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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Integration of Parents into the Indiana EHDI Program: 3 Years in Review' Track: 1 - EHDI Program Enhancement Keyword(s): Parent Support, EHDI data, follow-up Learning Objectives: Discuss opportunities for embedding parent-to-parent support within the EHDI program. Discuss data items collected by parents and methods of integrating the data into EHDI data system. Discuss anecdotal impact of parent-to-parent support as reported by parents. Abstract: Over the last three years, the Indiana EHDI has improved parent–to-parent support provided to families of children not passing newborn hearing screening and families of children diagnosed with permanent hearing loss through a contract with Indiana Hands & Voices. The contract deliverables are to work with the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) to ensure 1) that parents and guardians of children who refer from newborn hearing screening receive timely follow-up services that enable confirmation of hearing status before 3 months of age through the provision of two part-time EHDI Parent Consultants (EHDI PCs), and 2) that parent and guardians of children diagnosed with hearing loss received timely emotional support and information related to, parenting a child who is deaf of hard of hearing, the full gamut of technology, communication opportunities options, decision making strategies, and available educational/intervention services for children with hearing loss through the Guide By Your Side (GBYS) Program. This presentation will describe how the deliverables have been implemented including the number of families impacted, data collected, daily activities including use of the web-based EARS data system, successes, challenges, and next steps for improving parent-to-parent support in Indiana. 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
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Julie Schulte - POC,Author Indiana State Department of Health      Credentials: MA, CCC-A       Julie Schulte, M.A., CCC-A is the EHDI Follow-up Coordinator for the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) at the Indiana State Department of Health. Julie has worked with the EHDI Program since 2005. Prior to working in the EHDI Program, Julie worked as an audiologist in several different capacities including a clinician on a cochlear implant team, a researcher examining the speech and language development of children with cleft lip and palate, an aural rehabilitationist working with deaf and hard of hearing children receiving early intervention services, and a clinical audiologist providing diagnostic audiology and hearing aid services.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Receives Salary for Employment,Management position,Teaching and speaking from Indiana State Department of Health.   Nonfinancial - Has a Professional (Member Indiana Hands & Voices) relationship for Other volunteer activities.   Gayla Hutsell Guignard - Primary Presenter Indiana State Dept. of Health      Credentials: MA, CCC-A/SLP, LSLS Cert AVT      Other Affiliations: NCHAM       Gayla Hutsell Guignard, M.A., CCC-A/SLP, LSLS Cert AVT is the Program Director for the Indiana Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program. Prior to coming to the EHDI program, Gayla was employed with the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Gayla also spent several years of her career at the University of Tennessee Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology as a Clinical Supervisor in the Child Hearing Services section. In addition to her work with the Indiana EHDI program, Gayla has recently acted as a consultant to the Indiana Office of Management and Budget in its charge by the Indiana General Assembly to develop a transition plan that will establish the new Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education in July, 2013. Gayla is also consultant with the National Center on Hearing Assessment and Management’s (NCHAM) EHDI Network.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Lisa Kovacs - Co-Presenter,Author Hands & Voices      Credentials: Parent      Other Affiliations: Indiana State Department of Special Education Advisory Council, National Deaf Education Summit Committee, American Academy of Pediatrics EHDI Task Force       Lisa lives in Greenwood Indiana with her husband Brian and 4 children. Her son has Auditory Neuropathy. Lisa is one of the founding board members for Indiana Hands & Voices and has been with the organization for over 8 years. She is currently the Program Coordinator for Guide By Your Side(GBYS). She is also the Director for GBYS Hands & Voices Head Quarters. She has extensive training in Educational Advocacy and Parent Support. Lisa serves on several councils and committees; Indiana Department of Education Special Education Advisory Council, National Deaf Education Summit Committee, and American Academy of Pediatrics EHDI Task Force. Lisa has a passion for training parents and helping them recognize their strengths and abilities in order to make informed decisions for their child and family. Lisa wants to see that all children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing have the opportunity to reach their full potential.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.