Stakeholder Engagement
USB believes that through open dialog with stakeholders, a greater understanding of real-world needs will lead to the most pragmatic solutions in educating children and young adults who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind across the state, with an understanding that education and growth happens in all settings. |
Areas Of Focus |
Division Specific Action Steps |
Parents and Families
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USB will use multiple mechanisms for parents and families to partner with teachers and staff for the success of children and young adults.
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Families, districts, and other stakeholders will be aware of and utilize supports available to all children and young adults who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind across the state independent of who serves IEP vision services.
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Campus:
- Parent Needs Survey
- Establishment of a virtual campus based PTO
- Weekly newsletter
- Technology Training for parents
- Bi-monthly calls to families for a check-in.
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Outreach:
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DeafBlind Services (DBS):
- DBS Family Support Specialist will set up virtual meetings with families to check-in.
- DBS will provide annual parent conference (either in person or virtually)
- Parent representative on DBAC (DeafBlind Advisory Council)
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Parent Infant Program (PIP):
- PIP will investigate the use of NearPod for its parent education program currently held in CANVAS.
- PIP will investigate methods to increase and capture parent input.
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Staff – Recruitment and Retention
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USB will utilize every network, local and nationwide, for recruiting personnel.
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HR and USB staff will be trained in marketing and field-specific essentials for recruitment.
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USB’s online presence will reflect high-quality educational programs and an exceptional place to work
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A comprehensive personnel management program will be developed including
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A structured plan for robust mentoring
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A dynamic plan for professional development based on data
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Evaluation process incorporating individual pedagogic skill building and mentoring support regardless of years of service
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Campus:
- Create recruitment flyer and video
- Attend college job fairs
- Coaching Cycle – retention
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Outreach:
- Support efforts from University of Utah in obtaining Grant Funds for TVI and new O&M Programs.
- Network through participation in AER and other Outreach Forums and conferences to meet new education professionals in state and out of State.
- Ensure proper distribution of caseloads and conduct annual analysis’ to determine future needs moving forward to prevent burnout.
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DeafBlind Services (DBS):
- Create and distribute hiring flyer via email and Social Media platforms
- Continue to offer retention bonus for staying in position for 1 year
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Parent Infant Program (PIP):
- PIP will publish 3 “I Love My Job” articles or videos for USDB social media.
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Consumer Groups
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USB will have a functioning advisory group, the USB Action Committee, of invested stakeholders, (parents of blind children, blind associations like NFB, AFB, district personnel, DSBVI, former students, University personnel, etc.) to give feedback and input regarding Blind-specific education across age and grade levels, coordinate calendars and programs, and increase general awareness of services for children and young adults who are blind, visually impaired or deaf-blind .
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The Blind Action Committee will collaborate with USB staff to give feedback about challenges and successes in each Blind Division, develop innovative approaches to address educational challenges facing families, children and young adults with visual impairment, and cooperate with the school and other agencies in the provision of exemplary services for all learners (birth to 22) who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind.
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Campus:
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Outreach:
- Collaborate with NFB, AFB, UFB, Junior Blind of America, SCIVIS, UWIN, and U of U TVI Program
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DeafBlind Services (DBS):
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Parent Infant Program (PIP):
- PIP will coordinate with UPOBC to establish rapport and receive feedback.
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Districts
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USB will increase efforts to collaborate effectively with districts to provide support to children and young adults.
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Campus:
- Survey Sp Ed Directors/Coordinators
- Attend 1 3% District meeting
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Outreach:
- Attend 3% district meetings sharing resources available from USDB.
- Connect regarding O&M and TVI Contracts.
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DeafBlind Services (DBS):
- DBS Director will meet with District SPED directors (districts with students who are served by DBS) to educate about DBS.
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Parent Infant Program (PIP):
- PIP will continue to communicate and correlate with preschool staff to ensure effective 3-to-3 transitions.
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