- Hearing Loss Association of America, California State Association (HLAA-CA): The HLAA-CA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide education, support, and advocacy for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Each chapter hosts meetings each month featuring social and educational events. There are six chapters in Northern California including: Diablo Valley Chapter (Walnut Creek), East Bay Chapter (Oakland), Napa Valley Chapter (Napa), Peninsula Chapter (Redwood City), San Francisco Chapter (San Francisco), and Silicon Valley Chapter (San Jose). hearinglossca.org Email individual chapters or Bob Zastrow ([email protected]), the HLAA Northern California Chapter Coordinator, for more information.
- Deaf Community Counseling Services (DCCS): Formally known as the UCSF Center on Deafness, DCCS provides mental health services to individuals and children who are Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Late Deafened, Deaf-Blind, and their families and partners. DCCS works with young children, adults, and seniors addressing depression, anxiety, mood or thought disorders, adjustment reactions, stress, relationship issues, family problems and other mental health issues. DCCS has offices in San Francisco, Berkeley, and San Leandro. felton.org/social-services/adult/dccs Email: [email protected].
- San Francisco office phone: (415) 474-7310. Video phone: (415) 255-5848
- San Leandro office phone: (415) 474-7310. Video phone: (510) 343-7277
- Berkeley office phone: (510) 255-7013. Video phone: (510) 984-1654
- Deaf Counseling Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA): The DCARA is a non-profit group funded by the California Department of Social Services, Office of Deaf Access. It advocates for improved communication opportunities and equal access to education and employment for deaf individuals. They additionally provide a range of services to the deaf community including communication access assistance, independent living skills, employment services, peer counseling, information & referral services, advocacy, and community education, and host workshops and social events covering a variety of areas such as American Sign Language and coping skills for dealing with employment issues. DCARA owns the Deaf Community Center in San Leandro, CA which is available for rental for special events. DCARA is represented in 14 California counties including San Francisco. dcara.org. Phone: (510) 343-6670. Email: [email protected].
- Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) Hearing Loss Strategies/Cochlear Implant Support Group: SRJC hosts a popular hearing loss/cochlear implant course/support group. Monthly sessions focus on topics such as cochlear implants, overcoming communication challenges, hearing aids, loop systems and other technologies. Register for the SRJC course (course code DRD 705: “Hearing Loss Strategies”) at admissions.santarosa.edu/register. Contact Debbie Ezersky, course instructor, at [email protected] for more information.
- Support for Families of Children with Disabilities: A parent-run San Francisco-based nonprofit organization that supports families of children with any kind of disability or special health care need as they face challenges. Services offered by this group include support groups, parent mentors, educational workshops, social work services, family gatherings/social events, and more. supportforfamilies.org Email: [email protected]. Phone: (415) 282-7494.
- The Hearing and Speech Center of Northern California (HSC): Located in the middle of San Francisco, the HSC is a non-profit organization that provides myriad services to people with hearing loss or communication challenges including audiology, assistive technology, speech therapy, counseling, educational programs, and support groups for adults, adolescents, and children alike. The HSC works with a team of diverse professions to provide complete care to individuals with hearing loss including audiologists, speech pathologists, social workers, counselors, and Teachers of the Deaf. hearingspeech.org Submit text/email inquiries at hearingspeech.org/main/contact-us-request-an-appointment. Phone: (415) 921-7658. TTY: (415) 921-8990.