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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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Service Coordination:

Since the implementation of newborn hearing screening, CHIP has become increasingly dependent on audiologists to refer children for intervention services. Audiologists refer children who are identified with a hearing loss through an auditory brainstem response (ABR) to the Colorado Hearing Resource (CO-Hear) Regional Coordinator. The CO-Hear Regional Coordinator then contacts three different parties. First, the family is contacted so that the coordinator can explain communication and program options, identify potential funding sources, and provide general consultation regarding hearing loss. In addition, the CO-Hear Regional Coordinator contacts local agencies such as Early Childhood Connections, community center boards, the local health department, and Child Find in order to secure funding and ensure coordination of all necessary services for the child. Finally, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is contacted so that it can enter the child in its database. 

Technical Assistance from CO-Hear Regional Coordinators:

The CO-Hear Regional Coordinators serve as a liaison between the Colorado Home Intervention Program and the communities in which children with a hearing loss live. In this capacity, the coordinators provide technical advice, community resource information, care coordination activities, and training to the HCP Regional Office staff, providers, families and other community agencies. Coordinators also participate in a variety of specific projects aimed at improving services to families with children who are deaf and hard of hearing, such as Family Connections; the Deaf Blind Grant; F.A.M.I.L.Y. Assessment; Pre-CIPP; the Sign Language Instruction Program; Children of Deaf Adults (CODA); Kids of Deaf Adults (KODA); the CHIP Parent Advisory Survey; and the Colorado Home Intervention Research Project (CHIRP). After children are referred to CHIP, CO-Hear Regional Coordinators assist families in obtaining financial assistance for intervention services by analyzing the families' financial resources and locating any additional funding resources within the community. Coordinators then organize services for families by locating a parent facilitator, possible sign language instruction, curricular materials, community supports, and other requested services.

In addition to providing support to families, CO-Hear Regional Coordinators provide information and assistance to other professionals. They provide facilitators with the necessary paperwork and procedures for interacting with various funding sources. They organize local workshops for the professional development of CHIP family facilitators. Coordinators share their expertise regarding family-centered intervention with facilitators, local agencies, and families. In addition, they coordinate with the Health Department's Audiology Regional Coordinators to provide technical assistance on early intervention issues, as well as review current literature about Part C of IDEA and family-centered intervention.

An integral part of the CO-Hear Regional Coordinator's job is to expand the knowledge about services for infants and toddlers who are deaf or hard of hearing in the community and participate in outreach activities and interagency teams. These activities include participating with local Interagency Coordinating Councils (ICC) and maintaining relationships with local programs including Child Find; local school districts; BOCES; community center boards (CCB); Part C; and service organizations. Coordinators also participate in public relations activities, attend conferences, and inform the community about issues surrounding hearing loss, family-centered intervention, and parent choice. Finally, CO-Hear Regional Coordinators ensure that intervention services remain family-centered and comply with current state and federal legislation such as Part C and IDEA.

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