ADHS Sensory Screening Program

Posted Date: 05/07/2023

ASA Members, Please see the message below from the AZ Dept. of Heath Services regarding free training and certification for hearing screenings for school staff.  You can also click HERE for the informational flyer.   May 2, 2023 Dear School Administrators and Representatives, On February 10, 2023, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) announced changes to the administration of the Sensory Screening Program regarding Hearing and Vision Screener Training. Through a competitive procurement process, the Arizona Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics (AzAAP) was awarded the Statewide Sensory Screening Training contract and will now administer the Arizona Hearing and Vision Screening Training on behalf of the ADHS. The ADHS Sensory Screening Program and AzAAP are dedicated to increasing the capacity of schools and school district staff to complete hearing screenings for enrolled students in alignment with the ARS§36-899; reducing the burdens and costs previously associated with hearing screening training; and guaranteeing an equitable experience and access for all communities. Therefore, we are inviting you to identify a staff member(s) within your school/district who may be interested in receiving training to become a certified ADHS Hearing Screening Trainer. These training sessions and certifications will be at no cost to schools or participants.  By designating an eligible staff member, your school/district will receive: access to FREE Hearing Screening Trainer Certification; flexibility to train and certify screeners as needed to meet the needs of your community; and ongoing assistance and support from program staff.  The designated staff member will: attend a FREE training to become a Certified Hearing Screening Trainer; agree to coordinate and provide free hearing screening training within your school/district as part of their existing staff responsibilities (training outside of their program is not required); submit training rosters to the program according to the Hearing Screening Rules. The designated staff member must meet both the education and experience criteria in only one of the categories below. It is anticipated that most schools/districts will have a staff representative who meets criteria in category number 1 or 2.    Education   Experience 1. Is currently licensed in this state as an audiologist according to A.R.S. Title 36, Chapter 17 and Has completed at least 25 hearing screenings within the previous 12 months from the date of request 2. Is currently a screener who has maintained a hearing screener certificate of completion for the previous five years and Has completed 3,000 hearing screenings within the previous five years from the date of request 3. Has completed at least 30 semester credits at an accredited college or university related to audiology and speech-language pathology and Has completed at least 100 hearing screenings within the previous 12 months from the date of request 4. Has completed at least two years of employment in a position directly related to and providing assistance in the practice of audiology and speech-language pathology and Has completed at least 100 hearing screenings within the previous 12 months from the date of request   We ask that the designated staff member(s) submit the interest form by May 31, 2023.  The form can be completed online at:https://forms.gle/wfYMotacuwidB4g38.  Virtual training opportunities will be scheduled based on demand.  Thank you for your patience and support as we have worked to restructure the sensory screening training processes.   Sincerely, Morgan Scadden, M.Ed. Sensory Screening Program Manager Phone: 623-715-5142 Sensory Screening Program Arizona Department of Health Services 150 N. 18th Avenue, Suite 310, Phoenix, AZ 85007 Email: sensoryprogram@azdhs.gov  Cell: (602) 364-2446 Office Hours: 10 AM to 1 PM Health and Wellness for all Arizonans