Partnering to adapt SBI for deaf/hard of hearing clients and develop appropriate training

Substance use problems are present in every community, including the Deaf/Hard of Hearing community. English remains a second or third language to most Deaf people. Public health campaigns about substance use may be delayed before becoming known to deaf people, or may not bridge the language barrier. While screening protocols are available for the general population, no American Sign Language (ASL) brief screening tools exist. Traditional ASL terms for alcohol and other drugs are not specific. There is little-to-no substance use issue training for interpreters or case managers. For many Deaf clients behavioral health treatment is the first time they learn coping skills or are exposed to concepts like recovery.

Efforts to improve substance disorder treatment services for Deaf/HoH people in Massachusetts have been fruitful, but a dearth of referrals indicates a need to increase identification of D/HoH persons needing brief intervention and/or treatment. A new approach is required to discern appropriate, effective, and culturally competent screening protocols.

The Massachusetts Interagency Taskforce on Substance Abuse Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing involves state agency administrators and service providers from the Departments of Public Health and Mental Health, the Commission of Deaf/Hard of Hearing, and D/HoH recovery advocates. This taskforce recently developed an appropriate substance use “awareness” brochure.

This presentation will discuss the importance of screenings and brief interventions for risky use and highlight steps required to build a focused workgroup that can design screening protocols to catch potential problems early, develop a curriculum, and provide training.