strictly prohibited.




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Steve Hamerdinger, Director
Office of Deaf Services
Alabama Department of Mental Health
PO Box 301410
Montgomery, Al  361130
Phone/VP: (866) 934-7606

This email may contain legally privileged and/or confidential
information. This message and/or any files transmitted with it are
intended solely for the use of the addressee(s). This email is to be
treated as confidential and may not be used or disclosed except for the
purpose for which it was sent. If you receive this email in error,
please contact the sender immediately, delete it, any attachments, and
all copies of it from your system, and destroy any hard copies of it.
You are hereby notified that disclosing, copying, distributing, or
taking any action on the contents, attachments, or information herein is
strictly prohibited.



________________________________

From: Hedding, Teri [mailto:hedt@...]
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 9:18 AM
To: Hedding, Terri
Subject: Need your help !!!
Importance: High



Read below and read the attachment.



If you agree, please send your comments to two addresses below to
support this bill.. that is to getting Medicare/Medicaid and private
insurances to pay for sign language interpreters for healthcare needs.
This will improve the standards in healthcare access for Deaf community.



This healthcare bill has been released as of today and they need
comments BEFORE next week!



Thanks in advance for your support.



Teri



Teri Hedding, Manager
Deaf Access Program
Mount Sinai Hospital
1501 S. California Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60608

773-257-6289 (tty/vp)
773-257-5125 (voice)
773-257-2124 (FAX)
hedt@... (E-mail)

________________________________


DREDF has been involved in developing various position papers on
disability and health during the health care reform discussions, and
have included the interpreter payment issue each time there has been an
opportunity to raise it. Unfortunately, the issue hasn't gained a lot of
traction. I am writing to you now to urge you and your colleagues to
contact the Senate HELP Committee, which is leading the health reform
effort in the Senate, and urge the members to require CMS to pay for
interpreters for Deaf people who receive health care through publicly
financed programs. I have attached a short paper that includes this and
several other recommendations regarding ASL interpreters. Please feel
free to use these if you agree with them and/or to add your own. The
important point is that the Committee staff needs to hear that this is a
serious issue that the community cares about, otherwise it will languish
and we will have to find another way to solve the problem.

Fax or email your comments to:

Connie Garner
Policy Director
Disability and Special Populations for Senator Edward M. Kennedy
U. S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
317 Russell Senate Building
Washington D.C. 20510
Fax: (202) 224-2417
Connie_Garner@...

Aaron Bishop, M.S.S.W.
Professional Staff Member
U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Senator Michael B. Enzi, Ranking Member
h: 202-224-6770
Fax: 202-228-0411
Aaron_Bishop@...






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The Center for Education Research Partnerships at NTID has just opened a
new website for parents, educators, and others seeking evidence-based
information concerning the raising and educating a deaf and
hard-of-hearing children. The site can be accessed through
www.educatingdeafchildren.org <http://www.educatingdeafchildren.org> .



We hope that you will find the site will useful, and I encourage you to
pass this along to anyone you think might find it worthwhile.



Best regards,



Marc


Marc Marschark, Ph.D.
Center for Education Research Partnerships
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
52 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, New York 14623  USA
Fax: (+01) 585-475-6580
Marc.Marschark@... <mailto:Marc.Marschark@...>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Please forward.





MHIT 2009


Openings still available.

The Mental Health Interpreter Training will be offered this year in
Atlanta, Georgia

June 1- 5, 2009

For additional information, see the MHIT website

http://www.mhit.org/2009instituteinfo.html










[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

DID YOU KNOW.....



Usher syndrome and psychiatric symptoms: a challenge in psychiatric
management.



Usher syndrome, the most common case of deaf - blindness, may be
associated with various psychiatric disorders.



Inability of communication through spoken language in association with
progressive visual impairment affects diagnostics and management in case
of co-morbidity with mental disorder.



A patient with Usher syndrome and psychiatric symptoms is described and
the difficulties in psychiatric assessment in her case are discussed. A
28 years old woman with hearing impairment diagnosed at the age of 3
months and progressive pigmentary retinopathy diagnosed at the age of 19
years, has been treated for ADHD in childhood, eating disorder in
adolescence and psychosis-like disorder in adult life.



Direct observation of patient behavior and the effects of
pharmacotherapy were the main diagnostic procedures, since the use of
sign language and handwriting was very limited. The limitations of
management are discussed.







Psychiatr Danub. 2009 Mar;21(1):68-71.

Rijavec N, Grubic VN.

University Psychiatric Hospital Ljubljana, Studenec 48, SI - 1260
Ljubljana Polje, Slovenia.





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve mental health services for
Georgians who are deaf, hard of hearing and late deafened, the Georgia
Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities & Addictive
Diseases is pleased to be partnering with the Georgia State Financing &
Investment Commission - State ADA Coordinator's Office and the Georgia
Department of Labor - Vocational Rehabilitation Services to provide an
important training for interpreters.  We are working in conjunction with
the Alabama Dept. of Mental Health to provide the Mental Health
Interpreter Institute in Atlanta in June 2009.



This five-day training was developed by and will be presented by the
Mental Health Interpreter Training Project, Office of Deaf Services
Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.  The
aforementioned co-sponsors are excited about this first time offering in
Georgia.

Please see the attached brochure for more information.  It will also be
posted on the division's training website at
http://mhddad.dhr.georgia.gov/training

and on Alabama Department of Mental Health's website for MHIT at
www.mhit.org <http://www.mhit.org/>



Everyone is asked to share this information with interpreters in their
area.



Note to Regional Offices:  Please share with Regional Office Staff as
well as MH & AD providers so that they are aware of this next step in
Georgia's efforts to address the needs of individuals who are deaf, late
deafened or hard of hearing who need behavioral health services.



Thanks!

Joetta Prost, Ph.D.

Director, Policy & Training

Division of MHDDAD



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The Mental Health Interpreter Training will be offered this year in
Atlanta, Georgia

June 1- 5, 2009



For additional information, see the MHIT website

www.mhit.org <http://www.mhit.org/>



Please continue to check back over the next two weeks for additional
information as it becomes available.



All of the information that we have is posted on the website.













[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Attached please find an announcement for the next NCIHC Open Call --
this time with a presentation from the Languages of Lesser Diffusion
Committee and the Certification Development Committee of the National
Coalition on Health Care Interpreter Certification (NCC).  Presenters
will be Elizabeth Nguyen, Jonathan Levy, Maria Michalczyk and Valerie
Garza-Collins.



This Open Call will be brought to you via the technology of Elluminate
-- it will not only be a conference call, but also a video call as well!



I hope you can join us on May 1st!



Best regards,

Joy Connell





May 1, 2009 National Open Call/Webinar on Medical Interpreting



Date: May 1, 2009

Time:  9:00 am PDT / 11:00 am CDT / 12:00 pm EDT

Length of Time: 90 minutes

Organization: National Coalition on Healthcare Interpreter Certification
(NCC)

Title:

National Certification Surges Forward: A preliminary report from the
front line



Short Summary:

Come hear the presentation on healthcare interpreter certification
efforts from the NCC's Certification Development and Languages of Lesser
Diffusion Committees. During this open call, the presenters will report
on data collected at two recent public forums held at the CHIA
conference in California and TAHIT symposium in Texas. These forums,
which will be continued around the country, are intended to gather
national input into what will become a robust and comprehensive
certification process aimed to meet the needs of the majority of
stakeholders.

Participants on this NCIHC Open Call will gain further insights into:

*         The primary challenges facing healthcare interpreting
stakeholders;

*         How a certification process might help or hinder stakeholders'
efforts;

*         Stakeholders' attitudes towards proposed certification
elements;

* Stakeholders' thoughts concerning certification for interpreters
of "languages of lesser diffusion."



Format: Elluminate Presentation followed by 15-minutes Q&A (see the
Elluminate instructions below)



Presenters:

Maria Michalczyk, NCC Co-chair, Certification Development Committee

Institute for Health Professionals/Portland Community College

cmichalc@...
<http://webmaila.juno.com/webmail/new/8?folder=Sent&msgNum=00011k00:0019
wW7900000vYq&block=1&msgNature=all&msgStatus=all&count=1240631786&conten
t=central##>

Jonathan Levy, NCC Primary Representative/ Member, Certification
Development Committee

Cyracom

jlevy@...
<http://webmaila.juno.com/webmail/new/8?folder=Sent&msgNum=00011k00:0019
wW7900000vYq&block=1&msgNature=all&msgStatus=all&count=1240631786&conten
t=central##>

Elizabeth Nguyen, NCC Steering Committee / Member, Certification
Development and Languages of Lesser Diffusion Committees

Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
CHIA immediate past president

furelize@...
<http://webmaila.juno.com/webmail/new/8?folder=Sent&msgNum=00011k00:0019
wW7900000vYq&block=1&msgNature=all&msgStatus=all&count=1240631786&conten
t=central##>

Valerie Garza Collins   NCC Alternate /Member, Language of Lesser
Diffusion Committee

Institute for Health Professionals/Portland Community College

vgcollins@... <mailto:vgcollins@...>



Contact Person for Elluminate: Maria Michalczyk cmichalc@...
<http://webmaila.juno.com/webmail/new/8?folder=Sent&msgNum=00011k00:0019
wW7900000vYq&block=1&msgNature=all&msgStatus=all&count=1240631786&conten
t=central##>



Elluminate (Webinar) Instructions :


1. Please cut and paste the link below into your browser -- Do not just
simply click on it:

http://elm.elluminate.com:80/PortlandCommunityCollege/join_meeting.html?
meetingId=1240591087645

2. Enter your name at the login prompt.
3. This meeting does not require a password to join. Please leave the
password field blank.
4. Click on "Log in"
5. It will take about 5-10 minutes for the system to download.

Extremely Important:

* It takes about 10 minutes to log in into the webinar so please
plan to start the log-in process 15 minutes before the meeting start
time.
* Please make sure your computer has a microphone and speakers to
be able to talk and hear while you are in the Elluminate meeting.

A few additional tips!



1.      A screen will come up that looks similar to this when you are
logging in.  There will be a pop up blocker message and you will need to
accept that message.

















Once in the webinar:



1.      Click on the tools icon, click on the Audio Wizard and follow
the directions.  This will help you determine if your speaker and
microphone are working.

2.      The microphone on the left hand bottom of the screen works like
a walky talky: click on the microphone icon to speak.



.











[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

DID YOU KNOW....



Within the deaf population, an extreme mental health professional
shortage exists that may be alleviated with videoconferencing
technology-also known as telehealth.



Moreover, much needed mental health education within the deaf population
remains largely inaccessible.



Researchers have warned that the deaf population may remain underserved
if significant changes do not take place with traditional service
delivery methods.



This article evaluated the efficacy of telehealth in teaching
psychoeducational objectives, with special emphasis given to its
application to the deaf population.



Results indicate that telehealth can be regarded as an efficacious and
cost-effective option in delivering health care to the deaf population.



Participants also indicated satisfaction with the telehealth technology.
The use of printed transcripts for educational purposes is encouraged
given the significant findings in this article.



The findings also have implications for the literature on single-session
interventions.







J Deaf Stud Deaf Educ. 2009 Apr 27.

Telehealth and the Deaf: A Comparison Study.Wilson JA, Wells MG.

Brigham Young University.





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

If you have not already seen this, it's worth a look.  If you have,
sorry for the duplication.


Steve Hamerdinger, Director
Office of Deaf Services
Alabama Department of Mental Health
PO Box 301410
Montgomery, Al  361130
Phone/VP: (866) 934-7606

This email may contain legally privileged and/or confidential
information. This message and/or any files transmitted with it are
intended solely for the use of the addressee(s). This email is to be
treated as confidential and may not be used or disclosed except for the
purpose for which it was sent. If you receive this email in error,
please contact the sender immediately, delete it, any attachments, and
all copies of it from your system, and destroy any hard copies of it.
You are hereby notified that disclosing, copying, distributing, or
taking any action on the contents, attachments, or information herein is
strictly prohibited.


------Original Message------
From: Emergencyemail.ORG
To: steve.hamerdinger@...
Subject: National Swine Flu Situation Page LAUNCHED
Sent: Apr 28, 2009 9:46 AM

Now you can access The National Swine Flu Situation Page(tm).
Content on the page updates automatically and contains information from
multiple web sites in one location.
CDC, health, maps, RSS news feeds and more.

National Swine Flu Situation Page (tm) link...

http://www.vuetoo.com/vue1/Situationpagenews.asp?af=&sit=4540&z=&np=&tp=
14

You can EMBED the National Swine Flu Situation Page into your web site
for others. Use the embed link at top to get embed code for your web
site.


THE EMERGENCY EMAIL & WIRELESS NETWORK
http://www.EmergencyEmail.org


----------------------------------------------
   The National Swine Flu Situation Page (tm)
   made possible by VueTOO

   "You're on the Situation Page(tm)"
      powered by VueTOO
      http://www.VueTOO.com







Steve Hamerdinger

DID YOU KNOW...





Mental health and self-image among deaf and hard of hearing children
(ages 11-18 years) in southern Sweden was investigated.



The children (N = 111) attended special schools for the deaf (n = 28),
special schools for the hard of hearing (n = 23), and regular schools
where hard of hearing children were mainstreamed (n = 60).



The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (Goodman, 1997) was used to
screen mental health and the "I Think I Am" questionnaire
Ouvinen-Birgerstam (1982, 1984) to measure self-esteem.



The study shows that hard of hearing children seem to do as well, as a
group, as other children in Swedish society.



Mean SDQ and ITIA scores indicated that the mainstreamed students and
the students in special schools for the hard of hearing had higher
levels of rated mental health and self-image than the students in
schools for the deaf.



Am Ann Deaf. 2009 Winter;153(5):504-15.

Mental health and self-image among deaf and hard of hearing
children.Mejstad L, Heiling K, Svedin CG.

Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Lund University, Sweden.





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> Just a reminder and a request for a minute or two of your time today
> or tomorrow:
In addition to reading things through, I've suggested and would like
to encourage each of you to do the same, regarding Standard II.3.6
(line 382 on the Principles for Professional Ethics) have the word
"licensed" added so that we can reflect the growing professionalism
and licensure requirements for sign language interpreters.

Thanks for your consideration of submitting this suggestion.

Steven


Steven Hardy-Braz
hardybraz@...
www.psychologyanddeafpeople.com


>>
>>
>> To ensure receipt of our email, please add surveys@... to
>> your address book.
>>
>> Dear NASP Member:
>>
>> REMINDER: Your input is needed! The drafts of the 2010 NASP
>> standards are now available for your online review and comment. If
>> you have already submitted your comments, thank you. If not, we
>> would like to cordially invite you to provide your confidential
>> comments on these documents.
>>
>> The deadline for comment on all four of these drafts is midnight PT
>> on March 31, 2009.
>>
>> Click here to access the documents and provide your comments online.
>>
>>
>>
>> Why are your comments important? Because ...
>> The revised NASP standards represent the official positions of NASP.
>> Standards determine the future direction of the profession of
>> school psychology.
>> Graduate preparation (training) standards guide curricula of school
>> psychology graduate programs.
>> Credentialing standards influence the regulations that states adopt
>> to credential school psychologists.
>> Ethical principles are the rules of conduct for school psychologists.
>> Guidelines for practice by school psychologists affect how school
>> psychologists function in schools and how administrators, parents,
>> and others define our services.
>> We need school psychologists to have a voice in how our future is
>> shaped. This is an opportunity for you to comment!!
>>
>> The process for revising NASP standards began in early 2008 with
>> focus groups and online surveys to allow NASP members and school
>> psychology organizations to offer comments about the current 2000
>> NASP standards. The Standards Writing Team drafted initial
>> standards revisions in mid-2008. In fall 2008, a Development Group
>> (composed of wide representation of NASP members), NASP governance
>> groups, and school psychology organizations were asked provide
>> feedback about the initial drafts of the 2010 standards. The
>> Development Group’s feedback was used by the Standards Writing Team
>> to prepare revised drafts of the 2010 standards, and early in
>> February 2009, these drafts were posted on the NASP website for
>> public comment by NASP members, NASP governance groups, state and
>> national school psychology organizations, and others. This next
>> generation of drafts is now posted on the NASP website awaiting
>> your comment.
>>
>> Following the public comment period, the Standards Writing Team
>> will review the comments and develop new drafts of each document.
>> According to NASP policies, standards documents are presented to
>> two meetings of the NASP Delegate Assembly. The proposed standards
>> documents are scheduled to be presented to the NASP Delegate
>> Assembly in July 2009 and again in 2010 for final adoption.
>>
>> Please take time to read and comment on these significant documents
>> by March 31, 2009. If you have questions about the surveys or the
>> standards revision process, please contact me by e-mail.
>>
>> Thank you for your contribution to this important NASP project.
>>
>>
>>
>> Barbara Bole Williams, NCSP
>> Chair, Standards Revision Task Force
>>
>> P.S. If you have already reviewed the standards, thank you for your
>> consideration of these important documents.
>>
>>
>> National Association of School Psychologists, 4340 East West
>> Highway Suite 402, Bethesda, MD 20814
>> Phone: (301) 657-0270 | Toll Free: (866) 331-NASP | Fax: (301)
>> 657-0275 | TTY: (301) 657-4155
>>
>>
>> Make the most of your NASP membership by managing your e-mail and
>> print subscriptions.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

