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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Connecting Families with Services in Nebraska' Track: 1 - EHDI Program Enhancement Keyword(s): Parent Resource Guide, Family Resources, Nebraska, Early Intervention Learning Objectives: Describe the types of information available to parents with a child newly identified as deaf or hard of hearing. Connecting families with resources using the Parent Resource. States will be able to build their own Parent Resource Guide. Abstract: The Infant Hearing Act of Nebraska, passed in 2000, states the following: “To provide early detection of hearing loss in newborns at the birthing facility, or as soon after birth as possible for those children born outside of a birthing facility, to enable these children and their families and other caregivers to obtain needed multidisciplinary evaluation, treatment, and intervention services at the earliest opportunity and to prevent or mitigate the developmental delays and academic failures associated with late detection of hearing loss.” One of the tools developed by the Nebraska EHDI Program is a Parent Resource Guide to help familiarize families with the wealth of early intervention resources available so they can begin receiving services as early as possible. The Resource Guides are provided directly to parents by the NE-EHDI Program or indirectly through audiologists and Educational Services Units across Nebraska. The NE-EHDI Program staff also follow-up with the parents offering to answer questions or provide any needed guidance. The Parent Resource Guide is organized in a sequential manner to help parents understand what the most important next steps are to guide them through the journey of raising a child who is deaf or hard of hearing. It includes a myriad of resources, many of which are free, that are applicable both across the state and nationally. It includes items such on topics such as the Early Development Network, communication options, Learning About Hearing, Questions for Medical Professionals, ENTs, Audiologists, Genetics, etc., the “Speech Banana,” and Funding Toolkit. The Parent Resource Guide, developed with the assistance of parents, is just one way in which the Nebraska EHDI Program provides needed family support to families as they work to find answers and resources. 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
Kathy Northrop - Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter Nebraska Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Program      Credentials: AICP, MCRP      Other Affiliations: NE-EHDI Program Manager, DSHPSHWA Vice-President       Kathy is the Program Manager for the Nebraska Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program, a position she’s held since August 2010. She has a Master’s degree in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is a certified planner by the American Institute of Certified Planners. She is responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing, and monitoring the state-wide systems to carry out the NE-EHDI Program; coordinating activities relative to patient and professional education, technical assistance for hospitals development and implementation of quality assurance systems; the development of collaborations and systems for access to health, habilitative, and family support services; performing grant management activities including writing of competitive grant applications, preparation of budgets and reports, project management, administration of sub-contracts, and sub-grants, and staff supervision.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Stacie Ray - Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter University of Nebraska-Lincoln      Credentials: AuD, CCC-A, Associate Professor of Practice at UNL      Other Affiliations: Nebraska EHDI Advisory Committee Member, Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Board Member       Dr. Ray is an Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Nebraska. She manages the Hearing Aid Clinic at the Barkley Memorial Center and is the administrator of the Hearing Aid Banks of Nebraska. Her commitment to ensure children have accessibility to amplification, led her to establish the Nebraska Children's Hearing Aid Bank: HearU Nebraska in 2007. She is on the Board of the Nebraska Commission for the Hard of Hearing and a Member of the Nebraska EHDI Advisory Committee. Her passion for providing services for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing stems from her experience raising a deaf son.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.