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[ Image here ] [ Image here ] 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
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Introduction

The Colorado Home Intervention Program (CHIP) initially started as a federal grant in 1969 in the Department of Speech Pathology & Audiology at the University of Denver. When the grant ended, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment adopted the program. This ensured that the program would continue to be available to all families in Colorado that had infants and toddlers with hearing loss. On July 1, 2001, the program moved to the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB), which operates under the auspices of the Colorado Department of Education. While CHIP is only one program option in the state, it is the only program that maintains a statewide system of care. It is for this reason that it is being considered a model for early intervention services. The success of CHIP is attributed, in part, to the commitment of the people involved and the fact that it has evolved over time. 

Community Based: CHIP serves children who are deaf and hard of hearing age newborn through three years throughout the state of Colorado. The state is divided into regions and there are ten regional  Colorado Hearing Resource (CO-Hear) Regional Coordinators who oversee intervention services and manage financial issues related to each child. This Regional Approach assures that services are community based, requiring very little travel both families and professionals. [more on the community based approach]

Family-Centered Assessment: The F.A.M.I.L.Y. Assessment is a naturalistic evaluation process that is completed at six-month intervals. The assessment information is obtained by analyzing a videotaped interaction between the parent and child. In addition, a series of questionnaires is completed by the parents.  [more on FAMILY Assessment]

Communication Approaches: Parents are provided unbiased information. The CO-Hear Coordinators and the CHIP Facilitators are responsible for presenting information about all communication approaches.   [more on methodology]

Transition Program: Young children and their families are assisted during the transition from early intervention into preschool.  [more on transition]

In - Home Sign Language Instruction: By the time children graduate from the program, approximately 50 percent of the families have chosen a visual communication system/language to use with their child. To support this CHIP provides a home based sign language instruction program.  [more on in-home sign language instruction]

Deaf/Hard of Hearing Connections - Deaf Adult Role Models: For families who participate in the CHIP program, a wonderful resource is Deaf/Hard of Hearing Connections. This program provides the opportunity for families to meet a adult who is deaf or hard of hearing. This adult can talk about what it was like to grow up with a hearing loss, their work experience, their hobbies, what it was like developing friendships in school, etc. Sometimes families with young children find it informative and reassuring to meet an adult who can describe what is was like to experience situations that their child might also experience. Role models are open-minded and comfortable talking about a variety of issues related to hearing loss.  [ more on Role Models ] 

Bi-lingual Providers: When the primary language of the parents is not English, the program hires a bilingual facilitator whenever possible. If a bilingual facilitator is not available, a translator attends each home visit.  [more on bi-lingual providers]

Universal Newborn Hearing Screening: Colorado was 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. [more on U.N.H.S.]

Eligibility: CHIP provides direct services to children identified with a hearing loss. The focus of the program is on the newborn through three year-old population. Children who are older than three years of age receive services as determined by the IEP. This often includes children who were identified with a hearing loss after 2.5 years of age.  [more on eligibility]

Service Coordination: The family is contacted to provide general consultation regarding hearing loss, to learn about communication and program options, and to identify potential funding sources. Part C entitlements are described in detail. [more on service coordination]

Program Support and Administrative Features: The intervention program has a close affiliation with the university programs in the state. Assessment, demographic statistics, and data management are an integral part of the system of services in Colorado. [more on Program Features]

The Early Literacy Initiative (ELI): This initiative is designed to foster early literacy skills with young children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Some of these children use a simultaneous communication approach and some use American Sign Language (ASL). The initiative encompasses programs which are designed to assist parents in their desire to encourage a love of reading with their young children. The Early Literacy Initiative should be listed on the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or the Individualized Education Plan (IEP). [more on Program Features]

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