CHS Youth Connections Program

CHS Youth Connections Program CHS Youth Connections Program aims to support Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing children. Welcome to a whole new community! We're glad to have you!

The news that your child is Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing can be unexpected. CHS Connections Youth Program, formerly known as CHOICES for Parents can help. CHS Connections is a single point of contact for families with a Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing child. We know that you have many questions and much information to absorb. Understanding the services and options that are available to you is the first step. CHS Connections can connect you with resources, advocacy, information, services, and supports. A child’s most important learning takes place during the first years of life. Lack of access to language can create communication barriers that may delay your child’s emotional, cognitive, and social development. Getting an early start helps you navigate these challenges. CHS Youth Connections can refer you to various resources so that you can make the informed decisions for your child and family. CHS Youth Connections Program is a statewide coalition ensuring that children identified as Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing and their families receive the necessary resources, advocacy, information, services, and support. CHS Youth Connections can provide families with information, and refer you to resources and services such as:

Developmental therapy
Audiological services
Sign language classes
Psychological/counseling services
Educational options
Cued speech classes
Religious services
Individual and group parent support
Child and Family Connections offices
Medical services
Insurance/public aid
Assistive technology
Home-based support
Events in the Deaf Community
Division of Specialized Care for Children
Events in the Latino Deaf Community
Hearing aids
Cochlear implants/implantable devices
Speech therapy
Auditory-Verbal therapy
Auditory-Oral therapy
Deaf mentors

December 1-7, 2025 is DEAR Week! DEAR stands for Drop Everything and Read. Sign up for our DEAR newsletter to get an em...
11/13/2025

December 1-7, 2025 is DEAR Week! DEAR stands for Drop Everything and Read. Sign up for our DEAR newsletter to get an email each day for a week with ASL storytelling videos, literacy tips, and book recommendations for a variety of age groups that feature Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing characters.

Sign up for our free, DEAR Week newsletters as a class, family, or individual here: www.bit.ly/CHS-DEAR-2025

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[Image Description: A cartoon of two children reading. One has a cochlear implant, the other wears a hearing aid. The CHS and YFC icons are in the corners and a QR code is at the bottom. Text reads: "Drop Everything and Read: DEAR Week. December 1-7, 2025. Youth and Family Connections. How it works: 1) Join our DEAR email list. 2) Every day during DEAR week, get an email with fun literacy resources for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing kids. 3) Drop everything and read! Resources include: ASL storytelling videos, literacy tips, and books that feature Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing characters. Sign up as a class, family, or individual at www.bit.ly/CHS-DEAR-2025 Questions or suggestions? CHSYouth@anixter.org." End Description.

11/13/2025

The Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics marks a historic 100-year celebration of deaf athletic excellence, and it’s coming to Japan for the first time, from November 15 to November 26, 2025. 🇯🇵

Expect games beautifully tailored for visual communication—starting lights, flags, and International Sign at the heart of the experience.

Watch it live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/

11/13/2025
10/22/2025
10/22/2025
10/22/2025

Halloween is coming! 🎃👐 Trick or Treat in ASL! Here are 7 signs to know: Trick, Or, Candy/Treat, Allergic, Peanut, and Halloween Costume. Remember, there are different signs for 'Halloween,' so use the one you prefer! Now go out there and enjoy a fun, safe Halloween! 🍬👻

ID: orange background, Text top "Trick or Treat in American Sign Language." 7 different signs on the post: trick, or, Candy/Treat, Allergic, peanut, and Halloween Costume. Illustration: ghost, candy, cold, peanut, pumpkin, and ghost costume.

10/22/2025

Let us join the holiday pajama party!! Family holiday pajama celebration and win the prize! And many more..

10/22/2025

Join us for a fun and festive Virtual ASL Storytime featuring Herbert’s First Halloween!

This online event is perfect for all ages—kids, families, and anyone curious about American Sign Language (ASL). Watch the story come to life through expressive ASL, animated storytelling, and easy-to-follow signs that are great for both beginners and experienced signers.

Whether you're celebrating Halloween at home or looking for a unique learning experience, this storytime is a great way to connect, learn, and have fun together.
No ASL experience needed—just bring your Halloween spirit!

We can't wait to sign and celebrate with you! 🎃👻🤟

10/16/2025
10/16/2025
10/16/2025

The Getting a Job! for Students Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing online training was developed and designed for students who are deaf or hard of hearing and the professionals who work with them. Focusing on the transition from school to work, the training offers a series of activities, supporting documents and topical videos designed to help the job seeker prepare for the world of work. All the videos in the modules are presented in ASL, and are also voiced in English and captioned.

This eLearning course can be completed in multiple sessions, or all at once. Students can document their thoughts, lessons and important papers in their own Career Planning Log. Completing all the activities and assignments will earn a student a “Verification of Completion,” which the student can print. Participants will need to sign up for a free DCMP eLearner account.

https://dcmp.org/learn/466-getting-a-job-for-students-who-are-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing---module

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1444 W. Willow Street
Chicago, IL
60642

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The news that your child is deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing can be a shock. The emotions can be confusing and overwhelming. CHOICES for Parents can help. CHOICES for Parents is a single point of contact for parents who have a child who is deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing. We know that you have many decisions to make. Understanding the services and opportunities that are available to you is the first step. CHOICES for Parents can connect you with services and support, helping diminish your feelings of isolation. A child’s most important learning takes place during the first years of life. Over 90 percent of babies who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing are born to hearing parents. This can lead to language and communication barriers that may delay your child’s emotional, cognitive and social development. Getting an early start on language and communication development helps you navigate these challenges. CHOICES for Parents can refer you to resources so that you can make the best decisions for your child and family. CHOICES for Parents is a statewide coalition of parents and professionals ensuring that children identified as deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing and their families receive the necessary resources, advocacy, information, services, and support.

CHOICES for Parents can provide families with information, and refer you to resources and services such as: Developmental therapy Audiological services Sign language classes Psychological/counseling services Educational options Cued speech classes Religious services Individual and group parent support Child and Family Connections offices Medical services Insurance/public aid Assistive technology Home-based support Events in the Deaf Community Division of Specialized Care for Children Events in the Latino Deaf Community Hearing aids Cochlear implants/implantable devices Speech therapy Auditory-Verbal therapy Auditory-Oral therapy Deaf mentors