Bluetooth wireless technology is at the core of a United Way California Capital Region's (UWCCR) program reducing child abuse. The program enables California agencies to deliver Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) in a variety of settings, both in-home and at a clinic. Using Bluetooth wireless technology built into the GN 6210 headset has allowed UWCCR to increase the overall number of therapy sessions and effectively provide treatment to needy families.
"Thanks to the mobility afforded by Bluetooth technology, agency staff can use regular rooms to provide essential parent training," said Marci S. Smith, senior director, Community Impact, United Way California Capital Region. "Filling business hours with more clients is more cost-effective and will allow the centers to double their number of PCIT appointments."
PCIT is a proven intervention technique, historically conducted in a specialized room of a clinic, and shown to be highly effective in preventing child abuse among at-risk populations. During the therapy, a parent and child are given toys with which to interact while counselors observe from behind a one-way mirror and coach the parent through an earpiece. Holding these sessions from a person's home using a small video camera and monitor, and communicating through Bluetooth enabled cell phones and the GN 6210 headset reduces costs of construction, maintenance and equipment associated with specialized therapy rooms. Conducting the therapy at home also doubles the number of PCIT sessions offered through a single clinic, eliminates dangerous wires that children focus on during the sessions, provides a hands-free experience for parents and allows them to interact with children in a traditional setting.
Recently, the UWCCR set a goal to reduce incidence of child abuse in its five-county region, with an emphasis on interactive therapy. PCIT offered agencies a solution, but costs associated with specialized rooms often exceeded $20,000, preventing some agencies from creating them and leading to the development of a mobile capability to deliver the therapy in non-clinical settings to help address cost and availability barriers. With approximately 90% of all reported abuse calls to Child Protective Services eligible for referral to resource centers, local agencies have been able to utilize Bluetooth technology to expand the interactive parent training.
"It's great to see Bluetooth wireless technology being used in the social services field to help patients get the help they need at a cost the industry can afford," said Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). "This is the first of many industries realizing the advantages of Bluetooth technology and utilizing the wireless standard to improve upon existing programs."
GN Netcom, a world leader in innovative hands-free audio solutions, provided the UWCCR with the GN 6210 Bluetooth headsets used in the PCIT therapy to ensure that wireless freedom could be experienced by not only those who had Bluetooth mobile phones but also by those using landline phones for training. The GN 6210 is the Bluetooth headset which works seamlessly with traditional landline and cell phones. The cross-functional headset became especially important for those who wanted to use a desk phone at the agency in lab environments and use a cell phone during home visits.
"We are delighted to know that the GN 6210 Bluetooth headset is providing a dual-use solution no matter the PCIT therapy environment - either at home or in the clinic. We are a consumer-driven company and seeing the GN 6210 enable such an important initiative makes us feel very good about the products we develop," said David Wood, senior vice president and general manager for GN Netcom's North American operations.
About Bluetooth Wireless Technology
Bluetooth wireless technology is the global short-range wireless standard for personal connectivity of a broad range of electronic devices. The technology is now available in its fourth version of the core specification and continues to develop, building on its inherent strengths - small-form factor radio, low power, low cost, built-in security, robustness, ease-of-use, and ad hoc networking abilities. Three new Bluetooth enabled products are qualified every day and 10 million Bluetooth units are shipping per week. The installed base of Bluetooth devices was over 500 million products at the end of 2005 and is projected to surpass one billion by the end of 2006, making it the only proven choice for developers, product manufacturers, and consumers worldwide.
About the Bluetooth SIG
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), comprised of leaders in the telecommunications, computing, consumer electronics, automotive and network industries, is driving development of Bluetooth wireless technology and bringing it to market. The Bluetooth SIG includes Promoter group companies Agere, Ericsson, Intel, IBM, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba, along with over 5000 Associate and Adopter member companies. The Bluetooth SIG, Inc. headquarters are located in Bellevue, Washington, U.S.A. For more information please visit http://www.bluetooth.com .
The Bluetooth word mark and logo are registered trademarks and are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
About the United Way California Capital Region
United Way California Capital Region is an independent local affiliate of United Way of America governed by a local board of volunteer directors. UWCCR works in partnership with some 750 employers in Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, and Yolo Counties to raise money through workplace giving campaigns that enable donors to give through payroll deduction to the charities of their choice. When donors direct their gifts to United Way, UWCCR works with committees of community volunteers to invest in projects that produce measurable results in the areas of education, health, safety, and self-sufficiency.
About GN Netcom
Through its Jabra and GN Netcom brands, GN Netcom is a world leader in innovative hands-free audio solutions. With 1,800 employees and sales offices around the world, GN Netcom develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of wireless and corded headsets for mobile consumers and office and contact centre professionals. GN Netcom's business activities also include its original equipment manufacturing (OEM) business. GN Netcom is part of GN Store Nord, which has been helping people communicate since 1869. GN Store Nord is a listed company on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange. For more information: http://www.gn.com http://www.gnnetcom.com http://www.jabra.com
PRESS CONTACTS:
Bluetooth SIG
Starr Million
INK Public Relations for the Bluetooth SIG
+1 (512) 382-8981
starr@ink-pr.com
United Way California Capital Region
Lisa Hein Vice President of Marketing & Communications
+1 (916) 856-3909
LHein@uwccr.org
GN Netcom
Jamey Long
BERKMAN Public Relations for GN Netcom and Jabra
+1 (619) 813-2996
jamey@berkmanpr.com Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Dr. Michael Foley http://profnet.prnewswire.com/ud_public.jsp?userid=511276