Abstract: |
Building Bridges to Parent and Family Engagement in the NC EHDI Program
Track: Family Perspectives and Support
Authors: Gerlene Ross, Interim EHDI Program Manager; Jude Williams, EHDI Project Coordinator; Holly Shoun, EHDI Parent Consultant
Presenter: Jude Williams, EHDI Project Coordinator and Holly Shoun, EHDI Parent Consultant
Affiliation: NC Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program, NC Division of Public Health, Children and Youth Branch
The NC EHDI Program aspires to strengthen and empower parents and families of children with hearing impairment by increasing parent engagement to augment and enhance child-specific outcomes. The central idea is to leverage parental leadership at the grassroots level to drive top-down and bottom-up informational and educational efforts that engage families of children with hearing impairments.
THE EHDI program has hired a parent consultant that has a long standing relationship with the Program, a history of collaboration with parents on family support initiatives and medical home education which has greatly strengthened the program’s ability to engage families in Program goals and meet the needs of diverse families across NC.
With the increase in parental engagement, the EHDI program has expanded family support services, and created leadership, collaboration, and advocacy opportunities for families as a means to support success for all. This approach to family engagement has drawn from the strengths of the family to empower them to create lasting change. This presentation describes the process of development of the EHDI Family Engagement Plan. Family engagement activities including the use of social media outlets, parent workshops, and a parent phone tree will be highlighted.
Key Words: parent leadership and family engagement
Contact Information:
Gerlene Ross
Gerlene.ross@dhhs.nc.gov
919-707-5630
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