Alaska ECHO Projects

 

"Moving Knowledge, Not People"

Facebook Alaska ECHO

 

These virtual learning communities provide educators, service providers, case managers, administrators, families, and others access to expert advice from professionals throughout the state and country, building capacity in home communities to implement best practices and improve outcomes. 

Hub and spoke knowledge-sharing networks create a learning loop:

Community participants learn from specialistsCommunity participants learn from each otherSpecialists learn from community participants as best practices emerge 

ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) uses videoconferencing technology to connect a team of interdisciplinary experts with primary care providers, other health services professionals, and community members. The discussions with, and mentoring from, specialists help equip participants to support individuals and their families with health and disabilities related needs in their home communities.

  

What do I need to do to get started?

  1. Go to the Join an ECHO tab to register for the clinic you want to attend (required prior to attendance)
  2. High-speed internet access
  3. A front-facing camera on smartphone, tablet, or computer (laptop or desktop)
  4. Access to Zoom web conference software (more information below)
  5. Access to Box.com folders where resources and cases are stored
  • Zoom (click to expand)

    Using Zoom for ECHO Sessions

    You can test your connection to Zoom prior to the scheduled time by visiting http://zoom.us/test

    1.  Once on the Zoom test page, click on the blue Join button to launch Zoom. Screenshot of Zoom "Join" button
    2. If you do not already have Zoom installed on your computer, follow the prompts to download and run Zoom. Click on the download file if it does not open automatically and follow the computer prompts to install.
    3. Once Zoom is installed, it will open the Zoom window. Screenshot of Zoom audio buttons
    4. You will then have the option to Join the Audio Conference by the Computer or to view the details to dial in by phone. If this is your first time joining a Zoom meeting, we recommend choosing the option Test your Computer Mic & Speaker. Screenshot of Zoom test audio
    5. Click Test Speaker and confirm that you can hear the tone. If it does not play, you may need to adjust the volume or choose a different speaker from the drop down menu.Screenshot of Zoom test speaker button
    6. Click Test Mic and speak into your microphone. Click the button Recording when you are done speaking and it will play your microphone test back to you. If you cannot hear your microphone recording, you can select another microphone from the drop down menu, or adjust the input level. Screenshot of Zoom test mic button
    7. Once you've confirm that your microphone and speakers are working properly, you can close out of the audio settings window. To continue using computer audio, now choose Join Audio Conference by Computer. You can also check the option Automatically join audio by computer when joining a meeting if you want Zoom to automatically connect to computer audio each time you join a Zoom meeting.
       Screenshot of Zoom Join audio button
     

    Zoom Desktop Systems

    Zoom conferencing from a desktop/laptop is good for 1-2 people to participate.

    • When video conferencing over a wireless connection, be aware of bandwidth usage and your system limitations. It is preferred that you connect virtually over a hard-wired connection for best connectivity.
    • Check to make sure that you have a microphone/speaker and camera when utilizing the desktop system. If you do not have a microphone/speaker, dial in by telephone for audio as directed in the clinic connection email.
    • Can’t see or hear participants? Check your system settings to make sure that you have a microphone/speaker and camera selected, and that you are not muted.
    • Click here for more information about Zoom desktop.

    Zoom Room Systems

    • Zoom conferencing from a room system is preferred for larger groups of participants.
    • Arrive a bit early and make sure that the camera pre-sets are set to where your multiple participants will be seated.
    • Ensure the microphone/speaker are operational. If you do not have a microphone/ speaker, dial in by telephone for audio as directed in the clinic connection email.
    • If you cannot hear audio please check the television monitor volume and then the volume control on the room system (they are separate).
    • If the far site cannot hear your audio, make sure the microphone is not muted (red light is off).
  • Box (click to expand)

    We use Box.com as a secured file sharing platform to access forms, share didactic and resource information, and load case presentations/recommendations. 

    You will only be able to access this link as a shared user after you have registered for the ECHO clinic(s).  

    Click here for Box.

Need More Help?

