CHS Youth Connections Program

CHS Youth Connections Program CHS Youth Connections Program aims to support Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing children. Welcome to a whole new community! We're glad to have you!

The news that your child is Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing can be unexpected. CHS Connections Youth Program, formerly known as CHOICES for Parents can help. CHS Connections is a single point of contact for families with a Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing child. We know that you have many questions and much information to absorb. Understanding the services and options that are available to you is the first step. CHS Connections can connect you with resources, advocacy, information, services, and supports. A child’s most important learning takes place during the first years of life. Lack of access to language can create communication barriers that may delay your child’s emotional, cognitive, and social development. Getting an early start helps you navigate these challenges. CHS Youth Connections can refer you to various resources so that you can make the informed decisions for your child and family. CHS Youth Connections Program is a statewide coalition ensuring that children identified as Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing and their families receive the necessary resources, advocacy, information, services, and support. CHS Youth Connections can provide families with information, and refer you to resources and services such as:

Developmental therapy
Audiological services
Sign language classes
Psychological/counseling services
Educational options
Cued speech classes
Religious services
Individual and group parent support
Child and Family Connections offices
Medical services
Insurance/public aid
Assistive technology
Home-based support
Events in the Deaf Community
Division of Specialized Care for Children
Events in the Latino Deaf Community
Hearing aids
Cochlear implants/implantable devices
Speech therapy
Auditory-Verbal therapy
Auditory-Oral therapy
Deaf mentors

Have you ever wanted to get a professional family portrait but worry about the experience being accessible and comfortab...
03/11/2026

Have you ever wanted to get a professional family portrait but worry about the experience being accessible and comfortable for your Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, or disabled family members? CHS is partnering with A Little Photo Studio to help! With passion and experience, A Little Photo Studio is excited to work with your family and provide photos you'll love.

For more information and to book your session, visit their website here! https://www.alittlephotostudio.com/chs-affiliation

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[Image Description: A flyer with two professional photographs of kids smiling. One wears a leather jacket, the other a button-down shirt and khaki shorts. Text reads: "Our partnership with A Little Photo Studio. Authentic, meaningful photography should be accessible to every family. $300 30-minute studio session. 15-minute pre-shoot consultation call to connect ahead of time and ensure we're fully prepared to accommodate each family's specific communication and accessibility needs. $50 giveback to CHS. Online digital gallery of 50-100 images." End Description.]

03/05/2026

Language First will host Deaf Belle on Zoom on Saturday, March 7, from 8:30 to 9 a.m.

Do you love Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”?

Don’t miss this virtual opportunity to meet Deaf Belle! She will greet guests and share a story in American Sign Language (ASL).

The cost is $5 for the 30-minute event.

For more information, including the link to register, visit https://zurl.co/gQv8D.

03/05/2026
02/03/2026
Join CHS and FHSR for an Early Literacy Training for Parents of Deaf and Hard of Hearing kids! Two possible dates: Febru...
02/03/2026

Join CHS and FHSR for an Early Literacy Training for Parents of Deaf and Hard of Hearing kids!

Two possible dates: February 26 at 7pm or February 28 at 9am.

Sign up for free here! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhovrbbvEboXM4waKEZex3JSfqwO0xIeoQaoRUdqCTew3Y0w/viewform

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¡Únase a nosotros y a FHSR para una capacitación sobre alfabetización temprana para padres de niños sordos o con discapacidad auditiva!

Dos fechas disponibles: 26 de febrero a las 19:00 o 28 de febrero a las 9:00.

¡Inscríbase gratis aquí!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhovrbbvEboXM4waKEZex3JSfqwO0xIeoQaoRUdqCTew3Y0w/viewform

CHS is partnering with Filament Theater for an exciting, accessible performance of RAIN on February 1! RAIN is a mesmeri...
01/23/2026

CHS is partnering with Filament Theater for an exciting, accessible performance of RAIN on February 1! RAIN is a mesmerizing and intimate sensory experience for babies and their families in which they are invited to slow down, notice, and wonder. Carers and their littlest ones are immersed in an intimate and mindful installation space full of surprise, delight and opportunities for connection through sound, touch and performance.

Families with older non-ambulatory babies & toddlers (up to age 4), babies who may be deaf, hard of hearing, experiencing developmental delays, or are otherwise medically complex are invited to join us for a performance of RAIN designed just for you.

In partnership with the Chicago Hearing Society, Early Intervention developmental therapists, and Filament's access team - this neuro-affirming performance is reserved specifically for children ages 0 to 4 who are not walking but may not be otherwise able to attend a public performance of RAIN.

If cost is a barrier for you to join, please use code JOIN26 at check out for $5 tickets. Tickets for this special show are limited!

For more information about RAIN and to get your tickets: https://bit.ly/CHS-RAIN

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[Image Description: An image of the hands of a toddler on the floor as they crawl. Text reads "Access Performance: RAIN. Families with older non-ambulatory babies and toddlers (up to age 4), babies who may be D/deaf, hard of hearing, experiencing developmental delays, or are otherwise medically complex are invited to join us for a performance of RAIN designed just for you. Sunday, February 1 at 4pm. Scan QR code for tickets." End Description.]

01/23/2026
01/23/2026

"Carl the Collector" is set in Fuzzytown and follows Carl, a raccoon who has autism, and his special interest in creating collections. Created by Zach OHora/Fuzzytown and developed by Spiffy Pictures, Inc, this is PBS's first series to star a character on the autism spectrum. It includes other neurodiverse characters like Lotta and Paolo.

DCMP worked closely with Spiffy Pictures to create ASL interpretation and audio description for the series appropriate for its preschool audience. "Carl the Collector" is also captioned. Multiple accessibility options can benefit children by clarifying non-verbal cues, focusing attention, and adding context through the different senses.



https://dcmp.org/series/1092-carl-the-collector

01/23/2026

Ask and you shall receive! We had a lot of requests for a virtual option for our Deaf Belle event. So we will have an opportunity from 9:30-10 am ET, before the in person event, for virtual attendees to meet Belle and enjoy a story in ASL!

📅 March 7, 2026
🕑 9:30-10 ET
💻 Zoom
✔ Register at language1st.org/events-ct

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2017 N Mendel, Suite 3NE
Chicago, IL
60614

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The news that your child is deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing can be a shock. The emotions can be confusing and overwhelming. CHOICES for Parents can help. CHOICES for Parents is a single point of contact for parents who have a child who is deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing. We know that you have many decisions to make. Understanding the services and opportunities that are available to you is the first step. CHOICES for Parents can connect you with services and support, helping diminish your feelings of isolation. A child’s most important learning takes place during the first years of life. Over 90 percent of babies who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing are born to hearing parents. This can lead to language and communication barriers that may delay your child’s emotional, cognitive and social development. Getting an early start on language and communication development helps you navigate these challenges. CHOICES for Parents can refer you to resources so that you can make the best decisions for your child and family. CHOICES for Parents is a statewide coalition of parents and professionals ensuring that children identified as deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing and their families receive the necessary resources, advocacy, information, services, and support.

CHOICES for Parents can provide families with information, and refer you to resources and services such as: Developmental therapy Audiological services Sign language classes Psychological/counseling services Educational options Cued speech classes Religious services Individual and group parent support Child and Family Connections offices Medical services Insurance/public aid Assistive technology Home-based support Events in the Deaf Community Division of Specialized Care for Children Events in the Latino Deaf Community Hearing aids Cochlear implants/implantable devices Speech therapy Auditory-Verbal therapy Auditory-Oral therapy Deaf mentors