Page 1 I Tellai The Bridge Volume 11, Issue 1 December 12, 2008 Inside this issue: Page Governor’s Early Childhood Summit 1 Child Care Rules & Regulations 2 EC Summit Recommendations 3-4 Guam EHDI Site Review; 5 CNMI PSS Staff Review EC Guidelines Pacific CIMAP Regional TA Visits 6-7 Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports Conference 8 PIRC Strategic Planning Session 9 SOC Regional Conference 10-11 Partnering With Guam Police Dept. Visiting Professor 12 GSAT Advisory BoardAd Hoc Committee 13 U.S. DOE Visits Guam 14 PAC6 Project TASH Poster Session PAC6 Implementation Team 15 PEPNet Needs Assessment Visits 16 Transportation Agenda 17 Navigator’s Compass Project Awarded 18 Guam CEDDERS New Staff 19 Calendar of Events 20 Bon Voyage Brenda Christmas Wishes from PAC6 and CIMAP staff Governor’s Early Childhood Summit Focuses On Latest Research & Improvement Strategies All things begin at the beginning. It’s as simple as that. While many early childhood educators have believed this for decades, the latest brain research findings are backing the significance of the first years of life. On October 11, Dr. Ross Thompson, Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Davis, was the keynote speaker at the Governor’s Early Childhood Summit. Dr. Thompson shared scientific research findings that show the impact of developmentally appropriate early investments in all aspects of a child’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Stress, brain architecture, well-child health care, nurturing relationships, high quality care, and school readiness were all topics pursued by Dr. Thompson. The Summit, which focused on the theme of All Eyes on Five: The First Five Years Matter–“Investing in Our Future,” was attended by 70 community stakeholders and off-island partners committed to children and our future. The Guam Early Learning Council, chaired by First Lady Joann Camacho and Guam CEDDERS Elaine Eclavea, Initiative Area Coordinator, organized the Early Learning Summit held at the Westin Resort Guam. After listening to Dr. Thompson’s presentation, participants engaged in breakout sessions that reviewed focus areas in greater detail. These focus areas ranged from improving access to health care and a medical home, early care, education and child care, social emotional and mental health, and parent training and family supports for our young children. Issues that resulted from the breakout sessions were grouped into five consistent themes – accessibility, accountability, systemic collaboration, data, and training. On December 20, the participants will return to the Guam Westin Hotel, to determine priorities and next steps within each focus area. All Eyes on Five: The First Five Years Matter is providing the road map to help ensure that our children and their families are provided the support and guidance needed for a healthy, productive, and successful life. Their success will be the community’s success. All things begin at the beginning. It’s as simple as that. Photo with caption Governor Felix P. Camacho stressed the importance of the goals addressed by the Early Childhood Summit. Joining him at the head table are: (L-R) Dr. Ross Thompson, Thelma Hechanova, Elaine Eclavea, First Lady Joann Camacho, & Sister Bridgette Perez Page 2 Photo with caption Dr. Ross Thompson and First Lady Joann Camacho discuss strategies to move Guam’s early childhood agenda forward Child Care Rules and Regulations Move Forward It is often touted that children are our future. Throughout the child care system of providers on our island, that sentiment reflects the mantra. For the past couple of years, early care providers have been discussing improvement strategies for child care centers. At the table have been child care providers, child care directors, and public health social service staff members. In partnership with the Department of Public Health & Social Services, Guam CEDDERS staff members have provided the leadership for this process. Topical issues discussed have been child ratios, professional development, playground equipment, and cost and fees. A particularly big step has been the agreement to reduce child staff ratios for children birth to 12 months from 5:1 to 4:1. The staff ratios for children 13 months to 2 years will go from 8:1 to 7:1. Child care owners have agreed that changes will become effective January 1, 2012. Cost, of course, is a big factor in providing high quality, developmentally appropriate care for our children. At the care provider’s request, policy makers and directors of various agencies were invited to discuss cost funding measures. On November 12, at least 50 people engaged in a lively discussion regarding tax incentives for small businesses such as child care at the University of Guam (UOG). Within this group were child care directors, senators, and agency directors. Added to the invaluable networking, was the outcome of a legislative bill introduced to adjust gross receipts tax requirements for small businesses, which, of course, include child care. Once again, it is clear that there are many people across the community who are interested in coming together and doing what is needed for children and families. Photo with caption Dr. Judy Won Pat, Speaker of the 29th Guam Legislature, (standing, left), responds to a question during a well-attended roundtable discussion at the UOG attended by child care providers, parents, and policy makers on November 12 . Page 3 A summary of the recommendations that are listed by categories that have bullet items that were made during the Summit can be found below: Early Childhood Summit Recommendations Topical Area: Access to Health Insurance and Medical Home, Recommended Nest steps, Activities and/or Strategies ACCESSIBILITY * MIP and Medicaid * highly qualified health administrators needed * insurance companies would like to manage these programs * lower health insurance deductible per doctor visit * public transportation is not accessible/available ACCOUNTABILITY * government payments for MIP are not on time * licensure requirements SYSTEMIC COLLABORATION * shortage of dentists at Public Health * extended clinics – partners join in at various locations to increase access * off-site, satellite, outreach clinics – i.e., hemophiliac clinic – take health specialist and date base to provide continuity of care * memorandum of agreement between private and public agencies DATA * MIP – need financial data to make decisions * health care professionals – need needs assessment, resources, barriers – not just survey * licensure requirements TRAINING * family nurse practitioners * more health care training programs Topical Area: Early Childhood Education, Recommended Next Steps, Activities and/or Strategies ACCESSIBILITY * public awareness and outreach on quality child care and available services * temporary service business for child care providers (similar to substitute teacher system in GPSS) * funding to assist centers and families through * tax breaks * remove GRT * re-implement Dave Santos Act * training for staff (i.e. continue CCDF funding of CPR because costs are high) ACCOUNTABILITY * strategies to raise the bar of quality child care providers and administrators (i.e. professional development system) * memorandum of understanding between private child care centers and GPSS Special Education Preschool Program SYSTEMIC COLLABORATION * collaboration between early childhood programs and school-age programs to ensure school readiness, particularly those receiving kindergarteners * partnerships * international corporations (i.e. Gas and Bank companies) * non-profit organization (i.e., Lyons Club, Rotary Club) DATA * child care statistics to include baseline data of number, level of education, and qualifications of early childhood providers * costs of child care and running of child care business * collect data on center violations to help with development of intervention strategies TRAINING * strategies to raise the bar of quality child care providers and administrators (i.e. professional development system) Page 4 Topical Area: Family Support and Parent Education, Recommended Next Steps, Activities and/or Strategies ACCESSIBILITY * availability of services beyond Monday – Friday, 8 – 5 * one stop resource center for information * regular public service announcements regarding available services * military community partnerships to enhance service within the local community ACCOUNTABILITY * improve Parent Services Center – GPSS * agencies must learn to listen to parents and go beyond them doing it in order to empower parents to do it for themselves * ensure that parental education is proactively delivered not just reactively SYSTEMIC COLLABORATION * interactive system for a directory to make it easier for agencies to communicate. Easily upgraded and include non-profit services DATA * collect data through oral means as well as written means TRAINING * cross training of information for agencies. A more informed referral for parents * parental leadership training needed to build competence in parents for their own advocacy needs * families in training in order to access the services Topical Area: SOCIAL EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT and MENTAL HEALTH, Recommended Next Steps, Activities and/or Steps ACCESSIBILITY * information on what’s available * communication and information sharing * referral process * reduce stigma associated with “mental health” ACCOUNTABILITY * vision of what we want to see SYSTEMIC COLLABORATION * promote collaboration among providers * create a system of care for supporting young children & families with significant social-emotional and behavioral challenges * home-based delivery service * focus throughout life span * establish a social emotional month * similar summit for Continuum of Services * work with courts/child protective services to ensure at-risk families receive service DATA * ages and stages questionnaire (ASQ) as a screening tool * local research & presentations * professionals in various disciplines * policy makers * families TRAINING * training in the schools on social emotional and mental health development * families learning from families Page 5 Guam EHDI Undergoes Site Review The Center for Disease Control (CDC) conducted its third on-site visit on September 9 & 10 to the Guam CEDDERS Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Tracking and Surveillance System. The purpose of the visit was to obtain evaluative feedback on the progress made with the Guam EHDI, also known as Guam ChildLink, the EHDI tracking and surveillance system for Guam. Recommendations were also provided to improve, refine, and enhance the Guam ChildLink System. Also addressed during the visit was the need and relevancy of all Guam EHDI electronic linkages, both local and regional. In addition, there was discussion on the plan for Pacific entities to meet regarding EHDI. Finally, the visit allowed for the CDC team to share with Mr. Jim Lacson, Director of Information and Management from the Governor’s Office, along with other local government agencies, the advantages of launching an electronic birth certificate system to enhance data sharing and compliance with federal regulations. The CDC team conducting the visit included John Eichwald, Steve Richardson, and June Holstrum. Also present for the visit was off-island consultant to the EHDI project, Quansheng Song from the University of Maine, and Kim Aiello, Consultant from the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAMS) at Utah State University. Photo with caption The Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention conducted a site visit of Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) Project on September 9 & 10, 2008. Pictured above during the site visit are (L-R) Elaine Eclavea, Guam EHDI; John Eichwald, CDC Team Leader; Indira Kazuma, Guam EHDI; Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, Guam CEDDERS; Joseph (JJ) Mendiola, Guam EHDI; Quansheng Song, University of Maine Consultant; Dr. Velma Sablan, Guam EHDI; Steve Richardson, CDC Health Educator; & Dr. June Holstrum, Consultant, CDC. CNMI PSS Staff Review Early Childhood Outcome Guidelines Photo with caption Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Initiative Area Coordinator, assisted the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Public School System (PSS) Early Intervention and Pre-School personnel in reviewing the CNMI’s Early Childhood Outcome Guidelines for assessing and monitoring progress of young children in the program. Staff members involved in the process included: (front row, L-R) Severo Siasoyco, Jerry Diaz, Mr. Jun. (middle row, L-R) Naomi Diaz, Lydia Santos, Suzanne Lizama, Rose Diaz, Patty Staal, Carrie Shuoler. (back row, L-R) Judy Hawkins, Viola Kaipat, Sheilla Perez, Ericka Frink, Elaine Eclavea, Robin Palacios, Margaret Blaz, Julie Lieto, Mark Staal, Dora Wong, & Barbara Sher. Page 6 Pacific CIMAP Staff Conducts Regional Site Visits As a follow up activity of the 2-week Pacific Consortium for Instructional Materials Accessibility Project (Pacific CIMAP) Institute held on Guam in July 28-August 8, on-site technical assistance was recently provided in each entity to facilitate the implementation of services. Pacific CIMAP staff conducted “refresher” training sessions with the Jurisdiction Implementation Team (JIT) members on specialized equipment and software for students with print disabilities; collaborated with each entity’s JIT members on the implementation of practical standard operating procedures for the management, production, documentation, and delivery of accessible instructional materials to students with print disabilities; and provided training on data management using the Pacific CIMAP web-based data system. As a result of the site visits, each JIT will update their action steps to include any additional technical assistance and support needed. June De Leon, Project Director, Connie Guerrero, Project Coordinator, Joseph Mendiola, Data Coordinator, and Jonas Macapinlac, Media Specialist, made up the Pacific CIMAP team which provided the on-site technical assistance. Pacific CIMAP is a grant awarded by the Office of Special Education Programs to address the common and unique needs of Pacific jurisdictions in implementing a system that meets the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standards (NIMAS). Pacific CIMAP aims to enhance each entity’s system for providing timely educational materials in appropriate accessible formats for students with disabilities. Pacific CIMAP provides technical support to the six Pacific Island entities (American Samoa, CNMI, FSM, Guam, the Marshall Islands, and Palau). The data collected during the on-site visits will assist in shaping next steps for Pacific CIMAP in using technology to access instructional materials to improve student literacy. Text in colored box: Pacific CIMAP TA Activities September 17-20 Pohnpei Site Visit September 29 CNMI Site Visit October 1-4 RMI Site Visit October 12-15 Palau Site Visit October 26-31 American Samoa Site Visit October 22 & November 25 Guam Site Visit November 12-14 Yap Site Visit November 17-20 Kosrae Site Visit December 1-4 Chuuk Site Visit December 1-12 Vision Consultant Regional Visit February 2009 Pacific CIMAP Leadership Meeting Photos with caption Brian Thompson, (standing), a teacher in American Samoa’s Vision Impairment Program, assists one of his ninth grade students in reading text provided in Braille. The materials used during this lesson were produced using the technology provided by the Pacific CIMAP project. Mr. Thompson received training on the use of assistive technology to maximize accessibility for students during the Pacific CIMAP Training Institute held in August on Guam. A Kosraean high school student