ILLINOIS HANDS & VOICES
GUIDE BY YOUR SIDE
"What works for your child is what makes the choice right."TM
MEET THE GUIDES
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.
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.
Meet our Guides who are located all over our state.
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.
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.
Andrea Johnson
Senior Parent Guide
Andrea is the mother of twh children one who is deaf. She is also the President of our IL Hands & Voices Board. Andrea and her family live in Kendall County.
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.
Sarah Esparza
Parent Guide
Sara is the mother of one child who is hard of hearing. Sarah and her family live in Will County.
Corie Fulton
Parent Guide
Corie is the nother of two children, one who is deaf. Corie and her family live in Williamson County.
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
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.
Lydia Hernandez
Senior Parent Guide
Lydia is the mother of four children one who is hard of hearing. She assists families as one of our Spanish speaking Parent Guides, she is also the Vice President of IL Hands & Voices. Lydia and her family live in Cook County.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.