Monthly Connection: Resources, Events & More

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Anywhere in California—we are here for you

November 2025 Newsletter

California Hands & Voices

Non-Judgmental Parent to Parent Support that Honors Each Family’s Unique Journey

Hands & Voices Connections
DHH-Specific Resources

Early Years
Early Literacy Development English Español

Educational Advocacy

Effective Facilitation: Build Your Skills Webinar

O.U.R. Children's Safety Project
Register Now - Nov 11th Webinar What Do We Know About ACES, including Bullying for Children who are DHH?

Hands & Voices Latino Council Webinar
February 17th: Preparing for The Unexpected

In a Perfect World
Short reflections by Leeanne Seaver, H&V Co-Founder

Hands & Voices Military Project
Moving Checklist for Military Families with DHH children

CARES CPRC Connections
Special Education Resources

Early Years
Early Intervention to Preschool from ParentsCAN

Educational Advocacy
Requesting Independent Educational Evaluation
En español

Adulthood Transition by Parents Helping Parents
Transition Planning for Teens and Tweens

Youth Advocates for Change by RAISE
Podcast recorded by young adults with disabilities

Wellness & Safety, Wellness Toolkit DDS

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder link
En español | In Spanish

See fact sheets on other disabilities

TOKYO 2025 DEAFLYMPICS

The 2025 Summer Deaflympics, officially known as the XXV Summer Deaflympics, is an international multi-sport event taking place in Tokyo, Japan, from November 15–26, 2025. Note: Tokyo, Japan, is 16 hours ahead of California (Pacific Time)

Watch Live: Opening & Closing Ceremonies on YouTube

Schedules: Event Schedule

Sports Lineup: List of Sports

Learn More: What’s the Deaflympics?

Do you know a California athlete competing in the 2025 Deaflympics?
Give them a shout-out on our Facebook page!

Director’s Corner:

Thank you also to everyone who participated in last month’s newsletter poll! We sent a small thank-you gift to a randomly selected participant. We love hearing from our community — your engagement helps inspire our work.

A heartfelt thank-you to all who celebrated our 13th birthday last month. Every thank you, donation, referral, testimony, membership and volunteer hour makes a meaningful difference. You can still join the CA H&V team until Dec 31st.

Last month, seven members of our California Hands & Voices team attended the Hands & Voices Leadership Conference in Florida. This special event brings together family leaders from around the world to build leadership skills, gain valuable training, and strengthen systems of support for families of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Huge thanks to Rowell Family Empowerment of Northern California and LEAD-K Family Services for each sponsoring one of our team members — your support means so much!

We’re proud to share that Rosabel Agbayani was nominated for the Seaver Vision Award in recognition of her unwavering commitment to advancing equity and family empowerment across healthcare, education, and community systems. Congratulations, Rosabel! 🌟

If California Hands & Voices can support you in any way, please reach out. We’re here for you — always.

Cora Shahid
Executive Director, California Hands & Voices

Pictured Right to Left : Leslie Manjarrez, Kira Tran, Rosabel Agbayani, Myra Cullum, Kat Lowrance, Cora Shahid. Back row: Tony Ronco

Looking to help your teen explore careers or prepare for adulthood?

California’s Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) has a dedicated Student Services program designed just for that. You can find the office near you here: https://dor.ca.gov/Home/ContactUs

Who’s eligible?

• Students aged 16–21 who are enrolled in school or an educational program.

• Students with a 504 Plan, IEP, a disability, or those believed to have one.

Learn more about Student Services here https://www.dor.ca.gov/home/studentservices

ASTra Program Coordinator Corner

Reflections from the Hands & Voices Leadership Conference

Kat found the conference inspiring and full of new ideas. She enjoyed learning how other states approach fundraising and gained practical grant writing skills during a hands-on post session. A highlight for her was the heartfelt Sibling session, where brothers shared openly about their experiences growing up with a sibling who is DHH — a conversation that deeply resonated with her.

Important Dates:
2nd Sat in Ontario (monthly)
3rd Thur Del Mar (monthly)

Jan 25th Newport Beach - RSVP

Don’t see something near you?
We invite you to contact a local board member and see how you can lend a hand in planning.

Scroll Down for Flyers

Growing With You

With the right funding, we can do even more for families locally and statewide. We’re actively seeking passionate volunteers to help with fundraising We'd love to connect!

