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From the Director | Announcements | Calendar | By the Numbers Virtual Site Visit Program |Continuous Screening | CDPHE Corner | |
I trust you have had an enjoyable summer!
Being used to the academic year for most of my career, I expect September to be a very busy month. I’m excited and prepared for many Colorado EHDI (COEHDI) activities to come to fruition.
You may have noticed that this is the September/October issue of our COEHDI newsletter. We are migrating to a two-month publication schedule. We are also reviewing the frequency of task force and Alliance meetings. Some will be bi-monthly, some quarterly, and others will continue to be scheduled monthly. Over the past two years, we have found that many activities in play can be completed via email. However, please always know that as stakeholders you can request a meeting at any time. We, at COEHDI, promise to do the same when a need arises before a regularly-scheduled meeting.
This newsletter now reflects many more activities for deaf and hard-of-hearing children under three years of age and their families. Please continue to share activities you want us to post at info@coehdi.org.
You’ll be hearing from me again in November. Until then, enjoy the weather, your families and friends, and the work you do
~ Arlene Stredler-Brown, PhD, CCC-SLP, director of COEHDI
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International Week of the Deaf is celebrated the last week of September each year. For 2022, this celebration falls on September 18-24. This awareness campaign is not to be confused with Deaf History Month in April. We know it can be confusing but we are all for promoting awareness of the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind communities whenever we can! Typically, schools and organizations host events during these time periods. For Deaf Awareness Month 2022, we are sharing the events that families may be interested in attending.
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Deaf Awareness Night at the Colorado Rapids
Saturday, September 10, 2022, kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
This event will have a mini resource fair with booths from several local organizations. Ticket prices will include Deaf Awareness swag and students from Rocky Mountain Deaf School will perform the National Anthem in American Sign Language!
Purchase tickets here!
Deaf/HH Services Resources Fair
Sunday, September 11, 2022, 2-5p.m.
This event will be at the Courtyards by Marriott, Merlot Meeting Room, 765 Horizon Dr, Grand Junction, CO 81506. This event will also have booths from at least nine organizations that provide resources and services to the deaf, hard of hearing, and/or deafblind communities.
Deaf Heritage Month/ASL Night
Friday, September 23, 7-10 p.m.
Hosted by the Denver Office of Sign Language Services at the McNichols Civic Center Building.
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Colorado Department of Early Childhood Newsletter
The new Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) publishes a monthly newsletter. Check out their recent publications:
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Rocky Mountain Deaf School - ASL Classes
Rocky Mountain Deaf School is offering weekly Community ASL Classes from September 7 through December 11. Classes can be taken in person or virtually.
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All COEHDI Alliance, task force, and related stakeholder meetings will be listed here. If you would like your meetings included in our monthly newsletter, contact: info@coehdi.org. |
SEPTEMBER EVENTS
COEHDI Diagnostic/Identification Task Force: September Meeting
September 1, 2022, from 4-5 p.m.
This task force has been meeting on an as-needed basis, so meetings are subject to change. Contact astredlerbrown@coehdi.org for the Zoom link.
Hands & Voices Virtual Parent Support Events:
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Panel
September 3, 2022, from 9-10 a.m.
RSVP to receive a Zoom link and/or a text reminder. RSVP at least five days in advance if you need access to services or accommodations.
Hands & Voices Virtual Parent Support Events:
New Parent Chat
September 8, 2022, from 7-8 p.m.
RSVP to receive a Zoom link and/or a text reminder. RSVP at least five days in advance if you need access to services or accommodations.
Advanced Bionics Workshop
September 9, 2022
Advanced Bionics, a cochlear implant manufacturer, will be providing a workshop to early intervention facilitators.
Rocky Mountain Deaf School (RMDS) 25th Anniversary Gala
September 10, 2022, from 1-4 p.m.
PINDUSTRY 7939 E Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80112
Free entry, appetizers provided.
COEHDI Families of DHHDB Children Task Force
September 12, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
COEHDI Families of DHHDB Children Task Force
This task force meets quarterly.
The Screening Task Force: September Meeting
September 13, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
This task force continues to meet monthly on the second Tuesday of the month due to the high volume of activities.
Listen Foundation - Music Together Classes
Thursdays from Sept. 15 - Oct. 20, from 9:30-10:15 a.m.
First United Church of Arvada
7195 Simms St; Arvada, CO 80004
The COEHDI Alliance Meeting
Next meeting: September 16, 2022, from 10-11:30 a.m.
The COEHDI Alliance meets the third Friday of each month from 10-11:30 a.m. The frequency of meetings will be up for review. Meetings are open to the public and members of the public
COEHDI Early Intervention Task Force: September Meeting
September 20, 2022 from 2-3 p.m.
This task force has been meeting monthly on the third Tuesday of each month. As we migrate to meeting on an as-needed basis, the meeting schedule is subject to change.
CSDB Workshop for Early Intervention Facilitators
September 24, 2022
CSDB Virtual ASL/English Story Time
September 27, 2022 from 9-9:30 a.m.
Pikes Peak library district will host a monthly virtual ASL/ English storytime.
Register here.
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OCTOBER EVENTS
Hands & Voices Virtual Parent Support Events:
Deaf + Autism Day
October 1, 2022, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
RSVP to receive a Zoom link and/or a text reminder. RSVP at least five days in advance if you need access to services or accommodations.
COEHDI Diagnostic/Identification Task Force: October Meeting
October 6 2022, from 4-5 p.m.
- This task force has been meeting on an as-needed basis, so meetings are subject to change. Contact astredlerbrown@coehdi.org for the Zoom link.
RMDS Toddler Program
October 7, 2022
For deaf and hard of hearing toddlers aged birth-3 and their families.
Hands & Voices Inspiration Gala
October 8, 2022, from 6 - 9:30 p.m.
The ART Hotel, Denver, CO
The Screening Task Force: October Meeting
October 11, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
This task force continues to meet monthly on the second Tuesday of the month due to the high volume of activities.
CDPHE Colorado Infant Hearing Advisory Committee (CIHAC)
October 14, 2022, from 9-11 a.m.
The Colorado Infant Hearing Advisory Committee (CIHAC), created by statute and which advises the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), meets quarterly. Meetings are open to the public.
Hands & Voices Virtual Parent Support Events:
Supporting Siblings
October 16, 2022, from 4-5 p.m.
RSVP to receive a Zoom link and/or a text reminder. RSVP at least five days in advance if you need access to services or accommodations.
COEHDI Early Intervention Task Force: September Meeting
October 20, 2022 from 2-3 p.m.
This task force has been meeting monthly on the third Tuesday of each month. As we migrate to meeting on an as-needed basis, the meeting schedule is subject to change.
The COEHDI Alliance Meeting (tentative)
Next meeting: October 21, 2022, from 10-11:30 a.m.
As of the publication of this issue of the newsletter, the COEHDI Alliance meets the third Friday of each month from 10-11:30 a.m. The frequency of meetings will be up for review. Meetings are open to the public and members of the public
CSDB Virtual ASL/English Story Time
October 24, 2022 from 9-9:30 a.m.
Pikes Peak library district will host a monthly virtual ASL/ English storytime.
Register here.
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Since finalizing our newborn hearing screening brochures earlier this year, we have distributed:
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1,995 English brochures
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403 Spanish brochures
to hospitals, midwives, and medical centers across the state.
We send these brochures free of charge and they seem to be popular as we are starting to see repeat customers!
The link to the order form is on our website at www.coehdi.org/nbhs
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The Virtual Site Visit (VSV) Program | | |
What is the Virtual Site Visit Program?
The Virtual Site Visit (VSV) Program at Colorado EHDI was developed as a way to fill a gap in the current Colorado EHDI system by systematically reviewing the processes and practices in place at individual hospital-based newborn hearing screening programs and identifying areas for enhancement. In this issue, we discuss the current data we have from the VSV program and opportunities for hospital-based newborn hearing screening programs moving forward.
Current Data from the VSV Program at a Glance
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Image Text: Virtual Site Visit (VSV) Program Current Data at a Glance
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10 - Number of VSV's performed at newborn hearing screening programs in Colorado to date.
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50% - Percent of VSVs performed in rural areas (Rural defined as a population of 49,999 or less.)
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50% - Percent of VSVs performed in urban areas. (Urban defined as a population of 50,000 or more.)
Key Themes
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100% of programs provide some type of hands on training for newborn hearing screeners.
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100% of programs follow best practice if a baby fails ta screening in one ear.
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100% of programs follow best practices when it comes to number of screening attempts in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
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88% of programs following best practices when it comes to number of screening attempts in the well-baby nursery.
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67% of programs report a high level of newborn hearing screening turnover.
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63% of programs use and follow scripts when discussing screening results with families.
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60% of programs provide families with written information about newborn hearing screening.
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67% of programs report a high level of newborn hearing screening turnover.
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55% of programs provide families with information about CMV.
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SV Data Summary
Overall, VSVs have proven very valuable in getting an idea – both at an individual and a group level – about the current processes and practices in place at hospital-based newborn hearing screening programs across the state. Several important themes have emerged thus far:
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Most programs have a system in place for training newborn hearing screeners, although there is considerable variability in the source, content, and format of the training. The National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM) has developed an excellent, evidence-based, online training curriculum for newborn hearing screeners that can be used to train screeners, in addition to hands-on training.
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Most programs are following best practices when it comes to re-screening a baby who does not pass their screening in one ear and when it comes to the number of attempts screening a baby. The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) and NCHAM recommend that a baby who does not pass their screening in one ear should be re-screened in both ears. It is also recommended that no more than two screening attempts are made. Both of these recommendations help to ensure a baby with hearing loss is not missed.
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A high percentage of turnover amongst newborn hearing screeners is reported by many programs. High levels of turnover can make running a smooth and effective screening program more challenging.
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There is great room for improvement when it comes to best practices in sharing newborn hearing screening results with families. The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) and NCHAM recommend using verbal scripts when sharing results with families to ensure that information is provided consistently and reliability in a clear and understandable way. They also recommend that families be provided with information in writing to help remind families about the results and how to follow-up if necessary. Both verbal and written information should be shared with families in their preferred language.
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There is great room for improvement when it comes to educating families about congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV), a common viral infection passed from mother to baby that is the number one reason for pediatric non-genetic hearing loss. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parent education and targeted screening for cCMV for children who do not pass their newborn hearing screening.
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This year, HRSA incorporated a new initiative into state EHDI programs - to create a Continuous Hearing Screening Plan. The goal of this plan is to ensure that each state’s EHDI system ensures opportunities for children’s hearing to be screened until 36 months of age. Colorado EHDI solicited input from stakeholders to formulate a plan that addresses continuous hearing screening needs in our state.
Colorado’s Continuous Hearing Screening Plan focuses on these priorities:
- Collaborate with the newly-formed Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) to ensure that OAE screening is available for all children, birth to 36 months of age, as part of the Child Find evaluation requirement as stated in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- Maintain the work done to date with Headstart Outreach by working with people new to the Headstart system. Training has been conducted with Headstart to raise awareness about continuous hearing screening training needs.
- Collect data from county-based health departments & community health clinics regarding their hearing screening practices and provide resources as needed.
- Provide information and resources to support primary care providers’ awareness of continuous hearing screening goals and avenues for conducting screenings.
Colorado EHDI will continue to analyze, on an ongoing basis, the needs for continuous hearing screening in our state.
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Update on strategic planning activities to date
Kim Boyd is contracted by CDPHE to facilitate a gap analysis of Colorado's EHDI system and develop a shared vision. A survey has been completed and the results have been analyzed.
In addition, Kim has facilitated seven focus groups. Focus groups have included many different stakeholders across the entire EHDI system in Colorado including:
- Staff from the Colorado Department of Human Services;
- Hospital screeners and midwives;
- Audiologists;
- Early intervention providers and Colorado Hearing (CO-Hear) Resource Coordinators;
- Primary care physicians and ENTs;
- Parents of children who are deaf and hard of hearing;
- Staff from CDPHE.
There are a couple of strategic dialogue meetings remaining, which are in the process of being scheduled in September. After Kim compiles information from the survey and all focus groups, CDPHE hopes to be able to share the final write-up of the gap analysis in October (or November, at the latest).
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CONTACT
For questions about HIDS Newborn Hearing applications, please contact:
Leanne Glenn, MA
Newborn Hearing Screening Coordinator
Colorado Responds to Children with Special Needs
leanne.glenn@state.co.us
303-692-2603
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This is the EHDItion Colorado newsletter, a monthly report of news and updates from Colorado Early Hearing Detection and Intervention. You can subscribe to related topics and other newsletters using our sign-up form at the bottom of the COEHDI website.
Contact us via email at info@coehdi.org
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