Parent to Parent Support
from the start!!
Illinois Hands & Voices (ILHV) is a parent-driven, non-profit organization that supports families with children who are deaf and hard of hearing without a bias around communication modes or methodologies. ILHV envisions a world where children who are deaf and hard of hearing have every opportunity to achieve their full potential, including hosting events and activities throughout the state of Illinois that providing opportunities for children who are deaf and hard of hearing to interact with other children who are DHH. These events often provide the opportunity for these children to meet and talk to deaf adults. Simply click on the ILHV Logo to find out more and don't forget to subscribe to the mailing list while you're there. You won't want to miss out on upcoming events! Direct questions can be sent to executivedirector@ilhandsandvoices.com.
The Illinois Guide By Your Side Program (a division of IL Hands & Voices) has partnered with the IL Department of Public Health. This organization reached out to families of children newly diagnosed or suspected of having a hearing loss, so you may have already heard from them.
Illinois Guide By Your Side (IL-GBYS) provides families with unbiased support. IL-GBYS does this through specially trained parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. These parents work as “Guides” for families who have just learned of their child’s hearing loss. We have found that families need the unique support that comes from someone else who has walked this path themselves and can share from direct experience and wisdom. This program can also include an option for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Guides (DHH Guides) who are deaf or hard of hearing adults and specially trained to provide support to families. Simply click on the GBYS logo for more information or contact them directly at ilhvgbys@gmail.com.
Leadership to Leadership (L2L) Program Overview
Launched in September 2018 at the 15th annual Hands & Voices Leadership Conference, the L2L Program supports parent leaders serving families of children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing. It focuses on leadership development and succession planning to ensure the sustainability of Hands & Voices chapters and programs.
Program Focus
L2L offers a year-long training for parent leaders in three key areas:
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Personal leadership development
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Supporting and leading others
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Creating systems-level impact
Each area includes six components for deeper learning.
Program Design
L2L uses a three-pronged approach:
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Learning: Through webinars, small group sessions, and DIY reflection activities
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Mentoring/Coaching: Each leader is paired with an experienced mentor
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Peer Interaction: Group-based activities foster collaboration and networking
IL L2L Graduates (with IL Hands & Voices-ILHV and Guide By Your Side/GBYS)
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2025 Maira Nava (ILHV Board VP) and Hanna Swearinger (GBYS Parent Guide/ILHV Board Member)
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2024 Amy Keslinke ILHV Board President
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2023 Anita Cervantes-Bowen (GBYS Deaf Guide Lead/ILHV Board member)
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2022 Lydia Hernandez (past board member)
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2021 Andrea Marwah (ILHV Executive Director) and Carrie Balian (GBYS Program Coordinator)
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2020 Andrea Stambaugh (past Board Member)​
Other Family Support Organizations to explore:
Click on the organizations logo to explore their website and learn more.
CHS Youth Connections Program (CHOICES for Parents) is a statewide advisory committee of parents and professionals ensuring that children who are Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing and their families connect with the necessary resources, advocacy, information, services, and support within the home, school, and community. A parent may request their helpful notebook FREE of charge as a resource tool, the notebook is available in English and Spanish.
The Illinois Service Resource Center (ISRC) provides behavior support for students who are deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired in Illinois. Behavior support can be for individual students with challenges, or at the preventive level with classrooms or school programs. ISRC serves students with hearing loss regardless of communication mode. Learn more about ISRC, including their lending library where you can borrow books and other media about all aspects of deafness and hearing loss from parenting to simply reading a borrowed book to your child completely FREE.
Why seek Parent to Parent support?
Carrie Balian with IL Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side talks about why you may wish to seek out other parents in this short video: