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MEET THE TEAM

Our Guide By Your Side Program serves the entire state of Illinois.  This map represents our color coded regions.  Many of our guides serve families statewide, some stay within their color region.  See the Parent Guide Bio's and color regions below.  Our team has specialists, please see below for more information on our specialist roles.

Carrie Balian

Program Coordinator

​Carrie Balian is the mother of five children. Her oldest, Jack, was born deaf. Carrie and her family reside in Island Lake, IL. She is the Coordinator of the Guide By Your Side program in Illinois. Carrie has presented to groups nationwide and co-authored several publications including the NCHAM e-book. Carrie has served or is currently serving as a board member for the Illinois Genetic & Metabolic Diseases Advisory Council, , an editor for the JEHDI publication and participated on the Illinois Universal Newborn Hearing & Screening Advisory Board and Illinois Deaf Task Force. She also participated as a parent professional on the NICHQ national and statewide learning collaborative teams. Carrie has been recognized and awarded both nationally and locally for her support, commitment and leadership in the field. Her educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management.

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Meet our Guides who are located all over our state.

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Anita Cervantes-Bowen

Lead Parent Guide

Anita is the mother of four children who are deaf or hard of hearing. She assists families as our Deaf Parent Guide and is a Board Member of IL Hands & Voices. Anita and her family live in McLean County.

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Amy Keslinke

Parent Guide

​Amy is the mother of two children one who is hard of hearing. Amy and her family live in Kane County.

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Sarah Esparza

Parent Guide

Sara is the mother of one child who is hard of hearing. Sarah and her family live in Will County.

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Corie Fulton

Parent Guide

Corie is the nother of two children, one who is deaf.  Corie and her family live in Williamson County.

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Maira Nava

Parent Guide

Maira is the mother of two children, one who is deaf.  She assists families as one of our Spanish speaking Parent Guides.  Maira and her family live in DuPage County

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Alicia Aaron

Parent Guide

​Alicia is the mother of two children one who is hard of hearing. Alicia and her family live in Cook County.

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Ramona Martin

Lead Parent Guide

Ramona is the mother of four children two who are hard of hearing.  She is a Board Member for IL Hands & Voices.  Ramona and her family live in Sangamon County.

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Christina Ceballos

Parent Guide

Christina is the mother of two children. one who is deaf.  She assists families as on of our Spanish speaking Parent Guides.  Christina and her family live in DuPage County.

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Crystal Johnson

Parent Guide

Crystal is the mother of two children, one whic his hard of hearing.  She is a Board Member with IL Hands & Voices.  Crystal and her family live in Adams County.

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Megan Christoffel

Parent Guide

Megan is the mother of three children, one who is hard of hearing.  Megan and her family live in Will County.

Meet our Specialists who serve our entire state.

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Kelly Hemesath

Lost to Follow-Up Specialist

Kelley is the mother of two children one who is deaf. Kelley and her family live in St. Clair County.

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Jaclyn Urbanski

Transition Specialist

Jaclyn is the mother of three children one who is deaf. She is also a Board Member of IL Hands & Voices. Jaclyn and her family live in Lake County.

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CONTACT US:

 

phone:  224-343-1873

email:  ilhvgbys@gmail.com 

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