2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
3/05/2019 | 2:20 PM - 2:45 PM | Journey to a Better Understanding - Overcoming Hesitations and Misperceptions to Create Partnership | Vienna
Journey to a Better Understanding - Overcoming Hesitations and Misperceptions to Create Partnership
The North Carolina Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program has struggled over the years to gain participation from the D/deaf community in our program. To address this issue, the EHDI program is collaborating with the North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH) to strengthen the partnership between EHDI and the D/deaf community in our state. Initially, EHDI reached out to the School Director at the North Carolina School for the Deaf and they joined the NC EHDI Advisory Committee. Leaders with DSDHH and EHDI then met to explore how to bridge the gap and have taken several steps which have resulted in increased communication and understanding between EHDI and the D/deaf community, leading to increased participation from the D/deaf community in EHDI program activities. In this presentation, we will provide a summary of activities utilized to strengthen the partnership between the deaf community and EHDI. Through open and honest communication, we’ve discovered some misperceptions that EHDI and the D/deaf community had about each other. By addressing some of these misperceptions directly, D/deaf community participation within the EHDI system of care and EHDI understanding of the D/deaf community has become stronger. This has helped both groups realize that our long-term goals are the same. We all are seeking to achieve the highest outcomes for all D/deaf and hard of hearing children, regardless of communication mode or cultural preferences. The EHDI program has learned of additional resources provided in our state and DSDHH has become more aware of the EHDI program and system of care. Through working together, we can reduce duplicative efforts within our state and provide higher quality service to our entire D/deaf and hard of hearing population.
- Participants will be able to describe at least three ways EHDI programs can partner with other services/agencies for the D/deaf and hard of hearing in their states.
- Participants will be able to identify some misperceptions EHDI and the D/deaf community have regarding each other.
- Participants will be able to describe how EHDI programs and D/deaf communities working together can lead to optimal language, educational, and life outcomes for all D/deaf and hard of hearing children.
Presentation:
18878_10567MarciaFort.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
18878_10567MarciaFort.rtf
Presenters/Authors
Marcia Fort
(), NC DHHS, marcia.fort@dhhs.nc.gov;
Dr. Fort is the Genetics and Newborn Screening Unit Manager in the Children and Youth Branch of the North Carolina Division of Public Health and serves as the NC EHDI Coordinator. She has worked with the NC EHDI program since 2002. Dr. Fort has 32 years of experience as a pediatric audiologist in hospital, private practice, ENT office and public school settings.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Jan Withers
(), NC Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Jan.Withers@dhhs.nc.gov;
Jan Withers is the director of the Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing within the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to joining DSDHH, Withers served as the director of Student Support Services at the N.C. School for the Deaf in Morganton, N.C. She began her professional career as a mental health therapist for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children. She is a founding member and secretary on the Board of Directors for the National Association of State Agencies of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She is currently the vice president and represents the southeastern states on the Board of Directors for Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, IncMs. Withers received her master’s degree in counseling from Gallaudet University and a bachelor’s degree in art from Davidson College.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -