Peer-Learning Communities
State deaf-blind project personnel are an incredibly supportive group of individuals. They work collectively to improve the lives of children who are deaf-blind and their families by
- Sharing knowledge and expertise
- Working together to solve problems
- Collaborating to provide services
To make this type of networking across state lines as easy as possible, NCDB offers peer-learning communities (PLCs). These are primarily for state deaf-blind projects but, depending on the group, may also include representatives from other national entities.
Learn more about Peer-Learning Communities for State Deaf-Blind Projects.
Current PLCs are listed below. If you are interested in joining any of these, please connect with the relevant contact person. Note that all PLCs have expectations of their participants. See Readiness for Targeted TA from NCDB for general information. Additional expectations for each group can be obtained from the group contacts.
This page was updated in July 2023. If you would like to join a PLC, please reach out to the group's contact person.
Identification and Referral
Strategies to Increase Identification and Referral
This PLC focuses on determining the causes behind under-identification and under-referral of children who are deaf-blind, birth through 21, and developing solutions. Members discuss a variety of topics, including using child count data to identify existing identification and referral patterns, working with state partners, and finding ways to collaboratively develop goals and solutions. We meet monthly, and are currently working to examine the healthcare system and ways to increase identification and referral through data-sharing, collaborative agreements, and using NCDB resources and experiences to increase connection and partnerships. We invite new members who are interested in joining this hard working community!
This group is open to new members. Contact Emma if you would like to join.
Contact: Emma Nelson – enelson@helenkeller.org, (503) 504-4836
Family Engagement
Family Engagement Coordinators
The Family Engagement Coordinator (FEC) PLC supports state deaf-blind projects in their work with families. In addition to providing opportunities for FECs to learn from and be inspired by each other, this PLC works to develop and legitimize the value and needs of families of children who are deaf-blind. The Value of Family Engagement: Identifying Unique Needs and Priorities of Families with Children Who Are Deaf-Blind, guides our PLC and provides unity and cohesion for why we do what we do for families. If interested, we would love to have you join us!
Contact: Jana Villemez – jvillemez@helenkeller.org, (501) 517-1474
Interveners and Qualified Personnel
Training Interveners Group
The Training Interveners Group PLC meets bi-monthly to identify state-specific systems change activities for fostering the intervener model. Meetings include discussions of the obstacles, challenges, and successes of intervener training as well as strategies to improve training. We are happy to welcome new members!
This group is open to new members. Contact Kristi if you would like to join.
Contact: Kristi Probst – kprobst@helenkeller.org, (309) 287-4158
Improving and Implementing Professional Development Practices
This PLC meets monthly to address ways to partner with state systems to increase the capacity of families, educators, and providers to meet the needs of children who are deaf-blind. Over the past year, we have studied adult learning strategies that increase engagement, implementation of best practices, and the use of coaching. We’ve also examined the equitable provision of training and TA and ways to partner with state-level organizations and systems (e.g., departments of education, SPDGs) to improve practices and embed deaf-blind content into existing systems. Currently, we are creating materials that can be used in a variety of training opportunities. We are happy to welcome new members who are interested in actively participating as we roll up our sleeves to do this work.
This group is open to new members. Contact Emma if you would like to join.
Contact: Emma Nelson – enelson@helenkeller.org, (503) 504-4836
Technical Assistance
Child-Specific Technical Assistance
Defining and implementing your state deaf-blind project’s universal, targeted, and intensive child-specific TA can be challenging given limited project time and resources and the extensive needs of educational teams. The Child TA PLC has been exploring what’s realistic to achieve under these constraints and how to create innovative, sustainable outcomes to enhance the services and supports for children who are deaf-blind.
This group is open to new members. Contact Megan if you would like to join.
Contact: Megan Cote - mcote@helenkeller.org, (516) 833-8311
Transition
Improving Transition Outcomes
This PLC is for state deaf-blind project personnel and their partners who want to explore information and resources on individualized work experiences and Competitive Integrated Employment for students who are deaf-blind with additional disabilities. We welcome state deaf-blind project staff to invite their partners, including those from vocational rehabilitation, blind and low vision services, HKNC field services, parent centers, NFADB, the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation, and the Usher Syndrome Coalition.
This group is recruiting new members. Please contact Mike or Ellen if you would like to join.
Contact: Michael Fagbemi – mfagbemi@helenkeller.org, (516) 393-7596 or Ellen Condon – ellen.condon@mso.umt.edu
Increasing Individualized Work Experience through Systems Collaboration
This PLC is made up of state deaf-blind projects and their invited state partners (e.g., departments of education, blind and low vision services, UCEDD, vocational rehabilitation, HKNC) who are working collaboratively across systems in their state to increase access to individualized work experiences and employment preparation for students who are deaf-blind with additional disabilities. It meets monthly. State deaf-blind project personnel who are working on systems change and capacity building are welcome to join.
This group is recruiting new members. Please contact Mike or Ellen if you would like to join.
Contact: Michael Fagbemi – mfagbemi@helenkeller.org, (516) 393-7596 or Ellen Condon – ellen.condon@mso.umt.edu