2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/16/2026 | 2:25 PM - 2:55 PM | Opportunities in Partnering EHDI With An Institution of Higher Education | City Terrace 10
Opportunities in Partnering EHDI With An Institution of Higher Education
As funding, policy, and resources shift, state EHDI programs must often pivot and find creative ways to continue offering exceptional services to professionals and families. Collaboration or partnership remains a critical element of successful EHDI programs. Establishing partnerships with entities that share strategic priorities, missions, and resources may increase access and sustainability of programming during times of uncertainty. By sharing a case study of a contractual partnership for early intervention services between a state EHDI program and a department of communication sciences and disorders at a public university, others may apply the model to their EHDI programs in need of creative resourcing. Specific examples include development of parent/caregiver materials through student enrollment in a field study, packaging of parent/family materials through course based activities, coordination of a family language immersion event through campus camps and conferences office, and facilitation of professional education and development through the campus learning management system. Discussion of each example will include a description of logistical implementation as well as assessment data. Overall the partnership between a state EHDI program and public university has resulted in positive outcomes for employees, families, students, and deliverables.
- The participant will be able to identify three specific program enhancement opportunities resulting from a higher education partnership
- The participant will be able to list three challenges resulting from a higher education partnership
- The participant will be able to integrate parts of the presented framework into their EHDI programs.
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Presenters/Authors
Lynn Gilbertson
(Primary Presenter), University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, gilbertl@uww.edu;
Lynn Gilbertson, Ph.D., is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Her expertise in hearing health, cognition, and assessment support her passion for improving programs and processes to facilitate access and effectiveness.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Other financial benefit for Independent contractor from State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services .
• Receives Salary for Employment from University of Wisconsin- Whitewater.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with University of Wisconsin- Whitewater
State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Nature: Full time professor at University of Wisconsin- Whitewater
Interagency Party Administrator on Interagency Agreement with State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Christine Kometer
(Co-Presenter), Wisconsin Sound Beginnings, kometercl24@uww.edu;
Christine Kometer, M.Ed., LSLS Cert. AVEd, is the Early Intervention Coordinator for the Wisconsin Sound Beginnings (EHDI) Program. She has experience teaching children who are D/deaf or hard of hearing in a variety of settings--public school, university clinic, statewide outreach, and 17 years as the Program Director of a non-profit early intervention program. She has worked with children and families who use American Sign Language, Total Communication and Listening and Spoken Language (LSL). She is also a graduate of the UW-Madison Infant, Early Childhood and Family Mental Health Capstone Program.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Nature: Both presenters are employed by the university. Ms. Kometer's salary is supported by a contract with the Wisconsin Department of Health through the state's EHDI HRSA grant.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.