2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/16/2026 | 10:35 AM - 11:05 AM | Bilingual Multimodal Early Childhood Programming | City Terrace 7
Bilingual Multimodal Early Childhood Programming
The Children’s Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf is recognized for its expertise in educational programming for deaf children with additional needs. Building on this foundation, the school recently launched an inclusive bilingual multimodal early childhood program that integrates evidence-based practices, principles of ASL and spoken language development, and family-centered programming. This program supports children in exploring diverse language opportunities while honoring families’ initial chosen path to language alongside their child’s individual paths. Recognizing that language learning is not linear, children are encouraged to explore multiple paths to language, building confidence and a sense of agency while families observe and celebrate their child’s language growth and Deaf identity.
The learning environment includes three interconnected classrooms offering instruction and interaction in ASL, spoken language, or a multimodal approach. Families determine where their child begins the day, and children choose which classroom to spend extended periods in, guiding how they engage with language. Data on these choices are collected and shared with families to inform ongoing decision-making and individualized support.
An interdisciplinary team of deaf and hearing specialists collaborates to create a program rich in language experiences, social-emotional growth, and skills that foster Kindergarten readiness. Presenters will discuss the collaborative process behind the program, including language planning, family-centered principles, consultation, and classroom design. They will share assessment strategies, data analysis methods, and lessons learned during the first year.
Parents will describe the impact of observing and encouraging their children in exploring language opportunities, highlighting how child-directed learning, multiple language paths, family engagement, and confidence building contribute to positive outcomes in language development, social-emotional growth, and Deaf identity formation.
- Explore Program Design: Describe the development and implementation of an inclusive bilingual multimodal early childhood program, highlighting interdisciplinary collaboration, family-centered principles, and classroom strategies that support multiple language paths.
- Examine Child and Family Outcomes: Demonstrate how the program fosters child-directed learning, confidence, language growth, Deaf identity, and Kindergarten readiness, while supporting families in observing and encouraging their child’s language development.
- Share Practical Strategies: Provide actionable insights for professionals, including assessment approaches, data analysis, and techniques for creating flexible learning environments that honor both the families’ chosen language paths and children’s individual language journeys.
Presentation:
View Presentation File
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Karen Hopkins
(Primary Presenter), 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 The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf.
Nature: .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Julie Minch
(Co-Presenter), The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, julieminch@cccbsd.org;
Julie Minch is a teacher in the ASL classroom of the Bilingual Bimodal Preschool at the Children’s Center for Communication / Beverly School for the Deaf. She has worked at the school for 16 years and brings a deep commitment to Deaf education and early childhood learning.
Julie’s experience includes working as a teacher aide, classroom teacher, Parent–Infant Program home visitor, and Deaf mentor. Her work focuses on supporting language development, family engagement, and inclusive learning environments that honor Deaf culture and bilingual-bimodal education.
Julie is also a proud parent of two hearing children who are CODAs (Children of Deaf Adults), a role that further enriches her perspective and passion for her work.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from cccbsd.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with CCCBSD.
Nature: Employment.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Rachel Buck
(Co-Presenter), Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, rachelbuck@cccbsd.org;
Rachel Buck (she/her) holds a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Akron in Ohio and a bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language (ASL) from Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina. She currently works as a speech-language pathologist at the Children’s Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf in Massachusetts, where she primarily supports deaf and hard of hearing students with a focus on bilingual/bimodal language acquisition and multimodal communication, including augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Rachel previously worked as an ASL/English interpreter and at a school for deaf children in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from CCCBSD.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with CCCBSD.
Nature: Employment.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Christina Arroyo
(Co-Presenter), christinaarroyo@cccbsd.org;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from CCCBSD.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with CCCBSD.
Nature: employment.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Courtney Lyons
(Co-Presenter), The Children's' Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, courtneylyons@cccbsd.org;
Courtney is the spoken English preschool teacher at the Beverly School for the Deaf. She has over 10 years of teaching experience, holds a Master's from Gallaudet in Deaf Education, a Master's level certificate in Educating Deaf Students with Disabilities, and is a nationally certified interpreter. Courtney teaches using a holistic and neurodiversity affirming paradigm; emphasizing the development of students' identities as d/Deaf individuals.
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.
Danielle Lavron
(Co-Presenter), Mass Hands & Voices, daniellelavron@cccbsd.org;
Danielle Lavon is a parent advocate and nonprofit leader based in Billerica, Massachusetts. She is the proud parent of her son, Ryan, who is deaf due to congenital CMV (cCMV), communicates in ASL, and uses bilateral cochlear implants. Danielle serves as Board President of Massachusetts Hands & Voices, supporting families across the state as they navigate services, language access, and connection to community. She is also actively involved with the Massachusetts cCMV Coalition, advocating for universal screening, healthcare provider and parent education and timely support for families impacted by congenital CMV. Danielle lives in Billerica with her husband and three children and brings both lived experience and a career in nonprofit development to her work in the d/Deaf and hard of hearing community.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -