The CHIP Model
Community Based	The Early Literacy Initiative (ELI)
Family Centered Assessment	Eligibility
Communication Approaches	Service Coordination
Transition Program	Program Support
In-Home Sign Language Instruction	Deaf Adult Role Models
Bilingual Providers	Unilateral Hearing Loss
Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS)	Auditory Neuropathy
FAMILY Centered Philosophy

Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Initiative:

Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) is an international program designed to make sure that all babies have their hearing screened before they are discharged from the hospital after they are born or by one month of age if they are not born in a hospital. Often the motto "1-3-6" is used to describe the goal that all babies should have their hearing screened by one month of age, diagnosed by three months, and be receiving appropriate home-based intervention services prior to six months of age.

Colorado is the third state to pass legislation requiring universal newborn hearing screening. The population served by CHIP has changed remarkably as a result of this effort. The program now serves younger children, with the average child starting intervention before six months of age. Since the implementation of universal newborn screening, there are more children with mild, moderate, and unilateral hearing loss who receive consultative services, including parent education and assessment, to monitor children at risk for speech and language delay. In addition, CHIP serves children with auditory neuropathy. Since children with auditory neuropathy present with normal otoacoustic emissions and an abnormal auditory brainstem response (ABR), universal newborn screening can help to identify many of these children.

The universal newborn hearing system in Colorado promotes coordinated services among screeners, diagnostic audiologists, and early interventionists. Having a statewide system assures effective follow-up, quality assurance, and a program supported by objective data.