19th ANNUAL EARLY HEARING DETECTION & INTERVENTION MEETING
March 8-10, 2020 • Kansas City, MO

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 Mapping the Journey of Families through Minnesota EHDI System

Families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing in Minnesota will encounter many touchpoints in a complicated system of services and supports, ranging from healthcare providers and hospital systems, public health staff, parent support, early intervention providers. Minnesota Department of Health partnered with Wilder Research to map the journey of families along this path starting with newborn screening, identification, medical appointments, connections and resources, and to language and communication access. The scope of the project focused on family experiences from newborn period to through early elementary age, with a particular focus on families who use ASL, identify as African American, or communicate using languages other than English. Thirteen professionals were interviewed in order to fully understand all aspects of the system that families would encounter. Focus groups and one-on-one interviews were conducted with African American, Hmong, Lantinx families, as well as families who use ASL. Families rated their experiences and provided examples of how they would like to receive information and interact providers and systems. Minnesota Hands and Voices led in recruiting families to participate. Challenges and limitations of project and ideas for improvement will be explored.

  • Participants will describe a “journey map” and how it can be applied to an EHDI system.
  • Participants will discuss ideas and lessons learned from recruiting families from communities that use languages other than English
  • Participants will learn family perspectives of experiences with touchpoints in the EHDI system and their ideas for positive change.

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Presenter: Nicole Brown

Nicole Brown is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and has worked in Minnesota’s Maternal and Child Health/Public Health field for over 19 years at both the state and local level. She is the supervisor for Newborn Screening long-term follow-up and is Minnesota’s EHDI Coordinator responsible to provide long-range planning and direction for the development, implementation, and evaluation of a statewide EHDI system for children once they are identified with hearing loss. Nicole served as the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners’ liaison to the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Improving the Effectiveness of Newborn Hearing Screening, Diagnosis, and Intervention. She has worked with NCHAM as Quality Improvement Advisor and is the parent of two children who are deaf.


ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.

Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.

Presenter: Darcia Dierking

Darcia Dierking, Au.D. holds pediatric audiology specialty certification and has 20 years of clinical and research experience working with both children and adults. Dr. Dierking works with the Minnesota Department of Health EHDI program doing long-term follow-up after children are diagnosed as DHH.


ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.

Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.

Presenter: Laura Godfrey

Laura Godfrey lives in Prior Lake, Minnesota and is a mother of a 14 year old son who was diagnosed with a severe hearing loss at birth. Laura is currently working with the Minnesota Commission serving Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing individuals to evaluate the statewide system of disseminating materials for families with children aged birth to 5. She served as a member and then the co-chair of Minnesota’s Department of Human Services, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Board for 8 years. She has a passion for ensuring that all families with children that are Deaf or Hard of Hearing feel confident and empowered when making choices for their child. Laura has been involved with Minnesota Hands & Voices for almost 10 years and currently serves as the Guide By Your Side Coordinator.


ASHA DISCLOSURE:

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Presenter: Anna Paulson

Anna Paulson, M.Ed the Coordinator of Educational Advancement & Partnerships for the Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans (MNCDHH). She is a former instructor and Senior Teaching Specialist at the University of Minnesota for over 18 years. Anna Paulson is a licensed teacher in the areas of Elementary Education and Deaf/Hard of Hearing Education. She has been an instructor in the teacher preparation programs in the areas of Deaf/Hard of Hearing Education and Early Childhood Special Education. She was the Part C coordinator during the inception years in Michigan, and has years of general and special education teaching experience.


ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.

Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.