Call us : 720-457-3679
Email us : office.cddhhdb@state.co.us
Call us : 720-457-3679
Email us : office.cddhhdb@state.co.us
The Colorado Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (COEHDI) program collaborates with other state agencies and EHDI 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.
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.
COEHDI follows national goals called the "1-3-6 Benchmarks":
COEHDI also follows Colorado's expanded "1-3-6-6-9 Benchmarks":
The Ascent Program helps meet the last two goals by:
These connections give families support, encouragement, and real-life experience as they raise their child.
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 posted on our calendar and 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 membersWe offer two free newsletters:
To sign up for either newsletter, please choose from the following buttons:
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 Community Relations team (outreach.cddhhdb@state.co.us) to receive expanded Ascent Program support.
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 family with that experience.
The program creates a space where DHHDB adults can share their real-life stories and positive outlooks. These may include:
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 child might miss out on, DHHDB adults can offer a hopeful and empowering point of view. They help families bond with their child and support them in seeing 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.
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 families make informed decisions about their child's future.
DHHDB adults helping families imagine all the possibilities for their children.
The Ascent Program helps families with young children who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind (DHHDB) connect with DHHDB adults. Most babies and toddlers who are DHHDB are the only DHHDB person in their family. This program gives families a chance to meet DHHDB adults and learn from their real-life experiences. These might include:
DHHDB adults can help families see what's possible for their child's future. Parents often have questions that DHHDB adults can answer best, based on their own lived experience. While it's natural for some families to worry about what their child might miss out on, DHHDB adults help shift the focus to what their child can do. They offer encouragement and support, helping parents build strong bonds with their DHHDB child.
All DHHDB adults in the program are trained and stay up-to-date on communication options, language development, and family support. They share their own experiences—but always respect each family's unique decisions.
We seek:
We're here to help. Reach out to our team for support, information, or to get connected with resources.