Birth-5 Program
The DHH Birth–5 Program provides comprehensive early intervention services to support Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) children and their families in acquiring American Sign Language (ASL), developing Deaf identity, and connecting to the broader Deaf community. The program focuses on language acquisition, family engagement, and social-emotional development aligned with California’s SB 210 Language Milestones for Deaf children.
ASL Development
Teach vocabulary and model visual language to support natural language acquisition
Deaf Identity
Promote social-emotional growth and a positive Deaf identity through culturally relevant instruction
Cultural Wealth
Increase Deaf Community Cultural Wealth (DCCW) by connecting families to Deaf experiences, events, and resources
Language Milestones
Track and support development according to SB 210 standards
CAE provides comprehensive early intervention services through the DHH Birth-5 Program to support Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) children and their families. This program is designed to facilitate American Sign Language (ASL) acquisition, foster a positive Deaf identity, and build connections with the broader Deaf community.
This remote-based and hybrid program includes direct ASL instruction, Deaf mentoring, and continuous developmental evaluation, all delivered by trained staff fluent in ASL and experienced in DHH education and empowerment.
Program Components
The DHH Birth-5 Program is structured into two main parts:
Part 1. ASL Instruction for Families (Online Instruction)
This part focuses on teaching ASL to families through a structured curriculum.
| Curriculum | Description |
|---|---|
| ASL@Home Curriculum | Introductory curriculum for ASL structure and Deaf cultural foundations |
| Level-Based Instruction | Focused on vocabulary and phrase development in context, building on prior knowledge to support parent-child communication |
Part 2. Deaf Mentoring (In Client’s Residence)
Deaf mentors provide personalized, one-on-one support to parents and guardians.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Support Type | Personalized 1:1 support from Deaf mentors for parents/guardians |
| Focus Areas | Communication support, Deaf culture, resource navigation |
| Session Time | 1 hour |
| Customization | Support is tailored to the family’s progress, needs, and preferences |
Target Population and Referrals
The program is intended for Deaf and Hard of Hearing babies and families, ages 0–5.
Program Outcomes
The DHH Birth-5 Program is focused on achieving the following outcomes for the child and family:
- ASL Development: Teaching vocabulary and modeling visual language to support natural language acquisition.
- Deaf Identity: Promoting social-emotional growth and a positive Deaf identity through culturally relevant instruction.
- Cultural Wealth: Increasing Deaf Community Cultural Wealth (DCCW) by connecting families to Deaf experiences, events, and resources.
- Language Milestones: Tracking and supporting development according to California’s SB 210 Language Milestones for Deaf children.
Key Program Details
The following table summarizes essential operational information for the program:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Training Locations (Part 1) | On-line Session |
| Training Locations (Part 2) | In Client’s Residence |
| Operating Hours | Monday-Friday 4pm-8pm or by appointments |
| Staffing Ratio | 1:1 |
| Evaluation Method | Biannual evaluations using the SB 210 Language Milestones Checklist |
| Evaluation Time | 2 hours/year per family |
| Contact for Questions | The program coordinator |
Setting up Services
A school district or regional center can contact CAE to set up a contract for the DHH Birth-5 Language Development Program services.
Families should contact the program coordinator for all questions or concerns related to the program. The attendance policy requires participants to maintain an attendance rate of 75% or higher, with proper notification for any absences.