VISION

The vision of Deaf Focus is a world where people who are Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and Deafblind have equal, immediate and universal access to community services, events, resources and beyond.

Our vision is a world that understands that to be Deaf is not something to be fixed but, rather, to be part of a vibrant culture and language-rich community that is preserved, shared and appreciated.

Mission of Statement

Deaf Focus works for and with people who are Deaf, Hard-of Hearing, and Deafblind and their families. We strive to fill gaps in the community by providing quality services including:

Community - Assistance with advocacy, education, and resources. We offer American Sign Language (ASL) classes, life transition assistance, job training, job readiness, supported employment and job retention support.

Communication - High quality sign language interpreting, community ASL classes, communication intervention and communication support with employers.

Counseling - Counseling services with licensed therapists who are committed to providing appropriate clinical, cultural and linguistic interventions. We provide comprehensive services to individuals, children, families and professionals in the community.

Meet The Team

Paula Rodriguez,

LCSW, CT, Director

Paula founded Deaf Focus Services in 2009 to provide community, communication and counseling support for the Deaf community and families who have children who are deaf or hard of hearing. A graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University and LSU, Paula is a licensed clinical Social Worker specializing in child and family therapy and behavior management and intervention. Paula is familiar with deafness and the impact of hearing loss on families. She is a nationally certified sign language interpreter with over 25 years of experience. Paula has worked as a sign language interpreter, school social worker, and therapist. She provides consultation to teachers and counselors. She also provides trainings and workshops related to deafness, sign language, and behavior management.

Melodie Sparks,

Assisant Director

Coming soon!!!

Natasha Aymani,

Community Support Coordinator

Natasha graduated from University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) with a Master of Arts degree in Rehabilitation of the Blind and Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. Natasha is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) with the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) and is a Nationally Certified Sign Language Interpreter with the Registry Interpreters of the Deaf (RID). Natasha is the only individual in the state of Louisiana with both certifications, which makes her the only professional with the skills to work with Deaf Blind individuals. She is currently the Community Support Coordinator at Deaf Focus and serves as an interpreter, EIPA proctor, vocational placement coordinator, and orientation and mobility specialists. She also serves as a board member on the Louisiana Rehabilitation Council (LRC), as well as Inspiring, Leadership, Education, Advocacy with Deaf People (ILEEAD). Natasha is also a proud Child of Deaf Adult (CODA) and Louisianan.

Nicole Alleman,

Employment Speicalist

Nicole is an Employment Specialist at Deaf Focus Services. She is an alumna of Louisiana School for the Deaf in Baton Rouge, LA, her native language is American Sign Language. She graduated from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC with her Master of Social Work. She previously worked in the school setting for seven years providing individual and group counseling, composing behavioral modification plan, working with families, implementing educational workshops and trainings, and teaching in classes. After leaving the school setting, she decided to follow her passion to work with the Deaf community. She worked at an interpreting agency for two years before coming to Deaf Focus Services. She is currently providing job readiness training and job placement service for clients who are referred from Louisiana Rehabilitation Services.

Juliet Barbin,

Administrative Assistant

Juliet is the 3rd generation Deaf in her family. She has many years experience working with deaf children and youth. She worked as Residential Counselor at Texas School for the Deaf for 5 years and a Residential Advisor Supervisor at Louisiana School For Deaf for 2 years. She also worked as a Direct Caregiver for 1 year at Family Service Foundation, Inc. in Maryland and 3 years at the Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation in Austin, Texas. As Outreach Coordinator for Deaf Focus Services, Juliet directs our annual Kidz Kamp as well as Deaf, Deaf- Blind and family activities through the year. Juliet is also a Support Service Provider for individuals who are Deaf-Blind. Juliet’s dream is for all Deaf, HH and Deaf- Blind to have access to communication as others do.

Victoria Flis,

Provisional Counselor

Victoria graduated from Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., with a Master of Arts degree in Mental Health Counseling. Her native language is American Sign Language. Her focus is working primarily with Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing people providing therapy for individuals, couples, and families. She works from the belief that challenges and solutions are interconnected and interdependent within a person's circle of relationships and uses a guided counselor approach. Victoria has been trained in Dialectial Behavioral Therapy (DBT) at her previous two internships. She was mentored by two supervisors who speicalize in DBT. She also uses a sandtray in counseling. Other approaches include: cognitive behavior therapy and psychodynamics. In addition to being registered as Counselor Intern in Louisiana, She holds certification as a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Victoria's work include providing presentations, legislative advocacy, community forums, and workshops.

Brynn Millet,

Program Administrator

Brynn is recent graduate of Louisiana State University with her Master of Social Work. She is currently a Licensed Master Social Worker through the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners and working toward full Licensure. Her previous experience includes grief counseling in both individual and group settings, working with individuals who struggle with anxiety and depression, and compiling client data and statistics to assist in grant writing. Brynn also brings over four years of vocational services experience from her work as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at Louisiana Rehabilitation Services. At DFS, Brynn works with clients who are Hard of Hearing, non-signing clients, and K/CODA. She also manages billing and insurance for the counseling department. She has studied the Americans with Disabilities Act and is developing presentations, workshops, and community forums to work towards increasing services