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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Coordinated Referral Process for Intervention for Children of All Ages ' Track: 3-Early Intervention and Beyond Audience: Primary Audience: Secondary Audience: Tertiary Audeince: Keyword(s): Referral Process, Intervention Services, Late-Onset/Progressive Hearing Loss, Public Schools Learning Objectives: Describe advantages/limitations of a single referral process for children of all ages. Develop strategies for incorporating late-onset/progressive hearing loss into existing referral processes. List effects of single referral process on audiologists, parents, intervention service providers, public schools, and family support services. Abstract: Coordination of referrals for intervention and support services at the time of diagnosis of permanent hearing loss is a challenge faced by many states. EHDI programs have traditionally focused on early intervention services. However, as we begin tracking late-onset and/or progressive hearing loss, there is a need to coordinate referrals with public schools for children over the age of 3 years. Pediatric audiologists are a primary source of information for parents; however, these audiologists cannot be expected to know the details of every early intervention, family support, and public school educational service/program available to families in their state or neighboring states. These audiologists often have high caseloads and limited or non-existent support staff to assist with the paperwork associated with making referrals. Following input from all stakeholders, a referral process has been developed utilizing a single “Permission for Referral” form. This one form can be utilized by audiologists for children of all ages, significantly reducing paperwork. The form is completed by the family in the office of the pediatric audiologist at the time of diagnosis, includes a parent/guardian signature, and is submitted to the state EHDI program simultaneously with the report of diagnostic evaluation results. The state EHDI program sends electronic referral information to each agency/service accepted by the family, including public schools for older children. Coordination of initial home visits among intervention and family support agencies is utilized to capitalize on the expertise of different service providers, reduce duplicated or confusing explanations for parents, and make efficient use of the family’s time. This presentation will describe the “Permission for Referral” and coordinated initial home visit processes. It is anticipated that this information will be helpful to states wishing to enhance their intervention and family support referral procedures and expand those procedures to include late-onset/progressive hearing loss. Handouts: Handout is not Available
SPEAKER INFORMATION
PRESENTER(S): Marcia Fort - NC DHHS      Credentials: Au.D., CCC-A       Dr. Fort is the Program Development and Evaluation Manager for the North Carolina EHDI Program. She has worked with the NC EHDI program for 12 years. She has 25 years of experience as a pediatric audiologist in hospital, private practice, ENT office, and public school settings. Mandy Hice - NC Early Intervention for Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing      Credentials: B.S., ITFS       Mandy Hice has a B.S. in social work and serves as the Intake Coordinator for the North Carolina Early Intervention for Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Program. She has been involved in this program for 10 years. She also has certification as an Infant-Toddler Family Specialist.   AUTHOR(S): Rachael Ragin - NC Department of Public Instruction      Credentials: Ed.D.       BIO: Rachael Ragin serves as the consultant for deaf education and audiology for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. She also serves on the EHDI Advisory Committee in North Carolina. Marcia Fort - NC DHHS      Credentials: Au.D., CCC-A       BIO: Dr. Fort is the Program Development and Evaluation Manager for the North Carolina EHDI Program. She has worked with the NC EHDI program for 12 years. She has 25 years of experience as a pediatric audiologist in hospital, private practice, ENT office, and public school settings. Mandy Hice - NC Early Intervention for Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing      Credentials: B.S., ITFS       BIO: Mandy Hice has a B.S. in social work and serves as the Intake Coordinator for the North Carolina Early Intervention for Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Program. She has been involved in this program for 10 years. She also has certification as an Infant-Toddler Family Specialist.