Guide By Your Side

Illinois Hands & Voices,
CHOICES For Parents,
and The Illinois Newborn Hearing Program

Working Together To Support Illinois Families

Guide By Your Side (GBYS) is a program that provides:

• Unbiased information
• Emotional support
  
• Resources from trained Parent Guides to parents of children with hearing loss.
  

What are Parent Guides?

• Parent Guides are adults who have children who are deaf and hard of hearing themselves.  They bring the experience, compassion and knowledge that comes from raising a child who has a hearing loss.
• They help families discover what they are feeling…not make their feelings go away.
• They provide unbiased information and resources regarding communication, educational and technological choices.
• They help families identify their options…not tell them which options to choose.
• They support families.  Support is all about listening first…not judging, and it’s always done without bias.
• They help families navigate through the many systems and services available in Illinois.
• They work as a team with professionals offering a well rounded care system for families.

Who are the Parent Guides?

• Meet the guides for a list of all Parent Guides currently working in the state of Illinois.
  

Who is Eligible to Participate in the GBYS Program?

• Families who have a child who has a hearing loss or who you suspect has a hearing loss.
• Families that live in Illinois.
  

How Much Does the GBYS Program Cost Me?

• This program is free to participating families.
  

How Does the GBYS Program Benefit Me and My Family?

• One-on-One consultation via phone, email or home visits with a regional Parent Guide.
• The opportunity to network with other families.
• Notification of, and opportunities to participate in, local and statewide educational events.
  

Supporting GBYS

• Shop With Scrip: purchase gift cards online for major retailers and help us raise money for GBYS (www.shopwithscrip.com)
• Walk4Hearing: Walk with us or support a walker. The last walk was held on Oct 18, 2009 in the Chicagoland area. (http://hlaa.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=locations)
• Sponsor a Family: By giving a personal donation of $100 you will help sponsor a family through the process of the GBYS Program. Personal donations of any amount are also welcome.

A large portion of funding for GBYS comes from various fundraising events and private donations. If you are interested in participating in any of the following ways please contact the GBYS Program Coordinator.

Contact Information for the GBYS Program

I am a parent and I would like to contact you to:

• Receive more information about the program.
• Be connected with a parent guide.
• Find out more information on how I can be a Parent Guide.
• Support the Program.

I am a provider/professional and I would like to contact you to:

• Request more information about the program.
• To refer a family to the Program.
• Support the Program.

If you are a parent or a professional taking the next step is easy. Simply contact the GBYS Program Coordinator, Carrie Balian at (224) 343-1873.