Types of Family Support Mentors & What They Do

Types of Family Support Mentors
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Inspire to Empower Mentor

Inspire to Empower Mentor is an adult who is deaf/hard-of-hearing who will share their experiences of being deaf/hard-of-hearing. These mentors do not use American Sign Language (ASL).

What does an Inspire to Empower Mentor do?

  • Mentor assigned to the individual or family.
  • Interpreter is provided for these meetings, if needed.
  • Length and number of visits determined by the mentor and individual or family.
  • Share stories about living life as a person who is deaf/hard-of-hearing.
  • Discuss a variety of topics: technology, communication strategies, self-esteem.
  • Provide opportunities for individuals or families to ask questions
  • Share upcoming deaf/hard-of-hearing events.
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Deaf Mentor

Deaf Mentor is an adult who identifies as a Deaf individual in the Deaf community. These mentors use American Sign Language (ASL).

What does a Deaf Mentor do?

  • Deaf Mentor assigned to the individual or family, may include parent/guardian, siblings and others.
  • Length and number of visits determined by the mentor and individual or family.
  • Discuss a variety of topics: technology, communication strategies, self-esteem.
  • Teach ASL to the individual or family members through formal ASL instruction.
  • Introduce families to local deaf communities and share information about Deaf culture.
  • Share upcoming deaf/hard-of-hearing events
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Family-to-Family Mentor

Family-to-Family Mentor is a parent/guardian who has experience in raising a child who is deaf/hard-of- hearing and will share those experiences directly with the family. These mentors use a variety of languages.

What does a Family to Family Mentor do?

  • Mentor assigned to the family.
  • Length and number of visits determined by the mentor  and family.
  • Share experiences about how to support your child who is deaf/hard of hearing.
  • Discuss a variety of topics: technology, communication strategies, self-esteem.
  • Share upcoming deaf/hard-of-hearing events.

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Become a Family-to-Family Mentor

Requesting a Family-to-Family Mentor - Coming Fall 2025

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