2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/16/2026 | 1:55 PM - 2:55 PM | Building Better Partnerships: Guidance and Templates for EHDI–EI Collaboration | Clearwater
Building Better Partnerships: Guidance and Templates for EHDI–EI Collaboration
Collaboration between EHDI programs and Early Intervention (EI) systems is essential to ensuring positive outcomes for D/HH children and their families. Yet, states and territories often face challenges in convening the right partners, identifying priorities, and structuring productive discussions that lead to action. To address this need, the EHDI–EI Outcomes Committee—comprised of representatives from federal agencies, national technical assistance centers, state programs (EHDI and Part C), and family-based organizations—developed the EHDI–EI Collaboration Meeting Guide.
This new resource provides flexible templates, guidance, and sample agendas designed to help states and territories strengthen partnerships and address system-level needs. The guide offers self-assessment tools for identifying collaborative priorities and seven customizable meeting templates covering key topics such as understanding programs and systems, improving referral processes, expanding screening for children up to age three, professional development, coordination of services, and data sharing and use. Each template can be adapted to local contexts, allowing teams to select the content most relevant to their goals and stage of partnership.
This presentation will introduce the guide, highlight its development process, and walk participants through practical examples of how it can be applied to real-world EHDI–EI collaboration efforts. Attendees will learn how to tailor meeting agendas to fit their state context, engage diverse stakeholders, and use data-driven approaches to inform decision-making and continuous improvement. State examples of collaborative strategies that EHDI and Part C (often with family groups and other partners) will also be provided.
By the end of the session, participants will recognize how the meeting templates can be used to strengthen collaboration, and be prepared to apply these tools to advance system alignment. Ultimately, this resource aims to foster stronger partnerships that lead to more coordinated services and improved outcomes for children who are DHH and their families.
- 1. Describe the purpose and intended use of the new EHDI–EI Collaboration Meeting Guide.
- 2. Identify key meeting templates and how they can be adapted to address state or territory priorities.
- 3. Apply strategies from the guide to strengthen collaboration and improve outcomes for children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing and their families.
Presentation:
View Presentation File
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Janet DesGeorges
(Primary Presenter), Hands & Voices, Headquarters, janet@handsandvoices.org;
Janet DesGeorges lives in Boulder, Colorado and is Executive Director of Hands & Voices Headquarters and the P.I. for the FL3 Center. Janet has presented to groups worldwide about the experiences of families as they journey through life with a child with deafness or hearing loss. Ms. DesGeorges received a program certificate from the MCH Public Health Leadership Institute in 2011 at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.
As an EHDI Systems advocate, Janet believes in the principles and guiding philosophies of Hands & Voices towards a parent-driven, professionally-collaborative approach when supporting families in the early years. Her areas of interest include Leadership Development for parents who participate in systemic improvement; Deaf Education Reform and Improvement; Children’s Safety and Success(preventing child abuse and neglect); Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Systems; and Parent/Professional partnerships in Quality Improvement processes.
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.
Sharon Walsh
(Co-Presenter), DaSy Center, WALSHTAYLO@aol.com;
Sharon Walsh has provided consultation on the implementation of IDEA for over 30 years. Currently, she is the Governmental Relations Consultant for the Division for Early Childhood of CEC (DEC) and the IDEA Infant and Toddler Coordinators Association (ITCA). Sharon also is a consultant on the federally funded Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) and the Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems (DaSy). In conjunction with her TA Center work, she has provided consultation with CDC EHDI Committee. Previously, she has worked in a large suburban school district, for LRP Publications, and for the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE).
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.