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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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Program Support

Supported by Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Initiative

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. Developing a statewide system will assure follow-up, quality assurance, and a program supported by objective data. See Appendix 1 for a copy of the guidelines for newborn hearing screening, assessment, and intervention.

Part-Time Contracted Employees:

CHIP hires mostly part-time, contracted employees. The dedication of the staff is reflected by the longevity of the providers. On average, a facilitator works with the program for 10 years or more. See Appendix 1 for the quarterly progress report submitted by a CHIP facilitator.

The Joint Committee of the American Speech, Language, Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Council on Education of the Deaf have recognized that children with hearing loss constitute a group of individuals who have unique needs, and that families of these children often need support in learning how to meet these needs. This support often takes the form of early intervention services provided within the home environment by specialists from the fields of audiology, deaf education, and speech/language pathology. As a result of the growing need for early intervention specialists, standards have been developed that include minimum educational requirements and specific pre-service proficiencies for service providers. The minimum educational requirements include a master level degree in audiology, speech/language pathology, deaf education, or early childhood education. Required proficiencies of services providers were identified in the areas of: communication and collaborative partnerships; working with families; assessment and interpretation; developing and implementing the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP); management of sensory devices; maximizing auditory potential; facilitating communication development; and facilitating cognitive development. For more info visit our staff section

Credentialing:

Most facilitators have master's degrees in education of the deaf/hard of hearing, speech/language pathology, and/or audiology. Some facilitators have their master's degree in early childhood special education. Occasionally, a facilitator with less pre-service training is hired when a bilingual facilitator is needed. The program offers ongoing in-service training at no expense to the facilitator. Additional technical assistance is provided by the CO-Hear Regional Coordinators, experts in the field, who are located in ten regions of the state.

Affiliation with University Programs:

The intervention program has a close affiliation with the university programs in the state. The University of Colorado - Denver has the pre-service program training specialists in early childhood special education. The University of Northern Colorado has the training program for educators of the deaf. The Community College of Denver - Front Range has the largest interpreter training program in the region and serves as a resource for sign language instructors for the program. The University of Colorado - Boulder has created and maintained a database since the program started, using the F.A.M.I.L.Y. Assessment as the program's primary evaluation tool. In addition, CHIP collaborates with the University of Colorado at Boulder to review the needs of the state regarding home intervention, provide guest lectures to speech pathology and audiology students, and provide practicum opportunities for graduate students.

Funding from Multiple Sources:

Families can access the following funding options: Medicaid; private insurance; the Colorado Child Health Insurance Plan (CHIP+); local Part C dollars; Family Support Network funds through the Community Centered Boards; donations from service organizations (e.g.; Quota Club, Sertoma); and out-of-pocket payment. The CO-Hear Regional Coordinators help the families to secure funding.

On-Going Training of Providers:

The program provides in-service training. The CO-Hear Regional Coordinators are responsible for regional workshops. The program director is responsible for planning at least one statewide conference each year. Technical information is always presented in content areas and program information is presented including coordination with Part C, funding options, and service coordination. These workshops are an opportunity for consultants to provide cross-disciplinary training to facilitators.

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