2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference

March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL

3/10/2025 | 10:35 AM - 11:05 AM | Proposing metrics for a unique model of family engagement | 309

Proposing metrics for a unique model of family engagement

Family involvement and engagement leads to improved outcomes of children who are identified with hearing differences (Henderson et al., 2016; Moeller et al., 2013; Calderon, 2015). The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) systems have been tracking dates for identification of hearing loss, family enrollment within the early intervention (EI) systems and, more recently, efforts to track child language outcomes. However, metrics related to family involvement and family support can be difficult to effectively quantify and, therefore, are not currently tracked on an ongoing basis, This presentation will discuss how Idaho is working as a system to develop metrics to record and track aspects of family support and involvement such as frequency of support, duration in the program, and comparisons of referral rates to family enrollment. We will be sharing a pilot of how family support can be tracked and how these data might be effectively captured in the HI-TRACK system to systematically assess the relationship between family support and engagement with academic and language outcomes.

The participant will be able to define a system of measurement used in parent involvement.
The participant will be able to describe how systems may be able to track family engagement outcomes through a HI-TRACK system.
The participant will be able to discuss family support in relation to improved child outcomes.

Presentation:
3545975_18243MarieMartinez.pdf

Handouts:
Handout is not Available

Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference

Presenters/Authors

Marie Martinez (Primary Presenter), Idaho State University, janemartinez@isu.edu;
Marie is a pediatric speech-language pathologist and behavior analyst who serves early intervention populations. She is currently a doctoral candidate in Rehabilitation and Health Sciences at Idaho State University. Her research explores the impacts of family support and caregiver coaching on language outcomes for young children. Marie has presented at various national conferences focused early intervention curricula, professional development programs, and caregiver training. She is passionate about bridging the gap between research and practice by providing caregivers with evidenced-based speech, language, and behavior strategies that they can use during daily routines. As a mother of a young child learning to communicate, Marie enjoys integrating these strategies into the precious moments she spends caring for her son.

ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -

Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.

AAA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -
Financial relationship with Idaho State Universiy.
Nature: Employed Part-time by ISU Recieved grant funding through the Idaho Hearing Education and Aural Rehabilitation (IHEAR) training program.

Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.

Kristina Blaiser (Co-Presenter,Co-Author), Idaho State University, Kristina.Blaiser@isu.edu;
Kristina Blaiser, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is a Professor of Speech-Language Pathology in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and directs the HATCH (Helping Adults Talk to Children) Lab at Idaho State University. Dr. Blaiser has extensive experience leading early childhood education programs and evaluating the outcomes of children who are Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing. Her research interests include program evaluation and graduate training related to assessment and early intervention practices of children who are Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing. Dr. Blaiser’s recent work has focused on using telehealth to support families in early intervention. Kristina is the Coordinator for ASHA SIG 9: Hearing Loss and Hearing Disorders in Childhood.

ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -
• Receives Grants for Other activities from OSEP.

Nonfinancial -
• Has a Professional (Board) relationship for Board membership.

AAA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -
Financial relationship with Office of Special Education Programs funding.
Nature: Coordinator of SIG 9, Special Projects Chair on CECDCD, Advisory Member of AAP-PEC, Advisory Member of FL3.

Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.

Miranda Nelson (Co-Presenter,Co-Author), Idaho Sound Beginnings, miranda.nelson@dhw.idaho.gov;
Miranda Nelson is the Program Coordinator for Idaho’s EHDI program, Idaho Sound Beginnings. Originally from Boise, Idaho, Miranda has a BS in Psychology from the University of Idaho and a background in government programs from working at the Idaho Department of Labor in state and federal programs such as the workforce innovation and opportunity act.