I would like to take the time to introduce myself, my name is Denise Johnson. I am the Project Coordinator for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at IndependenceFirst, an Independent Living Center in Milwaukee for 7 years. In the past, I worked at DePaul Hospital (Keystone Residential AODA and Mental Health Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing). I also worked for Wisconsin School for the Deaf for 8 years as a Teacher Assistant and Child Care Counselor. I am also Deaf.  I also serve on the Wisconsin State Council on Alchohol and Other Drug Abuse (SCAODA) Diversity Sub-Committee, the State of Wisconsin Governer's Council on Domestic Abuse Access Sub-Committee, the ICARE Managed Care Advisory Committee, the Disability Abuse Response Team (DART Team) and participate in a workgroup at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf regarding Suicide Prevention and early intervention in the deaf and hard of hearing communities.

For this project, I work in collaboration with the 8 Independent Living Centers (ILC) in Wisconsin. The project is funded by the State of Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Bureau of Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Services.

We put aside a small fund to pay for interpreters for AA/NA/CA support group meetings. These were either set up by our project or in response to a consumer's request.  We have been doing this since I started this job in 2002.  As a coordinator for this program, I do several things. Working statewide through the network of Independent Living Centers, I provide AODA presentations, referrals and resources for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, as well as technical assistance and training for AODA Services.

Providers

In order to make this program as beneficial to you as possible, we are offering your agency a FREE "How to work with Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing" workshop at your (or a mutually agreed upon) location.  Additional tools can be provided such as "What is Assistive Listening, TTY, Relay Services," including "How to work with Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing". I am committed to continually providing presentations for the state of Wisconsin.

What more can you ask for?  This is totally FREE and interpreter services are provided. All you need to do to make this event a success is to provide several possible dates. Once we confirm the date, you will be able to let others know where and when the workshop will take place. Please visit the Providers section for more information.

I look forward to meeting you!

Thank you for your support,

Denise