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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Marion Downs Hearing Center’s (MDHC’s) Teen Program: Evaluating Student Outcomes and Assessing the Curriculum' Track: 9 - Program Evaluation and Quality Improvement Keyword(s): high-school, advocacy, technology, transition, curriculum Learning Objectives: Outline the curriculum for Teen Day and Campus Connections to justify the need to provide education and awareness to high school students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) in order to independently and successfully transition into higher education and adulthood. Explain pre and post questionnaire responses of students and graduates who participated in the programs. Share personal experiences of the students and DHH mentors throughout the programs. Identify and expand on areas of future need including curriculum, efficiency, timeline, support, and resources. Abstract: The Marion Downs Hearing Center (MDHC) recognizes the need to look beyond traditional education programs to provide support for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. In particular teenagers are often not provided with support to empower them to become their own advocate for technology and access services needed to optimize their potential. Adolescents who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) will face their inevitable journey beyond high school. MDHC has a Teen Program with two components, Teen Day and Campus Connections, to empower DHH high school students to independently and successfully transition into higher education and adulthood. Teen Day is an annual full-day conference, completing it’s 5th year, that introduces to DHH high school students self-advocacy skills, technology and resources, team-building skills, and exposure to DHH mentors, peers, professional providers, and vendors. Campus Connections completed it’s 2nd year and is an intensive four-day extension of Teen Day for College Bound students. The students get more in-depth with the topics covered in the Teen Day curriculum while getting acclimated to a college campus and diverse classroom environments. This project evaluated the value and effectiveness of the curriculum for both programs. Subjective and objective pre and post questionnaire responses were obtained for both 2012 programs prior to the start and following the completion of each. A questionnaire was submitted to graduates of the Campus Connections 2011 to assess the effect the program has had on their journey beyond high school. A fourth year audiology graduate student participated in both programs as a Camp Leader, DHH mentor, and panelist, and was available to offer technological support. It was evident in both programs that students were motivated by the program and embraced the curriculum material. Presentation: This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online. Handouts: Handout is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Sandra Gabbard - Author Marion Downs Hearing Center      Credentials: Ph.D., Director of Audiology      Other Affiliations: University of Colorado       Dr. Gabbard has served as Director of Audiology at the University of Colorado Hospital for 25 years. She is the chair of the Audiology task force for the Colorado Infant Hearing Advisory and is the PI of the Colorado LEND Project.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Vickie Thomson - Author Marion Downs Hearing Center      Credentials: PhD       Vickie Thomson, PhD, served at the Director of the Colorado Newborn Hearing Program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment since 1991. She received her master’s degree in audiology from the University of Northern Colorado in 1978 and her doctorate degree from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2007. As a clinical audiologist Vickie started one of the first infant hearing programs at Boulder Community Hospital. She has provided technical assistance in developing screening programs in Colorado and in other states and countries. She has written numerous articles on the importance of early identification and intervention of hearing loss in infants. In her new position as the Program Director for the Marion Downs Hearing Center Foundation she will oversee the operations of the Foundation and work with potential donors. Marion Downs has been Vickie’s professional and personal mentor for over 35 years. She is extremely excited to carry on Marion’s dream of having a hearing center in her honor.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Zac La Fratta - Primary Presenter,Author Marion Downs Hearing Center at the University of Colorado Hospital, University of Colorado Denver      Credentials: 4th-Year Extern       Zac La Fratta is a fourth-year extern at the Audiology Clinic at University Colorado Hospital. He is completing his clinical doctorate studies at Gallaudet University’s audiology program under the Pediatric Audiology Education and Dissemination of Services (PAEDS) Grant for the U.S. Office of Special Education. He has completed clinical audiology rotations in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area at an ENT private practice, Children’s National Medical Center, and The River School. Zac currently serves as an Audiology LEND Fellow with the JFK Partners program here in Colorado to continue his training with pediatric audiology through various interdisciplinary models. He is also proud to work with several programs at the Marion Downs Hearing Center, including Campus Connections, Newborn Hearing Screenings, and Teen Day.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial -