Deaf Services - Education & Training

Online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Deaf Human Services

Designed in conjunction with the DMH Office of Deaf Services, the Bachelor of Science degree in Deaf Human Services combines skills in American Sign Language, Deaf culture, social work and psychology to prepare you to provide direct services to deaf people in ASL. Students must meet sign language fluency skill level requirements to declare this major and to graduate. The success of providing direct services such as these is heavily dependent on language accessibility. It is essential that you are able to communicate with ease in the language of the individuals being served, therefore an ASLPI score of 2.0 or higher is required to enroll in the online program. William Woods does not offer American Sign Language online, so students must already possess the ASL language skills necessary prior to beginning the program.

On-Campus Minor in Deaf Human Services

Designed in conjunction with the DMH Office of Deaf Services, the 27-credit minor in Deaf Human Services is intended for students majoring in Social Work or Psychology who wish to work with Deaf clients.

Deaf Human Services Tuition Assistance

Eligible juniors and seniors in the Deaf Human Service major or minor may competitively apply for tuition assistance from DMH. Students awarded tuition assistance may receive up to $7,500 per year in tuition assistance for up to two years. They may also receive a $1,200 stipend if enrolled in a qualifying internship or field practicum course while receiving tuition assistance.

The tuition assistance is considered a forgivable loan. The loan will be forgiven if the recipient works one year at DMH or an approved DMH provider agency for each year of tuition assistance received. The work obligation is deferrable for full-time graduate education.

The tuition assistance is funded by the Missouri Department of Mental Health’s Caring for Missourians Mental Health program subject to annual appropriation from the Missouri Legislature. Deaf Human Services students may request more information from their academic advisor.

Live Training Offered Annually - Next Training TBD

The Deaf Services Advocates Program provides the opportunity for Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) and other DBH contracted providers to have staff designated as a Deaf Services Advocate. Advocates receive specialized training from the Office of Deaf Services. Training topics including DMH’s specialized service options for deaf and hard of hearing people; hearing loss and assistive technologies; legal and policy requirements for accessible services, and more. Training emphasizes the rights of deaf and hard of hearing people to make informed decisions about service delivery and communication options. Advocates enable deaf and hard of hearing people to navigate DMH services more easily and improve the quality of care they receive.

• Program Description
• Training Agenda
• Deaf Services Advocates Manual

Missouri Assistive Technology and DMH Office of Deaf Services Webinar (1 hour)

This Let’s Talk ICT session addresses how to provide visual accessibility for deaf and hard of hearing people using open and closed captions, sign language, and transcripts. These methods are applicable in a wide range of ICT use cases including live and prerecorded content in virtual meetings and presentations, websites, and social media. Legal and technical standards are explained with an emphasis on sufficient vs. insufficient techniques and how to use common resources correctly to achieve compliance. The difference between baseline accessibility requirements and requirements when responding to individual requests isalso be addressed.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the various legal and technical standards that apply to visual accessibility for deaf and hard of hearing people on common information communication technology platforms.
2. Recognize the strengths and limitations of common resources used to create visual accessibility.
3. Be able to select and apply the most appropriate resources to ensure cost-effective compliance with visual accessibility standards.

LUNA Language Services and EEOC Webinar (1 hour)

Effective communication strategies are vital to productive workplace lives because a mixture of diverse cultures with varying language fluency may lead to miscommunication, misunderstanding, and discrimination. When working to create an inclusive and respectful workplace, it’s important to think about details such as the native language of your coworkers, the culture related to their native geographic area, and their own literacy capabilities. Join LUNA Language Services and the EEOC for this panel discussion and listening session focused on exploring language, culture, and literacy when it comes to building an inclusive workplace environment.

Video Version (4 Hours)

The Deaf Services Training, Video Version is a condensed version of the full training above. The same topics are covered but in less depth and without supplemental readings. CMHC staff are encouraged to complete this training in Relias Learning to earn a training certificate. Relias Learning Lookup Code: MOCMHC-DEAFSERVICES

• Unit 1: Introduction/American Sign Language
• Unit 2: Deaf Culture
• Unit 3: Hearing Loss and Development
• Unit 4: Dysfluency, Literacy, Fund of Information
• Unit 5: Working with Interpreters
• Unit 6: Evaluating Deaf Clients
• Unit 7: Effective Treatment and Treatment Teams

Full Version (11 Hours) - Temporarily Unavailable

The Deaf Services Training program is an introductory training for mental health clinicians who want to develop the cultural competence necessary to provide appropriate services to Deaf people. Topics include:

American Sign Language (ASL), including its features, its significance in the Deaf Community, and skill variance in the Deaf population; Cultural aspects of the Deaf population; Medical, psychosocial, and developmental aspects of the Deaf population; Language and educational issues in the Deaf population including limitations in English fluency, lip-reading, literacy, and fund of information. Effective working relationships between interpreters and clinicians; Differences in diagnostic presentation, treatment approaches, and treatment effectiveness for deaf individuals vs. hearing individuals; Effective working relationships in Deaf Services treatment teams.

Mental Health Practitioner Online Training (3 Hours)

This online training is from the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division Mental Health Program at the Minnesota Department of Human Services. It helps mental health practitioners recognize the signs of hearing loss and how hearing loss impacts an individual’s emotional health, self-image, relationships, and ability to function in a world that relies on auditory information. This course focuses on the unique needs, issues and experiences of individuals who:

• Have some degree of hearing loss;
• May or may not accept that they have a hearing loss;
• May have undiagnosed hearing loss;
• Do not consider themselves deaf, even if their hearing loss is severe or profound;
• Do not use sign language as their primary way of communicating.

MN Chemical Dependency Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Webinar (1.5 hours)

Stepping Up address issues commonly encountered when working with deaf clients at various stages of treatment for substance use disorders. Materials include a series of videos and a discussion guide. Scenarios presented include counselors who can communicate directly in ASL as well as services provided through an interpreter.

Interpreting in Mental Health Settings – Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

This Standard Practice Paper helps interpreters understanding and meet the unique challenges of mental health interpreting. It presents mental health interpreting as a specialized are of practice, providing a framework that helps improve ethical conduct and professional competence.

Mental Health Interpreting Webshops – CATIE Center, St. Catherine University

Free, self-directed online workshops on various mental health topics for interpreters. 1.5 hours/.15 RID CEUs each.

Behavioral Health Modules – CATIE Center, St. Catherine University

Interactive online classes for certified interpreters with at least three years’ experience. Topics vary by registration date. 20 hours/2.0 RID CEUs per 5-week class.

Mental Health Interpreter Institute – Office of Deaf Services, Alabama DMH

Training includes 40 hours of live instruction on mental health interpreting from leading experts. It is the first of three steps to earn the Qualified Mental Health Interpreter (QMHI) credential. Offered annually in Montgomery, AL.