Family Ministry for Deaf Families

We develop leaders among deaf couples to serve other families.

Course Goal

Equip deaf couples as ministers to work with deaf families and parents in the following areas:
● Premarital counseling, family life education, and crisis counseling
● Guide participants toward closer and growing relationships with each other in marriage and with the Lord
● Help churches and communities form and support emotionally, physically, and spiritually healthy families that reflect, multiply, and represent God’s image through family

Course Description

Contemporary Ukraine is experiencing significant social and economic changes that affect all aspects of life, including family life. Families with deaf members face additional challenges: these include communication barriers in society, a lack of information adapted for deaf individuals, and issues within family relationships. Communication barriers can create tension between spouses, as well as between parents and children, when one or more family members have hearing impairments.

Relevance

The relevance of this course lies in the fact that it not only provides tools to improve interaction and communication within the family, but also helps build stronger relationships based on understanding, trust, and mutual respect. It is especially important that this course is tailored to the specific needs of deaf families, ensuring accessibility and effective learning.

This course offers a unique opportunity for deaf families to develop skills that enable them to interact more effectively, resolve conflicts, and overcome social and psychological barriers. In the contemporary context of Ukraine, where people with disabilities often face additional challenges, this course serves as a reliable tool for building strong and harmonious family relationships.

Practical Application of Knowledge

Improving Family Communication

Students will learn to use more effective methods of communication with their partners and children, utilizing not only sign language but also nonverbal communication, emotional intelligence, and technology (mobile apps, video calls with captions, etc.).

Example: A couple who can clearly express their emotions and needs using communication methods accessible to both partners will be able to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings effectively.

Overcoming Psychological Barriers

Many deaf individuals face isolation or low self-esteem due to their hearing limitations. This course helps families work on supporting each other and creating a positive psychological environment at home.

Example: After completing the course, parents will be able to support their child with hearing impairments, providing a sense of confidence and security.

Raising Children in Deaf Families

Special attention is given to raising children, as deaf parents may face challenges in raising hearing children, and vice versa. Students will learn methods that help nurture children using accessible and effective means of interaction.

Example: Parents will gain practical tools to involve their children in family discussions despite hearing limitations and understand how to effectively pass on their family values.

Family Budgeting and Planning

The course also covers aspects of family financial planning, which is especially important in times of economic instability. Deaf families will learn to understand and manage their budget, finding additional opportunities for income or support.

Example: A couple will be able to better plan shared expenses, including those related to special communication aids, without creating additional financial strain.

What competencies does the program develop?

● Ability to build strong personal marital relationships
● Skills in conducting premarital counseling
● Ability to counsel families in crisis
● Tools for effective parenting
● Basics of family financial literacy

What is the training format and number of modules?

In-person format
Intensive format (8 modules, 3 days each, over 8 months)

8

Modules

16

1 module – 16 academic hours

15

Minimum group size: up to 15 couples

Program Content

1

Challenges and Goals of Family Counseling

2

Theology of Marriage

3

Conflict Resolution Studies

4

Premarital Counseling

5

Principles of Conscious Parenting

6

Family Finances

7

Family Development Psychology

8

Song of Solomon: Intimacy in Marriage

Course Instructors

Illustration

Yuriy and Teyana Sokolovskyi

Family counselors with 30 years of experience, seminar and conference speakers, seminary instructors in Ukraine, and coaches. Yuriy is a pastor.

Illustration

Stanislav Gruntkovskyi

Pastor, family counselor, responsible for the development of family ministry in Ukraine for the ECB, Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Nyack College and Alliance Seminary.

Illustration

Volodymyr and Olha Shvets

Family counselors, educators, seminar and conference speakers, parenting trainers. Volodymyr is a pastor and a certified trainer of the international community “Tato.net.” Olha holds a Master’s degree in Christian Counseling.

Illustration

Polykarp Tsyhanyuk

Pastor for approximately 15 years. Deputy Regional Presbyter. Instructor at Zaporizhzhia Biblical Seminary. Director of Development for the Association of Biblical Institutes.

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Family and Relationships Academy | 2025


au.moc.ymedacaylimaf%40eciffo

Family and Relationships Academy | 2025