tries her hand at typing out sentences using the Mountbatten Brailler. The Brailler is one of the devices purchased for the Kosrae Department of Education Special Education Program through the CIMAP Project. Assisting is her Vision Impairment teacher, Meriam Wakuk. Ms. Wakuk was provided with training on how to utilize the Mountbatten Brailler during the CIMAP Training Institute held on Guam in August. Page 7 Photos with caption June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director and Pacific CIMAP Project Director (right), watches closely as 3-year old, Avyllia from Pohnpei, FSM, who is blind, tries out a Braille Notetaker under the guidance of her auntie. Gwendolyn Rengiil, Tsungiko Renguul, and Delina Kebekol, teachers from the Palau Ministry of Education, Special Education Program, practice utilizing the “Classmate,” a document reader that produces audio output. Dasiana Atty, (center) Special Education Teacher, with her colleagues in Chuuk State, try out the Mountbatten Brailler. Page 8 Project Menhalom Hosts Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports Conference Guam CEDDERS facilitated a two day Training October 23 and 24, 2008 on Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) for members of the School Climate Cadres, who are tasked with implementing PBIS in the public middle schools. Rosemarie Camacho, Dr. Nieves Flores, and Bonnie Brandt provided an overview of PBIS and Project Menhalom and helped the cadre members to distinguish between PBIS and Character Education. They also assisted the teams in developing their Action Plan for developing the critical features necessary for making PBIS successful at their schools. The highlight of the event was a demonstration by those middle schools who have begun PBIS implementation, including Untalan, Inarajan, Agueda Johnston, and Jose Rios Middle Schools. The teams presented what PBIS looks like at their school, including their school-wide expectations and reward system, as well as how they use discipline data to make decisions for improvement. They proudly discussed the successes they have seen with PBIS and their plan for overcoming challenges for full implementation. Photos with caption School teams working hard on their Action Plans for PBIS Implementation. Bonnie Brandt facilitates “Evaluating and Assessing PBIS at Your School” while Rosemarie Camacho disseminates the PBIS Evaluation Tools. Dr. Nieves Flores conducts an icebreaker in which participants line up in accordance to birthdays no talking allowed! Page 9 PIRC Develops Strategic Plans The air was charged with emotion. You could feel the excitement and enthusiasm. Two hundred stakeholders filled the Hyatt Regency Ballroom on Saturday, October 25, 2008. The Parent Information Resource Center (PIRC), was holding its first strategic planning session. Parents, grandparents, students, teachers, principals, assistant principals, counselors, school staff members, child care providers, a mayor, a senator, the attorney general, mayor representatives, non-profit organizations, the public school superintendent, Guam Education Policy Board members, agency representatives from Department of Youth Affairs, U.S. Probation Office, Sanctuary, and Guam Community College dedicated the day to determine how family involvement can be strengthened throughout the public school system. After reviewing an environmental scan, the group determined that a vision for family involvement would be “To Connect, To Collaborate, To Care… Consistently.“ The participant groups urged that families be a part of school decisions at all levels at all times. Now, the PIRC DREAM Teams, which are school based and are composed of parents and school members, will determine their goals along the lines of identified key strategies. The first ever national parent information resource center on Guam is making great strides towards increasing family involvement which leads to greater student success. Photo with caption (Standing, L-R) The Oceanview DREAM team members Lynda Hernandez-Avilla, Principal, & Frances Ann Nauta, Liguan Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) President; (Sitting, L-R) Oceanview Middle School PTO Officers, Johnny Rivera, President, Rose Lazaga, Merlita Juanillo, & Doris Salas. Text in colored box: Key Strategic Issues 1. Improving Family Involvement with Schools 2. Improving Student Achievement through Quality Teaching and Learning 3. Improving Relations with Community 4. Providing training Programs to Further Family Involvement Advertisement At the request of the Parent Information Resource Center, Guam CEDDERS facilitated the production of a 30-second video ad promoting parent involvement in their children’s learning at home and school. The ad is currently being aired on several cable stations. Page 10 Systems of Care Holds 1st Regional Conference The 1st Regional Conference on Systems of Care, Transforming Children’s Mental Health in the Pacific Islands: Celebrating our Progress, Sharing our Knowledge, and Promoting the Strengths of the Family (“Fuetsan I Familia”), was held on Guam at the Westin Resort September 15–17th. Sponsored by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (DMHSA) project, I Famagu’on-ta, and funded by the Child, Adolescent and Family Branch of the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), this event brought together over 180 families, youth, service providers, policy makers, and community stakeholders from across the Pacific islands to learn about the mental health needs of children with serious emotional and behavioral disorders and best practices in the field of children’s mental health. The conference officially opened on Monday, September 15th with a cultural dance performed by Katon I Tano, a local dance troupe from Talofofo Elementary School. Dr. Gary Blau, Chief of the Child, Adolescent and Family Branch of the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provided the keynote address. Dr. Blau is a champion of children’s mental health and has been a driving force behind the development and expansion of Systems of Care in the U.S. mainland and territories. Throughout the conference, Mary Grealish, Dr. David Osher, Trina Osher, Dr. Sue Smith, Karl and Kathy Dennis, and Michelle Herman, also nationally recognized leaders in the field of children’s mental health and systems of care offered their knowledge and expertise through plenary sessions and workshops, as well as through technical assistance to the island entities during breakout sessions. Additional presentations were conducted by local and regional professsionals, youth and family members, including Dr. Kirk Bellis, Dr. Juan Rapadas, Dr. Pat Taimanglo, Bonnie Brandt, Mariles Benavente, Dr. Ranilo Laygo, Brittany and Brandy Martinez, Claire Castro, Dr. Sylvia Wally, Dr. Anamaria Yomai, Dr. Gonzaga-Optaia, The Honorable Judge Arthur Barcinas, Dr. Vince Akimoto, and Navy Chaplain Carl Trost along with other members of Guam’s military community. Conference attendees also participated in poster sessions, a silent auction to benefit the family organization, Guam Identifies Families’ Terrific Strengths (GIFTS), and a celebration at Jimmy Dee’s, complete with island food and entertainment. A special Youth Track ran concurrently during the conference and was facilitated by Victor Damian, Youth Coordinator for the San Francisco System of Care. After a full three days of presentations and technical assistance sessions, the conference concluded with presentations by each island group. Representatives from Guam, CNMI, Palau, FSM, the Marshall Islands, and American Samoa shared information on the mental health issues confronting their communities and their plans for promoting a systems of care approach to address these needs. Guam CEDDERS Children’s Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) Evaluation Team played an active role in the conference, including presenting a workshop titled: Five Years of System of Care on Guam: What the Research is Telling Us. As part of this presentation, Bonnie Brandt, Lead Evaluator, and Mariles Benavente, Evaluator for Family and Community Involve-ment, shared descriptive and outcome data for youth and families enrolled in I Famagu’on-ta. Co-presenting during this session were Brittany Martinez and Claire Castro. Ms. Martinez, a member of the Youth Evaluation Team, presented on the Youth Evaluation Team and selected findings from the Youth Focus Groups. Ms. Castro shared her experience as a parent of a youth enrolled in Guam’s System of Care. Guam CEDDERS CMHI Evaluation Team staff (Keith Villaluna, Elaine Roberto, Lolita Leon Guerrero and Jessica Camacho) contributed by compiling and reproducing the conference workshop handouts on a CD, taping selected presentations, conducting the conference evaluation and assisting with the conference “Ask Me” information booth. The Youth Evaluation Team also participated by developing and displaying a poster and in designing and conducting the evaluation of the Youth Track of the conference. Copies of the conference handouts are available by contacting Keith Villaluna at 735-2397 or via email at keith.villaluna@guamcedders.org. Photos with caption System of Care Conference presenters were acknowledged: (Standing L-R) Michele Herman, SAMHSA Federal Project Officer; Mary Grealish; Dr. Osher; Trina Osher; Sue Smith; Karl Dennis, Brandy Martinez, Youth Representative; Bonnie Brandt, Lead Evaluator, Guam CEDDERS; Mariles Benavente, Evaluator, Guam CEDDERS; Claire Santos, Family Representative; Brittany Martinez, Youth Representative; Dr. Juan Rapadas, Psychologist; Kathy Dennis; Dr. Pat Taimanglo (side profile). Plenary Session 2 Presenters from the Systems of Care Conference: (Standing L-R) Dr. David Osher; Brandy Martinez, Youth Representative, Trina Osher, M.A., Annie Unpingco, LCSW, Principal Investigator for I Famagu’on-ta, Hon. Arthur Barcinas, Judge of the Superior Court of Guam, and William Jones (former I Famagu’on-ta Wrap Coordinator). Dr. Kiffer, Psychologist, Superior Court Of Guam, Dr. Gary Blau, Chief of the Child, Adolescent & Family Branch, CMHS/SAMHSA & Michele Herman, SAMHSA Federal Project Officer for I Famagu’on-ta share a photo during the System of Care Conference. Guam Police Dept. Looks At Partnering with CEDDERS (L-R) Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, met with Sergeant James Buccat and Roland Taimanglo, representatives from the Guam Police Department's Community Assisted Policing Effort (CAPE) Program to discuss potential collaborative efforts. Under