Section 9Sec./Art. 9

Lead Agency. - The DOH shall be the lead agency in implementing the provisions of this Act. For this purpose, the DOH shall perform the following functions:

(a)Coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the department of Education, the local government units, and the private sector including other recognized medical associations and professional-based organizations with respect to early hearing detection, diagnosis and treatment/intervention for policy development and proper implementation of the provisions of this Act;

(b)Coordinate with the NIH Newborn Hearing Screening Reference Center for the certification of Newborn Hearing Screening Centers and the preparation of defined testing protocols and quality assurance programs;

(c)Coordinate with consumer groups serving individuals who are dead and hard-of-hearing; person who are deaf and hard-of-hearing and their families; qualified professional personnel who are proficient in deaf or hard-of-hearing children's language and who possess the specialized knowledge, skills and attributes needed to serve deaf and hard-of-hearing infants, toddlers, children and their families; other health and education professionals and organizations; third party payers and managed care organizations; and related commercial industries;

(d)Monitor the extent to which hearing loss screening and audiologic diagnostic evaluation are conducted in health institutions, and assist in the development of universal newborn hearing loss screening programs for hospitals and non-hospital sites; and

(e)Develop a program for the rehabilitation of deaf children through available intervention services, therapies, and such other services necessary for a patient diagnosed with hearing disorders.