2025 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 9-11, 2025 • Pittsburgh, PA
3/18/2024 | 11:25 AM - 11:50 AM | The Vermont Parent Infant Program (PIP) Experience with Language Assessments for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind Children Birth to 3 Years of Age | Capitol 6
The Vermont Parent Infant Program (PIP) Experience with Language Assessments for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind Children Birth to 3 Years of Age
The Vermont Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (VTEHDI) Program under the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) partners closely with the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC), our largest birthing facility, for the staffing of audiologists. A sub-agreement has existed between the two organizations since 2003. Additionally, Vermont’s single point of entry for early intervention for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind (DHHDB) children birth to 3 years of age also falls under UVMMC. There has been an extensive history in Vermont of collaboration and partnership between VTEHDI and the program providing services to the birth to 3 year of age population. The Parent Infant Program (PIP) employs qualified licensed providers trained in working with children and families of Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf Blind children. These providers include Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Speech and Language Pathologists and Educational Audiologists. During the last four years the Director of VTEHDI has also served as the Director of the PIP allowing for an aligned and efficient approach to early intervention services.
During the past two years the Vermont’s PIP Program has partnered with the CDC sponsored special project through the University of Colorado entitled Outcomes and Developmental Data Assistance Center for EHDI Programs (ODDACE). Allison Sedey from The University of Colorado leading the ODDACE project came to Vermont for an in-person training in April of 2023.
VTEHDI and PIP with our key stakeholders inclusive of families are committed to assessing all DHHDB children enrolled in early intervention at 2, 2.6 and 3 years of age for language acquisition and other developmental milestones. Results of assessments will guide IFSP and transition plans school age services.
This presentation includes collaboration with ODDACE, experience with language assessments, demographics of Vermont’s DHHDB children, and results for language acquisition and other developmental milestones.
- Learners will be able to identify appropriate assessments for children birth to 3 years of age who are DHHDB.
- Learners will understand the importance of the family and family leaders in the assessment process.
- Learners will understand how to use assessment data in informing the IFSP plan
Presentation:
3478265_16328TracyHinck.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Tommy Horejes
(Primary Presenter), Vermont Department of Health, Thorejes@gmail.com;
Linda A. Hazard Ed.D. CCC-A, is the Program Director for the Vermont Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program (VTEHDI) and an audiologist. She earned her audiology degree from Boston University and a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Social Policy from the University of Vermont. Dr. Hazard is one of the Co-Past Presidents of the Directors of Speech and Hearing Programs in State Health and Welfare Agencies (DSHPSHWA). She currently represents DSHPSHWA on three committees, Audiology Quality Consortium (AQC), Health Care Economics Committee (HCEC) and the Parent Choice Alliance. Additionally Dr. Hazard has been appointed by the Vermont Governor to serve on the Vermont Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind Advisory Council and the Vermont Interagency Coordinating Council. Dr. Hazard is also one of the Vermont State Champions for the American Cochlear Implant Alliance. She has several scientific publications to her credit, including peer reviewed articles and has presented both nationally and internationally. In February of 2017 Dr. Hazard received the prestigious Antonia Brancia Maxon Award for EHDI Excellence and published a chapter for the EHDI I book on qualitative research. In April of 2023 Dr Hazard received the University of Vermont Medical Center Leadership award.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Tracy Hinck
(Co-Author), UVMMC, DHHDB Educational Services Program, tracy.hinck@uvmhealth.org;
Tracy Hinck is dually certified as a Speech Language Pathologist and Audiologist. She is employed with the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind Educational Services Program. As part of her role Tracy is the Coordinator for the Parent Infant Program in Vermont that serves children birth to 3 years of age that are (DHHDB). She has been instrumental in collaborating with the University of Colorado's program ODDACE for language assessments. Tracy represents Vermont on the Governor appointed DHHDB Advisory Council and with the national Educational Audiology Association (EAA).
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Morgan Tewksbury
(Co-Presenter), UVMMC. DHHDB Educational Servvices Program, morgan.tewksbury@uvmhealth.org;
Morgan Tewksbury is a Teacher of the Deaf with the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind Educational Services Program. She has a bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education , Special Education and has a Teacher of the Deaf endorsement. Morgan is currently finishing her masters degree at the University of New Hampshire.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.