MHIT - HOLD THE DATES!



Mental Health Interpreter Training 2009

Will be held in Atlanta, Georgia

June 1-5, 2009



More details to follow!







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi everyone.  Several of you mentioned that the link wasn't working.
Yahoo broke the link into two lines so it will have to be cut and pasted
into your browser, or you can go to www.mh.alabama.gov/MIDS  click ob
the available documents button and you can find it about 3/4 of the was
down the page.


Steve Hamerdinger, Director
Office of Deaf Services
Alabama Department of Mental Health
PO Box 301410
Montgomery, Al  361130
Phone/VP: (866) 934-7606

This email may contain legally privileged and/or confidential
information. This message and/or any files transmitted with it are
intended solely for the use of the addressee(s). This email is to be
treated as confidential and may not be used or disclosed except for the
purpose for which it was sent. If you receive this email in error,
please contact the sender immediately, delete it, any attachments, and
all copies of it from your system, and destroy any hard copies of it.
You are hereby notified that disclosing, copying, distributing, or
taking any action on the contents, attachments, or information herein is
strictly prohibited.




________________________________

	 From: ALMHI@yahoogroups.com [mailto:ALMHI@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of lskupniewitz@...
	 Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 10:57 AM
	 To: ALMHI@yahoogroups.com
	 Cc: Hamerdinger, Steve
	 Subject: Re: [ALMHI] New Signs of Mental Health



	 Hi Steve,
	 That link isn't working. Can you send me it directly?
	 thanks
	 ---- "Hamerdinger wrote:

	 =============
	 If you have not received it yet you can download it at

http://www.mh.alabama.gov/Downloads/MIDS/MIDS90323Signs_of_Mental_Health
<http://www.mh.alabama.gov/Downloads/MIDS/MIDS90323Signs_of_Mental_Healt
h>
	 _Winter2009.pdf


	 Steve Hamerdinger, Director
	 Office of Deaf Services
	 Alabama Department of Mental Health
	 PO Box 301410
	 Montgomery, Al 361130
	 Phone/VP: (866) 934-7606

	 This email may contain legally privileged and/or confidential
	 information. This message and/or any files transmitted with it
are
	 intended solely for the use of the addressee(s). This email is
to be
	 treated as confidential and may not be used or disclosed except
for the
	 purpose for which it was sent. If you receive this email in
error,
	 please contact the sender immediately, delete it, any
attachments, and
	 all copies of it from your system, and destroy any hard copies
of it.
	 You are hereby notified that disclosing, copying, distributing,
or
	 taking any action on the contents, attachments, or information
herein is
	 strictly prohibited.

	 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]