New Mexico Collaborative Service Delivery Model for Students Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Unique characteristics of the Land of Enchantment

• Geography and size: 5th largest state

• Demographics– 36th in population – is mostly rural– Cultural and linguistic diversity– Social economic and education realities

New Mexico’s Uniqueness

NM USABelow 18% 12%povertyNon-English 37% 18%Hispanic 42% 12.5%Native Am. 10% 1%Persons per 15 80sq mile

Overview of Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Issues in NM

• Systems (NMSD, PED, DOH, CDHH, BIA)

• Formation of the Task Force and its Report

• Educational Bill of Rights for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

• NMSD’s Dual Role – its Vision and Mission

Current Initiatives

• Early Childhood– Statewide Birth – 6– Public Schools and Headstart– Satellite Preschools/Kindergarten

Current Initiatives

• School Age– Educational Support to Public Schools– Center for Information, Training and

Professional Development– Liaison– Student Evaluations

Current Initiatives (cont.)

• Projects– New Mexico Hands and Voices– Professional Development Scholarship

Awards– Recommended Practices Materials– Communication Considerations IEP

Addendum and Training– Outreach Evaluation Restructure– Support to Educational Interpreters– NBHS and Early Intervention Hearing

Screening

Current Initiatives (cont.)

• Challenges and Gaps– Resources (staff and critical mass) to both

rural areas and population centers– Measuring student outcomes of initiatives and

projects– Education of general and special education

professionals and families on the impact of hearing loss and the critical nature of intact language to academic and social success

– Collaborative planning and decision making

Current Initiatives (cont.)

• Next Steps– Building Capacity– Strengthening Connections– Clarifying roles and relationship between PED

and NMSD– Measuring outcomes for efficacy

Thank you!