Special Education Services: A Manual of Policies, Procedures and Guidelines

H.2.2 Cochlear Implantation Support

Cochlear implants are now accepted as an effective prosthesis for students with severe to profound hearing loss. As a result of increased funding to the two implant centres in the province ( St. Paul's Hospital and B.C. Children's Hospital) the total number of school aged children with cochlear implants in British Columbia has changed significantly and so have the demographics and needs of this population. At this time, providing appropriate support for these low incidence students is a challenge for families and for schools/districts, especially those in more remote areas of the province. The Provincial Outreach Program – Cochlear Implants (POP-CI) is available to provide services to B.C. school districts, group 1 and 2 independent schools and families with children who are recipients or candidates for a cochlear implant.

Mandate
The mandate of POP-CI is to provide consultation to school districts, group 1 and 2 Independent Schools, and where necessary support families in the provision of effective education and oral habilitation programs for students with cochlear implants. The goal for the program is to identify and/or develop capacity to meet the students' needs within their communities and to assist students to maximize the effectiveness of their cochlear implants.

Services Provided
POP-CI staff members have expertise in audiology, speech and language pathology, and education of the deaf and hard of hearing and are available to consult throughout the province. A provincial resource network of speech and language pathologists and hearing resource teachers has been established to address local needs related to assessment and development of the students' auditory and oral language skills. A list-serve and other telecommunication means are used to keep these professionals connected and informed.

Access to Services
A principal, a school/district administrator, an implant centre, a parent or the student if over the age of 18 can initiate request for support from POP-CI. Requests for support should be directed to:

Director of Provincial Programs
School District No. 47 ( Powell River)
Direct phone: 604-439-0542

For individuals registered at independent schools or public schools outside of School District No. 47, permission to share information must be obtained from a parent/legal guardian, or the student if over the age of 18 before services can be provided. All information collected by School District No. 47 ( Powell River) in the process of providing service to students with cochlear implants is subject to school district policy on student records and legislative provisions in effect.

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