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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Implementing texting into your follow up protocol: Georgia’s Experience' Track: 6 - Follow-up, Tracking and Data Management Keyword(s): texting, follow-up, data, program improvement Learning Objectives: Describe benefits of incorperating texting into follow-up protocol Understand how to incorperate texting into follow-up protocol Create a follow up protocol to include texting Abstract: By the end of 2013, forty-one (41) percent of households were cellphone only according to data from the National Center for Health Statistics. The percent of cell phone only houses increased to sixty-six (66) percent for adults between ages of twenty-five (25) to twenty-nine (29). Furthermore, People who live at or below the poverty level are also more likely to have cell phone only households. Given the increased use of cell phone only homes of individuals of child birthing age and for high risk populations, Georgia explored the impact of texting caregivers when were unresponsive to phone calls. Data is being collected on responsiveness and follow up of families who were texted after an unsuccessful phone call. The data collected includes family demographics, maternal age, race and ethnicity, response method (text versus call), and if there was audiological follow up. In a sampling of 20 families who were sent text messages, 16 responded by a phone call and 15 of the 16 went for follow up testing. Preliminary data provides strong evidence that texting is a valuable method of performing follow up activities and should be considered as a tool for all EHDI programs. Discussion will include how to incorporate texting, sample messages that have found to be successful, and other benefits of texting parents. 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
-             ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Kelly Hermanns - Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter,Author Georgia DPH      Credentials: Doctorate of Audiology Masters in Public Health       Kelly Hermanns is Georgia’s Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Coordinator. Kelly holds a Master’s in Public Health from Georgia State University, Doctorate of Audiology from the University of Wisconsin and her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Science from the University of Colorado. Kelly began her career as a pediatric audiologist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, which is where she became passionate about early identification of hearing impairment for at risk populations. In 2011, she enrolled in Georgia State University to obtain her Master’s in Public Health and began contracting with Georgia’s Department of Public Health to assist with the EHDI program. Kelly is committed to improving identification of hearing impairment and systems of intervention in Georgia.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Mesha Currie - Co-Presenter Georgia Department      Credentials: B.A. Psychology       Mesha Currie is currently the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Coordinator for the Coastal Health District. She acquired a Bachelor of Arts Degree in psychology with empahasis in counseling from Paine College in Augusta, Georgia. After working as a patient care coordinator for Planned Parenthood in Seattle, Washington, Mesha joined the Coastal Health District in December 2009. One of her major accomplishments was writing a successful proposal to purchase new hearing screening machines for the district in order to reduce lost to follow-up rate. Mesha has focused on building partnerships within the community which has been a key factor to the success of the program. She has served as community outreach chairperson for the local ICC BCW program, participated with the Safe Kids Savannah coalition, and served on the EOA Board of Health. Mesha is passionate about educating families and is committed continuing on that path.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Charisse LaVell - Co-Presenter Georgia Department of Public Health      Credentials: B.A.       Charisse LaVell is the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Coordinator at Clayton County Board of Health. Charisse has a B.S in Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Aging from Michigan State University. Charisse joined the District in 2013 and previously served as the Program Coordinator for Making Our Mothers Successful (M.O.M.S)/Parents As Teachers (P.A.T), a home visitation program working with families to provide a host of services including parenting education, child development screenings and health assessments. Relatively new to EHDI, Charisse brings over 12 years of experience working to improve the overall health and wellbeing of families. In addition, Charisse is a certified car seat technician, a member of the SafeKids Clayton Coalition and the Infant Safe Sleep co-chair for Clayton County Perinatal & Infant Health Coalition/Collective Action Network (CAN). Charisse has an interest in minimizing social factors the influence disparities in underserved communities.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Michael Lo - Author Georgia Department of Public Health      Credentials: MSPH       Michael Lo is a Child Health Epidemiologist with SciMetrika, LLC supporting the EHDI Program at the Georgia Department of Public Health. Prior to joining SciMetrika, he was an Injury Epidemiologist with the Florida Department of Health and the U.S. Army Medical Command. He has a B.A. in Biology from Johns Hopkins University and an M.S.P.H. in Epidemiology from the University of South Florida.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial -