2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
3/10/2020 | 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM | EHDI Collaboration: Everyone Has a Piece in the Success! | Benton
EHDI Collaboration: Everyone Has a Piece in the Success!
If you are in the field of Hearing Loss, you know the statistics (90% of children with a hearing loss are born to hearing families) and you have heard the story "...my first experience with hearing loss was my own child..."But what if you are outside the field and providing care? Are you providing the best care? How do parents make their children's needs known, especially to the medical community? Collaboration is the key. Data supports that families who are involved in collaborative models of early intervention experience greater satisfaction and better outcomes than those who are not. With the development and implementation of the Northeast Regional Professional Learning Community (NEPA-PLC) stakeholders regularly come together to examine and improve the process from Newborn Infant Hearing Screening referral to diagnosis to enrollment in Early Intervention. The group created a "Regional Guidance Document for Families". This document outlines regional resources for families and encourages opportunities for collaboration between Early Intervention, the medical community, the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Community and families to work together for the best outcomes for children with a hearing loss. Having a dedicated stakeholder group and a clear and consistent plan, which crosses disciplines and maximizes time and resources, allows children and families to receive the supports and services in an efficient and effective way. We hope that the model established in Northeastern PA would be helpful to others on this journey looking to make collaboration a standard practice in the delivery of services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and their families and caregivers.
- Participants will list apporpriate stakeholders in the creation of a successful Professional Learning Community.
- Participants will identify 3 positive impacts of implementing a Regional Guidance Document for Families.
- Participants will outline potential collaborative opportunities in their community/region.
Presentation:
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Handouts:
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Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Mary Ann Stefko
(), Choices For Children, mstefko@thescrantonschool.org;
Mary Ann Stefko earned a master's of education in counselor education and a Bachelor of Science degree in communication disorders from Pennsylvania State University. In addition to 20 years teaching experience, she has extensive experience in educational interpreting. She has worked with deaf and hard-of-hearing children from the birth to high school levels in residential and mainstream educational settings. Mary Ann is an adjunct professor in the World Languages and Cultures Department at the University of Scranton and an instructor at the Geisinger School of Medicine. She is a frequent presenter at workshops and training programs related to deafness and hearing loss for parents, educators and the business community across Pennsylvania. Her passion is Early Intervention, focusing on providing instruction to children and coaching to families in the Infant Toddler program.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
James Zeigler
(), Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, drjzeigleraud@gmail.com;
Dr James Zeigler is a practicing audiologist with Family Hearing Centers. He has 30+ years of experience serving individuals with hearing needs from birth to 100 years old. Dr Zeigler has served on numerous boards and advisory groups in the state of PA and continues to make a positive impact on the lives of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and families across the state.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Kevin McDonough
(), The Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, kmcdonough@thescrantonschool.org;
Kevin McDonough is currently the Director of the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children in Clarks Summit, PA. He has been employed at the Western PA School for the Deaf (WPSD) in Pittsburgh, PA for the past nine years. He has served Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and families in several capacities across the country. Mr. McDonough has a bachelors and a masters degree from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and a Master's in Deaf Education from the University of Pittsburgh.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -
Matthew Busch
(), Geisinger School of Medicine, mbusch@som.geisinger.edu;
Matthew Busch is a fourth year medical student at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine in Scranton PA. Originally from Mahwah, New Jersey, Matt's interest in children and families began when he was completing his undergraduate education at the University of Scranton. Matthew graduated from the University of Scranton in 2017 with a double major in neuroscience and biomathematics, with minors in philosophy and biochemistry. Matthew is committed to continuing his involvement with the Deaf community as he grows to become a physician.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -
Anne Gaspich
(), Early Intervention Technical Assistance, Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side of PA, agaspich@pattan.net;
Anne Gaspich is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University. She is the parent of four children, the youngest of whom has hearing loss. Anne joined the Pennsylvania EHDI program in August 2011 as the Program Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Department of Health funded family support program, now Family Connections for Language and Learning. Anne is also a consultant for Early Intervention Technical Assistance on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Initiative. She has attended the National Early Hearing Detection and Intervention meeting 2013 – 2019 and received the Pennsylvania Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Award for Distinguished Service. She has presented at the annual PA state Low Incidence Institute and other statewide training.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Tara Nikou
(), Choices For Children, tnikou@wpsd.org;
Since 2003, Tara has been working with D/HH children (birth to three) and their families as an Early Intervention Teacher in the Choices for Children program. Tara coaches families in their own homes to help understand their child’s hearing loss and shows best practices to prepare their child for language learning and the transition to pre-school. Tara also serves as Coordinator for the on-site Toddler Group program at WPSD. Prior to working at WPSD, Tara was a classroom teacher at Central North Carolina School for the Deaf and at Miller Elementary school in Pittsburgh, PA.
Tara Nikou received her Bachelor’s Degree in Deaf Education and Elementary Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her Master’s Degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Early Intervention.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -