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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: ''It Takes a Village to Raise a Child': Pacific Island EHDI Partnerships ' Track: 1 - EHDI Program Enhancement Keyword(s): Program Collaboration, Partnerships, Loss to Follow-Up Learning Objectives: Explore strategies to build partnerships and collaboration among programs serving young children Look at ways to improve Loss to Follow-Up Develop creative partnerships and communication among Agencies Abstract: Since the inception of the American Samoa (AS) Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program (EHDI) in American Samoa, the EHDI team continues to look at strategies to improve EHDI services and also strengthen partnerships with other programs serving children and families. Given the remote location in the Pacific, it is crucial for the EHDI program to look at collaboration with other local programs and maximize resources to reach children and families. Over the years, the AS EHDI program has worked closely with other programs and agencies to reduce Loss to Follow up and address the high rate of children who pass newborn hearing screening but later acquire hearing loss due to chronic otitis media and other contributing factors. The AS EHDI program works closely with the AS Early Intervention (EI)Program. Through this partnership, children who are suspected of hearing loss are referred to EI and are monitored not only by the EHDI program, but also by the EI team to help ensure that these children receive the proper assessment and diagnostic services but also the necessary treatment and intervention as early as possible. The EHDI program has also formed a close collaboration with the AS Child Care Program which includes monthly meetings to discuss issues affecting children in both programs and ways to enhance services for children who are suspected of hearing loss. The EHDI program also works closely with the AS Head Start program to monitor children who are receiving Head Start services and may continue to be at risk for acquired hearing loss. Through these close partnerships, the EHDI program is able to reduce Loss to Follow up and ensure that children who are suspected of hearing loss are diagnosed as early as possible and receive the necessary intervention and treatment. 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 - Jean Anderson - Primary Presenter UH-Center on Disability Studies      Credentials: PsyD       Dr. Jean Anderson is the EHDI Coordinator for the American Samoa Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program. She previously served as the American Samoa Part C Coordinator and Program Director for the Early Intervention Program. She continues to work closely with the American Samoa Head Start program and the American Samoa Child Care Program. As a Clinical Psychologist she also provides direct services to children and families including psychological evaluation, treatment and consultation.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Bethany Toelupe - Co-Presenter EHDI, American Samoa      Credentials: EHDI Program Manager, American Samoa       Bethany Toelupe is the American Samoa EHDI Program Manager. She has worked as the EHDI Program Manager since the inception of the EHDI Program in American Samoa. She continues to demonstrate a strong commitment and dedication to the American Samoa EHDI Program and the children and families of American Samoa.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Jean Johnson - Co-Presenter Center on Disability Studies      Credentials: BEd, Deaf Education MA, Audiology MPH, Maternal and Child Health DrPH, Health Services Administration       Dr. Johnson serves as an Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator with the Center on Disability Studies at the University of Hawai'i. She holds an undergraduate degree in Special Education (teaching the deaf), masters degree in Audiology and in Public Health, and a doctoral degree in Public Health from the University of Hawai'i. Before joining CDS, she was the Coordinator of the Zero-to-Three Hawai'i project to provide services to infants and toddlers with special needs. She spent many years in Guam and Micronesia establishing programs for children and adults with disabilities. She currently works on several newborn hearing screening projects in the Marshall Islands and American Samoa. In 2011, she received the Antonia Brancia Maxon Award for EHDI Excellence. Dr. Johnson is passionate about issues of social justice, especially as they relate to persons with disabilities and people from the islands.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial -