2022 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Virtual Conference
March 13 - 15, 2022
Assessing EHDI Healthcare Professional Needs in New Jersey: Response to the HRSA Needs Assessment
The purpose of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant is to maintain New Jersey’s successful initial hearing screening rates and to continue to improve rates of timely diagnosis of hearing loss in one or both ears; referral to and enrollment in Early Intervention (EI) services.
New Jersey applied for and was awarded the Optional Needs Assessment for the HRSA-20-047 Grant. This presentation or poster focuses on that project.
The purpose of the proposed project was to plan and conduct a needs assessment to identify the educational needs of health care professionals and service providers in New Jersey who interact at the time of diagnosis so they can clearly articulate care and service options, as well as provide quality care and support to the impacted infants and families. The results of the needs assessment will be used to improve state professional development offerings for these health care professionals.
The target audience will include audiologists, primary care providers, pediatric otolaryngologists (ENTs), early intervention service providers, special child health care managers, screening personnel, and midwives.
The needs assessment data was collected using survey methods. A needs assessment survey is recommended over other potential methodologies for its cost effectiveness, efficiency for reaching a large target audience, efficiency for summarizing and reporting of results, and its ability to protect the identities of participants by using anonymous survey distribution and data collection procedures. The development of the survey was a collaborative process between New Jersey EHDI Healthcare Professionals and the New Jersey Department of Health EHDI Program.
- Understand perceived strengths and weaknesses in healthcare professionals' current knowledge related to care and services for infants who have, or who may have, a hearing loss, and their families in New Jersey
- Be able to recognize identify priority areas where professional development is needed in New Jersey EHDI Systems
- Identify New Jersey health care professionals' preferences for delivery of professional development
Poster:
3353554_14832ArielMeltzer.pdf
Presenter: Ariel Meltzer
Ariel Meltzer is the New Jersey Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (NJ EHDI) Coordinator for the New Jersey Department of Health. Ariel is a Licensed Social Worker in the state of New Jersey. Ariel graduated from Columbia University School of Social Work with a Master of Clinical Social Work and a focus on children/families and policy. Ariel attended Rochester Institute of Technology and National and Technical Institute for the Deaf and pursued a Master of Deaf Education. Previously, Ariel has worked as a School Social Worker, a Clinical Social Worker, and a Teacher for the Deaf. In addition to being a passionate LSW, Ariel enjoys rock climbing, Pilates, hiking, traveling, volunteering, being by the ocean, and spending time with family.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.