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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Medical Providers, EHDI and Parent Support Programs; Working Together to Improve Follow-up' Track: 5 - Medical Home Keyword(s): Provider referral, collaboration, parent support Learning Objectives: • Identify the key components of a parent support services program and explain the positive impact of these programs for families. • Explain how effective parent support provides positive outcomes for the systems involved. • Understand examples of referral systems that allow providers to directly refer parents to parent support programs. Abstract: Research shows (Hintermaier, 2000) that parent-to-parent support and interaction with deaf adults can make a positive difference in the lives of families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Those parents experience less isolation, greater acceptance of their child, and an improved sense of competence and parental response to their deaf or hard of hearing child. In addition, parent support programs can help parents understand the importance of follow-up care, which improves compliance and decreases LTF. Many states have implemented parent support programs that utilize trained parents and deaf/hard of hearing adults; one example is the Hands & Voices Guide by Your Side program. Other similar programs for parents with children who are deaf or hard of hearing may also be available, but there is not always a streamlined manner in which to offer these services to families. Some states offer direct referrals to family support programs through their EHDI programs, but many states, unfortunately, do not. Parent support and deaf mentor programs often must create their own system of referral and build relationships with medical service providers and/or their state EHDI program staff, who have direct contact with parents. In Texas we have done just that! Referrals to our TX Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side program increased 4-fold in one year, in large part due to a successful collaboration with one medical provider. A recent collaboration with the Texas EHDI (TEHDI) program has also opened doors for parents to learn about TX GBYS and the importance of follow-up care. Come and learn how Texas increased services to families, how we plan to expand this model regionally in an effort to continue this upward trend and how you can develop a similar process in your state. 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 - Rachel St John - Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter UT Southwestern Medical Center      Credentials: MD, FAAP       Rachel St. John is a board-certified pediatrician, and a NIC-Advanced certified sign language interpreter through RID. She received her BS degree in psychology at George Mason University, completed her MD degree at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, and then jointly attended Georgetown University Hospital for her residency in pediatrics and Gallaudet University for her MA degree in counseling. Dr. St. John is the director of the Family-Focused Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children at Children’s Medical Center Dallas/UT Southwestern Medical Center. The FFC provides support for families to make informed decisions regarding their deaf/hard of hearing child, as well as provides education and collaborative support to providers caring for these patients in keeping with national standards. She also serves as a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Leadership Team.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Christine Moody - Co-Presenter Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children Education      Credentials: B.S (Duke University), M.P.H. (UCLA)       Christine Moody is the Executive Director of the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education in Indiana. Formerly, she was the Statewide Coordinator for the Texas Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side Program. She and her husband of almost 29 years have a 23 year old Deaf son with additional challenges and a 20 year old hearing son. She has been involved in Deaf Education, Early Intervention, and Parent Support for the last 17 years in five major cities and now lives in Indianapolis. She is a former President and Board Member of Indiana Hands & Voices as well as a former Parent Guide herself. Above all, she has tremendous respect and understanding for parents and their unique, often-changing and always challenging journeys.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Sarah Wainscott - Co-Presenter Texas Woman's University      Credentials: Ph.D., CCC-A, CED      Other Affiliations: Texas Hands & Voices and Texas Department of State Health Services       Dr. Wainscott is Assistant Professor of Communication Sciences at Texas Woman’s University. With 20 years as an audiologist and early interventionist, she has focused on the accessibility and efficacy of early intervention services, valuing a family-centered perspective in practice and research.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Lisa Crawford - Co-Presenter,POC Texas School for the Deaf      Credentials: M.B.A., B.S.       Lisa Crawford is the Statewide Parent Liaison in the outreach department of the Texas School for the Deaf. She has been providing resources, information and programs designed for families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing for over 8 years. She is also the administrator of the Texas Guide By Your Side program and a founding board member of Texas Hands & Voices. She and her husband Steve have two daughters, one who is hearing and one who is Deaf.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.