consideration are education activities to heighten public awareness on the various aspects of the accessible parking laws. CAPE is also involved in developing strategies to promote emergency preparedness for persons with disabilities. Page 12 Retired Temple UCEDD Director Shares Expertise on Guam Dr. Diane Nelson Bryen (pictured at left), recently retired from the Pennsylvania UCEDD at Temple University, recently concluded two months of sharing her expertise in Augmentative and Alternative Communication with Guam CEDDERS at the Guam System of Assistive Technology (GSAT). Twenty-five enthusiastic students, many of whom recently earned graduate degrees in Speech Pathology, explored the world of communication and the impact on the lives of those without a readily understandable means of communicating with others in their environment. At the end of their five Saturday course, students gained more than academic credit; they had gained inspiration and motivation to affect improvements in the quality of life for persons with communication challenges. Dr. Bryen spent time in the field visiting individuals in their living environments to assess their means of communication and designed communication boards for their needs. She also advocated for Vocational Rehabilitation to expedite support for Employment Assistive Technology (AT). Dr. Bryen addressed the needs of the professional community by conducting a special lecture series. Power Point presentation slides of all Dr. Bryen’s lectures are available on our website at www.guamcedders.org. Guam CEDDERS and the Guam community benefitted from the infusion of Dr. Bryen’s experience and expertise over the short term and is likely to continue to reap benefits as the networking with Dr. Bryen continues across the distance of the Pacific. Photos with caption Public safety personnel and Guam Legal Services Corporation staff pose with Dr. Diane Bryen (front, second from left), after the October 24 lecture entitled, “Ending the Silence,” which addressed abuse and neglect of persons with disabilities. With the audience comprised primarily of Guam Public School System Speech Pathologists, Dr. Diane Bryen delivered her lecture on “The Right to Communicate” on October 17 at the University of Guam Leon Guerrero Building Lecture Hall. Text in colored box: Diane Bryen, Ph.D. Professor Emerita Lecture Series Focusing on Helping People with Communication Challenges * “The Right to Communicate” * “Ending the Silence”-Abuse & Neglect (Protection & Advocacy)” * “Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities” * “Assistive Technology & Transition From School to Adult Life” Page 13 GSAT Advisory Board Begins Conference Planning Photo with caption The Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) Advisory Board began planning for the 14th Annual Assistive Technology Conference during its November meeting. Attending the meeting were: (Front, L-R) Cecilia “Lee” Cruz, Linda Leon Guerrero, Josie Cortez, & Bill Fuppul. (Back row, L-R) Sam Ilesugam, Frank Reyes, Vanessa Longa, Lisa Ogo, Dan Cobb, Kathy Milhoff, & Manuel Cruz. Guam CEDDERS Ad Hoc Committee on Emergency Preparedness Established During the last quarterly meeting of the Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council, Frank Reyes, representing the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID), brought up the urgent need to address the need for a comprehensive planning effort in the area of Emergency Preparedness for individuals with disabilities. The Council strongly agreed with this concern and as a result, the Ad Hoc Committee on Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities was established, with Mr. Reyes serving as chairperson. Three meetings have been held since that time to focus on this issue. The person in charge of Guam's Department of Homeland Security, Col. Dennis Santo Tomas, (Ret), Sgt. James Buccat from the Guam Police Department, and visiting professor Dr. Diane Bryen have joined in on our discussions with committee members . For more information, please contact Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS Initiative Area Coordinator, at 735-2478 or at ginger.porter@guamcedders.org. Page 14 U.S. DOE OSEP Visits Guam As part of its Continuous Improvement and Focused Monitoring System (CIFMS), the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is conducting verification visits to a number of states and entities to verify the effectiveness of their systems for general supervision, collecting and reporting of data, financial management, and their systems for improving child and family outcomes and protecting child and family rights. During the week of November 17, 2008, Dr. Richard Steffan and Mr. Charles Kniseley, OSEP State Contacts, conducted the OSEP verification visit on Guam. During Guam’s verification visit, Dr. Steffan and Mr. Kniseley conducted interviews with the Guam Public School System (GPSS) staff, reviewed documents, and visited schools to gather information and data for: (1) analyzing the components of GPSS’s general supervision, data, and fiscal systems in order to determine the extent to which they are effective in ensuring compliance and improving performance; and (2) verifying data GPSS submitted in its Financial Fiscal Year 2006 