Roberta J. Perry
Lead Case Manager/Children Specialist
June 10, 2013

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Established in1986 by Massachusetts General Law
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Focal point within the Commonwealth for Deaf, Late Deafened and
Hard of Hearing adults and children
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Principal agency providing leadership, education, advocacy and direct services
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Mission: to empower Deaf, Late Deafened and Hard of Hearing individuals and their families to receive equitable opportunities in
ALL aspects of society
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National model for other states

Interpreter/CART Referral Services
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State registry for Interpreters and CART
[Communication Access Realtime Translation]
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Matches freelance and/or staff interpreters and
CART providers with requests
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Conducts screenings for individuals seeking to provide interpreter services

Communication Access, Training & Technology Services
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Information Resources
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Information and support on Assistive Technology
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Publications and Resource Library
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Trainings, Presentations, Exhibits and Demonstration
Center

Case Management
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Provide a wide range of services to adults and children with hearing loss
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Service plan development
Cross-agency service coordination
Communication advocacy
Education and information
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Provide assistance to state, public and private agencies in implementing procedures to enhance service delivery to Deaf, Late
Deafened and Hard of Hearing individuals, as well as, ensuring communication

Children Specialists
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Positions created in 1999
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Support Newborn Hearing Screening Law enacted1998
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Specialized positions to work with families and agencies in meeting communication, developmental and educational needs of children diagnosed with hearing loss

Children Specialists cont.
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Staffed by professionals with expertise in hearing loss and match communication needs for deaf and hard of hearing
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Provide technical assistance to Early Intervention and Educational programs regarding the communication needs and cultural perspectives of
Deaf and hard of hearing children

Children Specialists cont.
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Provide parent education and objective information relative to the effects of hearing loss at birth, during childhood and the teenage years
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Provide comprehensive coordination of care from birth until high school graduation or 22 years of age
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Assist parents in working with other agencies

Children Specialists cont.
Identify strategies for:
 appropriate usage of hearing aids
 assistive listening devices and hearing aids
 alerting and signaling devices
 medical procedures
 communication and language development
 co-existing medical diagnoses

Children Specialists cont.
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Provide advocacy and support to families and agencies in the development and utilization of service plans
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Consult with and educate other service providers about the special needs of children who are deaf or hard of hearing

Children Specialists cont.
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Provide information and referral to specialized services for:
 speech and language
 ear/nose/throat
 psycho-educational evaluation and testing
 mental health

Children Specialists cont.
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Assist families with transition out of Early
Intervention at age 3
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Provide information, preparation and facilitation around eligibility for special education services

CHILDREN SPECIALISTS/SERVICE AREAS
Northeast/Boston Region
Melissa Adams 617-740-1659 melissa.adams@massmail.state.ma.us
Southeast Region
Diane Crouse 617-740-1652 diane.crouse@state.ma.us
Central Region
Terri Pancare 508-860-4007 terri.pancare@mcd.state.ma.us
Western Region
Roberta Perry 413-886-0517 roberta.perry@state.ma.us