2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/16/2026 | 11:25 AM - 11:55 AM | Connecting Children and Families: Enrollment and Access to EHDI System Partners in Minnesota | City Terrace 6
Connecting Children and Families: Enrollment and Access to EHDI System Partners in Minnesota
Early access to intervention and support services is critical for children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) to reach their full developmental potential and their families. In Minnesota, EHDI system partners, including early intervention (EI) programs, local public health (LPH), family support, (Minnesota Hands & Voices and Deaf Mentors/DHH Guide programs) and audiology services, play a key role in supporting children and their families following a diagnosis of hearing loss. Understanding how children and their families connect with these services is essential to identify the strengths and barriers as well as opportunities to improve the EHDI system in Minnesota.
Children who are deaf and hard of hearing have access to a variety of EHDI system partners to support their growth and development following a diagnosis of hearing loss. Children who are DHH are referred to LPH for a nursing assessment and MN Hands and Voices for parent-to-parent support. Children who are DHH are referred to Part C EI services or their local school district. Connection to audiology services is important to monitor hearing loss and assure that hearing technology (when chosen) is fit appropriately. In this presentation, we will assess the percent of children who are DHH connected to EHDI partners and identify those who are not connected to services. Connections to EHDI partners over time will be explored to identify patterns, highlight trends, and identify areas where child and family engagement may be improved. Additionally, we will examine factors that may influence connection with EHDI partners, to better understand who is connecting with services, and who is not.
By identifying current trends and gaps in connection with EHDI partner services, this analysis will help identify areas for targeted outreach efforts to increase access to services for all families.
- Assess the current reach of MN EHDI system partners by identifying the proportion of Minnesota children who are deaf and hard of hearing who are connected to services including early intervention, local public health, Minnesota Hands & Voices, and audiology services.
- Understand patterns in service connection and utilization of Minnesota children and families’ enrollment with EHDI partners.
- Identify key factors that influence enrollment in EHDI services to better target outreach, identify barriers to enrolling in services, and ways to increase support for children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Presentation:
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Presenters/Authors
Darcia Dierking
(Author,Co-Author), Minnesota Department of Health, darcia.dierking@state.mn.us;
Darcia Dierking, Au.D. holds pediatric audiology specialty certification and has more than 20 years of clinical and research experience working with both children and adults. Dr. Dierking works with the Minnesota Department of Health Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program as an EHDI Coordinator doing longitudinal follow-up for children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -
Sara Lammert
(POC,Primary Presenter), Minnesota Department of Health, sara.lammert@state.mn.us;
Sara is an epidemiologist, focusing on longitudinal follow-up of children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
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.
Bridget Walde
(Co-Author), Minnesota Department of Health, bridget.walde@state.mn.us;
Bridget Walde is a Planner in the Longitudinal Follow-up Unit for the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). She supports the work of the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program and other projects related to long-term follow-up for children with newborn screening conditions. Bridget has over 5 years of experience in the implementation of culturally responsive programming with an emphasis in supporting children and adults with disabilities. Bridget graduated from Saint Louis University with her Master of Public Health and a concentration in maternal and child health.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Minnesota Department of Health.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Minnesota Department of Health.
Nature: Employer.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Venessa Heiland
(Co-Author), Minnesota Department of Health, venessa.heiland@state.mn.us;
Venessa Heiland, RHIT, is a health program representative working with long-term follow-up after a child is identified as deaf or hard of hearing. She is experienced in EHR abstraction.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -