Guide By Your Side

Information for hospitals, birth centers
and midwives performing newborn
hearing screenings.

Information for audiologists
caring for children with a potential
or diagnosed hearing loss.

Information for primary care providers
caring for children with a potential
or diagnosed hearing loss.

Information for parents and families
of children with a possible or
diagnosed hearing loss.

Families Birth Facilities Audiologists Early Intervention PA DoH Physicians

What is Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side™ of PA?

Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side™ of Pennsylvania (GBYS) is dedicated to directly supporting families and their infants and toddlers who are newly identified with hearing loss by offering them the opportunity to talk to or meet face-to-face with a Parent Guide.

What is a Parent Guide?

GBYS Parent Guides are parents of children who are deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind who have received special training that prepares them to function in this important capacity. Parent Guides are able to bring their direct experience, specialized knowledge, and personal compassion to their role while making the family's needs their primary focus. They have been where you are and are willing to listen and share their experience.

Who is eligible for the program?

Families of Pennsylvania infants and toddlers (ages birth to 3) who have a hearing loss.

What can the GBYS program do for my family?

GBYS Parent Guides located throughout the state provide:
• Timely emotional support at the point of diagnosis of hearing loss
• Direct parent/peer support and networking
• Unbiased information and resource sharing specific to hearing loss, including insights on navigating the systems from a parent perspective
• Support to families throughout the Infant/Toddler Early Intervention years by combining an experienced parent's insight with knowledge of Early
Intervention and educational systems
• Information about other parent support opportunities

How much does the GBYS program cost?

The GBYS program is provided to families at no cost.

How do I request a GBYS Parent Guide?

• Complete the Guide By Your Side Referral Form CLICK HERE
• Or call the Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side™ of PA Program Coordinator at 1-800-360-7282 x3908 (in PA only) or 717-541-4960 x3908
• Or email agaspich@pattan.net

CLICK HERE to view the Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side rack card.

To order the GBYS rack card or request a contact from the GBYS Coordinator, please complete and mail this form CLICK HERE or contact the GBYS Coordinator at the phone number or e-mail above.