Training Needs of Early Intervention Personnel Working with Infants and Toddlers Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

With the advent of newborn hearing screenings, infants with hearing loss are identified earlier than ever before. Each state is responsible for providing trained personnel and delivery of early intervention services to families with newly identified infants and toddlers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Consequently, the role of each state's Part C system is critical in attaining positive outcomes for children and families. States' Part C questionnaire responses (n=36) were examined in this study to identify the training needs of professionals serving families who have newly identified infants with hearing loss. Questionnaire findings identified global areas of training needs across disciplines involved in early intervention service delivery. Pre-service training programs are challenged to address the identified training needs.