The Office of Specialty Services is focused on ensuring that children with particular conditions are identified at a young age and then have access to appropriate intervention. Children who have a hearing loss, vision loss, deafblindness, children who have complex medical needs or multiple disabilities, or those with Autism Spectrum Disorders are all part of this group. Although these children may not seem to share many traits, they are grouped together because they may need attention from professionals with specialized training to address the particular needs of each of these diagnoses. The office oversees policy development, standards and monitoring of specialty service providers, and provides technical assistance, training and consultation to program staff, families, community collaborators and other state agencies around specialty service issues.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health oversees the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program. More than 99 percent of newborns have their hearing screened before they leave the birthing hospital. Those who do not pass the screening are referred to an approved diagnostic center for additional testing. If a hearing loss is confirmed, families are given a Parent Information Kit that contains information about services, hearing loss, and ways to connect with other parents for information and support.

For more information on the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program, visit its Web site at www.mass.gov/dph/fch/unhsp/parents.htm.

For more information about Specialty Services, contact Tracy Osbahr, Director of Specialty Services, at (413) 586-7525, or email tracy.osbahr@state.ma.us.

A series of brochures has been developed by the Specialty Services Committee of the Interagency Coordinating Council to help alert parents and education providers to the early signs suggestive of specialty service conditions.