April has arrived which may mean Spring Break journeys or preparing for the final months of this school year and what lies ahead for the summer and next school year. CDBS staff will be heading to Los Angeles in a few weeks for the annual California Transcribers and Educators of the Visually Impaired (CTEBVI) Conference and we have in-person family events, webinars, university presentations, and virtual peer learning groups coming up which you can learn about below.

Don’t forget to check out our Resource Corner which features resources for preparing for school transitions using a person-centered planning approach.

Comunicación: Apoyando el desarrollo del lenguaje y la comunicación de su hijo

CDBS and the New York Deafblind Collaborative are hosting a webinar series for families whose preferred language is Spanish. All presentations are conducted in Spanish and open to families with children who are deafblind in any state or territory. The final two webinars in this series will be held from 4:30-6:00pm PTon April 9th, and April 23rd.

Please share this informational flier with families who may be interested in attending this webinar series. Click on the link below to register for this series.

The recordings of the first two sessions can be found on our CDBS YouTube channel.

Monthly Virtual Family Support Groups

Come join other family members at "The Family Gathering Place", where you can connect with Myrna Medina, CDBS Family Engagement Specialist, and other families of people who are deafblind to learn about and find support for the journey forward.

"The Family Gathering Place" is a 60-minute virtual discussion that will take place over Zoom once per month where family members can connect with other families, share experiences, ask questions, and gather practical resources. There is no cost to participate.

• English Language Support Group Meeting: 2nd Tuesday of the month: April 14th, May 12th, and June 9th at 6pm PT

• Spanish Language Support Group Meeting: 2nd Thursday of the month: April 16th, May 14th, and June 11th at 6pm PT

SoCal Family Event: A Day in the Park

Come join other families and Myrna Medina, CDBS Family Engagement Specialist, and our collaborative partner Partners for Pediatric Vision for “A Day at the Park” on April 11th from 10:00am-1:00pm at Pike’s Peak Park in Norco, CA.

For information about “Day in the Park” click on the flier above or scan QR code or contact Myrna at myrnam@sfsu.edu.

Our Family Engagement Specialist, Myrna Medina, will be joining families at the Universal Playground area Fairmont Park in Riverside at 11am for the annual CHARGE Syndrome Foundation Walk N’ Roll and time for family connection.

For information or to join this SoCal Team Inland Empire Walk and Roll Team click on the flier above or scan QR code or contact Myrna at myrnam@sfsu.edu.

Peer Learning Community for Professionals

CDBS staff facilitate bimonthly virtual meetings with educators and related service providers serving children and youth who are deafblind to dig into topics related to educating and supporting these learners. Some sessions include presentations from experts in the field, and other sessions include case study discussions and resource sharing. This virtual group is a great way to form connections with other educators around the state who teach learners with multiple disabilities, including deafblindness, and we welcome new members.

The next meeting is Tuesday, May 12th from 4:30pm-5:45 PT

If you’re interested in attending these meetings, sign up below to receive notifications.