2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/16/2026 | 10:05 AM - 10:35 AM | The Parent+Provider Partnership = SUCCESS | City Terrace 9
The Parent+Provider Partnership = SUCCESS
In Early Intervention, the parent/provider partnership is the key to long term success! For nine months, parents anticipate welcoming a new family member into their lives. Very few parents anticipate welcoming a total stranger into their home and their lives - often on a frequent basis. Providers enter the lives of our newly identified Deaf and Hard of Hearing children at a time when parents are most vulnerable - the diagnosis is most often unexpected, the journey seems monumental and the demands on the family seem unattainable. Creating a strong parent/provider partnership sets the stage for success - not only in Early Intervention but far beyond!
Providers recognize what needs to happen and the work that needs to be done. We know the time it takes for our littlest learners to make the gains that are so critical for their development in all areas - both in Early Intervention and beyond. We know the amazing Deaf Community open to welcoming our families and walking with us on this journey. This all starts with developing a strong partnership with parents. In Pennsylvania, Early Intervention utilizes the coaching model to support parents on their hearing loss journey. Parents are a child's "first teachers" and home is the "first classroom".
Join us as we share how we began our work together. Our "Five Take Aways" to building a strong partnership might be something to support your journey in Early Intervention - as a parent or a provider.
- Participants will identify opportunities for providers to engage with the families of children with hearing loss.
- Participants will identify ways to engage with Deaf adults to support families introduction to the Deaf Community
- Participants will extend their knowledge of coaching to help families of newly identified babies.
Presentation:
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Handouts:
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Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Tara Nikou
(Co-Presenter), Choices For Children, tnikou@wpsd.org;
Since 2003, Tara has been working with D/HH children (birth to three) and their families as an Early Intervention Teacher and Program Coordinator of the Choices for Children program. Tara coaches families in their own homes to help understand their child’s hearing loss and shows best practices to prepare their child for language learning and the transition to pre-school. Tara also serves as Coordinator for the on-site Toddler Group program at WPSD. Prior to working at WPSD, Tara was a classroom teacher at Central North Carolina School for the Deaf and at Miller Elementary school in Pittsburgh, PA.
Tara Nikou received her Bachelor’s Degree in Deaf Education and Elementary Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her Master’s Degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Early Intervention.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -
MARY ANN STEFKO
(Primary Presenter), SSDHHC, mstefko@thescrantonschool.org;
MaryAnn Stefko is a graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelors degree in Communication Disorders and a Masters of Education in Counseling. She has been a teacher of the Deaf for over 30 years. Over the course of her career, Mary Ann has been a classroom teacher, school based therapist educational interpreter and mainstream coordinator. She has worked with children in a School for the Deaf as well as mainstream settings. MaryAnn is currently the Early Intervention therapist at the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children in Scranton, PA. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of Scranton. Her passion is teaching/coaching children and families who are beginning their hearing loss journey.
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.
Katlyn Galinsky
(Co-Presenter), SSDHHC, katiegalinsky@yahoo.com;
Katlyn Galinsky is the Mom of three amazing children - Gus, Anna and Beau. She and her husband, Keith, are very active in their community and work to promote inclusion and understanding of children with a hearing loss in activities and adventures in their local community and beyond.
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.