Michigan Services

[Guest guest]

and Tim,

Wow, this is truly amazing and wonderful news! , you have made

history! Am I right in saying you will be the first parent of a child who

is DeafBlind to EVER " direct " a DB grant? You all can imagine the

bureaucracy involved in not only the federal government (my husband is a

federal employee) but at the state level as well. For to win the bid

over the Michigan State Department of Education who has " held " the grant

for so long, must be close to a miracle.

As a parent of a teen who is DeafBlind as well as working for the MN DB

Project, I am very excited for you and your state. I have no idea what

services were like in the past in Michigan, but it is exciting to know the

federal government, in its wisdom, is placing it's trust in you, as a

parent and professional. Needless to say, there will be little question

that the kids with combined vision and hearing loss in Michigan will be the

bottem line! I would love to know what you included in your proposal.

Congratulations and good luck.

Sally,

mom to Bill 20, 18 CHARGE and Liz 12

>> I am excited to share with you that 's grant proposal was accepted,

>> and the Michigan Services to Children and Youth who are Deafblind will

>> be housed at Central Michigan University with as director. The

>> grant begins October 1, and goes for 4 years. We competed for the grant

>> with the Michigan State Department of Education who has had the grant

>> ever since the program began, however many years ago. They are a bit

>> miffed at us (I think I'm putting it mildly), but I think it was time

>> for a change, and we are excited about the challenge of improving

>> services in Michigan.

>>

>> Tim Hartshorne

>>