DHH Early Intervention System Work & Focus Groups
CDEC, CSDB, EHDI
Hello Colorado Early Intervention Stakeholders!
Over the past two years, Colorado stakeholders involved in early intervention for children who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) have engaged in a strategic planning process to identify strengths and needs in the EI system for DHH children. From that strategic planning process, a need emerged to review the current system for early intervention service coordination and service provision. As a result, the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) & the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB) are engaging stakeholders to gather feedback about this system regarding:
- Consistency and fidelity of service provision
- Fluidity of services for families
- Clarity of responsibilities and early intervention system oversight
- Sustainability of services
You are being asked to participate in this feedback process and can get involved in the following ways:
Stakeholder Focus Groups
One way you can participate is to join a stakeholder focus group meeting to provide your insights and recommendations about the DHH early intervention system. Your input will inform the CDEC & CSDB decision-making process around the EI system and the information collected will be reviewed by the workgroup (described below).
The focus groups will be conducted via Zoom on the following dates. ASL interpreters will be provided and captioning will be enabled. To register for a focus group, please use the following link: Focus Group Meeting Registration.
The focus group questions will vary depending on the target group, however, you are welcome to attend any of the meetings. Below are the target audiences, dates, and times of each meeting:
EI Providers: March 4, 1:00-2:30 pm
Families: March 6, 9:00-10:30 am
CO-Hear Coordinators & Service Coordinators: March 11, 11:00 am -12:30 pm
DHH Adults: March 13, 1:00-2:30 pm
Survey
Another way you can participate in this process is to complete the following brief survey regarding your perspective on the early intervention system for DHH children: DHH EI System Survey
DHH Early Intervention System Workgroup:
We are also recruiting members to join a workgroup that will convene for a short period of time to review stakeholder feedback from the focus groups and survey, and provide recommendations that will inform the CDEC and CSDB regarding early intervention services for children who are DHH.
This workgroup will convene on the following dates. Because this workgroup will only meet three times, participants must be able to commit to joining the following meetings:
February 15, 2024 from 1:00-2:00 pm
April 11, 2024 from 1:00-2:00 pm
April 18, 2024 from 1:00-2:00 pm
If you are interested in participating in this workgroup, apply using this link by February 7, 2024: DHH EI System Work Group Application. If you are selected to participate in this workgroup, you will be informed by February 9, 2024.
Thank you for your dedication to young DHH children and their families. If you have questions, please contact Heather Abraham: habraham@coehdi.org.