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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Scripting the Message in 2011 for the One, Three, Six Goals'
Track: 1-EHDI Program Enhancement
Audience: Primary Audience:
Secondary Audience:
Tertiary Audeince:
Keyword(s): hearing, screening, communication, Early Intervention,
Learning Objectives: Ability to script guidelines, messages and training protocols to ensure effective communication and improve Early Hearing Detection and Intervention outcomes

Abstract:

States and territories are striving to meet timelines established by the Healthy People 2010 Objective 28-11: (Developmental) Increase the proportion of newborns who are screened for hearing loss by age 1 month, have audiologic evaluation by age 3 months, and are enrolled in appropriate intervention services by age 6 months. Late identification of hearing loss is a serious public health concern. Establishing systems to ensure hearing loss is identified early and families are supported throughout the screening, diagnostic and intervention process can have dramatic positive results for infants and young children who are deaf or hard of hearing. This presentation will examine sustainable systems developed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to ensure birth facilities, audiological diagnostic centers, medical homes, outreach and follow-up, parent-to-parent support, and intervention messages are carried out consistently across the state. Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program staff will present on protocols, guidelines, and scripts used to ensure effective messages are carried out to families and providers. Program data will be presented that demonstrates the benefits of scripting the messages. The statewide Massachusetts Early Intervention Program will present on the Partnering for the Success of Children with Hearing Loss Task Force initiative aimed at identifying and training a staff member from every Early Intervention Program in the Commonwealth to be the “go to” person for information about services for children with hearing loss. We anticipate that this information will be helpful to other states and Early Intervention Programs working on scripting guidelines, protocols, training, and messaging to families.
Handouts: Handout is not Available
SPEAKER INFORMATION
PRESENTER(S):
Janet Farrell - Department of Public Health
     Credentials: BA
     Other Affiliations: DSHPSHWA, New England Regional Genetics Group
      Ms. Farrell is the Program Director of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program. She is also the Project Director of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cooperative Agreement and Maternal and Child Health grant. She is a senior manager in the Children and Youth with Special Health Needs Program in MA.
Sarah Stone - MA Dept. of Public Health
     Credentials: BBA
      Sarah Stone, Program Coordinator, Massachusetts Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program is dedicated to ensuring effective communication with families, birthing hospitals and audiological diagnostic centers. Ms. Stone has been instrumental in developing scripted messages and program materials that assist families and providers in understanding the EHDI goals and objectives. She has a background in public policy and business.
Tracy Osbahr - Massachusetts Early Intervention Program
     Credentials: M.A., CCC-SLP
     Other Affiliations: American Speech-Language and Hearing Association
      A speech/language pathologist, Tracy has worked for many years in the early intervention system as a clinician and program director. She is now with the Department of Public Health in a role focused on ensuring that children with low incidence conditions (hearing loss, vision loss, autism spectrum disorders) have access to appropriate services. She formulates overall policy governing early intervention specialty services; develops standards and monitoring procedures; monitors and coordinates specialty services throughout the state; provides technical assistance, training, and consultation to program staff, families, community collaborators; and collaborates with other state agencies around service delivery systems for children with low incidence conditions.
 
AUTHOR(S):
Janet Farrell - Department of Public Health
     Credentials: BA
     Other Affiliations: DSHPSHWA, New England Regional Genetics Group
      BIO: Ms. Farrell is the Program Director of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program. She is also the Project Director of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cooperative Agreement and Maternal and Child Health grant. She is a senior manager in the Children and Youth with Special Health Needs Program in MA.
Sarah Stone - MA Dept. of Public Health
     Credentials: BBA
      BIO: Sarah Stone, Program Coordinator, Massachusetts Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program is dedicated to ensuring effective communication with families, birthing hospitals and audiological diagnostic centers. Ms. Stone has been instrumental in developing scripted messages and program materials that assist families and providers in understanding the EHDI goals and objectives. She has a background in public policy and business.
Tracy Osbahr - Massachusetts Early Intervention Program
     Credentials: M.A., CCC-SLP
     Other Affiliations: American Speech-Language and Hearing Association
      BIO: A speech/language pathologist, Tracy has worked for many years in the early intervention system as a clinician and program director. She is now with the Department of Public Health in a role focused on ensuring that children with low incidence conditions (hearing loss, vision loss, autism spectrum disorders) have access to appropriate services. She formulates overall policy governing early intervention specialty services; develops standards and monitoring procedures; monitors and coordinates specialty services throughout the state; provides technical assistance, training, and consultation to program staff, families, community collaborators; and collaborates with other state agencies around service delivery systems for children with low incidence conditions.