ILDBP

ILDBP is the Illinois IDEA funded Deaf-Blind project, and the Illinois State Board of Education contracts with the Philip J. Rock Center and School to administer the goals and objectives for ILDBP.

ILDBP provides technical assistance, information, and training to address the early intervention, special education, related services, and transition to adult life needs of children with DeafBlindness and enhance state capacity to improve services and outcomes for children and their families.

For questions or issues concerning ILDBP grant administration or other education issues, feel free to contact Michael Keeney, Project Director, Illinois State Board of Education at (217) 782-5589. For information about ILDBP, feel free to contact Michelle Clyne, Project Coordinator, at (630) 790-2474.

• provide training and other assistance to personnel who serve DeafBlind children to improve educational outcomes;
• increase early identification and referral of DeafBlind children for appropriate services and supports;
• facilitate emerging and developing literacy and numeracy for DeafBlind children by promoting access to the grade level general education curriculum, including grade-level or alternate academic achievement standards, through the use of high-quality practices;
• expand support to DeafBlind children and their families during the transition to post-secondary education or employment;
• increase support to families of DeafBlind children to facilitate their involvement in early intervention, education, and transition opportunities;
• collect information to provide a State-by-State needs assessment in collaboration with the National Center; and
• increase the number of qualified interveners who have demonstrated skills to support and improve the educational, social, and communication outcomes of DeafBlind children.

Services are coordinated with other state agencies responsible for providing services to children who are DeafBlind.

ILDBP supports the activities of our Deaf-Blind specialists who live and work in the different strategic geographic areas of the state and a statewide family engagement coordinator. ILDBP staff work with local school programs and community service providers and families to identify and provide technical assistance to children and youth (ages birth to 21). Information brochures, periodic telephone contacts, trainings, and on-site consultation on a variety of related topics are offered to educational staff and families. Presentations are made at statewide conferences as a way to inform education personnel and community service providers about the issues of deaf-blindness, services available, and to increase the identification of eligible children and those suspected of having dual sensory impairments.

Needs assessments are distributed to family members and professionals which allow them the opportunity to identify areas of need for consultation services and various forms of technical assistance. Technical assistance is available at a variety of levels to meet a variety of needs.

The role of the Family Engagement Coordinator is to support and mentor families of children and youth with DeafBlindness. The Family Engagement Coordinator helps families to connect with each other and provides technical assistance to parents and children.