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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Identifying Effective Practices to Support Early Linguistic Competence' Track: 1-EHDI Program Enhancement Audience: Primary Audience: Secondary Audience: Tertiary Audeince: Keyword(s): Linguistic Competence, EHDI programs, Effective Practices Learning Objectives: 1. Explain the early intervention initiatives of the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center. 2. Describe the Clerc Center vision regarding establishment of EHDI programs reflective of evidence based factors found to promote early linguistic competence. Abstract: In January, 2008, the US Department of Health and Human Services held a workshop entitled “ Accelerating Evidence-Based Recommendations Into Practice for the Benefit of Children with Early Hearing Loss.' National experts met to review recommendations of constituency groups related to screening and intervention for the purpose of developing a plan to improve early intervention services. They developed a list of priority recommendations, including recommendations specific to treatment and intervention. The recommendations from this conference stress the importance of national constituencies collaborating to identify and document effective language and communication practices as one component of overall care. The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center (Clerc Center) is a federally funded program established to guide effective practices in the education of deaf and hard of hearing children in the United States. An important aspect of the Clerc Center strategic plan is related to identification and sharing of effective practices to support early linguistic competence. A team of professionals and family representatives has been established to a) review research documenting factors critical to enhancing linguistic competence for deaf and hard of hearing children, b) recommend components for inclusion in early intervention programs which reflect these critical factors, and c) identify programs nationally who put into practice the identified recommended components and strategies. The goal of the Clerc Center work is to ultimately collaborate with these programs for the purpose of illustrating evidence driven practices for inclusion in effective early intervention services. This presentation will discuss the vision and plan of the Clerc Center in collaborating with early intervention providers nationally to make recommendations related to establishment of innovative evidence based practices to promote development of early linguistic foundations. Handouts: Handout is not Available
SPEAKER INFORMATION
PRESENTER(S): Debra Nussbaum - Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center      Credentials: M.A. CCC-A Audiology, George Washington University       Debra Nussbaum is manager of projects on language development and communication support at the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University. This includes coordination of their Cochlear Implant Education Center (CIEC). She earned her Master’s Degree in Audiology from George Washington University and has worked at the Clerc Center since 1977; first as a pediatric audiologist and then managing projects related to language and communication for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. She has spearheaded national efforts in exploring and sharing considerations for facilitating listening and spoken language for children who also use sign (including children with cochlear implants). She has developed numerous resource materials and professional training workshops, and speaks nationally and internationally on this topic. She has been chair of the DC Hears Intervention Committee since 2001, where she has coordinated early intervention supports in the District of Columbia’s newborn infant screening program. Beth Benedict - Gallaudet University      Credentials: Ph.D.      Other Affiliations: American Society for Deaf Children       Beth S. Benedict, Ph.D., a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C., has focused on family involvement in schools with deaf and hard of hearing children, early childhood education, advocacy, early communication, and partnerships between deaf and hearing professionals and early intervention programs and services. Her work has been shared in numerous publications and through her work as a national and international presenter. Dr. Benedict is very involved in different organizations and boards. She is the Chair of the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing, President of the American Society of Deaf Children, on the Council of Education of the Deaf, the Maryland Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Council and actively involved in a variety of other EHDI initiatives.   AUTHOR(S):