A comprehensive needs assessment can be instrumental in establishing a baseline regarding what is already being done in your state in the areas of hospital based screening, audiologic diagnostic services for pediatric assessment and amplification fittings, and intervention services for infants who are diagnosed with hearing loss. Albeit time consuming, a Needs Assessment provides essential information that will help build the state plan and system. It also provides you with a directory of hospital personnel and audiologists in your state. The first organizational need is funding. States have tackled funding issues in many different ways.
Legislation can also assist with sustaining programs.
However, legislation by itself does not insure success. Conducting a needs assessment, establishing an advisory board and developing a state plan are still essential steps. Several states have used Part H funds and grant monies to purchase equipment as a motivation for hospitals to implement Universal Newborn Hearing Screening. Although this strategy has been successful it has not guaranteed a comprehensive system of care ranging from screening through intervention. Again, needs assessments, advisory boards and state plans are essential steps.