Hearing Screening Advisory Committee

Mission

The Kansas SoundBeginnings Newborn Hearing Screening/Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (SB/EHDI) Program develops, promotes, and supports systems to ensure all newborns in Kansas receive hearing screenings, family-centered evaluations, and early intervention as appropriate.

Purpose

The purpose of the Advisory Council is to provide direction and guidance to the SB/EHDI Program regarding the newborn hearing screening system. Specific Advisory Committee activities include, but are not limited to, the following:

To discuss and advise on the goals for the SB/EHDI Program.
To advise on the improvement of reporting, tracking, and follow-up protocols to effectively link the SB/EHDI Program and the early intervention systems.
To assist in increasing the Program’s responsiveness to the expanding cultural and linguistic communities in the state.
To guide the long-term planning and evaluation of the SB/EHDI system in the state.
To review the quarterly newborn screening statistics and make recommendations for program improvements.

Membership

The membership of the Advisory Committee shall be culturally and geographically representative of stakeholders with an interest in and concern for newborn hearing screening. The Advisory Committee shall consist of at least 13, but no more than 23, voting members and the SB/EHDI Program Coordinator who is a non-voting member.

Membership includes representatives from the following areas:

Audiology

American Academy of Pediatrics

Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) Community

Early Intervention Services (e.g. teacher, Speech-Language Pathologist) and Early Intervention Coordination

Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist/Otolaryngologists or Otologist

Family Engagement/Support

Hospitals (preferably hearing screening coordinators)

Parents – Hearing and DHH

Pediatrix

Public Health

Special Health Care Needs
Newborn Metabolic Screening
Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Kansas School for the Deaf
Kansas Department of Education

Birthing Hospitals/Midwives

Language Assessment Program 0-3

Each member is requested to serve a term of two years but may continue to serve at their discretion for longer periods, unless their absence at meetings exceeds attendance. Specifically, any member who does not attend at least two meetings per year for two years in a row will be removed from the Advisory Committee. Terms for existing members will begin at the first of the year, or as positions vacate.

The terms of the Chair will be two years. Their terms will begin at the first meeting of the calendar year. Nominations will be made at the summer or fall Advisory Committee meeting and voted on electronically after the meeting before the term begins.

The Chair, or in the absence of the Chair, the Program Coordinator, will be responsible for the following:

Leading the Advisory Committee meetings with the SB/EHDI Program Coordinator.

Approval of meeting agendas and minutes.

Representing (or designating a representative for) the Advisory Committee as appropriate.

Chair may call a meeting of the Advisory Committee at their discretion.

Advisory Committee Vacancies: Vacancies will be filled within six months. Terms will begin when the vacancy is filled. The Program Coordinator will work with the Chair and other Advisory Committee members to identify new members.

Officer Vacancies: If the Chair resigns, the Committee will nominate and vote on a new Chair.

Meetings

The Advisory Committee will meet quarterly as needed. A member who is unable to attend may send a non-voting representative. The Chair may call for emergency/interim meetings at their discretion.

The Advisory Committee will generally make its recommendations by consensus. In the event that consensus cannot be reached within a reasonable timeframe, there will be a majority rule, as in a simple majority of those present or more than 50 percent. However, at least 50 percent of the members must be present.

Hearing Screening Advisory Committee

Mission

Purpose

Membership

Meetings

Charter Changes