Transcript Slide 1

Assistive Technology and
Early Intervention in
Colorado
Brian Burne, MSM, OTR
Maureen Melonis, MSN, CCC-SLP
Assistive Technology Partners
• Established in 1989 under NIDRR
• Part of the Department of Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine,
University of Colorado Denver
• Encompasses programs in four major areas:
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Clinical Services
Outreach
Research and Engineering
Education
What is assistive
technology and why
is it important for
infants and
toddlers?
Assistive Technology
is any item that helps
increase the
independence and
functioning of a child.
Types of Allowable EI Services
Under IDEA
• Assistive Technology
• Audiology
• Developmental
intervention
• Health services
• Nutrition
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Psychological services
• Respite care
• Service Coordination
• Social emotional
intervention
• Speech-Language
Pathology
• Transportation
• Vision services
Early Intervention Initiative
in Colorado
• Began in 2004/CDE; 10 providers
• Transitioned to EI Colorado in 2007
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30 AT consultants
Loan bank of $15,000
Technical support
Training
• Hope for the future…
That hope for the
future is being
realized with the
expansion of the
project through
ARRA funds.
Project Objectives
• Increase the number of IFSP’s which document AT
applications from the current count of 4% to 8% by
June of 2011.
• Increase the number of AT Consultants across the
state from 23 to as many as 50-60.
• Expand the knowledge base of service coordinators
and EI providers throughout the state.
• Raise public and professional awareness throughout
the state of AT in EI.
• Expand the Loan Bank.
• Expand resources.
What steps are we
taking to reach
those objectives?
Branding and Marketing of the
Early Intervention Program
Three Tiers of
Professional Training
• Tier One: Web-based training tool for service
coordinators and providers that provides an overview
of AT in EI (also preliminary training for new AT
Consultants).
• Tier Two: Two-day hands-on training for new AT
Consultants that expands on the web training.
• Tier Three: Customized training delivered via web
conferencing for regional subsets of AT Consultants.
Distribution of Marketing Flyers
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Doctor’s offices
EPSDT clinics
Health clinics
Health Care
Program for
Children
• Child Find
• Children’s Hospital
Tech for Tykes
Web Site Development
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Videos and case stories
Technical assistance brief
Parent Guide
Downloadable and printable resource sheets
Promotional flyers
Networking resources
Evidence based practice
Professional development calendar
Technical Assistance
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Teleconferences
Social networking
1-800 access
E-mail
Pilot Project
Six month collaboration with two local
CCB’s to analyze awareness, knowledge and
use of AT services and devices.
•Pre-survey of staff
•Review of records
•Consultation and conferencing
•Staff education
•Post-survey
We look forward to
a bright future and
our partnership with
Early Intervention
Colorado!
For more information…
Brian Burne – [email protected]
Maureen Melonis – [email protected]
Assistive Technology Partners
303-315-1280
www.assistivetechnologypartners.org
www.TechForTykes.org