Correction about LDS Counseling Services for the Deaf

We previously posted that counseling services for LDS Deaf members were available through videophone. Because of recent changes regarding counseling via videophone, LDS Family Services no longer offers this service. Likewise, counselors/therapists are not licensed to provide counseling or therapy across state lines if they are not licensed in those states.

A therapist licensed in California cannot provide counseling to a person in New York through videophone, for example, because the counselor is not licensed in New York.

Please contact counselors who you trust in your area to help with these needs.

2011 LDS Deaf Symposium

The 2011 LDS Deaf Symposium website is now available, hosted by the Ogden Valley Deaf Branch. The Symposium will be held at Weber State University and looks to offer plenty to see, do, and learn about.

View the site at http://ldsdeafsymposium.org.

2011 Church Satellite Broadcasts

We’ve been informed by the Church Translation Department about the following interpreted events in 2011. All these events will have available live ASL interpreting via satellite. Remember that you must contact your Stake Technology Specialist/Clerk to get the equipment set up to receive these broadcasts.

CES Firesides
January: January 9, 2011
February: Friday, February 27, 2011 (CES Evening with a General Authority)
March: March 6, 2011
May: May 8, 2011
September: September 11, 2011
November: November 1, 2011

Satellite Regional Conference Broadcasts
Gulf Coast: January 09, 2011 (Florida, Georgia, Lousiana)
Northern California: January 30, 2011 (Fremont, Sacramento, Fresno)
Texas/Oklahoma/New Mexico: February 6, 2011 (Austin, Houston, Dallas/FTW, Albuquerque)
Nevada: February 27, 2010 (Las Vegas, Reno, Elko)
Western Idaho: April 24, 2011 (Boise/TV, Gooding)
Eastern US: May 15, 2011 (Maryland/DC, New York, Virginia, Ohio)
New England: May 22, 2011 (Boston)
Washington & Alaska: September 11, 2011 (Puget Sound, Sumner, Olympia, Wasila)
SLC South: Saturday, October 22, 2011 (PH), Sunday, October 23, 2011 (General Session) (West Jordan, Riverton, South Jordan, Herriman)
Northern Utah: October 30, 2011 (Logan, Ogden)
Hawaii: November 6, 2011
Eastern & Southern Utah: November 13, 2011 (St. George)

General Conferences
General Young Women Meeting: Saturday, March 26, 2010
April General Conference (all sessions): Saturday, April 2, 2010–Sunday, April 3, 2010
April General Conference (Music and the Spoken Word): Sunday, April 3, 2011
Relief Society General Conference: Saturday, Sept 24, 2011
October General Conference (all sessions): Saturday, October 1, 2010–Sunday, October 2, 2011
October General Conference (Music and the Spoken Word): Sunday, October 2, 2011

Special Events and Training
Interfaith Concert: Sunday, February 13, 2011
New Interpreter Training: Saturday, Feb 26, 2011
April World Report: Wednesday, March 29, 2011
Pioneer Day Concert: July 15, 2011
October World Report: Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Savior of the World: Saturday, December 3, 2011; 2:00 pm @ Conference Center, SLC
First Presidency Christmas Devotional: Sunday, December 4, 2011
Auxiliary Training Meetings: TBA

Deaf Mormons enjoy institute at Gallaudet University (LDS Church News/DesNews, March 8, 2010)

Great article from LDS Church News/Deseret News today about students in the Gallaudet University Institute of Religion program.

At first glance, it's a religion class like any other. The teacher projects an electronic slide on the wall with an illustration of Ammon tending King Lamoni's sheep, then poses a question. Students scan the pages of the Book of Mormon, zeroing in on Alma 18. Several hands go up, and the instructor calls on someone.



It soon becomes apparent that this is no ordinary classroom as the student steps in front of the class, sets the scriptures down, and begins to answer with both hands in American Sign Language. Her facial expressions help communicate her ideas. As fellow students add their comments, many hands and fingers start flying at once in a silent yet animated discussion.

This class of 18- to 30-year old college students meets each Friday in the interdenominational chapel of the student center at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., which serves people who are deaf. The university, signed into law by Abraham Lincoln in 1864, offers its 1,500-plus students a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees. Every subject and class is taught in ASL.

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58922/Silent-discussion-conducted-by-hands.html

2010 Church Satellite Broadcasts

We’ve been informed by the Church Translation Department about the following interpreted events in 2010. All these events will have available live ASL interpreting via satellite:

CES Firesides
January: Sunday, Jaunary 10, 2010
March: Sunday, March 7, 2010
May: Sunday May 2, 2010
September: Sunday, September 12, 2010
November: Sunday, November 7, 2010

Satellite Regional Conference Broadcasts
Southern California: Sunday, Jaunary 17, 2010
Southeastern: Sunday, Jaunary 31, 2010
East Coast: Sunday, February 14, 2010
Davis County (Utah): May 1–2, 2010
Eastern Idaho: May 15–16, 2010
Canada(?): Sunday, May 30, 2010
Utah South: September 11–12, 2010
Utah Salt Lake City: September 18–19, 2010
Colorado-Wyoming-Montana: Sunday, October 24, 2010
Oregon: Sunday, November 7, 2010
Arizona: Sunday, November 14, 2010

General Conferences
General Young Women’s Meeting: Saturday, March 27, 2010
April General Conference (all sessions): Saturday, April 3, 2010–Sunday, April 4, 2010
April General Conference (Music and the Spoken Word): Sunday April 4, 2010
Relief Society General Conference: Saturday Sept 25, 2010
October General Conference (all sessions): Saturday, October 2, 2010–Sunday, October 3 2010
October General Conference (Music and the Spoken Word): Sunday, October 3, 2010

Special Events and Training
Interfaith Concert: Sunday, February 21, 2010
Interpreter Training: Saturday, February 27, 2010
April World Report: Monday, March 29, 2010
Pioneer Day Concert: Saturday July 16, 2010
October World Report: Monday, September 27, 2010
Worldwide Leadership Training: November 12—13, 2010
Savior of the World: Saturday, December 4, 2010
First Presidency Christmas Devotional: Sunday, December 5, 2010
Christmas Concert: December 11, 2010

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.