2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/11/2025 | 1:45 PM - 2:15 PM | Building Safety Nets: Maine’s Newborn Hearing Program & Early Intervention Collaboration | 309
Building Safety Nets: Maine’s Newborn Hearing Program & Early Intervention Collaboration
Ensuring families receive early intervention services after their child is identified as Deaf or hard of hearing is a key component to family success and empowerment. Having systems in place that can follow referrals, ensure they are in the right hands, and close the loop for 1-3-6 is imperative. Come learn how Maine’s EHDI team and EI System has devised ongoing check in processes and key follow up personnel to limit the number of children falling through the cracks during this transition to early intervention.
- Participants will be able to list three methods used to create a smooth, less fragmented system of referral to early intervention programs that increases family participation.
- Participants will be able to describe how these methods can be used to improve access to early intervention.
- Participants will be able to outline how they can apply these methods in their own state.
Presentation:
3545975_18151AmySpencer.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Amber Woodcock
(Co-Presenter), Maine Hands & Voices , amberwoodcock85@gmail.com;
Amber Woodcock is a parent of three children, including one who is Deaf. She is the President of Maine Hands & Voices, the Guide By Your Side Coordinator and ASTra Coordinator for Maine Hands & Voices, as well as the Parent Consultant for the Maine Newborn Hearing Program. She serves on Maine’s EHDI Team as a member of the Earliest Interactions Maine/HRSA grant team under the Maine Newborn Hearing Program.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Grants for Employment from HRSA.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with HRSA.
Nature: My Guide By Your Side Coordinator, ASTra Coordinator, and Parent Consultant Positions are all paid for by the HRSA grant. .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Amy Spencer
(Primary Presenter), Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, amy.spencer@mecdhh.org;
Amy is the early intervention and family services coordinator at MECDHH/GBSD. She is a certified SLP and Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She serves on Maine’s EHDI Team as a member of the Earliest Interactions Maine/HRSA grant team under the Maine Newborn Hearing program. Additionally she is part of the Maine Interagency Coordinating Council that ensures collaboration between partners in the state serving children 0-3 and their families. As part of her Infant Toddler Family Leadership and Collaboration Certificate Program from Gallaudet, Amy began her work on the Exploring Language and Communication Opportunities process and it has continued to evolve throughout the last ten years. Amy lives in southern Maine exploring both the ocean and mountains regularly with her husband and two young daughters.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from MECDHH.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with MECDHH.
Nature: Paid employee.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.