- Statewide Outreach Center at Texas School for the Deaf
- Intervention Care
512-462-5447Intervention Care
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The Statewide Outreach Center’s (SOC) Birth to 3 Intervention Care Coordination at Texas School for the Deaf is an established point of entry for babies, infants, or toddlers who are deaf and hard of hearing into Texas Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (TEHDI). Collaboratively, SOC and TEHDI aim to reduce loss to follow-up and loss to documentation for children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
The SOC Intervention Care Coordination team provides resources and referrals for deaf and hard of hearing children, from birth to 3 years old. A Care Coordinator, along with the Family Services Project Manager, and Family Support Advocates make up the Intervention Care Coordination Team. The team provides a supportive process for families with newborns, infants, and toddlers who are deaf or hard of hearing as they navigate early intervention in the following areas:
- Newborn hearing screening
- Early intervention services
- Educational options
- Available resources and programs
SOC resources, combined with state and local resources, allow families to choose from a wide array of support and intervention options to best fit their child’s needs. Working with statewide Early Childhood Intervention Services, the supportive process continues with follow-up contacts and referrals.
Intervention Care Coordination FAQs
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How did the Statewide Outreach Center at the Texas School for the Deaf become involved in Care Coordination for deaf and hard of hearing infants in Texas?
Texas House Bill 2255, passed in September 2019, outlines information sharing and referral processes relating to follow up hearing screening of newborns and infants (Health and Safety §47.0031). With parental consent, the Department of State Health Services/Texas Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (DSHS/TEHDI) provides access to information about infants who do not pass their outpatient screening to early childhood intervention providers and the Statewide Outreach Center at Texas School for the Deaf (SOC).
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Why are TEHDI and SOC partnering?
In 2019, the CDC annual EHDI report showed that Texas was ranked 48th in their loss-to-follow up (LTF) and loss-to-documentation (LTD) after an infant’s initial hearing screening. TEHDI recognized that while there are multiple factors that led to this ranking, there are interagency opportunities to close the gap and ensure families receive appropriate services. TEHDI selected SOC, being the trusted resource for deaf education, to partner in reducing the LTF/LTD.
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What does SOC do with a referral?
SOC connects families to agencies and partners such as local Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) programs, Regional Day School Programs for the Deaf (RDSPDs), and other providers working with children who are deaf or hard of hearing. SOC shares resources about language and education opportunities while honoring family choice.
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What can professionals do to help a family with a deaf or hard of hearing child?
Children who are deaf or hard of hearing without access to language are at risk for language delay. Research indicates early language acquisition is critical for the overall development of a child. Early intervention helps families learn how to best support their child’s linguistic needs and make well-informed decisions.
When you encounter a child between the ages of birth to three who is deaf or hard of hearing, please make sure to enter their information into the TEHDI Management Information System (MIS).
If you encounter a child over the age of three who has been tested and identified as deaf or hard of hearing, please share SOC’s information. This allows a family to quickly connect with the necessary support and resources for their unique journey.
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Why is a Family Support Advocate contacting me?
SOC has specially trained Family Support Advocates (FSAs) that call families to ensure successful completion of the screening processes and follow up support. Our FSAs are all parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. FSAs review hearing screening results and reach out to families in supporting them to their next steps.
How did the FSAs get my contact information?
Parents give consent at birth. For more information, visit TEHDI.
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What can parents do to help their child after being contacted by a Family Support Advocate?
Please call or text your FSA to go over your next steps. Our FSAs reach out to offer unique support, resources and information about your baby's screening progress. Our FSAs are a wealth of knowledge and truly passionate about helping families with next steps.
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What do I do if my baby missed a hearing screening due to COVID-19?
Contact your pediatrician or birth hospital to schedule a screening.
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Why would the Intervention Care Coordinator call a family?
Once a child has been identified as deaf or hard of hearing through the TEHDI Management Information System, our Care Coordinator is able to connect with the family to answer questions and provide recommendations to local and state connections/resources.
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After learning my child is deaf or hard of hearing, what do I do next as a parent?
If you’re reading this, you’ve come to the right place!
There are wonderful resources for support throughout the SOC website.
Our Care Coordinator is equipped to give individuals local and state resources. If you have not connected with our Care Coordinator, please text or call (737) 781-9081.
