2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/11/2025 | 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Enhancing Early Intervention Access in Texas: Perceptions from the Field | 309
Enhancing Early Intervention Access in Texas: Perceptions from the Field
In the state of Texas, the most recent numbers reported by the CDC show that 61% of children who are diagnosed as deaf or hard of hearing do not enroll in early childhood intervention (ECI) programs due to loss-to-follow-up (LFU) or loss-to-documentation (LTD) (Center for Disease Control [CDC], 2022). Considering the importance of early intervention for children who are at high risk of developmental delay, this is a staggering statistic.
This two-phase phenomenological qualitative study sought to understand the effectiveness of the current procedures and protocols, including challenges and barriers to providing timely services for children in Texas who are deaf or hard of hearing. First, we conducted an online survey exploring the current referral and evaluation procedures in Texas’ 11 public health regions. This survey was sent to every ECI agency, and they were encouraged to participate. These respondents included early intervention specialists, referral coordinators, and program administrators. We also interviewed ECI professionals to gain their perspectives and experiences regarding the early intervention process for birth to three children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Data from this study identified themes surrounding the effectiveness of the current procedures and protocols, including challenges and barriers to providing timely services. Participants will have the opportunity to take what they have learned from this study, discuss their current state practices, and consider methods for advancing those systems.
- Participants will explore their own state referral and early intervention enrollment procedures.
- Participants will discuss barriers and potential solutions to timely enrollment and intervention services.
- Participants will identify trends in early intervention management and tracking.
Presentation:
3545975_18104JuliannaWanek.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Sandy Bowen
(Co-Presenter), University of Northern Colorado , sandy.bowen@unco.edu;
Sandy Bowen, Ph.D., is a Professor in the area of the education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Dr. Bowen has worked with infants, children and youth who are deaf/hard of hearing in Utah, Texas, Arizona and Colorado for 34 years. Dr. Bowen received a Ph.D. in Language, Literacy and Culture from the University of Arizona. She has a Masters degree in Deaf Education and a Bachelor degree in Elementary Education. Dr. Bowen’s research interests include: early intervention, teacher preparation, D/dHH students and families who are culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse, and deafblindness. In addition to her university assignments, Dr. Bowen is an early interventionist in the Colorado Early Intervention Program. She works with infants and toddlers who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families from diverse cultures.
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.
Julianna Wanek
(Primary Presenter), University of Northern Colorado, juliannawanek@gmail.com;
Julianna Wanek graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, specializing in Deaf Education. She went on to receive her Masters in Deaf Education and Hearing Science from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA). Since then, she has worked as a parent-infant advisor, newborn hearing screener, classroom teacher, and most recently, an itinerant teacher. She also teaches “Best Practice in Family-Centered Early Intervention” as adjunct faculty at UTHSCSA. Julianna is a Certified Listening and Spoken Language specialist and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Special Education at the University of Northern Colorado.
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.