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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Leveraging Partnerships Through State Taskforces' Track: 1 - EHDI Program Enhancement Keyword(s): taskforce, collaboration, partnerships, education, protocols Learning Objectives: Demonstrate ways to work with state partners through taskforces and subcommittees Identify activities and review products that can be modified for other states Review ways to use a variety of technology options for task force activities Abstract: Does your state have long wish list of things you would like to do to improve the early hearing detection and intervention process? Is your EHDI program overworked? Is your EHDI program understaffed? Is your state taskforce or advisory council stagnant? If so, partnership can be the key to your state’s success. This session will show what happened when one state made drastic changes in an effort to create a gold standard of hearing healthcare, reinforce family-centered support, and enhance outreach education. In 2009, the Oklahoma Newborn Hearing Screening Program (NHSP) began to reflect on the purpose and productivity of the Oklahoma Audiology Task force (OKAT). This statewide task force was a key ingredient for implementing newborn hearing screening in the state many years before. However, participation had drastically been reduced and activities were limited. The NHSP decided to try something drastic....a complete makeover. Using a few simple premises, the task force was reconstructed through the development of five subcommittees (Protocols, Pediatric Audiology, Family Support, Genetics, and Childhood Provider Outreach). Subcommittees meet via phone with web access while quarterly meetings are held in person and via videoconference. Together OKAT created a vision, mission statement, guiding principles, and core values. Within the first year and a half, the once stagnant group increased membership and participation by five times and has developed several products. Many projects and activities (both completed and pending) will be shared that have been developed to improve statewide audiological protocols as well as improve coordinating care between primary care providers, specialists, subspecialists, and other health care professionals. The presentation will also discuss future plans and obstacles. Time will also be allotted for other states to share ways to improve state taskforces for maximum success. 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
Patricia Burk - Primary Presenter Oklahoma State Department of Health      Credentials: M.S., CCC-SLP, Cert AVT LSLS       Patricia Burk is the Program Coordinator for Oklahoma's Newborn Hearing Screening Program and the facilitator of the Oklahoma Audiology Taskforce       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Deborah Earley - Co-Presenter OSDH      Credentials: Au.D., CCC/A       Deborah Earley, M.S., CCC-A has practiced audiology in Oklahoma for 29 years. She is the Follow-up/Audiology Coordinator for Oklahoma's Newborn Hearing Screening Program. She co-facilitates the Oklahoma Audiology Taskforce (OKAT) and facilitates the Protocols subcommittee of OKAT       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.