Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing - STARS

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Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) is a program of STARS designed to prevent the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs among deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals from kindergarten through early adulthood.

These students are naturally at a higher risk for drug and alcohol misuse because of their increased difficulties with communication, isolation, depression, learning and family connections.

Program Services:

• In-School Drug and Alcohol Prevention/Character Education Classes: Weekly classes that are designed to help the students develop:

strong social coping skills
understand and identify feelings
problem-solving
anger management
improving self-esteem
decision making
team building
healthy relationships
and information on drugs and alcohol

• In-School Literacy Support: Individual weekly sessions with students focus on:

improving reading comprehension
writing skills
sign language proficiency
bridging multiple-meaning words
and conceptual signing of topics and items translating from English to American Sign Language

• Individual Career Planning Services: Individual support for students transitioning out of high school, services include:

Interest testing
researching and applying to colleges
connecting with VR
completing the FASFA
job and interviewing skills

• Summer Camp: STARS offers support services to Brentwood Baptist Deaf Church-Camp SummerSign. Services include:

Full-time staff
character education classes
literacy
team building
and creative dance

Special thanks to all our collaborative partners and referral sources for their hard work and dedication to those served:

Brentwood Baptist Deaf Church
Bridges
Library Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Metro Nashville Public Schools
Sign Club Co.
The Link

STARS' MOVE2STAND team created a life-changing and inspiring day. I look forward to working with them again.

Courtney Fergie

STARS' MOVE2STAND opened my eyes to what is actually happening in our schools.

M2S student

STARS' MOVE2STAND let me be me. I didn’t have to hide anything. I had a voice.

M2S student

At STARS' MOVE2STAND, I was finally heard!

M2S student

At STARS' MOVE2STAND, I learned how people actually feel.

M2S student

STARS' MOVE2STAND made me come out of my comfort zone and interact with my peers. I loved the training!

M2S student

I loved sharing my story and hearing others’ stories at STARS' MOVE2STAND. I enjoyed how personal the training was.

M2S student

At STARS' MOVE2STAND, I let my guard down and realized how many people are just like me.

M2S student

STARS' MOVE2STAND has shown me what I need to do as a person.

M2S student

Because of STARS' MOVE2STAND, I better understand how to help people.

M2S student

Everyone came together like a family at STARS' MOVE2STAND.

M2S student

STARS' MOVE2STAND made me feel less lonely.

M2S student

We will continue the STARS' MOVE2STAND message in our school and community indefinitely. Positive relationships between young people are essential for student success in all areas of life. We would strongly recommend M2S for school systems looking to improve climate and build cohesive, productive atmospheres. The training created lasting impacts that will be remembered forever.

STARS' MOVE2STAND was by far one of the best student trainings I have ever seen after working in bullying prevention for eight years. The one-day leadership training had a profound impact on 150 students in grades 6-12 from Vermilion Local Schools. The students have taken the M2S momentum into their own hands and created welcoming, cross-age mentoring and community relations committees.

Our STARS’ SAP counselor is an asset to our school. So many students deal with issues outside of school that affect their ability to do their best at school. As a school counselor, my job has many parts and changes daily. I’m not always available to see a child in crisis, and I can't usually provide ongoing counseling to a student or group sessions. That is where our SAP counselor comes in. She does free individual and group therapy to help our students overcome personal issues and to succeed at school.

Christy Hood School Counselor

"Magnificent," "life-changing" and "incredible" don't give STARS' MOVE2STAND justice. The event inspired emotions, passion and realizations at Beech High School.

Jamie Greer Spanish Teacher

We have many students who have autism and ADHD, and STARS' Kids on the Block has changed how these students are understood by their peers. For example, one autistic second-grader has made great gains this year due to his classmates’ acceptance. This would not have happened without KOB.

Janet Watkins School Counselor

STARS' Kids on the Block is doing great work to keep our children safe.

Dawn Crumpton School Librarian

STARS' Kids on the Block’s puppet shows are developmentally appropriate and find a delicate balance between fun-loving and thought-provoking messages. Students like seeing a new show every year, ranging from problem solving to diversity awareness.

Deborah Finch School Counselor

STARS’ SAP program helped me be a better person, improve my attitude and work things out with my parents. STARS’ SAP program had a huge impact on me. My counselor Mr. Mayes gave good advice and helped me with a lot of problems I had in middle school.

Gra-Mar Middle School student

STARS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, culture, religion or creed, socioeconomic status, language, age, sexual orientation, or national origin. No one shall be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any of STARS’ programs or activities. STARS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This agency is funded, in part, by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Tennessee Department of Education and by the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth. This project is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee.