Birth to Age 3 Parent Infant Program

The language services include American Sign Language (ASL) as well as their spoken home language. Both modalities benefit the children. In some states, schools ask families to choose between American Sign Language or a spoken language. Here at Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, we give children all of the tools in the toolbox.  We offer children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing both languages.

PIP services are offered throughout Utah. The PIP program works in collaboration with Utah’s Baby Watch Early Intervention system.  The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program can assist with hearing evaluations.

PIP specialists are members of each Early Intervention team in Utah. Deaf and Hard of Hearing services provided through USDB are free. Eligibility to participate in the program is determined through a hearing diagnosis.

The PIP program provides a variety of home-based services for children and families. PIP also provides PIP groups, ASL resources, state-wide activities, and story time.

Dedicated, caring teachers provide home-based services in a variety of natural settings using developmentally appropriate activities. Services for PIP children are implemented through Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs). Specialist visits are scheduled with a frequency based on each child’s individual needs.

The Parent Infant Program strives to provide early intervention services and coordination including:

• Support for parents and families in their efforts to understand their child’s hearing level.
• Information, training, modeling, and consultation for parents and family to allow for an increased understanding of their child’s unique needs.
• Networking opportunities for families to meet others who have children with different hearing levels.
• Resources and instruction are designed to prepare children with various hearing levels to reach their highest potential in preparation for further education.