2019-2020 Award
APPLICATION OF BEST PRACTICES IN EARLY INTERVENTION 2020
Hays Area Children’s Center is recognized for the utilization of technology to meet service challenges and needs of children in their program with identified speech or language delays. Following a review of the literature on utilization of telehealth distance technology, the Children’s Center instituted a program focusing on the delivery of speech language services through interactive video technology software. Following the review and training of staff, distance technology was used to deliver speech services within the primary service provider (PSP) model. The PSP was in the home with family while a video link through zoom was used to connect with a speech pathologist. This model was used in response to needs of children and addressing staffing needs of the program.
Contact: Jennifer Oborny, Hays Area Children’s Center, 94 Lewis Dr., Hays, KS 67601, Phone 785.625.3257, email: jennifero@hacc.info
Reno County Infant/Toddler Program is recognized for their systematic review and redesign of their public awareness and child find activities. This program identified as a part of their program’s systemic improvement plan the desire to identify children earlier creating the opportunity to begin services earlier. They conducted a thoughtful, specific, and analytical analysis of their screening data by geographic area and referral source. Through this inquiry specific gaps in their public awareness and child find program were identified. In response a multi-approach initiative was implemented to increase referrals and lower the age of children identified. This included strategies to address screening activities in underserved areas of their service area, specific identification of new community partners, targeting physicians for referrals, and updating of program public awareness materials. This effort of identifying children earlier, which results in additional time in intervention, is intended to improve their early childhood outcome scores.
Contact: Val Shober, Reno County Infant/Toddler Program, 303 E. Bigger, Hutchinson, KS 67501, Phone: 620.615.5850, email: shoberv@usd308.com