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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'TEHDI Parent Resource Letter' Track: 1 - EHDI Program Enhancement Keyword(s): Identification, Early Intervention, Collaboration Learning Objectives: Identify one or more obstacles in place related to privacy acts Substantiate importance of collaboration for comprehensive referral to early intervention services Evaluate effectiveness of a parent resource letter in their own state Abstract: Navigating the various privacy mandates (HIPPA, FERPA and state specific requirements) can stall getting timely information to parents of infants who are confirmed as deaf or hard of hearing. Although the TEHDI 1-3-6 mantra of timely confirming an infant is deaf or hard of hearing had been met or exceeded, many times the 1,247 local education agencies serving more than 5 million students were not receiving the information until the infant was now ready for pre-kindergarten. The primary reason for this delay is the lack of general awareness services for infants who are deaf and hard of hearing are available at the local education agency level. After several unsuccessful attempts at a simultaneous dual referral process (referral to the state’s early intervention program and the local education agency for services for deaf and hard of hearing infants), TEHDI implemented sending a resource letter to parents the week after their infant had been confirmed as deaf or hard of hearing. Based on responses to an online survey regarding the use of the resource letter and calls the TEHDI Coordinator has received, the letter has been appreciated and helpful to parents. The inspirational presentation will outline the steps taken to implement the Parent Resource Letter. 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 - Doug Dittfurth - Primary Presenter Texas Department of State Hearing Services      Credentials: BSFA, MEd       Doug has worked in the services with persons who are deaf/hard of hearing arena for over 40 years in several capacities: teacher, vocational rehabilitation counselor, interpreter, interpreter trainer, mental health/substance abuse counselor, rehabilitation facility administrator, consultant and state lead for advocacy for communication access and discrimination. His undergraduate studies include habilitation of the deaf, audiology and learning disabilities at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. He has Master of Education degrees in Counseling and Psychometrics from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls. As a certified interpreter, he holds Texas BEI Level III/Court Interpreter Certifications. After working for the state’s Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services for 14 years, he moved to the Texas Health and Human Service Commission's, Department of State Health Services as the coordinator of the Texas Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (TEHDI) in July 2013.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Susie Tiggs - Co-Presenter Education Service Center, Region 11      Credentials: MEd       Susie Tiggs is the Statewide Lead for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services in Texas. As the Statewide Lead she provides leadership, professional development, consultation, and technical assistance to assist families and school districts with meeting the unique needs of infants, toddlers, and students who are deaf/hard of hearing. Susie has worked in the fields of Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Visual Impairments, Deafblindness, and Assistive Technology for more than 25 years       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Mary Catherine Hess - Author OZ Systems      Credentials: MA, BS       Mary Catherine Hess has been working with EHDI programs since 2002. She is employed by OZ Systems and works as an Account Manager for the Texas EHDI Program and the USVI EHDI Program. Previously, she was the Program Administrator for Rhode Island’s EHDI Program from 2001-2008 and co-chair of the CDC EHDI Data Committee from 2007-2008. She has presented at local, regional and national EHDI events on topics related to newborn hearing screening, data management and data reporting, and most recently standards-based messaging for EHDI programs. She achieved her MA in Linguistics from Gallaudet University and holds a BS in Communication Disorders. She is a certified ASL/English interpreter. Her interests include communication access issues in health care settings, assistive technology and long-term outcomes for deaf and hard of hearing children identified through the EHDI process. She is a yogi, pug lover and fan of NPR and folk music.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial -