| Title: |
'Coordinating Referrals for Intervention and Family Support' |
| Track: |
3-Early Intervention and Beyond
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| Audience: |
Primary Audience:
Audiologist
Secondary Audience:
Part C Agency/Program
Tertiary Audeince:
Early Intervention Provider
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| Keyword(s): |
referral, intervention, family support |
| Learning Objectives: |
1) Evaluate the advantages/disadvantages of utilization of a "Permission for Referral" process
2) Analyze the effects of using coordinated intial home visits |
Abstract: |
Authors/Presenters: Marcia Fort(1) and Joni Alberg(2)
Affiliations:
1) North Carolina DHHS, Raleigh, North Carolina;
2) BEGINNINGS for Parents of Children Who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Raleigh, North Carolina
Coordination of referrals for intervention and family support services at the time of diagnosis of permanent hearing loss and reporting of child-specific intervention and family support data are challenges faced by many state EHDI programs. Further complications arise when services are provided by both public and private agencies. Pediatric audiologists are a primary source of information for parents; however, these audiologists cannot be expected to know the details of every intervention and/or support program available to families. Additionally, as EHDI programs begin tracking late-onset and/or progressive hearing loss, there is a need to coordinate referrals with public schools for children over the age of 3 years. Following input from all stakeholders, a referral process has been developed utilizing a single “Permission for Referral” form. This form is completed by the family in the office of the pediatric audiologist at the time of diagnosis, includes a parent/guardian signature, and is submitted to the state EHDI program simultaneously with the report of diagnostic evaluation results. By obtaining the parent/guardian signature on the permission form, sharing of child specific intervention data has become possible. The state EHDI program sends electronic referral information to each agency/service accepted by the family, including public schools for older children. Coordination of initial home visits among intervention and family support agencies is utilized to capitalize on the expertise of different service providers, reduce duplicated or confusing explanations for parents, and make efficient use of the family’s time. This presentation will describe the “Permission for Referral” and coordinated initial home visit processes. It is anticipated that this information will be helpful to states wishing to enhance their intervention and family support referral procedures.
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| Presentation(s): |
Not Available
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| Handouts: |
Not Available
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PRESENTER(S):
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Marcia Fort - NC DHHS
Credentials: Au.D., CCC-A
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Dr. Fort is the Program Development and Evaluation Manager for the North Carolina EHDI Program. She has worked with the NC EHDI program for 12 years. She has 25 years of experience as a pediatric audiologist in hospital, private practice, ENT office, and public school settings.
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Joni Alberg - Oberkotter Foundation
Credentials: Ph.D.
Other Affiliations: Adjunct Faculty, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Speech and Hearing Sciences, UNC-Chapel Hill
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Joni Alberg. Joni joined the Oberkotter Foundation as Family Support Programs Officer on October 1, 2014. Previously, she served as Executive Director of BEGINNINGS For Parents of Children Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. in NC from 1999 until October 2014. BEGINNINGS provides emotional support, information, and technical assistance to parents throughout North Carolina who have children from birth through age 21 with a hearing loss. Joni holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Special Education from Florida State University and a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Alberg has more than 30 years professional experience as a special education teacher, administrator, researcher and business executive. |
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AUTHOR(S):
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