91Ô­´´

I am writing to inform you that the 91Ô­´´ State School for the Deaf (91Ô­´´SD) located in Rome, 91Ô­´´ operates a Deaf Infant Program designed for the provision of early learning services for children from birth to age three with a confirmed hearing loss. The 91Ô­´´SD Deaf Infant Program offers home-based services with family member engagement provided by a 91Ô­´´ State certified Teacher of the Deaf, at no cost to the family.

With parent/guardian permission, infants, and toddlers up to three years old can be referred to the 91Ô­´´SD Deaf Infant Program by physicians, county representatives, and others involved in the care of the child. Additional information about this program and the program application are available on the 91Ô­´´SD Deaf Infant Program webpage. You may also contact the school at (315) 337-8400. Please note that an audiology report confirming a hearing loss is required as part of the application process.

\When the school receives an application, staff from the Deaf Infant Program will contact the parent/guardian to discuss the child’s needs. If the child is determined to be eligible for the program, a meeting will be held to develop a plan of support for the child and family related to the child’s hearing loss. This includes regular meetings with a Teacher of the Deaf.

Children with disabilities that receive services at a young age are more likely to demonstrate improvement in developmental areas such as language acquisition, communication, social-emotional, behavior, motor skills, and/or cognitive functioning. Additionally, participation in the Deaf Infant Program will also help to foster a successful transition to preschool and Kindergarten.

For more information, please feel free to contact the 91Ô­´´SD Department Head for Pupil Personnel Services, Kathryn Baillie, at (315) 337-8400 extension 7808 or email kathryn.baillie@nysed.gov.