There is a need for higher quality mental health services for the deaf and hard of hearing populations in rural communities. Currently, there are barriers to accessing culturally competent mental health care for these groups. This document proposes developing a policy and implementing a program to increase availability and accessibility of mental health services that are culturally appropriate for deaf and hard of hearing individuals living in rural areas. Research, funding, advocacy, education and training would be key strategies to achieve the goals of this proposal.

1. z
Higher Quality
Mental Health
Services for the
Deaf and Hard of
Hearing
Tevon Boards

2. z
Introduction
There is a
need for the
development
of higher
quality
mental
health
services for
the deaf and
hard of
hearing in
the rural
community.
Rural
Mental Health Services
Deaf and Hard of Hearing

3. z
Obstacles
Why
is
there
a
need?
Rural
Mental Health Services
Deaf and Hard of Hearing

4. z
Historical Analysis
Social Problem
No SPECIFIC laws and bills in place
No policy in place

5. z
Historical Analysis
Social Policy
Accessible Mental Health Services for the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Cultural Sensitive Services for the Deaf and
Hard of Hearing

6. z
Historical Analysis
Americans with
Disabilities Act
Early Hearing
and Detection
Intervention Act
of 2017
NASW
1.05, 2.01,4.02
Standard 9
Library of congress.gov
Library of congress.gov NASW, 2008. NASW, 2001.

7. z
Social Analysis
Demographics
 In Kentucky there are 694,301 deaf and hard of hearing people. (KCDHH, 2018)
 In Warren County there are 18,207 deaf and hard of hearing people (KCDHH, 2018)
 8.6 percent of the total U.S. population 3 years and older are reported to have some
level of hearing loss (Tate & Glover, 2008, p.
 We can estimate there are over 5 million deaf individuals in the United States who need
mental health treatment every year. (Tate & Glover, 2008, p. 5).
 Only about 2% of these deaf individuals receive appropriate treatment for mental illness
due to barriers in the effective diagnosis of mental illness. (Tate & Glover, 2008, p. 5).
 The prevalence of adults with serious mental illnesses (SMI) and children with serious
emotional disturbances (SED) is likely greater in the deaf population than in the hearing
population, sometimes estimated to be 3 to 5 times greater. (Tate & Glover, 2008, p. 5).

8. z
Social Analysis
Evidence Informed
Practice
Theories of Human
Behavior
Social Values
Empirical Research, Biopsychosocial Assessments
Integrative Strengths Based Approach
Service, Social justice, Dignity and worth of individual, Integrity
Importance of human relationships, Competence.

9. z
Economic Analysis
 138,142,000 103,330,26 74.8 34,811,780 25.2
 16,497,000 12,224,277 74.1 4,272,723 25.9
 14,392,000 3,669,960 25.5 10,722,040 74.5
 5,837,000 3,759,028 64.4 2,077,972 35.6
 430,000 216,700 50.4 213,280 47.6
 1,520,000 492,480 32.4 1,027,520 67.6
 172,000 41,968 24.4 130,032 75.6
 7,959,000 4,510,196 56.7 3,448,804 43.3
Table 10.2 Employment and unemployment rates and communication disorders
Condition Number Employed No. % Unemployed No. %
Working age population with
employment and without disability
With non-severe disability
With severe disability
Difficulty hearing
Unable to hear
Difficulty in speaking
understandably
Unable to speak
understandably
Total communication
disorders
(Shield, 2006, p 141)

10. z
Economic Analysis
 486,100 121,500
 549,600 493,700
 12,500 3,100
 79,100 79,100
 1,126,300 697,500
Table 10.6 Comparison of societal lifetime costs for deaf
children with delayed and normal language (2001 US$)
Delayed Language Normal Language
Lost
Productivity
Special
Education
Vocational
Rehabilitation
Assistive devices and
medical costs
Total
(Shield, 2006, p 143)

11. z
Political Analysis
 Stake holders
 Potential Clients, The deaf and hard of hearing community
 Mental Health Practitioners
 Mental Health Facilities, Hospitals
 National Association of the Deaf, Kentucky Commission on the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
 Western Kentucky University
 Legislators

12. z
Policy Evaluation
 Early Hearing and Detection Intervention Act
 Successful
 96% of newborns are screened
 Decreased future medical cost related to hearing loss
 The Americans with Disabilities Act
 Partial Success
 Successful in reducing discrimination against people with disabilities
 Weakened because It is only a voluntary compliance Law

13. z Policy Evaluation
Language Diversity
National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically
Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care
(NASW, 2015, p.207)
Mental Health
The Americans with Disabilities Act, (NASW, 2015, p.
233)
Disabilities
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,
(NASW, 2015,p. 249)
Rural Inequality

14. z
Current Proposals
Model
Mental
Health for
Deaf and
Hard of
Hearing
Individuals
Bill of
Rights Act
National Association of the
Deaf
This proposal is congruent
with NASW Policy Statements
National and International
Level of Support

15. z
Proposal
Solution
• Develop a policy that protects the deaf and hard of community
• Implement a policy that aims to increase mental health services to the deaf and hard of
hearing rural population
NASW Policy Statements
• Supports policy that improves rural access to mental health care
• Supports the right of individuals with disabilities to affordable, accessible, and
comprehensive mental health care.
Target Groups
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Rural Community
• Mental Health Community
Non Target Groups
Hearing Population- Education on the deaf and hard of hearing
community

16. z
Goals For Proposal
Availability Accessibility
Culturally
Appropriate

17. z
Strategies and Tactics
Research
Funding
Political
Action

18. z
Project Implementation
Program
Development
Advocacy and
Empowerment
Education and
Training

19. z
In Conclusion…
 There is a need for the higher quality mental health services for
the deaf and hard of hearing particularly in the rural community.

20. z
References
 Ginsberg, L. H. (2011). Social work in rural communities (5th ed.). Alexandria, VA: Council on Social Work Education, Inc.
 Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. (2018). Retrieved February 09, 2018, from https://www.kcdhh.ky.gov/oas/whatiskcdhh.html
 Levine, J. (2014). Primary care for deaf people with mental health problems. British Journal Of Nursing, 23(9), 459-463.
 Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved February 09, 2018, from https://congress.gov/
 National Association of Social Workers. (2001). Standards and Indicators for cultural competence in social work practice. Washington, DC: NASW
Press.sNational Association of Social Workers (NASW). (2015). Social Work Speaks (10th ed.). Washington, D.C.: NASW Press.
 National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from
http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp
 National Association of Social Workers (NASW). (2015). Social Work Speaks (10th ed.). Washington, D.C.: NASW Press.
 Sheridan, M., & White, B. (2013-06-11). Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing People. Encyclopedia of Social Work. Retrieved 4 Feb. 2018, from
http://socialwork.oxfordre.com/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.001.0001/acrefore-9780199975839-e-100.
 Shield, B. (2006). Evaluation of the Social and Economic Costs of Hearing Impairment: A report for Hear-it AISBC. S.l.: Hear-it.
 Tate, C. M., & Glover, B. (2008, July). Report on the 2008 Deaf Expert Meeting and A Framework for Action: Shaping a world where deaf and hard of hearing
people are respected, self-determining, and living well.(Rep.). Retrieved April 13, 2018, from
https://www.nasmhpd.org/sites/default/files/Expert_meeting_report_2008.pdf