“When my son was diagnosed with hearing loss, it was a huge shock for us. I didn't know what was going to happen or what to expect. Texas Hands & Voices has given my family access to the resources we needed to get on the right track. I'm especially thankful for the Guide By Your Side program. It has allowed me the ability to ask the questions I wasn't sure how or who to ask. Being able to talk to someone who's already been down this road has calmed my fears and given us so much hope for my son's future.”
- Kasi M
How Do I Enroll?
Enrolling in the Guide By Your Side program is easy, confidential, and free of charge!
Parents and family members can request services in English or Spanish. Professionals can also request services for staff or families they serve with written consent.
Click the button below to request services using our bilingual enrollment form.
Why sign up for GBYS services?
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Research indicates that the single-most important factor in predicting successful outcomes of newly identified babies who are Deaf/HH in early intervention is the active participation of their parents. (Yoshinaga-Itano, Coulter & Thomson, 2000)
Benefits of Parent involvement include higher reading scores, higher grades on homework, improved attitudes towards school, improved relationships between parents and teachers. (Donahoo, 2001)
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Helps families identify options without telling them which option to choose
Offers experience from a Parent Guide who knows what it is like to raise a child who has a hearing loss
Gives the family a chance to meet others who are traveling down the same path
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Direct parent-to-parent emotional support
Sharing information and resources in an unbiased manner
Workshops, trainings, and events for parents and children
Networking opportunities with other families
Referrals to other programs that serve children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
What does GBYS provide?
Parent and DHH Guides
Meet the team here! Guides are trained to share their lived experiences, connect with the Deaf community, provide support as you navigate educational/medical systems, assist with unbiased decision-making, explore communication options, and answer questions along the way.
Family Events
See where we’re hosting events here and join us! You are not alone. Meet other families with children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing to build connections and foster the joy in raising our kids.
Our Video Channel
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here to watch recorded webinars covering topics from IEPs, updates from TEA, transitions, and educational advocacy.
Resources and Information
Click here to access our helpful links to learn about financial assistance, Texas education, legislation updates, resources in Spanish, and more!
Recursos en Español
Haga clic aquí para accesar los enlaces útiles.
Still have questions?
Meet the Team
Gabriela Pritchett*
,
Parent Guide in Houston
Gaby is a dedicated *Spanish speaking Parent Guide in the Houston area, motivated by her 8 year old daughter who is deaf. Her personal journey has inspired her to help other families navigate the challenges and rewards of raising a child with a hearing difference. She is passionate about supporting others and is committed to sharing her experiences and insights to empower other parents on their own unique journeys. In her free time, Gaby enjoys reading and cherishing quality moments with her family.
Lana Nissen
,
Parent Guide in Waco
Lana lives in the Waco area with her loving husband and two wonderful deaf children. She is a former high school teacher who uses those skills to educate others on deaf education, support services, and resources available to families with children who are DHH. When she is not advocating for her kids, Lana is substituting at her kids’ school, party planning, and going to her kids’ sporting events.
Paulina Pena
*,
Parent Guide in Edinburg
Paulina is a *Spanish speaking Parent Guide who enjoys providing support to families navigating the journey of raising children who are DHH. With personal experiences and a compassionate approach, she offers guidance, resources, and a listening ear to help parents navigate challenges and celebrate milestones.
Porsha Sallier
,
Parent Guide in Beaumont
Porsha has been with Texas Hands & Voices for seven years! She lives in Beaumont with her two children; her son who is profoundly Deaf Plus and her daughter who is hearing. Porsha is passionate about serving and providing resources to parents to help them navigate the challenges and opportunities in raising children with hearing differences.
Sandra Juarez*
,
Parent Guide in Midland
Sandra and her three children live in Midland, Texas. Her seven-year-old son was born deaf and is bilaterally implanted with cochlear implants. She is a fluent *Spanish speaker and uses S.E.E (Signing Exact English).
Suzanne Asfar
,
Parent Guide in Fort Worth
Suzanne and her husband have two daughters, one deaf and one hearing. In addition to homemaking, reading, exercising, foreign languages, and a good cup of coffee, she enjoys connecting with other parents who have children with hearing differences as she continues along the journey herself.
Terry Myers*
,
Parent Guide in El Paso
Terry is a *Spanish speaking Guide with 2 sons, a 29 year old who is bilaterally profoundly Deaf Plus and a 20 year old. As she navigates her own journey, Terry is here to listen and learn from other families. She is a Tri-lingual language interpreter and is passionate about providing resources to families with children who are DHH.
Trayce Stoenescu
,
Parent Guide in Dripping Springs
Trayce is a wife and mom to two incredible Deaf children. She is passionate about early intervention, language access, advocacy and believes that children who are DHH thrive when parents are given the full range of resources and tools they need.
Melinda Ray
,
DHH Guide in Katy
Melinda is a wife and mother of three special needs children. She is Hard of Hearing and has a son with a hearing difference.When Melinda is not volunteering at her kids’ schools, she is passionate about her role as a DHH Guide for Texas Hands & Voices.
San Juana Rodriguez
,
DHH Guide in Corpus Christi
San Juana has been teaching EC-8th grade for over 10 years. She loves hosting family oriented events at the DHHC and serves as a liaison to the Deaf Community.
Teresa Dang, GBYS Coordinator
Teresa resides in the Austin area with her husband and their two children, one with a hearing difference and one hearing. Before joining the Texas Hands & Voices team, she was a science teacher and AVID program coordinator at Round Rock Independent School District. With one of the most enjoyable aspects of her life being building connections within a community through shared experiences and the transference of knowledge, Teresa is excited to further TXHV’s mission and vision to provide unbiased support to families with children who are deaf and hard of hearing. You can find her enjoying life with her family, traveling, practicing calligraphy, playing the piano, and reading books until past midnight.
Contact us
Texas Hands & Voices chapter
Executive Director: Jennifer Peterson jpeterson@txhv.org
Texas Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side
Coordinator:
Teresa Dang
tdang@txhv.org
Hours
M-F: Varied availability between 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Sat/Sun: Closed