Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Braxton

The Vermont Parent Infant Program (VT PIP) is a statewide program, which focuses on the provision of services to families of children, from birth to age three years, with a diagnosed hearing loss or for whom hearing is an area of concern. The program falls under the auspices of the Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Vermont’s Family, Infant and Toddler Program. Funding for the VT PIP is largely provided by the Department of Health with additional support provided by the Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

The focus of the VT PIP is to provide families with the necessary information, support and services they may need in order to understand and effectively manage the challenges of their child’s hearing loss. Families may choose to take advantage of home visits provided by specially trained parent advisors who are also teachers of the Deaf. Families interested in learning American Sign Language (ASL) and increasing their knowledge of Deaf culture and the Deaf community may access the services of a Deaf mentor. Additional services include a lending library, a hearing aid bank, workshops and sign language classes. Families are welcome to join any or all components of the program.

VT PIP is committed to working cooperatively with families, service providers and schools to develop and implement effective and comprehensive services for children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Services through the VT PIP are provided at no cost to all Vermont families. Once a child becomes three years of age, services become the responsibility of the local school district. A statewide network of consultants for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children is available and can be accessed at this time.

If you have questions, would like to refer a child and /or are in need of consultation, please feel free to contact the VT PIP office at (802) 254-3929 (v/tty.)

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