Service Area:
an 8 county region in Central California
Program Established: The DeafBlind Services program was established
in May 2000, which includes the DeafBlind Support Group (DBSG).
This group meets on the second Saturday of each month.
Funding Sources:
The services provided specifically to the DeafBlind community include case
management, SSP services, SSP training, and DBSG monthly socials. The DeafBlind Services Program received a
one-year, non-renewable grant from the Department of Rehabilitation in 2005 to
provide paid SSP services. The SSP
program is currently operating on a volunteer basis. SSPs are recruited from several sources: the
Interpreter Training Program at California State University Fresno, Certified
Deaf Interpreters, Community Interpreters, ASL students, and family members of
those who are DeafBlind. Tools used for
recruitment include the DHHSC’s DeafBee on the website, DHHSC’s social media
platforms, class presentations at the local colleges/universities,
word-of-mouth, and annual workshops.
Eligibility:
There are no set criteria for those receiving
services. Those who provide SSP services
are required to participate in SSP trainings.
Number of Individuals Served: average 5-10 individuals per month
Preferred Terminology: SSP or CN
Certification/Endorsement: Certificates of completion are provided after
SSP/Co-Navigator trainings.
Types of Service Requests: Transportation, shopping,
reading mail, making phone calls, exercising, travel out-of-town to DeafBlind
events, computer assistance, independent living assistance, and assistance at
recreational and social events.
Training Requirements: Training is provided for
all people interested in working with the DeafBlind community including
interpreters, ASL students, interpreting students, and family
members. Training occurs in a workshop format and topics
include causes of DeafBlindness, safe guiding, etiquette, communication
techniques and DeafBlind protocol.
Program Coordination: The program is currently overseen
by the Services Personnel Director of DHHSC.
The agency constantly searches for grant and fundraising opportunities to
secure funds for services and activities related to the DeafBlind Services
Program.
Transportation: SSPs can drive DeafBlind clients in
their own vehicles but they must first sign a waiver with DHHSC.
SSP/CN Pay Rate: Program uses volunteers at this time
Other: Additional documentation is currently being
developed to enhance services for the community. Interpreting services for
DeafBlind individuals can be scheduled with Interpreting Services of Central
California, a division of DHHSC – interpreting@dhhsc.org. Additionally,
our agency has two Client Services Specialists who work with the
DeafBlind: Angelica Medina-Boersma at angelicamb@dhhsc.org and Joshua Blanco at joshuab@dhhsc.org
Mind Your Language, Inc. (MYL)
611 Wilshire Boulevard, 9th Floor, Los
Angeles, CA 90017
Service Area:
Greater Los Angeles and neighboring
cities
Program Established: January 2017
Funding Sources: California
Department of Rehabilitation 75%, Private donations 25%
Eligibility:
Participants must be clients of the California Department of Rehabilitation.
Otherwise, we would need additional time to provide funding. However, we are
not known for turning down consumers.
Number of Individuals Served: Over 30
Preferred Terminology: CoNavigator
Certification/Endorsement: MYL doesn’t provide CEUs or certification. We would provide a “DeafBlind CoNavigator
Training” certificate of completion if individuals attend one of our workshops
in its entirety.
Types of Service Requests: Medical appointments, job interviews, errands related
to employment, emergencies; and other activities require pre-approval
Training Requirements: Sixty percent of our CoNavigators/SSPs have been
trained by DeafBlind instructors. If the
CN has no formal training, a set of references from previous customers is
required. We are happy to adapt to the
consumer’s level of training and would suggest any training we would see
fitting.
SSPs/CoNavigators require three sets of references
from DB consumers. We are happy to adapt to the consumer's level of
training and would suggest any training we would see fitting.
Program Coordination: Part Time
Transportation:
It depends on the funding source. Most likely it would be covered by state
funding or donations. If the DeafBlind consumer has an issue with the CN
providing transportation, the CN can meet the client at a predefined
destination.
SSP/CN Pay Rate:
The CN/SSP Rates are $60/hour with a four-hour minimum. Mileage is also charged at the current
federal rate. We only pay for travel
time if the provider has to drive over 30 minutes to arrive at the initial
place of service, $30/hour.
Other: Mind
Your Language has been hosting local DeafBlind Interpreting workshops
annually. We are planning to host
virtual CN training in summer 2026.