Board President

Join the Discussion

💬 High School Resources
💬 DHH Programs in CA

In Case You Missed It —
⭐ Historic Win Hearing Aid Bill

🧰 DHH Child Safety Resources

📢 H&V New Year Virtual 5K

📄 Fostering Joy Tipsheets

Get Involved

Join CA H&V for $25 a Year

Request Advocacy Support

Refer a Family for Support

Share Your Story w/Families

Workplace Giving Donations

Submit a Newspaper Article

Volunteer Local or Statewide

🧰Community Highlight
As a coalition of Early Start Family Resource Centers FRCNCA

WHO ARE WE?
CA H&V is the statewide chapter of Hands & Voices, dedicated to supporting families of children who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, or DeafPlus in a respectful, inclusive, and nonjudgmental way. We provide free educational advocacy coaching, parent-to-parent support, and access to local and statewide events and resources. Meet the Board

Advocacy, Support, and Training (ASTra)

—was created to:

Empower parents
Promote student self-advocacy
Strengthen collaboration between families and schools

Request ASTra Support - Free

ASTra included in Membership

CARES CPRC

Our only funded program serves San Diego and Imperial Counties, providing support and training to families of infants, youth and young adults with disabilities, from birth through age 26

Request CARES Support

Virtual Training Schedule

Find a Parent Center near you

All training is provided in both Spanish and English. Access in other languages is available with 72+ hours’ notice. For requests, email: cshahid@carescprc.org

California Hands & Voices
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Linkedin

CARES CPRC
Facebook
Website

Hands & Voices HQ
Facebook
Website

California Hands & Voices is thrilled to join chapters across the country for the
“Riding the Waves into 2026: Hands & Voices New Year Virtual 5K!”

Every dollar raised in California stays local — supporting our chapter programs and helping our Board of Directors and volunteer ASTra Advocates attend the Hands & Voices Leadership Conference in Colorado, September 2026. Attending this conference helps our team build skills, strengthen connections, and bring back valuable tools to better support families of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children across California.

Complete your 5K anytime between December 31–January 3!

First 400 registrants receive a custom die-cast finisher’s medal!

Not a runner? No problem! You can still make an impact by donating —

Click Here to Join the California Hands & Voices Team

After you create a team, invite your friends and family to join too. Then meet at your favorite spot — walking in support of a great cause. We can’t wait to see your team photos!

Thank you for helping us ride the waves!

🌟 Expand the Reach of California Hands & Voices

Invite your friends, family, and colleagues to become members—or refer a family who could benefit from Family Engagement Events, Parent-to-Parent Support, or Educational Advocacy. Together, we can expand our reach and support even more families across California—regardless of language, communication tools, or educational approaches.

💙 We are here for you, every step of the way!

📊 Monthly Poll

We love hearing from our families and community!

Each month we’ll ask one quick question to learn more about your experiences and ideas.

We’re grateful for YOU! What are you most thankful for this year?

💛 Family connections

💛 New friendships

💛 Supportive teachers

💛 Health and growth

💙 Support California Hands & Voices

Together, we create meaningful connections, resources, and joy for families raising children who are
Deaf or Hard of Hearing across California.

Your donation—one-time, monthly, or yearly—helps us continue this vital work.

Give securely with PayPal

or visit the Donate tab on our website here for Zelle or check options.

Your generosity makes a lasting impact. Thank you 💙

RVSP Required for FREE Giveaways link

San Miguel Park, Newport Beach

January 25th, 2026 | 2–4 PM

FREE Activities:

Storytime & Fun Stations

Lawn & Field Games

New & Gently Used Books

Connect with Local Families

Plus… More Surprises!

ASTra is a program within Hands & Voices that offers guidance and resources related to special education law, IEP development, and other educational support.

Request 1:1 Support in CA

website

O.U.R. Children's Safety Project

Dedicated to promoting the safety and well-being of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing including signs of abuse and neglect.

website

FL3 offers support in areas such as family-to-family connections, language, literacy and social development, and practical Parent Tip Sheets.

website

H&V Projects & Programs
H&V HQ has a multitude of methods and platforms to provide support to families through our programs, projects, and communities.

website

Off to a Great Start

Resources like “8 Reasons to Say YES to Early Intervention,” “5 Reasons to Say YES to Assessments,” parent tip sheets, developmental milestone checklists.

website

Virtual Waiting Room

This resource provides guidance for families after a hearing screening referral, a parent guide on audiology and telehealth, tips.

website