2024 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 17-19, 2024 • Denver, CO
3/19/2024 | 11:30 AM - 11:55 AM | Virtual Site Visits (VSV): Supporting the Newborn Hearing Screening Program in Colorado | Mineral Hall F/G
Virtual Site Visits (VSV): Supporting the Newborn Hearing Screening Program in Colorado
Newborn hearing screenings are the first encounter most parents have with anything hearing related. Ensuring a strong newborn hearing screening program in your state is essential to successful outcomes for Deaf/Hard of Hearing children. Screeners set the tone for the importance for follow up (ensuring the 1-3-6 guidelines are being met), and supporting parents' emotions with their children's hearing differences. But our screeners need to be given the tools to make this a successful journey for families. Colorado EHDI and Colorado Hands & Voices adopted and adapted NCHAM’s Virtual Site Visit (VSV) curriculum in 2020 during the peak of COVID. Because of COVID, we were no longer able to make physical visits with hospital screening programs. Our VSV team includes the Colorado EHDI Director, a Colorado Hands & Voices Parent Guide, an audiologist, a cCMV Champion with the CO Chapter of the AAP, and a regional Colorado Hearing (CO-Hear) Resource Coordinator. To date we have conducted 27 VSVs across the state. We have collected data that has helped us shift how we look at newborn hearing screenings, and has also helped guide us on what needs to be done in our state to ensure we have a successful and supportive newborn hearing screening program for families.
- Participants will be able to explain what a Virtual Site Visit entails.
- Participants will learn how information from VSVs has improved screening procedures, informed policies, supported trainings, and addressed gaps.
- Participants will learn how Colorado has supported an interface between newborn hearing screening and screening for cCMV.
Presentation:
3478265_16365JamiFries.pdf
Handouts:
Transcripts:
3478265_16365JamiFries.docx
Presenters/Authors
Arlene Stredler-Brown
(Co-Presenter), Colorado EHDI, astredlerbrown@coehdi.org;
Arlene Stredler-Brown, PhD, CCC-SLP provides consultation and technical assistance to programs working with children who are deaf or hard of hearing in the United States and internationally. She has graduate degrees in Speech/Language Pathology, Education of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing, and a doctoral degree in Special Education. Her recent research focuses on telehealth and the use of coaching strategies in the delivery of family-centered early intervention. Having worked many years in program administration and policy development, Dr. Stredler-Brown brings this skill set to her role as Director of the Colorado Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program. Common themes guiding her work are: inclusiveness, collaboration, evidence-based practice and a commitment to infants and toddlers who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Jami Fries
(Primary Presenter), Colorado Hands & Voices, Jami@co-hv.org;
Jami Fries lives in Mead, CO with her husband, Eric, and two boys, Liam and Nathan. Nathan is profoundly deaf due to congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV), has Type 1 Diabetes, and struggles with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS).
Jami is the Executive Director of Colorado Hands & Voices, the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Plus and congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) Parent Guide, and an ASTra Advocate. She is also an advocate for cCMV awareness and education. Jami has presented at multiple National Conferences and local events regarding hearing loss and congenital CMV.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Lauren Pontis
(Co-Presenter), University of Colorado, lauren.pontis@colorado.edu;
Lauren Pontis, AuD, CCC-A is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder. She is an audiologist with experience in hospital, educational, and early intervention settings. Dr. Pontis’ clinical and research interests include pediatric audiology, amplification, electrophysiology, child development, and providing care to d/Deaf+ populations. With a strong emphasis on family-centered counseling practices, she is dedicated to enhancing the understanding of hearing differences beyond the traditional medical model of disability.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Consulting fee for Other activities from Envision/CHIP.
• Receives Salary for Employment from University of Colorado.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with University of Colorado.
Nature: I am an employee of the University of Colorado Boulder. I also am a paid early intervention provider (CHIP facilitator) in the state of Colorado.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.