Data Sharing Partnerships Improve Systems

Federal Requirements

IDEA requires that the state child find system is coordinated with specific agencies including the EHDI programs. The primary referral sources must refer a child to the Part C program as soon as possible but not later than seven days after the child has been identified. Screening, evaluation and assessment, and the initial IFSP meeting must be completed within 45 days.

EHDI programs were designed to assure that all deaf or hard of hearing children born in the United States and U.S. territories receive the services they need to prevent developmental delay as early in life as possible.

EHDI programs work to accomplish this objective by promoting hearing screening in the first month of life, diagnosis and hearing loss identification no later than three months of age, and entry into Early Intervention (EI) no later than six months of age.

The Bridge Between EHDI and IDEA

The effectiveness of early identification of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) rests in what happens after the initial identification has been completed. The EHDI system focuses on early identification and then bridges to the early intervention system that is supported by law:

"Congress finds that there is an urgent and substantial need— to enhance the development of infants and toddlers with disabilities, to minimize their potential for developmental delay, and to recognize the significant brain development that occurs during a child's first 3 years of life."

The link between these two systems is the shared recognition of the child as a unique individual whose strengths and needs must be clearly and accurately identified and whose family is empowered to express their questions, concerns, knowledge, hopes, and dreams that ultimately inform decisions made by the family.

The use of quality EHDI, early intervention and education data enables policymakers, administrators, educators, service providers and parents to design and implement effective practices to improve child and family outcomes.

See also: DaSy Data Culture Toolkit

EHDI programs were designed to assure that all DHH children born in the United States and its territories receive the services they need to prevent developmental delay as early in life as possible. IDEA Part C also assures that all eligible children receive services.

Data Sharing Resources

Centers

Documents

Position Statements from the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing

• Year 2019 Position Statement: Principles and Guidelines for Early Hearing and Detection and Intervention Programs Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention, 4(2), 1-44. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15142/fptk-b748

EHDI Guidance Manual

Chapter 1 of this CDC guidance manual can help you to:

• Understand the purpose of having a complete EHDI Information System (EHDI-IS);
• Define what a basic and complete EHDI-IS looks like with regard to its data and functional requirements;
• Understand the importance of the link between planning and evaluation;
• Think about the role of program stakeholders; and
• Consider the critical elements important to your system's sustainability.

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/guidancemanual/chapter1.html