Guide By Your Side Program

  

What is the Guide By Your Side™ Program? 
Guide By Your Side™ (GBYS) is a program for families with infants and young children who are deaf or hard of hearing.  GBYS gives families who recently learned of their child's hearing loss an opportunity to meet with another parent of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing.  The program is free to all Michigan families.

The Guide By Your Side ™ Program can provide: 

• Unbiased information about communication options. 
• A supportive relationship with another parent of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing.
• Answers to questions and information about local, statewide and national resources.
• Collaboration with Early On, Intermediate School Districts, and other service providers.
• Information about other parent support opportunities.

What are Regional Parent Guides? 

Parent Guides understand the unique needs of infants and young children who are deaf or hard of hearing.  They have been trained to provide support to families and will meet with you at your home or other comfortable setting. Parent Guides use varying approaches to communication from American Sign Language to Auditory-Verbal.  Parent Guides are trained to offer unbiased information and support.   

  What Parents are Saying… 

"Finally, someone understood what I was feeling because she'd felt this way, too. After I met Susan, I just started reconnecting to the world again." 

"This program is the best resource!" 

"Talking to another parent who's ‘been there' is very helpful." 

How can I enroll in the Guide By Your Side™ Program? 
Enrolling in the Guide By Your Side Program is easy, confidential and free.

Parents:

1. Call 517-241-7066 and ask for a brochure to be sent to you.
                                    OR
2. Print off the Guide By Your Side brochure. Make sure the family signs it. Either fax to 517-335-8036 or mail it to:
   Guide By Your Side Program
   MDCH/EHDI
   P.O. Box 30195
   Lansing, MI 48909

  Professionals: 
If a family you work with is interested in a visit from a Parent Guide please:
1) Fax the Audiologist/Medical form to 517-335-8036.  Before faxing, please check the box for Guide By Your Side referral (the family's signature is needed in order to share information related to the child's hearing loss with the Guide By Your Side Program). 
2) Print off the Guide By Your Side brochure.  Make sure the family signs it.  Either fax to 517-335-8036 or mail it to: 

• Guide By Your Side Program
  MDCH/EHDI
  P.O. Box 30195 
  Lansing, MI 48909