Guam Early Learning Council Convenes First Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Continuing Education Department of Public Health & Social Services Early Childhood Guam Early Intervention System Guam Launch Information Dissemination Project Kariñu

On September 4, the Guam Early Learning Council convened its first meeting under the new administration with Co-Chairperson Elaine Eclavea at the helm. New council members were provided with orientation in the development of the council and the timeline of early childhood initiatives on Guam. Early Childhood Program Administrators provided an overview of their respective programs as well as updates on services provided to families over the last eight months. Workgroup facilitators also reported on the status of the goals and activities for their focus areas as related to the Guam Early Childhood State Plan, which was last published in 2015. The next quarterly meeting will take place in December. Workgroup members spent the afternoon participating in the Karinu/Guam LAUNCH Early Childhood Evaluation Forum.

Members reviewed the progress of activities over the past year as well as data from the Wilder Survey used for Guam LAUNCH Evaluation reports and learned about the latest research in the Early Childhood field. Commitments on next steps and meeting dates were made to ensure that activities will continue.

On September 4, Guam Early Learning Council Workgroup Members posed for a photo at the end of the Karinu/Guam LAUNCH Early Childhood Evaluation Forum held at the Outrigger Guam Resort.
Elaine Eclavea (standing), Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Consultant and Guam Early Learning Council Co-Chairperson, reviewed a new grant opportunity with council members.
Bonnie Brandt (standing), Guam CEDDERS Training Associate and Karinu/Guam LAUNCH Lead Evaluator, reviewed data from results of the Wilder Survey as workgroup participants looked on.
Members of the Guam Early Learning Council Family Engagement Workgroup
(FEW) showed their great collaborative skills as they erected a structure made from uncooked spaghetti noodles, rope, tape, and a marshmallow during the afternoon session. The FEW members built the tallest structure in the room at 20.25 inches.

CNMI Early Intervention Engages in Professional Development

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Early Childhood
On August 28 & 29, Elaine Eclavea (standing), Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Consultant along with Keith Villaluna (not pictured), Guam CEDDERS Data Specialist facilitated professional development trainings for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Public School System IDEA Part C, Early Intervention Program staff in Saipan. The trainings focused on the CNMI Early Intervention Coaching Procedures called the LATTE, the Tiers of Intervention (TOI), and the Child Outcome Summary (COS) and Early Childhood Outcomes (ECO) data.

Guam and CNMI Early Childhood Providers and Parents Engage in ASD Training

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Early Childhood Guam Department of Education Guam Early Intervention System Guam Launch Project Bisita I Familia Project Kariñu
Dr. Giacomo Vivanti from the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, begins his session on ASD on Guam, April 22.
On April 22, Yolanda Gabriel, Assistant Superintendent, Guam Division of Special Education, gave opening remarks to set the stage for the Guam training sessions.
On April 22, GDOE School Program Consultant, Cathy Tydingco (standing), discussed supports for students and families with ASD with the Department of Public Health and Social Services, Bisita and Karinu program providers.
On April 23, Guam participants discuss “What does it look like?” in regards to the current early childhood services and supports for young children with ASD.
On April 24, Dr. Vivanti discusses with parents on Guam the research on evidence-based practices for young children with ASD in inclusive preschool programs.
On April 25, parents and family members from the CNMI listen attentively to Dr. Vivanti as he talks about the strategies and interventions provided during the parent session held on Saipan.
On April 26, CNMI, FSM, and Palau participants take a group photo with Dr. Vivanti.
On April 26, Dr. Vivanti (seated in the center) takes a group photo with representatives from CNMI, Guam CEDDERS, and the delegation from FSM and Palau who traveled to Saipan for the training. (seated L-R) Robin Palacios, CNMI Early Intervention Program Director; Kim Arnold, FSM- Pohnpei State Parent; Dr. Vivanti; Ansina Kony, FSM-Chuuk State Special Education (SpEd) Coordinator; Nora Renguul, Palau SpEd Coordinator. (standing first row L-R) Dr. Josephine Cruz, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate; Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Consultant; Francesca Morei-Misech, Palau Parents Empowered Executive Director; Nora Pangelinan, CNMI Data Management and Compliance Program Manager; Arthur Albert, FSM National Education Assistant Secretary; Beverly Nakamura, FSM-Chuuk State SpEd Teacher; June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director. (standing back row L-R) John Bugulrow, FSM-Yap State SpEd Coordinator; Eris Wichep, FSM-Pohnpei SpEd Related Service Specialist.

