PA 256 [PDF] mandates the creation of an advisory committee, including defined roles, to ensure the development of resources aligned with the requirements of the legislation in Michigan. A steering committee has also been created, including stakeholders who bring a range of perspectives and expertise. A leadership team provides direction in managing this work. Learn more about PA 256 committee and team members below. Action teams will focus on specific areas as determined by the advisory and steering committees.
Leadership Team
- Teddy Dorsette, Detroit Black Deaf Advocates
- Natalie Grupido, Roseville Community Schools
- Celeste Johnson, Wayne Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA)
- Freida Morrison, LEAD-K Michigan Spokesperson
- Megan Pesch, Parent and Pediatrician, University of Michigan Medical School
- Kristin O’Mara, Parent
- Elizabeth Flores, MDE-LIO
Steering Committee
- Debbie Belavek, Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education
- Toni Cannon-Mitchell, Association for the Advancement of Deaf/Hard of Hearing
- Gina Cooper, Michigan Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI)
- Janel Frost, Michigan Hands & Voices
- Beth Kennedy, DB Central (Central Michigan University)
- Kristin Knight, Teacher Consultant - Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH)
- Christina Roy, Teacher Consultant - DHH, Oakland Schools
- Janet Timbs, Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP)
- Rex Vernon, Michigan School for the Deaf
- Ellen Zwarensteyn, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
Advisory Committee
| Committee Role | Committee Member |
|---|---|
|
(i) One parent or legal guardian of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing who uses the dual languages of American Sign Language and English. |
Rosemary Langevin |
|
(ii) One parent or legal guardian of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing who uses only spoken English and a mode of communication. |
Tori McIntosh |
|
(iii) One certificated teacher of pupils who are deaf and hard of hearing who uses the dual languages of American Sign Language and English. |
Katie Sweers |
|
(iv) One certificated teacher of pupils who are deaf and hard of hearing from a spoken-English language program. |
Melissa Behnan |
|
(v) One certificated teacher of pupils who are deaf and hard of hearing whose expertise is in curriculum and instruction in American Sign Language and English. |
Natalie Grupido |
|
(vi) One certificated teacher of pupils who are deaf and hard of hearing whose expertise is in curriculum and instruction in spoken English and a mode of communication. |
Kara Mounce |
|
(vii) One certificated teacher of pupils who are deaf and hard of hearing whose expertise is in American Sign Language and English language assessments. |
Rebecca Lozar |
|
(viii) One American Sign Language expert, as determined by certification and an American Sign Language Proficiency Interview of 4.0 or higher, who researches language outcomes for children who are deaf and hard of hearing using American Sign Language and English. |
Camille Jeter-Lorello |
|
(ix) One expert who researches language outcomes for children who are deaf and hard of hearing using spoken English and a mode of communication. |
Ariana Farhad |
|
(x) One advocate for the teaching and use of the dual languages of American Sign Language and English. |
Teresa Cunningham |
|
(xi) One advocate for the teaching and use of spoken English and a mode of communication. |
Sarah Freitag |
|
(xii) One early intervention specialist who works with infants and toddlers who are deaf and hard of hearing using the dual languages of American Sign Language and English. |
Sara Sibble |
|
(xiii) One early intervention specialist who works with infants and toddlers who are deaf and hard of hearing utilizing spoken language and a mode of communication. |
Kelly Cleveland |
|
(xiv) One speech language pathologist proficient in American Sign Language and English whose expertise is in assessment of and intervention with children who are deaf and hard of hearing. |
Christine Spike |
|
(xv) One educational audiologist, licensed under part 168 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.16801 to 333.16811, proficient in American Sign Language and English. |
Anita Vereb |
Action Teams
Madonna University / Research
- Debbie Belavek (Lead)
- Danny McDougall
- Bretagne Whitford
Language Milestones – LEAD-K States Review
- Debbie Belavek (Lead)
- Gina Birnbaum
- Gina Cooper
- Christine Spike
- Bretagne Whitford
Language Milestones – Michigan Organizations Review
- Kristin Knight (Lead)
- Jennifer Berrigan
- Jamey Kistler
- Amy Lowrie
- Caitlin Scollin
- Janet Timbs
- Julie Touchberry
Assessments – ASL
- Camille Jeter (Co-Lead)
- Katie Sweers (Co-Lead)
- Kara Deschler
- Darlene Dorsette
- Rebecca Lozar
- Sara Sibble
- Amanda Yoder
Assessments – English
- Ariana Farhad (Lead)
- Melissa Behnan
- Meredith Burke
- Ronda Kunhert
- Carlene Laskey
- Tina Roy
Parent Resource – ASL
- Rosemary Langevin (Lead)
- Ashley Burger
- Emma Heisey
- Kelly Merrifield
- Tori Pfaff
- Tai Pritchett
- Lynn Sedlacko
- Tanya Wyatt
Parent Resource – English
- Kelly Cleveland (Co-Lead)
- Tori McIntosh (Co-Lead)
- Nan Asher
- Carly Glarner
- Janet Mainz
- Jennifer Sawvel
- Lucas VanDalen
Parent Resource – Services and Programs
- Anita Vereb (Lead)
- Janel Frost
- Michelle Garcia
- Maria Klein
- Muzna Sawar
- Teresa Sundberg