About Us

CODA Connect, LLC is dedicated to bridging the gap between law enforcement and deaf awareness. With Melissa's decade-long experience as a Washington State commissioned police officer and Monique's background in ASL interpreting and education, we aim to promote safety, awareness, and accessibility in interactions between these two groups. Through training and resources, we strive to reduce misunderstandings for all individuals and equip officers with effective communication.

Workshop

Our workshop on deaf awareness has been evaluated by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. We offer 8 hours of training that is recognized under LETCSA (WAC 139-11) and fulfills officers' annual in-service training requirements (WAC 139-05-300).

Workshop Instructors

Melissa Phillips

A commissioned law enforcement officer with over a decade of experience in Washington State, brings specialized knowledge to her workshops. As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), she is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), also having completed college ASL courses. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the University of Washington and a General Associate's Degree from Bellevue College.

Monique Hirschkorn

Since 2010, Monique has been an ASL instructor, teaching at both secondary and post-secondary institutions. As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), she brings valuable insights into the deaf community and culture. With interpreting experience dating back to 1996, Monique has provided her services to school districts, freelance clients, and ASL teachers across Washington State. She has completed linguistic courses through Gallaudet University and holds a State of Washington Career and Technical Education Teaching Certificate with a Sign Language Endorsement.