Contact Meghan Clark, Program Director, at echo@alaskachd.org or 907-264-6242.

 

Register here for COVID-19 Science ECHO

*Webinar seats are limited
 
 
https://www.facebook.com/alaskachd/live_videos/

Join on Facebook Live

COVID-19 Science ECHO
Every Wednesday from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
  

Intended for the general public to interface with our Public Health Leadership Team to explore the science of the COVID-19 virus and current best practices. Under the direction of Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink and the Public Health leadership team, CHD Project ECHO is developing multiple distinct ECHOs in response to the current health crisis.

 Experts include:
  • Anne Zink, MD, Alaska Chief Medical Officer
  • Joe McLaughlin, MD, Chief Epidemiologist
  • Anna Frick, MPH, CIC
  • Coleman Cutchins, PharmD
  • Louisa Castrodale, DVM, MPH

Ask our experts a question in the COVID-19 Science Questions Form.  

 

Register for more Public Health ECHOs

ECHO Projects

     
  • Behavioral Interventions for Early Childhood (BIEC) (click to expand)

    The Behavioral Interventions for Early Childhood (BIEC) ECHO is a virtual learning network for professionals supporting children from birth through seven years of age whom experience challenging behaviors and need additional behavioral supports. ECHO clinics include didactic and case-based learning where complex situations are discussed with real-time advice from a multidisciplinary team of specialists.

    Current session series...

    Every 2 weeks on Tuesdays, from 11:45am - 12:45pm

      

     To join the clinic, register for the BIEC ECHO

    How will the Behavioral Interventions for Early Childhood ECHO help me?

    Regular, convenient access to UAA CHD affiliated facilitators will help participants increase knowledge about:

    • Access to information on developmental milestones in early childhood
    • National and State resources
    • Behavioral interventions to reduce disruptive behavior
  • Brain Injury ECHOs (click to expand)
    • Brain Injury ECHO for Individuals and Family Members

      The Brain Injury ECHO, open to individuals with brain injury and family members/caregivers, is a free virtual learning environment where a panel of advocates and providers share their knowledge through presentations and Q&A sessions. Attendees will have real-time access to a rotating interdisciplinary hub team which includes individuals with a brain injury, family members, a Licensed Professional Counselor who is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist, a Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Long Term Care Ombudsman, and a Case Manager. The first half hour of each session includes a presentation on brain injury topics (e.g. daily living tips, assistive technology) followed by questions. The remaining hour is for discussing key questions. Key questions are submitted and often presented by participants, then both participants and the hub team have the opportunity to participate in the discussion and offer suggestions. 

      Upcoming sessions coming soon...

        To join the clinic: Link coming soon! 

      How will the Brain Injury ECHO for individuals and family members help me?

      Regular, convenient access to experts and individuals with lived experience will help attendees increase knowledge in multiple areas, including:

      • Common concerns and tips, such as coping with cognitive fatigue
      • Understanding the emotional impact of brain injury and rebuilding a sense of self
      • Interpersonal relationships and brain injury
      • The continuum of brain injury severity and rehabilitation expectations
      • The experiences of individuals and family members
    • Head Injury for Medical Providers

      The Alaska Head Injury ECHO is a virtual learning network for medical providers to learn best practice care through real-time access to Head Injury experts, including a board certified brain injury specialist, physical therapist, speech-language pathologist, and peer advocate. ECHO clinics include didactic and case-based learning; discuss complex Head Injury cases in your practice for real-time advice from experts. 

      Current session series...

      Feb 24, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm
      Mar 10, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm
      Mar 24, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm
      Apr 14, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm
      Apr 28, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm
      May 12, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm
      May 26, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm

       To join the clinic, register for the Head Injury ECHO
      Regular, convenient access to UAA CHD affiliated experts will help providers increase knowledge about:
      • Evidence-based practices for screening, treatment, and medication management of Head Injury
      • Common medical symptoms and behavioral health concerns in patients with Head Injury
      • Successful therapies for rehabilitation
       

      Why should Head Injury ECHO matter to you?

      • Alaska has one of the highest rates of brain injury in the country
      • There is limited capacity in Alaska to provide specialty care for brain injury
      • The majority of injuries are mild and individuals often end up seeking treatment in a primary care office
      • 70% of Alaskans with a Head Injury severe enough to require hospitalization are discharged home with no assistance
  • Family ECHO: Challenging Behaviors (click to expand)

    The Family ECHO: Challenging Behaviors is a virtual learning network for family members and those supporting individuals with disabilities who also need higher support and care levels for challenging behaviors. Learn from field experts including other family members, social workers, behavior analysts, and parent navigators. ECHO clinics include didactic and case-based learning where you can discuss complex situations for real-time advice from experts. 

    Current session series

    Wednesdays, 11:00am - 12:30pm 

    To join the clinic, register for Family ECHO.

    Submit a case presentation here.

    How will the Family ECHO help me?

    Regular, convenient access to field experts will help participants increase knowledge about:

    • Evidence-based practices for screening, diagnosis and treatment
    • Common systems navigation and support concerns to address
  • Mental Health & Development Disabilities (MHDD) (click to expand)

    Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities ECHO offers a virtual network of real-time access to experienced experts in the field of mental health for people with developmental disabilities. Through the use of a hub and spoke model, MHDD ECHO gives participants the opportunity to take an active role in rich dialogue with the hub team and with their fellow spokes in an interdisciplinary teaching and learning environment. Each session includes a brief lecture, deidentified case presentation, and open discussion facilitated by an interdisciplinary team. The MHDD ECHO Hub Team includes a psychologist, a clinician, an applied behavior analyst, a parent, and self-advocate guests with personal experience. 

    Current session series...

    Every other Thursday (Jan 21st - April 29th), from 10:00am -11:30am 

    To join the clinic, register for MHDD ECHO.

    How will the Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities ECHO help me?

    Regular, convenient access to field experts will help participants increase knowledge about:

    • Prevalence of co-occurring mental health issues among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
    • Evidence-based practices for testing, assessment, and treatment
    • Strategies for mental health professionals
    • The experience of individuals and families in this field
  • Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (click to expand)

    Neurodevelopmental Disabilities ECHO is a virtual learning network of providers offering real-time access to developmental and behavioral experts. Neurodevelopmental Disabilities ECHO takes the principles of ECHO and adds the components of interdisciplinary expertise, including the integration of parent expertise. Our interdisciplinary team includes a developmental pediatrician, child neuropsychologist, advanced nurse practitioner, licensed clinical social worker,  and a parent advocate.

    Upcoming session series...

    ND for Clinical Providers - Interdisciplinary

    Dec 3, 2020 12:00pm - 1:30pm
    Jan 21, 2021 12:00pm - 1:30pm
    Feb 18, 2021 12:00pm - 1:30pm
    Mar 25, 2021 12:00pm - 1:30pm
    Apr 22, 2021 12:00pm - 1:30pm
    May 20, 2021 12:00pm - 1:30pm

    To join the Neurodevelopmental Disabilities clinic for Clinical Providers register here. 

    ND for Medical Providers - Diagnosticians

    Jan 7, 2021 12:00pm - 1:30pm
    Feb 4, 2021 12:00pm - 1:30pm
    Mar 4, 2021 12:00pm - 1:30pm
    Apr 8, 2021 12:00pm - 1:30pm
    May 6, 2021 12:00pm - 1:30pm

    To join the Neurodevelopmental Disabilities clinic for Medical Providers register here. 

    How will the Neurodevelopmental Disabilities ECHO help me?

    Regular, convenient access to UAA CHD affiliated experts will help participants increase knowledge about:

    • Evidence-based practices for screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism and related neurodevelopmental disabilities
    • Common medical and psychiatric concerns in children with autism
    • Successful office visits for children with autism and other behavioral concerns
    • Care for your patients in your own practice with the support of recognized autism experts
     

    Why should Neurodevelopmental Disabilities ECHO matter to you?

    • 1 in 68 children have autism
    • 50-80% of individuals with autism have trouble with sleep
    • More than 50% have co-occurring anxiety or ADHD
    • Parents need medical support in their home communities
    • You can make huge difference for families in your community! 
  • Opioid ECHOs (click to expand)
    • Pain & Opioid Management ECHO
      Pain & Opioid Management ECHO offers a virtual network for medical providers to learn best practice care through real-time access to experienced specialists including an addiction medicine physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, family medicine physician, and anesthesiologist. Through the use of a hub and spoke model, ECHO gives participants the opportunity to take an active role in rich dialogue with the hub team and with their fellow spokes in an interdisciplinary teaching and learning environment. Each session includes a brief lecture, deidentified case presentation for participants to receive feedback on complex cases, and open discussion facilitated by an interdisciplinary team. CMEs are available to participants at no cost. 

      Current session series...

      October 19, 2020 from 12:15pm – 1:15pmNovember 2, 2020 from 12:15pm – 1:15pmNovember 16, 2020 from 12:15pm – 1:15pmDecember 7, 2020 from 12:15pm – 1:15pmDecember 21, 2020 from 12:15pm – 1:15pmJanuary 4, 2021 from 12:15pm – 1:15pmJanuary 18, 2021 from 12:15pm – 1:15pmFebruary 1, 2021 from 12:15pm – 1:15pmFebruary 15, 2021 from 12:15pm – 1:15pmMarch 1, 2021 from 12:15pm – 1:15pmMarch 15, 2021 from 12:15pm – 1:15pmApril 5, 2021 from 12:15pm – 1:15pmApril 19, 2021 from 12:15pm – 1:15pmMay 3, 2021 from 12:15pm – 1:15pm To join, register for the Pain & Opioid Management ECHO. 

      How will the Pain & Opioid Management ECHO help me?

      Regular, convenient access to field experts will help participants increase knowledge about:

      • Evidence-based practices for screening, diagnosis, and treatment
      • Common medical and psychiatric concerns to address
      • Care for your patients in your own practice with the support of recognized field experts
    • Co-Occurring Behavioral Health, Opioid and Stimulant Use Disorders ECHO

      The Co-Occurring Behavioral Health, Opioid and Stimulant Use Disorders ECHO offers a virtual network for behavioral health providers to learn best practice care through real-time access to experienced specialists including addiction medicine physicians, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and a psychiatric rehabilitation practitioner. Through the use of a hub and spoke model, ECHO gives participants the opportunity to take an active role in rich dialogue with the hub team and with their fellow spokes in an interdisciplinary teaching and learning environment. Each session includes a brief lecture, deidentified case presentation for participants to receive feedback on complex cases, and open discussion facilitated by an interdisciplinary team. 

      Current session series... 

      November 4, 2020 from 12:00pm – 1:00pmNovember 18, 2020 from 12:00pm – 1:00pmDecember 2, 2020 from 12:00pm – 1:00pmDecember 16, 2020 from 12:00pm – 1:00pmJanuary 6, 2021 from 12:00pm – 1:00pmJanuary 20, 2021 from 12:00pm – 1:00pmFebruary 3, 2021 from 12:00pm – 1:00pmFebruary 17, 2021 from 12:00pm – 1:00pmMarch 3, 2021 from 12:00pm – 1:00pmMarch 17, 2021 from 12:00pm – 1:00pmApril 7, 2021 from 12:00pm – 1:00pmApril 21, 2021 from 12:00pm – 1:00pm To join, register for the Co-Occurring Behavioral Health, Opioid and Stimulant Use Disorders ECHO. 

      How will the Co-Occurring Behavioral Health, Opioid and Stimulant Use Disorders ECHO help me?

      Regular, convenient access to field experts will help participants increase knowledge about:

      • Evidence-based practices in treating stimulant and opioid use disorders
      • Communication when working with a multi-disciplinary team
      • Treating people with co-occurring disorders