birth-to-three programs of various communication modes ......kim hamren, med, ced, lsls cert avt...

Birth-to-Three Programs

of Various Communication Modes

Collaborating to Serve Families

Brayde Willson, MA, MS

Jill Bargones, PhD CCC-A

Kim Hamren, MEd, CED, LSLS Cert AVT

EHDI Conference | San Diego, CA | March 14, 2016

Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center


Objectives

� Identify the similarities and differences between programs for D/HH infants and toddlers using various modes of communication.

� Name beneficial outcomes for families and their community when various programs for D/HH infants and toddlers collaborate to provide services.

� Identify strategies to implement collaboration in the participant's local communities.


Introduction

Parent-Infant Program

ASL/English Bilingual

Family Conversations

Combined Communication

Early Intervention Program

Listening and Spoken Language



Similarities

� Evidence-based, best practices

� Highly trained, specialized staff

� Family coaching

� Natural environment

� Offer playgroups

� Refer to Hands & Voices


Early Intervention in Washington State

� Early Support for Infants & Toddlers (ESIT)

� Local Lead Agency (LLA) determines service delivery

U.S. Census Bureau Census 2010 Summary File 1 population by census tract


Local Region

� Snohomish, King, Pierce Counties

� DHH agencies team with developmental centers and school districts

� Independent, neutral, specialized Family Resources Coordinator (FRC) for DHH families


Referral Process

� ESIT links with EHDI:

� Screening

� Diagnosis

� Referral to LLA

� Family and FRC connect


Family Resources Coordinator (FRC)

� Serves families across the county

� Trained to learn about DHH needs

� First contact for family in the Part C system

� Supports families with additional resources as they explore communication opportunities

� Connects family to 3 DHH agencies

� Tri-agency flyer


Family Joins Services

� Specialist from each agency visits family to

� share details

� answer questions

� offer opportunities to connect with others

� Family chooses DHH program

� IFSP is created

� Service begins


Benefits of Collaboration: Families

� Learn about communication opportunities and that all are respected

� Support in their learning and decision-making process

� If child’s needs and family’s priorities evolve, provider and FRC support them in exploring and transitioning to best fit


Can you describe your experience?

� “It was simple. We contacted our FRC and she arranged a meeting with the two other agencies. We spoke with each, made a decision and got started.”

� “A really positive experience while we were deciding whether to change was requesting to visit the [other program]. It was so nice to see part of the supports that would be available before committing. People were very friendly, engaging, and welcoming.”


What helped you decide?

� “The visit with one of the other providers and my daughter’s response.”

� “Meeting with the new program and getting my questions answered helped me make the final decision. I wanted to make sure they could provide what I felt our daughter needed.”


Benefits of Collaboration: Agencies

� Access to trainings, networking, building community knowledge

� United efforts in representing needs of community in various stakeholder issues

� Joint problem-solving


Collaboration: Areas for Growth

� Some families asking for more support in decision-making process, ramification for them specifically

� Gaps in coverage across service maps, notably in areas without DHH-specific FRC

� Each county and school district interprets federal and state regulations differently

� Biases still exist

� It takes time to change and build trust!


Do you have suggestions?

� “I think the only thing that would have been helpful would have been to have an advocate/expertise in this field at the very beginning that would have given more of an honest opinion (without worries about being politically correct) about which program would be best for my child.”


Do you have suggestions?

� “I believe that it would be helpful to have connection days which bring families from all programs together on a regular basis… I think this would not only help families talk to others … and create a larger network of families with young deaf and hard of hearing children.”


Implementation Ideas

� Service coordinator has background or training in DHH needs and development to be knowledgeable "guide" for family and stronger IFSP team member

� Team with other resources to support families in decision-making process, such as Guide By Your Side

� Collaborate with stakeholders to spread model across state and pool resources


Wrap-up

birth-to-three programs of various communication modes ......kim hamren, med, ced, lsls cert avt...

Documents