Fostering Joy is...
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Founded on the belief that fostering joy is important to all families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing (and the D/HH leaders and professionals who support them), across cultures and backgrounds
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Focused on nurturing parent/caregiver--child relationships
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Inclusive of all ways of being deaf or hard of hearing
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Centered on parent and caregiver strengths
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Attentive to delightful interactions with children who are D/HH
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Respectful of differences in how joy is experienced, demonstrated, and described across diverse contexts and by different people
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Based on the value of active and intentional collaboration between families, professionals, and deaf and hard of hearing leaders
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Cognizant that joy is contagious and that joyful approaches can be adopted/cultivated by all involved in supporting families with children who are D/HH
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Respectful of the challenges families can face raising children who are D/HH and acknowledges that finding joy can be effortful.
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Committed to transforming the supports of children who are D/HH and their families from deficit-focused to strength-based
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Informed by science-based and evidence-informed practices
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Led by the Fostering Joy Core Team, which includes diverse representation of parents, professionals, and D/HH leaders
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Supported by the Fostering Joy movement of Joy Ambassadors who agree with the Fostering Joy mission and desire to spread these ideas to others
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