GPPT/Project Fitme Facilitates Parent Leadership Training on Self-Advocacy

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

November 17, 2018: Susan Dugan, GPPT/Project Fitme Coordinator, facilitated a Parent Leadership Training on Self-Advocacy for parents and family members at the Hagatna Library. The training focused on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Guam Legal Services Corporation-Disability Law Center (GLSC-DLC) and other resources parents can access to ensure their child receives Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Additional information on how Parent Mentors can offer additional support as parents navigate resources for their children’s needs. (Pictured from left to right) John Mabayag, Jay-Lynn Mendiola, Trisha Suzuki, Caleb Suzuki, Susan R. Dugan, Program Coordinator; Evelyn Topasna, and Ashley Babauta.

DOE Vision Instruction Program Staff Participate in Webinar Session

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Department of Education Guam Early Intervention System Vision Impairment

November 16, 2018: Donna McNear, Consultant for the Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education, Vision Instruction Program (on screen) facilitated another webinar in a series focused on providing supports to students with visual impairment. Attending this session were (L-R): Pat Mantanona, Program Coordinator for the Guam Early Intervention Program; Diane Artero, Vision Instruction Program (VIP) Teacher; Darlene Taimanglo VIP Teacher; and Tricia Taitague, Part B VI Program Coordinator.

Learning Community Meeting Conducted on Zoom

by Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
November 16, 2018: Susan Dugan, Guam’s Positive Parents Together, Inc. (GPPT) Project Fitme Coordinator, facilitated a Learning Community Meeting via the Zoom meeting platform. Ms. Dugan shared information she learned when she attended the Hands & Voices Leadership Conference on September 14-16 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Topics that were covered in the workshops she attended included developing collaborative leadership skills for members of family organizations that support infants and children who are deaf or hard of hearing, supporting families without bias; and poverty & diversity. Information from a workshops titled, “Chronic Loneliness: A Health Concern for Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing,” and “The Space Between Us: Parent Panel,” was also shared.

NewGen Staff Visits GSAT

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Systems for Assistive Technology

November 13, 2018: NewGen Physical Therapy Chief Executive Officer Luan Nguyen and his staff, Grace Almonte, Janay Masga, Ashley Chua, Ashley Cabral, and Dr. Leonard Campos visited GSAT to explore the various Assistive Technology devices and services available. GSAT Center Coordinator Leah Abelon conducted a presentation of new mobility devices and tour of the Model Home, and gathered recommendations of other AT devices from the NewGen staff.

Working with Young Children Training Held

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Early Childhood Project Bisita I Familia
November 8, 2018: Vera Blaz, CEDDERS Training Associate/Project Bisita I Familia Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator, faciltated training on early childhood topics, such as child development, diversity, caring, special needs, ethics, positive guidance and discipline, observation, and assessment. The participants include home visiting staff and CEDDERS Psychology Practicum student. Pictured clockwise: Vera Blaz (facing screen), Veronica Santos and Ma. Gwen Yanesa, home visitors; and Maria Bontogon, Practicum student. Not pictured: Iris Sablan and Nicole Loren, home visitors; and Emraleen Roque, data clerk.

Parent Leadership Facilitates Training Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
November 3, 2018: Guam’s Positive Parents Together, Inc. (GPPT) Project Fitme Coordinator Susan Dugan facilitated an “Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) training session at the Hagatna Library for parents of children identified with a hearing loss. Parents received an overview of the IFSP process.
Pictured Left to Right: Jay-Lynn Mendiola, parent; Susan Dugan, GPPT Project Fitme Project Coordinator; Evelyn Topasna, Parent Mentor; and Trisha Suzuki, Parent Mentor. Not pictured: Ashley Babauta, GPPT Project Fitme Support Staff.

San Jose University Scholars Participate in GRMC Swallow Therapy

by Guam CEDDERS EPICS OSEP
November 1, 2018: The Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) welcomed sixteen scholars from the “Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech Pathology” (EPICS) Project. The scholars visited the Rehabilitation Department to participate in “swallow therapy” classes. The visiting scholars are graduate students in the Speech Pathology Program at San Jose State University (SJSU) through the EPICS Project, a personnel preparation grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), in partnership with the University of Guam When the scholars graduate, the new Speech Language Pathologists will fill much-needed positions in Guam schools and hospitals.
Participating in the classes were (Seated L-R): Cassandra Dimla; Aileen Serrano; Meagan Terlaje; Tatiana Perez; and Liahlanni Cruz. (Standing L-R): Sybil Crisostomo, CCC-SLP, GRMC Speech Therapist; Gabriella Duenas; Bobbie Obillo; John Payne; Lisa Eclavea; Jasmin Advani; Christina Coles; Dianne Sapida.

Guam EHDI holds Sustainability Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention

November 1, 2018: The Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EDHI) Sustainability Planning Committee held a follow-up meeting to continue the development of initial plans for long-term system sustainability of the universal newborn hearing screening process and maintenance of the Guam ChildLink-EHDI database. Participating in the meeting were: L-R: Joseph Mendiola, Guam CEDDERS/Guam EHDI Interoperability Data Manager; Sherry Cruz, Service Provider, Guam Early Intervention System, Guam Department of Education; Pat Mantanona, Program Coordinator, Guam Early Intervention System, Guam Department of Education; Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director/Guam EHDI Project Director; Margarita B. Gay, Administrator, Bureau of Family Health and Nursing Services, Department of Public Health and Social Services; and Marie Wusstig, Guam CEDDERS/Guam EHDI Program Coordinator.