GPPT/Project Fitme Participates in Head Start Fitness Fair

by Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
March 30, 2019: (L-R) Kunta Kinte Edmond, UOG Social Work Intern, Bobbie Afjelle and Ashley Babauta, Guam Positive Parents Together, Inc. (GPPT) Project Fitme Deaf/Hard of Hearing Parent Support Group, provided information to parents on early hearing screening and deaf/hard of hearing during the 2019 Guam Head Start Program Fitness Fair held at the Dededo Sport Complex.
March 30, 2019: Kunta Kinte Edmond, UOG Social Work Intern, plays the “Simon Says, Exercise!” Fitness Game with the children during the 2019 Guam Head Start Program Fitness Fair at the Dededo Sports Complex. The children had the opportunity to have fun while exercising.

Village Play Time Held at the Agaña Heights Community Center

by Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Guam Department of Education Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
March 29, 2019: Kunta Edmond (left), UOG Social Work Intern, and Bobbie Afjelle, Guam’s Positive Parent’s Together, Inc. (GPPT), Support Staff (right), demonstrate a motor skills activity using common household items with parents and their children during the Village Play Time event held at the Agaña Heights Community Center. This activity helps children strengthen fine motor skills by pouring, transferring, and matching items.
March 29, 2019: Staff from the Department of Education Early Childhood Preschool program read aloud “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss with the children and parents during story time at the Village Play Time event held at the Agaña Heights Community Center. This event allows children to participate in developmentally appropriate activities with their parents.
March 29, 2019: Kunta Kinte Edmond (left with back to camera), UOG Social Work Intern, Bobbie Afjella (middle), Guam Positive Parents Together, Inc., and Tanya Simer, CEDDERS Hearing Screening Paraprofessional, use recyclable household products to demonstrate an activity with a parent and her child during the Village Play Time event held at the Agana Heights Community Center. The Village Play Time event gives parents and young children the opportunity to interact with others as well as learn about different developmentally appropriate activities that can be done at home.
March 29, 2019: Staff from the Department of Education Early Childhood Special Education Preschool program read aloud “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss to children and parents during story time at the Village Play Time event held at the Agana Heights Community Center. This event allows children to participate in developmentally appropriate activities with their parents.

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.

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.

Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Brochures Presented to Village Mayor’s Offices

by Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention

Oct. 3, 2018: The Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) Project provided copies of the Guam EHDI brochures and the Neni Directory to the Barrigada and Mangilao Mayors’ offices. These publications promote the importance of early childhood development, developmental screening, and contact information on early childhood programs, supports, and services for families.

Guam EHDI Meets with GMHA Medical Records

by Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Guam Early Intervention System
On September 19, 2018, Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Staff met with Guam Memorial Hospital Authority Medical Records Staff to discuss weekly data entry of infants referring on the initial hearing screening into Guam ChildLink EHDI database. Pictured Left to Right: Sera Rios, Medical Records Administrator, GMHA; Nova Naguit, Medical Records Staff, GMHA; and Joseph Mendiola, QI & Evaluation Coordinator/Evaluator & Performance
Monitor/Surveillance Supervisor, Guam EHDI. Not shown: Marie Wusstig, Project Coordinator, Guam EHDI.

GEIS Facilitates Guam Early Intervention Parent Training

by Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Guam Early Intervention System
On August 23, 2018 Guam CEDDERS in collaboration with Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) facilitated the “Learning Together: Parent Training”. There were 6 parents that attended the 2-hour training entitles: Tips for Promoting Your Child’s Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Needs. Early Childhood Consultant, Elaine Eclavea facilitated the training. Mrs. Eclavea began the first part of the training by presenting the importance of building relationships and quality time with your child. Participants discussed in depth the five tips for encouraging your child and the how important it is for parents to practice these with your child: Tip 1: Get your child’s attention; 2) Use behavior specific language; 3) Keep it simple – avoid combining encouragement with criticism; 4) Encourage with enthusiasm; 5) Double the impact with physical warmth; and 6) Use positive comments and encouragement with your child in front of others. Participants shared stories on how to supports these 5 strategies. In addition, Ms. Eclavea discussed how children learn through PLAY and that parents need to follow the child’s lead – and wait, watch, and then join in their child’s play. The next Learning Together Parent Training is scheduled for September 6, 2018 for information please call GEIS at 300-5776.
L-R: Lorilyn Staana, Sandra Leyner, Ana Lyn Flores, Susan Dugan, & Elaine Eclavea.