1. 1 Early Contact with Parents: A Resource Kit for Parents and Professionals Janet Gilbert, Ed.D. Mary Ann Lyon, MA, CCC/A Susan Swartz, MA, CCC/SLP EHDI National Conference Salt Lake City 2007

2. 2 Who are we? Oakland Schools Intermediate Service District (ISD) was established in Michigan in 1962. It is a regional service agency offering support services to school personnel that are best delivered regionally, as measured by cost, size and quality advantages. Oakland Schools is an autonomous, tax-supported public school district governed by Michigan General School Laws.

3. 3 What do we do? Align activities with the Michigan School Improvement Framework Leadership regarding best practice Encourage and facilitate school/community relation Support school personnel and families

4. 4 How do we do it? Awareness…. Collaboration…. Technology…. Support for families and professionals of children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing

5. 5 Whats this kit all about? A learning opportunity for families and the community to access information efficiently and in the comfort of their own surroundings

6. 6 What we believe… People have limited time and want to access information on their own Information needs to be both general and specific Target the needs of the community Value diversity of thought

7. 7 We started assessing our needs….

8. 8 Identification Rates By Disability 2005 December 1, 2005/MICIS The state of Michigan provides special education services to children ages Birth to 26

9. 9 Oakland County Demographics Total students 230,000 Total Special Ed. students 25,335 Deaf/H of H (K-12) 383 Deaf/H of H (3-5 yrs.) 25 Deaf/H of H (birth-3) 21 Special education count, 2006

10. 10 Oakland County Demographics (cont.) 14,623 births 100% participation by hospitals in UNHS (state) 14 diagnosed with hearing loss 7 undetermined Five county area 6 diagnostic centers (birth-6 months) 28 diagnostic / follow-up centers (6 months-5 yrs.) EHDI Program, 2005 statistics

11. 11 Ethnicity 83% White 10% African-American 7% Other Languages more than 100 spoken; 13% of homes have a language other than English Median Household Income range: $31,200 to $104,000 Oakland County Population : 1.2 million U.S. Census Bureau, 2004

12. 12 What did we find out as we started peeling the onion? Educational services are available for babies and a referral process is in place Level of awareness of information about hearing loss was variable Understanding about parents feelings was variable

13. 13 What did we do next? Parent information through interview Systems review of referral process Review of available materials

14. 14 We listened to, and valued, our comments from families….. I just need some basic information… Too much information too soon The process is so different from one parent to the next An unbiased list of resources and where to get them

15. 15 Systems review of the referral process Stakeholder Meetings Quickstart Referral Guide Best Practice Guidelines Service Delivery

16. 16 Reviewed available materials A lot out there but it didnt meet our needs Hearing loss Sensitivity Ease of distribution Specific to our county Cost

17. 17

18. 18 What issues did we decide to target? Level of awareness of information about hearing loss Referral from diagnosis to intervention Delivery of information about hearing loss in a sensitive way

19. 19 A Resource Kit for Parents and Professionals

20. 20 Components of the kit Hearing Loss: Delivering the Diagnosis in a Helpful Way Quick Start Guide Introduction to Hearing Loss

21. 21 Development of the DVD Access to facilities, technology and personnel to develop and produce Time

22. 22 Development of the Guide Levels of involvement Selection of stakeholders Scheduled meetings Facilitation of meetings Production and resources

23. 23 The video selection Review videos Video selection Sensitivity Diversity Cost Ease of access in attaining

24. 24 www.med.umich.edu/childhearinginfo/ Video - Introduction to Hearing Loss

25. 25 CD - Infant Hearing Guide National Center for Hearing Assessment & Management (NCHAM) Utah State University 2880 Old Main Hill Logan UT 84322-2880 (attn: Kim Palmer)

26. 26 DVD - Hearing Loss- Delivering the Diagnosis in a Helpful Way Oakland Schools 2111 Pontiac Lake Road Waterford, MI 48328 (attn: Mary Ann Lyon)

27. 27 Factors in Distribution Maximize effect Parents Physicians - awareness of hearing loss and family feelings, and to explain the referral process in Oakland County Educators and Community Partners Awareness of hearing loss and family feelings What families would be receiving from diagnostic centers

28. 28 Challenges Funding Administrative support Appropriate materials Time Stakeholder selection and commitment Diversity of perspective Development of group processes Setting timelines and developing a product Distribution

29. 29 Final Thoughts To develop a resource kit tailored to your needs... Needs assessment including resources Develop or purchase materials Distribution plan

30. 30 Thus, the source of change and growth for an organization or an individual is to….. Margaret J. Wheatley and Myron-Kellner Rogers, A Simpler Way, 1996

31. 31 To contact us…. Janet.Gilbert@oakland.k12.mi.us MaryAnn.Lyon@oakland.k12.mi.us Susan.Swartz@oakland.k12.mi.us