Colorado Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (COEHDI)
The Colorado Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (COEHDI) program collaborates with other state agencies and COEHDI partners statewide to support a coordinated system of care for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, aged birth to 36 months, and their families. Priorities include: support for hearing screening, diagnosis/identification, and early intervention efforts to ensure appropriate language, communication, and social development for children with hearing differences.
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Colorado Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (COEHDI)
What is COEHDI?
COEHDI stands for Colorado Early Hearing Detection and Intervention.
This program helps make sure babies and young children in Colorado get their hearing checked early, and that they get the support they need for language, communication, and social development if they have hearing differences.
What are the goals of COEHDI?
COEHDI follows national goals called the “1-3-6 Benchmarks”:
COEHDI also follows Colorado’s expanded “1-3-6-6-9 Benchmarks”:
What are some ways that COEHDI offers support?
Collaborates with other state agencies & COEHDI partners to help children from birth to 3 years of age meet all of the above benchmarks
COEHDI Alliance and Work Groups
The COEHDI Alliance is an advisory committee of EHDI system partners, family members, DHH adults, professionals, and community members who work together to improve services for DHH children. All meetings are open to the public.
In addition to Alliance meetings, COEHDI has several work groups that focus on system priorities. They provide input, advice, and recommendations to the Alliance. Anyone can join a work group — including parents of DHH children, DHH adults, community members, and professionals. These work groups give advice to the COEHDI Alliance.
Anyone is welcome to participate in and contribute to work group or Alliance efforts!
Meet the COEDHI Alliance Members
The Alliance is a stakeholder advisory group that oversees COEHDI’s work. Members review task force recommendations and provide input. The Alliance provides balance and guidance for COEHDI work.
The Alliance includes up to 20 members from groups in the EHDI system such as:
- State agencies
- Family support organizations
- Higher education
- Early Intervention providers
- Part C services (Birth to 3)
- Part B services (Age 3-21)
- Families of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind children
- Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind adults
We offer two free newsletters:
To sign up for either newsletter, please choose from the following buttons:
Get Our COEHDI Newsletters
More Resources
Ascent Program
The Ascent Program is a free program for Colorado families with DHHDB children and youth, ages birth to 21 years of age, to connect with Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind (DHHDB) adults. For families of DHHDB children older than 36 months, please contact our COEHDI Coordinator (coehdi.cddhhdb@state.co.us) to receive expanded Ascent Program support.
Guiding principles
The Ascent Program helps families with young Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind (DHHDB) children connect with adults who are also DHHDB. This is important because most babies and toddlers who are DHHDB are the only ones in their families with that experience.
The program creates a space where DHHDB adults can share their real-life stories and positive outlooks. These may include:
- What it was like growing up DHHDB
- School and learning experiences
- Work and careers
- Communicating with others
- Advocating for themselves
- Finding support and resources
- Building a strong, healthy DHHDB identity
By talking with DHHDB adults, families can learn what’s possible for their children. Many parents have questions that only someone with lived experience can truly answer. While some families may worry about what their children might miss out on, DHHDB adults can offer a hopeful and empowering point of view. They help families bond with their children and support them in facing the future with confidence.
DHHDB adults in the program are trained and knowledgeable about different ways DHHDB children can learn language and communicate. They stay up to date on best practices so they can support families, answer questions, and share helpful information. While they may share their own stories, they also respect that each family will make their own decisions. Their goal is to support each family in a way that fits their unique needs.
What we value
- Access: Families get clear, helpful information and learn from the real-life experiences of DHHDB adults.
- Community: Families build meaningful connections with DHHDB adults who understand their journey.
- Empowerment: Families grow more confident in making decisions that are right for them and their children.
- Inclusivity & Diversity: All families and DHHDB adults are welcomed and respected. Every family’s differences are honored.
- Informed Decision-Making: Families get the tools and support they need to make good decisions for their children.
- Relationships: Families and DHHDB adults learn from one another and build strong connections along the way.
Our mission
We connect Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind adults with families of young DHHDB children. Through these connections, we build relationships, share support, and help each family make informed decisions about their child’s future.
Our vision
DHHDB adults helping families imagine all the possibilities for their children.
DHHDB adults in the Ascent Program
- Ally Bleidt
- Dana Baldiviez
- Lauren Charles Alexander
- Janet Delgado
- Robin Getz
- Stephanie Jean Herring
- Sarah Honigfeld
- Claudia Hopkins
- Ashley McKinney
- Cathy Noble-Hornsby
- Rosane O’Conor
- Kim Parra
- Nadelle Payne
- Sara Robinson
- Megan Thomas
- Leigh Widick
- Heidi Zimmer
Want to become a Mentor? (DHHDB adults only)
Contact the COEHDI Coordinator at coehdi.cddhhdb@state.co.us
Ascent Program – Frequently Asked Questions
- Families who live in Colorado
- Children ages birth to 21 years
- Families with a child who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind
We seek a diverse group of individuals who:
- enjoy working with children and families;
- live in various geographic regions throughout the state;
- honor family values and family decision-making; and
- Are willing to collaborate with a variety of people from diverse backgrounds
Main responsibilities (what you’ll do):
- Visit families at home or meet them at events (in person or online) to share your experiences and support them.
- Work together with the Ascent Program team.
- Help families connect with services and resources in the community.
- Talk with families in ways that work for them—with or without an interpreter.
- Support each family’s personal choices and goals for their child.
- Keep information private and follow all federal and state privacy laws.
- Take part in yearly trainings to continue learning and growing.
What you should know:
- How the Colorado EHDI Program works.
- The rules and procedures of the Ascent Program.
- That every family is unique, with their own values, beliefs, and ways of doing things.
Personal qualities we value:
- Understanding different points of view.
- Being organized and able to plan ahead.
- Enjoying time with children and families.
- Being reliable and on time.
- Being friendly and easy to talk to.
Skills you’ll need:
- Be able to clearly share information so families understand.
- Feel comfortable working with people from different cultures and language backgrounds.
- Write clear reports and emails.
- Be a good team player with families and other professionals.
Requirements:
- Must pass state background checks.
- Must be deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must live in Colorado.