Lisa Ogo, GSAT Advisory Council Member reads the Council’s Resolution on Community Living, Choice, and Assistive Technology at the Transition into Community Living Conference held at the Westin Guam Resort and Spa on July 31.
Andrew Gumataotao (standing), GSAT student office assistant, provided assistive technology device demonstrations to conference participants.
Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS faculty, presented the No Wrong Door Initiative which is aimed at ensuring that all persons of all ages are able to access information for needed supports.
Conference participants listen attentively to Daren Burrier, Assistant Fire Chief, as he shares information in line with recent legislation about a new voluntary emergency online registry.
Andrew Tydingco (standing), Vice-President for Self Advocates in Action, shares information about their non-profit organization, and the role it plays in community living for individuals with disabilities as other members of the community resources panel look on.

GSAT Hosts Transition into the Community Conference

On July 31, 2015, at the Westin Resort, 130 people participated in this event titled Transition into Community Living: An Assistive Technology Training for Individuals with Disabilities, Family Members, and Service Providers. The day kicked off with GSAT’s program coordinator Carla Torres presenting on GSAT’s long standing commitment to the Guam community to assist individuals with disabilities live productive, independent, and happy lives. GSAT’s Advisory Council read their Resolution on Community Living, Choice, and Assistive Technology which helped to set the perspective of the day.

Guam Early Learning Guidelines Begins Update Process

by Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Information Dissemination

A group of individuals pose for photo at the Guam System for Assistive Technology meeting room. — With funding support from Project Tinituhon and Project Bisita I Familia, Guam CEDDERS recently began facilitating the process to update the Guam Early Learning Guidelines: Birth to 36 Months published in 2007. Members of the Early Childhood Care and Education Strategic Management Team met on July 17 to lay out the initial framework for the update. Participating in the first meeting were: (L-R) Linda Rodriquez, Terrie Fejarang, Vera Blaz, Joseph Montague, Kat Bayson, Ramon Castro, Maggie Bell, and Mary Kidd. Input was also received from Maggie Huffer, Director of the Adventures in Learning Child Care Center, and Ama Underwood, a former child care center director.

Cohort 2 team participated in a group webinar on July 17, with Sharron Corle from the National MCH Workforce Development Center, on screen in background. The webinar was on Strengths Based Leadership. Cohort 2 is a team of early childhood program administrators, staff, and parents that are receiving training and technical assistance on how to improve health and education services, access, and integration on Guam. Cohort 2 is a Department and Public Health & Social Services initiative in collaboration with the University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service (Guam CEDDERS), Department of Education, Office of the Governor and Office of the First Lady. (Back row right to left: Margarita Gay, Linda Rodriguez, Julyne Manglona, Pauline Camacho. Middle row from right to left: Joe Montague, Bonnie Brandt, Terry Aguon. Front row from right to left: Elaine Eclavea, Jolene Dagame, Elizabeth Calvo.)
On July 17, Sharron Corle (on screen), Maternal Child Health Consultant, facilitated a webinar with the Cohort 2 Leadership Team on Strengths Based Leadership. Cohort 2 is a team of early childhood program administrators, staff, and parents that are receiving training and technical assistance on how to improve health and education services, access, and integration on Guam. Cohort 2 is a Department and Public Health & Social Services initiative in collaboration with the University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service (Guam CEDDERS), Department of Education, Office of the Governor and Office of the First Lady. (Front row left to right: Jeffrey Pinaula, Vera Blaz, Pauline Camacho, Elaine Eclavea, Tammy Bamba, and Linda Rodriguez. Back row from left to right: Elizabeth Calvo, Jolene Dagame, Bonnie Brandt, Margarita Gay, Julyne Manglona, Terry Aguon, Maggie Bell, Joe Montague.)

Cohort 2 Attends Strengths Finder Webinar

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Department of Public Health & Social Services Early Childhood

Governor Eddie Calvo (at the microphone) delivered opening remarks during the "Deaf Jam Fiesta" event held at the Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Park at Ypao Beach on July 11. Joining the Governor were (L-R) Ben Servino, Director, Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID); Melissa Cayton, Deaf Jam main organizer; Andrew Tydingco, master of ceremonies and Vice President, SiÃ±A; Rosanne Ada, Executive Director, Guam Developmental Disabilities Council. Guam CEDDERS participated in the event with a display of informational brochures and materials featuring the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) and Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) programs.
Participants at the "Deaf Jam Fiesta" focused their attention during the Governor's welcoming remarks.
Melissa Cayton (at the microphone) and main organizer, welcomed the participants of the 2015 Deaf Jam Fiesta event on July 11. Over 100 guests attended the event which included individuals who are deaf/hard of hearing and their families, individuals with disabilities and their families, community members and service providers. Standing around Melissa were (L-R) Kirsten Bamba, Sign Language Interpreter, Ben Servino, Director, Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID); Rosanne Ada, Executive Director, Guam Developmental Disabilities Council, and Governor Eddie Calvo. Not shown: Andrew Tydingco, master of ceremonies and Vice President, SiÃ±A.
Members of the deaf community learned several cultural dances and joined in during the performances by "Taotao Lagu" dance troupe.
(Facing Camera L-R) Nacrina and Johanna Mendiola engage in conversation with Kirsten Bamba (Left with back to camera) while hanging out at the 2015 Deaf Jam Fiesta.
(L-R) Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, Leone Rohr, Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Member, and Joyce Flores, Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) Program Advisory Council member, pose by the Guam EHDI display table during the 2015 Deaf Jam Fiesta event held at the Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Park at Ypao Beach on July 11.
Kaleb Suzuki (in dark blue shirt) joins in during the audience participation segment of the cultural presentation. His parents, (at right with phone cameras) proudly record his dance moves.
Ben Servino, DISID Director (in black shirt), shows his moves during the cultural presentation. The Deaf Jam Fiesta coincidentally took place on his birthday.

Deaf Jam Fiesta Celebration

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Information Dissemination Self-Advocacy