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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Developing Culturally Competent EHDI Programs that Includes the Life Course Perspective'
Track: 1-EHDI Program Enhancement
Keyword(s): cultural competency, Life Course, EHDI
Learning Objectives: The audience will have an understanding of life course philosophy, CLAS standards, and increased awareness about cultural competency. Data and information about literacy levels,socio-economic factors, perceptions of health and disability as they relate to the EHDI population will be provided.

Abstract:

State Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Programs (EHDI) are charged with ensuring that all newborns and young children receive newborn hearing screening and follow-up services according to the National Goals, Program Objectives, and Performance Measures. This presentation will discuss the importance of taking a public health population based approach on cultural competency and sensitivity that can improve outreach and ensure that families in the EHDI system do not become lost to follow-up. This session will present how the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program, within the Division of Children and Youth with Special Health Needs, is focused on honoring the cultures and preferences of families served by the EHDI initiative in the Commonwealth. Our program endorses a life course model of care, which focuses on social determinants and health equity. Cultural barriers, social biases, ethnic barriers, and cultural prejudice as they relate to EHDI programs will be discussed. This presentation will demonstrate that there is added value in getting to know the communities we serve in our states, including understanding birth data and emerging populations. The National Standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) will be discussed and ideas for including these standards in EHDI policy will be presented. National and Massachusetts population data related to race/ethnicity and language will be presented. Information about literacy levels, socio-economic factors, perceptions of health and disability will be discussed. The audience will have an understanding of life course philosophy, CLAS standards, and increased awareness about cultural competency as it relates to EHDI.
Presentation: This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online.
Handouts: Handout is not Available
SPEAKER INFORMATION
PRESENTER(S):
Janet Farrell - Department of Public Health
     Credentials: BA
     Other Affiliations: DSHPSHWA, New England Regional Genetics Group
      Ms. Farrell is the Program Director of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program. She is also the Project Director of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cooperative Agreement and Maternal and Child Health grant. She is a senior manager in the Children and Youth with Special Health Needs Program in MA.
Rashmi Dayalu - Massachusetts Department of Public Health
     Credentials: MPH
      Rashmi Dayalu, MPH, BS is the Epidemiologist for the Massachusetts Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program. She is responsible for data collection, quality assurance, analysis, interpretation and dissemination to federal and state partners. Rashmi received her MPH in Epidemiology in 2007 with a concentration in Global Health from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She received her undergraduate degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Washington, Seattle.
 
AUTHOR(S):
Janet Farrell - Department of Public Health
     Credentials: BA
     Other Affiliations: DSHPSHWA, New England Regional Genetics Group
      BIO: Ms. Farrell is the Program Director of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program. She is also the Project Director of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cooperative Agreement and Maternal and Child Health grant. She is a senior manager in the Children and Youth with Special Health Needs Program in MA.
Sarah Stone - MA Dept. of Public Health
     Credentials: BBA
      BIO: Sarah Stone, Program Coordinator, Massachusetts Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program is dedicated to ensuring effective communication with families, birthing hospitals and audiological diagnostic centers. Ms. Stone has been instrumental in developing scripted messages and program materials that assist families and providers in understanding the EHDI goals and objectives. She has a background in public policy and business.