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Serving the families of
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Babies Ages 0 to 3
since 1978

Who is on the PIP Team?

• Babies and their families
• Your local Early Intervention Service Coordinator
• Our Communication Team

Staff Dually certified in:

• Deaf Education and Speech and Language Pathology
• Certified/licensed audiologist
• Internationally recognized consultants in:
• Cochlear Implant Habilitation
• American Sign language

The Parent Infant Program has impact!

"My son enjoys it. M. makes up fun learning games that J. has fun with. He has improved so much since these services were provided to him. She also gives me advice and ideas so that when I’m working with him on just everyday life I can make speech and language easier for him.”
J, mom of J.

"Without the Parent Infant Program I don’t know where, or to whom, I would have turned to when I felt so all alone. “
R, mom of J .

"The Parent-Infant program has helped me so much. It's been a help to start learning the signs to help my child to understand me. The information on implants, I didn't even know such a thing existed. The support to help understand that his being deaf isn't my fault, and that there are a lot of people that are like me with a child who is deaf. Any questions I have are answered right then. I have been given information on where to look for any other help I might need. I feel that this is a great program to help everyone involved.”
C, mom of I.

When can we start?

As soon as you suspect or identify your baby’s hearing loss

The Parent Infant Program is for you, and your baby or toddler, between birth and three years of age.
When your child turns three having been involved in the PIP will help you make an informed decision about where you may want your child to go to preschool.

Where does the PIP take place?

• All services for the birth to three year old are provided in their “natural environment”.
  
• The PIP is available to serve the many counties of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
  

Typical places for early intervention are:

• Your home
• Day Care
• Caregiver’s home
  

What are the “services” Provided by the PIP ?

• Evaluations to be used for meetings that determine what is needed. These are called Multidisciplinary Evaluations (MDEs)
• Development of the plan of action to meet the MDE needs. This is called your Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP).
• Services are also “lessons” or “therapy times”, in your natural setting, that help families develop communication skills with their babies. Areas of families’ interests may include, but are not limited to:
• Development of your baby’s cognition (thinking skills).
• Learning how to develop your baby’s language. This may include the use of listening, speech, and Sign Language.
• Learning about all modes and aids to communication.
• Use of hearing aids and cochlear implants.
• Developing listening skills.
• Resources for more information.
• Connection with other families.
• Connections with more than 100 highly experienced staff members and consultants at the school.
• Collaboration with other agencies that may also be providing services.

Parent Infant Program
Scranton State School for the Deaf
1800 N. Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18509

Parent Infant Program Staff Contacts:

R. Linda Hurwitz, M.S., CCC-SLP, Coordinator
Speech/Language Pathologist and Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
570 267-5080 (v/TTY/Fax)
Lindahurwitz@yahoo.com, rhurwitz@state.pa.us

Mari Bowen, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech/Language Pathologist and Teacher of the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing
570-963-3009
mbowen@state.pa.us

Janice Goodall-Johnston, M.S.
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Jgoodall@state.pa.us

The Scranton State School for the Deaf
Is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Way to SSSD

From the East

Proceed west on U.S. Interstate 80 or U.S. Interstate 84. At intersection with U.S. Interstate 380, proceed in a northerly direction on I-380. At intersection with U.S. Interstate 81, proceed north, and exit at 188...then...

From the West

Proceed east on U.S. Interstate 80. At intersection with U.S. Interstate 81, proceed north, and exit at 188...then...

From the North

Proceed south on U.S. Interstate 81, and exit at 188...then...

From the South

Proceed north on the northeast extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike to Exit 37. Proceed then to U.S. Interstate 81, head north, and exit at 188.

From the U.S. Interstate 81, Exit 188: follow directional signs at the end of the exit ramp toward Dunmore following Blakely Street to traffic light at Drinker Street. Turn right onto Drinker Street that merges with Electric Street. Proceed to second traffic light. At this intersection, turn right onto North Washington Avenue, enter the main driveway on your right. Visitor parking is on your right.

For More Information

Further information regarding enrollment or services offered by SSSD can be obtained by contacting:

SSSD
c/o Monita G. Hara, Superintendent
1800 North Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18509
(570) 963-4040 V/TTY
mhara@state.pa.us

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