Deaf Services

The Office of Deaf Services is an agency-wide policy and program development office for the Department of Mental Health (DMH). The Director of Deaf Services provides consultation and technical assistance to DMH facilities and contracted providers serving people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Director also oversees policy development, evidence based practices, and program development informed by advice from DMH stakeholders. If you need help for a psychiatric or substance use disorder or a developmental disability, the links below provide information about applying for services.

Disaster Distress Helpline in ASL

The federal Disaster Distress Helpline for disaster survivors and responders is now available directly in American Sign Language. ASL users can call 1-800-985-5990 from their videophone or visit disasterdistress.samhsa.gov and click on the "ASL NOW" button. Crisis workers fluent in ASL will answer the videophone calls.

Deaf Services Advocates Program

Deaf Services Advocates are employees of Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) or substance use treatment providers who have received specialized training from the Office of Deaf Services. They support culturally appropriate services and effective communication for deaf and hard of hearing people served by their agencies.

To learn more about the program and find out if there is a Deaf Services Advocate in your area, see Deaf Services Advocates Program.

If you are a CMHC/SUDT employee looking for information on becoming a Deaf Services Advocate, please see the Training page.

Deaf Services Specialized Outpatient Centers

Specialized Outpatient Centers (SOCs) provide Community Psychiatric Rehabilitation services from mental health professionals who are fluent in American Sign Language and affirm Deaf culture. Services are available on-site and in the community in St. Louis and Lee's Summit. For more information, please contact your closest SOC.

The SOCs also provide individual counseling/therapy statewide through telehealth. To access these services, contact your local Community Mental Health Center.

For more information on specialized services, see Information for Consumers & Families.

The Office of Deaf Services also works with all DMH-contracted providers to ensure that culturally appropriate services and effective communication are available.

Mental Health Services to Medicaid-Eligible Deaf Persons

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) has established Clinical Standards of Care for Deaf Individuals for DMH-operated facilities. These clinical standards of care detail the system of delivery of mental health services to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who are eligible for services from or through DMH and/or the Missouri Department of Social Services. If a Medicaid or MO HealthNet provider is of the view that it is unable to meet the needs of a qualified individual, that provider may wish to consult with a DMH facility or administrative agent, to ascertain whether the facility or agent could provide services meeting such needs. Contact information for DMH facilities or administrative agents are available through the following links:

• Mental Illness - State Operated Psychiatric Hospitals and Facilities
• Mental Illness - Administrative Agents/Community Mental Health Centers
• Developmental Disabilities - Regional Offices

Quick Links for Information

The Office of Deaf Services is a Department of Mental Health office and only addresses mental health needs. For more general information and resources for the deaf and hard of hearing, please use the following links.

• Online 12 Step Meetings in ASL and Daily Thought/Meditations
• Alcoholics Anonymous of St. Louis | PDF
• American Society for Deaf Children
• Governor's Council on Disability
• Hearing Aid Distribution Program
• Hearing Aid Financial Assistance Programs
• Missouri Assistive Technology
• Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• National Association of the Deaf
• Resource Center on Deafness at Missouri School for the Deaf