2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/11/2025 | 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM | From Detection to Direction: EHDI-MS Empowering Families on the Hearing Journey | 303
From Detection to Direction: EHDI-MS Empowering Families on the Hearing Journey
The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Mississippi Family Support Program has been instrumental in guiding families through each step of their child's hearing journey, from initial detection to long-term support. In this presentation, we will explore the comprehensive strategies EHDI-MS has implemented to ensure early intervention and successful outcomes for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
This session is designed for EHDI professionals and stakeholders from other states who are seeking to strengthen family support systems in their own programs. We will discuss key components of the Mississippi model, including personalized family guidance, peer support networks, and collaborative partnerships that enhance early intervention efforts. Attendees will learn how these practices can be adapted to fit the needs of their own state programs, enabling them to empower families and improve outcomes. The presentation will provide actionable insights on how to build and sustain a robust family support program that fosters informed decision-making, engagement, and advocacy throughout the hearing journey.
- Attendees will learn about the core elements of the EHDI-MS Family Support Program, including personalized family guidance, peer support networks, and collaborative partnerships that drive early intervention and long-term success.
- Attendees will gain practical strategies for equipping families with the tools, knowledge, and resources they need to make informed decisions and navigate the challenges of their child’s hearing development.
- Attendees will be able to assess how the successful components of the EHDI-MS program can be tailored and implemented in their own states to enhance family support and improve outcomes for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Presentation:
3545975_18128AshtenYost.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Stacy Callender
(Co-Presenter), Mississippi State Department of Health, stacy.callender@msdh.ms.gov;
Stacy Callender has worked in public health, education, mental health, and universities for more than 20 years. She currently serves as the MCH Block Grant Coordinator with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). She previously served as the Child & Adolescent Health Director, EHDI-Mississippi Coordinator, and the Mississippi First Steps Early Intervention Program Coordinator with the MSDH. Prior to that, she served as the State 619 Coordinator for Early Childhood Special Education with the Mississippi Department of Education and the Executive Director of the State Early Childhood Advisory Council to the Governor. She has also been an administrator, grant writer/manager, researcher, lecturer, child and classroom assessor, Early Intervention evaluator, school-based mental health therapist, and preschool day-treatment behavioral specialist. She is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) and is licensed in multiple states.
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.
Ashten Yost
(Primary Presenter), Mississippi State Department of Health, Ashten.Yost@msdh.ms.gov;
Dr. Ashten C. Yost is the Mississippi EHDI Director. She holds a BA in Speech and Hearing Sciences, MS in Oral Deaf Education, an EdD from The University of Southern Mississippi, and a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist (AVEd) Certification. She has worked as a Professional Development Coordinator for the University of Mississippi and the Mississippi Department of Education. Previously, she worked as an Early Oral Interventionist and Listening and Spoken Language Specialist (LSLS) at Magnolia Speech School, a Cochlear Implant Consumer Specialist for Advanced Bionics, LLC, and a Teacher of the Deaf at Mama Lere Hearing School at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Mississippi State Department of Health.
Nature: None.
Nonfinancial -
Non-Financial relationship with Mississippi State Department of Health.
Nature: None.