In Memoriam: David G. Woodhouse

We will miss our dear friend David Woodhouse, who passed away October 4, 2009. Brother Woodhouse served a mission to the Deaf in Southern California from 1970-1972 and was recently serving on the high council of the Provo South Stake. We'll post his obituary when we receive it. Your prayers for the Woodhouse family are welcomed.

LDS Counseling Services for the Deaf

Readers,

We’re pleased to pass along this announcement from Brad Houck, MSW, LCSW (Portland, Oregon) about counseling services via VP for LDS Deaf members. Please inform your unit leaders about this wonderful service. Please contact Brad directly; his information is listed below.

A new resource is now available for Deaf members with counseling needs. The Oregon LDS Office employs a licensed Deaf therapist who is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). Brad Houck, LCSW has worked for LDS Family Services since May 2006, providing services to Deaf clients in the area. Thanks to improvements in technology, most Deaf people have or will have a videophone, used for communicating with others in ASL. Brad has made himself available to meet with these clients anywhere in the country using this technology.

Often the Deaf community lacks direct access to counselors in their respective regions who are both fluent in ASL and educated in Deaf culture. Because of this scarcity, Deaf people are often referred to therapists who utilize interpreters for communication. This can be less effective and time consuming. Counseling may include issues such as addiction, marriage/family problems, pornography, depression, abuse, anxiety, and same-gender attraction. and other issues.

When local resources are not available, bishops/branch presidents may refer Deaf/hard of hearing LDS members, or members themselves can request counseling, by contacting the Portland LDSFS office by phone ([503] 620-1191) or by email: fam-or@ldschurch.org. The Oregon Office will arrange the paperwork and billing of the client. Any questions/concerns, please contact Brad.houck@comcast.net.

2009 LDS Deaf Symposium

The Symposium is back, this year in Salt Lake City. The schedule looks great and, if you're in the area, why don't you come stop by?

Tell us about your favorite classes and experiences at the Symposium this year.

Two New Units

We’ve added two new Kansas City area Deaf units to deaflds.org:

• Olathe 3rd Ward (Olathe Deaf Group), Olathe, KS
• Lenexa Ward (Lenexa Deaf Group), Lenexa, KS

Thanks for your emails. Keep your information coming.

New ASL Curriculum: "On the Lord’s Errand"

On the Lord’s Errand, a new DVD about the life and service of President Thomas S. Monson, is now available in 14 languages through distribution centers and on ldscatalog.com. The 60-minute video, broadcast between sessions of the October 2008 general conference, includes interviews with President Monson, family members, colleagues, and friends. The DVD is available with ASL interpreting and subtitles.

—Doug Hind, Church Special Curriculum Department

Changes to Eastern Idaho Units

We made some changes to two Eastern Idaho units today:

• Pocatello Deaf Group (Alameda 6th Ward)
• Idaho Falls 32nd Deaf Branch

We took a trip to Idaho this last weekend and could not find the Idaho Falls Deaf Branch anywhere in Idaho Falls. The listing seems to have been taken off the lds.org Stakes and Wards listing for Deaf units. If anyone knows any information about the branch or and Deaf members in Idaho Falls, please contact deaflds.org.

Also, we happened to run into an interpreter from the Pocatello Deaf Group who told us about the six Deaf members and four to five interpreters who are part of the Alameda 6th Ward in Pocatello. We hope to hear from them again soon too.

Three New Units Added

We're proud to announce the addition of three new Deaf units to deaflds.org:

• Cottonwood Ward (Cottonwood Deaf Group), Anderson, CA
• Kamloops 2nd Ward (Kamloops Deaf Group), Kamloops, BC
• Olympia 4th Ward (Olympia Deaf Group), Olympia, WA

Thanks for your emails. Keep your information coming.