The goal of Georgia’s Universal Newborn and Hearing Screening and Intervention (GUNHSI) initiative is to enable children with hearing impairment to acquire communication skills that optimize their educational and social development by early identification through newborn screening (by age one-month), audiological assessment (by age three-months), intervention (by age six-months), and on-going therapy and support services (as appropriate and requested by family). Objectives for 2000-2001 have focused on the establishment of a state infrastructure; development of a local hospital/public health UNHS framework (equipment availability, hospital/health department site protocols, and community linkage plans); implementation of in-hospital screening, referral, clinical evaluation and diagnosis, intervention, and support linkages; and policy directions that further objectives (system evaluation, legislation/regulations, and financing).
GUNHSI has three operational components: statewide activities and management, field implementation, and data/evaluation. The State Advisory Council for Newborn Hearing Screening (SACNHS) provides a key point of accountability for UNHS activities through its legislative mandate. These include protocols for screening, follow-up, and intervention; development of a family resource guide; establishment of training guidelines; initial statewide training and technical assistance; creation of a state data system; development of public and health provider awareness campaigns; and a web page with information and linkages. Screening is targeted for all infants born in the 95 hospitals with ³100 births a year. At the local level, the public health Children 1st referral, linkage and tracking system is the backbone for linkage activities while Babies Can't Wait (Part C, IDEA) and Children's Medical Services (CSHCN, Title V) provide resources for intervention.
See health.state.ga.us/programs/unhsLearning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
Keywords: Infant Health, Neonatal Screening
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.