The document summarizes an advisory committee meeting about creating connections for students with deafblindness. The meeting agenda included introductions, sharing updates from around the state on events and resources, and an overview of the new 5-year grant cycle focusing on technical assistance, partnerships, practice, policy, and child count. Mini-grants of up to $1,000 each will be awarded to fund innovative projects helping students with deafblindness and cortical visual impairment. Orientation and mobility training is also a focus, with information available on the project website. The next advisory committee meeting will be in May to see mini-grant presentations and continue connecting stakeholders in the deafblind community.

1. CONNECTIONS
BEYOND SIGHT AND SOUND
Advisory Committee Meeting
November 2, 2018

2. Agenda
I. Creating Connections
Welcome / Introductions / Connecting Activity
II. Connections Across the State
What’s Happening – School, County, State & Beyond
III. Beginning a New Grant Cycle
The Next 5 Years –
What’s New? What’s Still Relevant?
O&M Focus
Mini-grants

3. Creating Connections
- Introductions (Staff and AC Members)
In about 15-30 seconds…
• Share your name and affiliation.
• Share what GAME (any type) represents
your work in the deafblind community & why
Apples to Apples
Crazy 8s
Bowling
Monopoly Clue
Sorry

4. YOUR TURN…
Around the state, across the country!
What’s happening?
Meetings and Networking
Resources and Websites
Activities, Events, and Opportunities
…. And more!
Sharing Connections

5. CBSS Project Sharing
What’s The Same… What’s New…
Conceptual Framework – 5 Key Areas
  IMPROVE CHILD OUTCOMES  
New Grant Cycle
• Technical Assistance
 Three levels – general, targeted, intensive
• Partnerships
 Demonstration & collaboration activities…
• Practice
 CVI Mentors, Interveners, IFHE,
 Mini-grants, O&M (next slides)
• Policy
 Updates & current topics
• Child Count
 coming soon…
Connections Beyond Sight and Sound
2018-2023 Goals

6. Mini-Grant Projects
What are the Mini-Grants?
• Field-initiated mini-grant projects
• Total -- $2,000 to award across 3 to 5 grant recipients
• Max of $1,000 can be awarded for any one grant
Why do they matter?
• Priority on students with deaf-blindness and/or CVI
• Promote innovative practice that improve child outcomes
When is the next application deadline?
• SOON  WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018
(information & forms on website)
How to learn more…
• Visit our website  www.CBSS.UMD.edu

7. Focus on O&M
Becky Hommer, PhD
What is O&M?
Why does it matter?
How is Connections addressing O&M training?
Where to learn more and
Who to contact…
• Visit our website  www.CBSS.UMD.edu
• E-mail Dr. Becky Hommer  Rhommer@UMD.edu

8. Next AC Meeting…
May 17, 2019
Will include mini-grant presentations
See you then…
In the meantime, let’s keep Connected!
www.CBSS.UMD.edu