2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/10/2025 | 10:35 AM - 11:05 AM | Supporting Family Engagement in the Transition from Early Intervention to Preschool | 321
Supporting Family Engagement in the Transition from Early Intervention to Preschool
Transitions are a natural part of the parenting journey, but they often bring stress and worry for families of deaf and hard of hearing children. The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf Parent Infant Toddler Program and their Preschool and Outreach Program has developed a process for supporting family engagement in the transition from early intervention to preschool programming. At this school some children receive preschool services at the school for the deaf and others go to public school and receive services through the Outreach program. The organization's goal was to ensure all families were supported regardless of their child's placement. Families are often moved from one system to another without preparation and without the opportunity to share their perspective. This brings stress for both the family and the child. Strategies for a successful transition and family support and engagement will be shared. The presenters will share tools and a process for supporting family engagement in this process. This presentation will focus on the needs of deaf and hard of hearing children and their families throughout this transition.
- Participants will be able to describe three ways to make a seamless transition for families in the transition from early intervention to preschool.
- Participants will be able to identify three ways to engage parents in the transition from early intervention to preschool.
- Participants will be able to explain the role of the parent in the transition process.
Presentation:
3545975_18285KarenHopkins.pdf
Handouts:
3545975_18285KarenHopkins.pdf
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Karen Hopkins
(Primary Presenter,Author), Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, karenhopkins@cccbsd.org;
Dr. Karen Hopkins is the Executive Director of The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf.. She brings over 30 years of experience as a collaborative teacher of the deaf, special educator, early interventionist and educational administrator to her work with Deaf and hard of hearing children. Her work with families, coupled with her own personal experience as a Deaf adult and parent of a daughter who is hard of hearing have inspired her to create systems that empower families. Karen oversees early intervention and statewide educational programming for children who are Deaf or hard of hearing birth to age 22 at CCCBSD. She is active in many organizations and boards, the Hands & Voices HQ Board of Directors and is involved with international FCEI programming including the Deaf Leadership International Alliance. Karen is the Board President of Hands & Voices Headquarters. Karen's current research is focused on perspectives of family empowerment in early intervention systems for Deaf and hard of hearing children.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with CCCBSD.
Nature: Executive Director.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Robin Hough
(Co-Presenter), The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, robinhough@cccbsd.org;
Robin Hough is coordinator for the Parent Infant Program at the Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf. She has worked in Early Intervention for the past 10 years. Prior to that, she worked as a special education teacher in a variety of settings serving hearing and Deaf/HH children. Some of those experiences include classroom teacher, residential director, camp director and group home
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Evemarie Davis
(Co-Presenter), The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, edavis@cccbsd.org;
Evemarie Davis has been working in the DHH field for over 25 years. She has a master's degree in Deaf Education and recently earned a Graduate Certificate in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Infants, Toddlers and Families: Collaboration and Leadership from Gallaudet University. Prior to my current position at CCCBSD, I worked in Early Intervention for 10 years.
I love working with families and guiding them on their DHH journey.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Emily Davis
(Co-Presenter), Children's Center for Communication, egkrull@gmail.com;
Emily is a parent of a deaf child in the preschool at The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Alexandra Arnow
(Co-Presenter), The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, alexandra.arnow@gmail.com;
Alexandra is the mother of a child in the preschool program at the Children's Center for Communication/Bevelry School for the Deaf
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -