Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program

What is it?

Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program provides comprehensive mental health care in American Sign Language to deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf-blind children and adults, as well as their hearing family members, in the six-county Chicago area and beyond. The program is funded through a combination of grants and fee-for- service billing. Although the status of state grants is uncertain at this time in the fiscal year, the program will make its best effort to serve as many patients as possible.

Who is it for?

Deaf and hard-of-hearing children, adolescents, and adults who communicate using American Sign Language.

Why do they do it?

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program began more than 25 years ago, when community leaders saw a critical unmet need for mental health services for deaf children and adults living on Chicago’s North Side. Over the years, it became clear that mental health issues are closely tied to a number of other diseases. The program’s mission has broadened to provide holistic care in recognition of this mind-body connection.

Impact

The program touches approximately 200 deaf people each year. Currently, the program provides face-to-face and telepsychiatry behavioral health services. The hospital has also developed the nation’s first ASL interactive health education Web site at www.advocatehealth.com/deaf.

Contact: Lynn Rolseth
Community Benefits Consultant
Advocate Health Care
Telephone: 630-990-5391
E-mail: lynn.rolseth@advocatehealth.com