NDCHH - MIAN

Mentoring Interpreters Across Nebraska (MIAN)

Welcome to the Mentoring Interpreters Across Nebraska (MIAN) web site! The Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NCDHH) along with several other groups banded together to address the growing need for high-level, superior quality interpreters in the state.

The MIAN program was designed to improve and increase competence and professional development for interpreters working throughout Nebraska. This was made possible by a large grant from the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and other funding and in-kind services from Metropolitan Community College and the NCDHH.

Events

Information/Resources

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How it Works

Anyone interested in taking part of the MIAN program, will need to fill out and submit an application to the Mentor Program Coordinator at the NCDHH. If you are selected, you will be notified in writing within 21 business days.

The MIAN program will establish partnerships by matching Lead Mentor or Deaf Language Mentor strengths with protégées depending upon the areas for desired skill development. All of our mentors go through a training process provided by a master mentor. The protégé will also be required to attend training and orientation before the mentoring cycle begins.

The mentoring cycle will be a period of 3 months. The protégé will complete a pre-assessment to determine skill level and area of concentration. Both the protégé and the mentor will be required to log 20 hours of mentoring activities. If you are enrolled in the MIAN residency program you will also complete 10 hours of on-the-job training (interpreting in the community) with a Lead Mentor.

At the end of the mentoring cycle, both parties will submit all paperwork to the Mentor Program Coordinator. For additional information or questions regarding how the program works, contact the Rayni Plaster Kaika, Mentor Program Coordinator

How to Apply

While the MIAN program is always accepting applications from potential mentors and protégées, there are deadlines for each quarter enrollment. Send or drop off all completed materials to the Rayni Plaster Kaika, Mentor Program Coordinator

Protégé

If you are selected as a protégé, there is a program fee of $75 that includes the pre- and post- assessment ($300 value), mentoring activities, and materials. Interested potential protégées can download an application here (protégé application word document).

Lead Mentors

If you are selected as a Lead Mentor, you will be paid for your time. You will be required to spend a minimum of 20 hours with your protégé and provide on-the-job training and feedback. Interested potential Lead Mentors can download an application here (lead mentor application in word).

Language Mentors

If you are selected as a Language Mentor, you will be paid for your time. You will need to take the Sign Language Proficiency Interview and receive a rating of Advanced or above to be considered. Please contact us to schedule an interview. You will be required to spend a minimum of 20 hours with your protégé. Interested potential Language Mentors can download an application here (language mentor application).

Welcome/Introduction from the Mentor Program Coordinator

Greetings from the mentoring project! First, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Rayni Kaika and I am the new mentoring program coordinator. I come all the way from South Dakota with a Bachelors degree in Communication Studies from Gallaudet University. I served as the CSD University Coordinator for two years before coming to Omaha to undertake this statewide project. The MIAN ( Mentoring Interpreters Across Nebraska) project has gotten well underway and is beginning a new cycle in the coming months. We are excited about what we will be able to offer protégés and mentors who participate in the program.

There are a lot of positive changes happening with the program. One of the major changes is the cohort concept. The cohort group will basically begin and end their mentoring program on the same date. This allows for much more interactive learning activities and support amongst peers, both mentors and protégés alike. All participants will receive weekly updates from the program and the benefits of completing some on-the-job training.

On-the-job training provided by the residency portion of the program will be given to those interpreters who are mentored by seasoned interpreters. Those who participate in the program with deaf language mentors will not be required to partake in the residency aspect. The residency is exclusively for those who are looking to make the leap into community interpreting and would like to acquire some experience in that area.

There will be a workshop coming up for all mentors, protégés, and those within the interpreting field. It is being hosted by the MIAN committee and will be given by long time interpreters and trainers, Lynne Weismann and Eileen Forestal. The title of the workshop is “ Mentoring: A Process of Self-Guided Discovery”. It will be held at the Metro Community College Fort Campus September 22-24 th. Mentors will be required to attend all three days whereas protégés will only need to attend on the 23 rd and the 24 th. The cost for the workshop is $25 for protégés and $35 for mentors. To receive more information about the mentoring program or this workshop, please contact me, Rayni Kaika

	Metropolitan Community College
	Midwest Center for Postsecondary Outreach
	Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NCDHH)
	Nebraska Chapter - Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (NeRID)
	Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)
	RSA 7 Regional Interpreter Training Partnership 84.160A