Mary Jane Johnson, M.Ed
Coordinator: Family Guidance Program and Early Childhood Program
Voice: (401) 222-4013
mjjohnson@rideaf.net
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide families with guidance and information which will support them in making decisions and advocating for their young Deaf and Hard of Hearing child. The program is tailored to each family's
unique situation. It is designed to enhance the parent's competence and strives to reflect the culture, values and social characteristics of the community of which the family is a part.
If you have any concerns about your child's hearing or would like additional information about the Family Guidance Program, please contact:
Mary Jane Johnson
Coordinator: Family Guidance Program and Early Childhood Program
Voice: (401) 222-4013
TTY: (401) 222-3888
Fax: (401) 222-6998
mjjohnson@rideaf.net
The Family Guidance Program is affiliated with: Early Intervention Services, the RI Department of Health and the Rhode Island Department of Education.
The goals of the Family Guidance Program are:
- Helping families to understand the abundance of information about hearing loss which at times can be confusing and conflicting;
- Helping babies to use appropriate amplification is one part of our program;
- Helping families to understand their child's early communication development;
- Communication can develop using speech and or sign;
- Helping families to cope with the emotional stress related to their child's hearing loss;
- Guiding parent's perception of their child's progress through in-depth observation and assessment;
- Helping families to make decisions about appropriate school placement in community environments or special programs at the age of three.
The Family Guidance Program is an early intervention program for families with 
Deaf and Hard of Hearing children under three years of age. The staff provides a wide range of services including parent education and support groups, communication therapy and assessment, play groups,audio logical management, sign language classes, and preschool transition.
Parents who participate in the Family Guidance Program learn how to effectively communicate with their children. This early investment greatly enhances family relationships and stimulates the child's growth in language development. This important, early development provides an excellent preparation for subsequent educational experiences.
During the present year the program has provided service to approximately 60 families throughout the state of Rhode Island. Marianne Ahlgren, PhD., CCC-A coordinates a variety of family activities and provides home intervention services. Donna Rizzo, CCC-SLP provides support to staff and parents in the areas of speech and language. Also Deb Topol, the RISD language coordinator provides support to the program in assessment and development of communication goals for each family.
The Family Guidance Program is growing rapidly as it provides follow-up services to a new, state-wide program that identifies Deaf and Hard of Hearing children at birth.
If you have questions regarding parent support groups, sign language classes or toddler play groups, please contact the coordinator:
Mary Jane Johnson, M.Ed
Coordinator: Family Guidance Program and Early Childhood Program
Voice: (401) 222-4013
mjjohnson@rideaf.net