Annual Performance Report/State Performance Plan and through other public information. Technical support was provided in preparation for and during OSEP’s visit to Guam by Guam CEDDERS through a contract with GPSS, Division of Special Education. The visit was also supported by University of Oregon’s Western Regional Resource Center (WRRC), an OSEP-funded technical assistance center. Photo with caption The OSEP visiting team with GPSS, Division of Special Education (SpEd) representatives and technical assistance providers met for a group photo in front of the poster created by students in the GPSS Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program. (Standing, L-R) Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS; Dr. Nieves Flores, Guam CEDDERS; Charles Kniseley, OSEP Part C State Contact; Dr. Caroline Moore, WRRC; Terese Crisostomo, GPSS, SpEd; May Camacho, GPSS, SpEd; & June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS. (Sitting in center) Dr. Richard Steffan, OSEP Part B State Contact. Page 15 PAC6 Project Shared During TASH Poster Session Photo with caption PAC6 Project Partners Guam CEDDERS and the University of Kentucky Inclusive Large Scale Standards and Assessment (ILSSA) group conducted a Poster Presentation entitled "A Regional Approach that Builds Capacity for All Students in the Pacific" at the 33rd Annual TASH Conference in Nashville, Tennessee on December 4th, 2008. Joining the presentation was PAC6 Project Partner University of Minnesota's National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO). From left to right:Jason Altman, NCEO Research Coordinator, Michael Burdge, ILSSA Technical Assistance Specialist, Martha Thurlow, Ph.D., NCEO Director, Jean Clayton, ILSSA Technical Assistance Specialist, June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS PAC6 Project Director, and June Quitugua, Guam CEDDERS PAC6 Project Assessment Coordinator. PAC6 Implementation Team Meets in Yap The FSM Jurisdiction Implementation Team met in Yap during the week of November 10-13, 2008 to continue working on the FSM’s Teacher’s Guide for Alternate Assessments Based on Alternate Achievement Standards (AA-AAS), which they had started drafting during the GSEG Regional Assessment Institute held on Guam in August. The GSEG PAC6 technical assistance follow-up site visit held in Yap was conducted by Guam CEDDERS staff and were joined by Project Partners Michael Burdge and Jean Clayton, Technical Assistance Specialists from ILSSA and Dr. Mary Spencer, PAC6 Regional Assessment Expert. During the week, the consultants provided assistance to the FSM team, continuing the drafting of content for the FSM’s Teacher’s Guide. Training on “Implementing the Stepwise Process to Access the General Curriculum” was conducted in the afternoons with over 40 general education and special education teachers attending the training. Also, the Yap Special Education team had arranged to conduct school and home visits to observe the students identified to participate in the AA-AAS for this school year. Guam CEDDERS would like to thank Sr. Margaret Margou, Yap State Director of Education, Judy Gapey, Special Education Coordinator, John Bugulrow, Special Education Assistant Coordinator, Dorothy En, Special Education Assessment Specialist, and Jonathan Mathau, Education Diagnostician for their hospitality and overwhelming support of the visit. Photo with caption (L-R) Jean Clayton and Mike Burdge prep for a presentation on the Stepwise Process for Accessing the General Curriculum Page 16 Site Visits for PEPNet Needs Assessment Initiated Meeting the educational and vocational training needs of students and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing has been one of the more challenging areas faced by service providers in the Pacific Rim. A major reason for this has been because training for the service providers themselves is highly specialized and not readily available to our region. The Post-secondary Education Program Network, better known as PEPNet, seeks to put a dent in this need. The PEPNet program maintains "a national network of regional centers that provide resources, information, in-service training, and expertise to enhance educational opportunities for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families." PEPNet-West, based at the California State University, Northridge, and under the leadership of Catherine McLeod, contacted Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, to work on conducting an assessment to prioritize training needs for personnel working with secondary students and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing. Although the collection of information began early this year, site visits took place this quarter, beginning with a visit to Saipan on November 24-25. Yap State in the Federated States of Micronesia occurred on December 1-2, immediately followed by the Palau visit on December 3-4. Visits to the rest of the Pacific Rim region are scheduled for the end of December. Photos with caption Input for the PEPNet Needs Assessment was obtained from the staff of the CNMI Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). Staff included Bernice Ravell, Counselor; Arlene Yamagata, VR Counselor; Maggie Reyes, VR Aide; Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS; Maggie Olepai-Taitano, Director; & Manny Ogarto, VR Counselor. Teachers in the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program in Yap, FSM, include, (seated, L-R), Susan Ligow, Mary Labruth, (standing, L-R), Tim Bigelow, Coordinator, & Mars Noda. Wanbe Musebed, (L), is the Program Coordinator for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program in Palau. She is shown here with Catherine Hindenburg, teacher assistant. Page 17 Transportation Agenda Moves Forward As the cold of Northern Michigan graced the last days of October, Guam CEDDERS professional staff, Ginger Porter, found warmth in a cadre of twenty community transportation professionals all seeking national certification to train bus operators in PAssenger Safety and Securement (PASS). The needs to improve passenger transportation services are common, whether in upstate Michigan or in the middle of the Pacific, and the cadre of twenty had much to learn from their skilled instructor, Mr. Jim Holman, formerly with a New Jersey transit authority, as well as from each other. While the Guam CEDDERS connection contributed greatly in regards to ADA issues, Michigan drivers, supervisors and managers generously shared their knowledge of operational practices and equipment. With Ms. Porter now blazing a badge of Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) recognition, Guam CEDDERS can begin to offer training from the CTAA, providing nationally recognized 3-year certification for community transportation operators. PASS ensures consistency of quality passenger service from community to community. This is a great step forward in upgrading the standards of our driver training to improve passenger service. The month of December also concluded a year-long effort by Guam CEDDERS to train some 51 individuals to proficiency in their knowledge of Wheelchair Securement, Sensitivity to Disabilities, Passenger Assistance and Passenger Relations, all of which included Bloodborne Pathogen Protection and Emergency Evacuation. Throughout the training, two eligible ADA riders, Evelyn Duenas and Lisa Ogo, enriched the training experience with stories of their experience and perspectives. Professional staff member Vicky Ritter, a trained nursing professional, joined Ginger Porter and Michael Terlaje in delivering the course content. Five more transit operators will join the 34 already trained and tested out with proficiency in all four topical modules by the end of the month. The remaining individuals who participated in the training consist of managers, human resource personnel, supervisors, part time operators, and those who have changed transit assignments. The next step for operators within the new year will be 4 hours of required refresher training or completion of CTAA certification through PASS training . Photo with caption On December 11, Guam CEDDERS facilitated a meeting of the Mobility Planning Team to address the 2009 Transportation Priorities coming from the Department of Administration, Division of Public Transportation and the Transportation Commission. With the discussion agenda full of ideas, the group narrowed their focus for 2009 on the following issues: forward movement on legislation to re-create a mass transit authority, addressing the management of the exclusive franchise of public transportation on Guam roadways, increasing transit pass purchasing locations to improve passenger access, adding stops to fixed route bus schedules to reduce “dead” time, and developing a variety of new fare structure proposals. Shown at the meeting, (L-R) Joseph C. Manibusan, Deputy Director of Department of Administration; Rudy Cabana, Planner, Division of Public Transportation Services; Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS; & Evelyn Duenas, Transportation Commission Vice President. Page 18 Navigator’s Compass Project Awarded Funding Photo with caption The Navigator’s Compass Project staff have established their offices in House 20, Dean Circle on the University of Guam campus. (L-R), Dr. Mary Fegurgur, Co-Principal Investigator; Dr. Nieves Flores, Project Director; & Evelyn San Agustin Claros, Senior Family Navigator. The brainstorm of extending the expertise of Guam CEDDERS into service for military personnel who have children with disabilities has broken into a new frontier! Since September 30, 2008, the tables have been turned, whereby Guam is the forerunner of a project helping military personnel and their families navigate the multiple military and civilian support systems available for their depen-dents with disabilities. Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, Guam CEDDERS Director and Principal Investigator, and Dr. Mary Fegurgur, Co-Principal Investigator, identified the talent and background of Guam CEDDERS Advisory Board member Evelyn San Agustin Claros as a good fit for the Senior Family Navigator in the approved project. Ms. San Agustin Claros, herself, is a military dependent who has extensive experience navigating services for her child who has a disability. Dr. Nieves Flores serves as Project Director for the five year, one million dollar grant. “With this grant, the team of experts at Guam CEDDERS expands its service area to include military families,” said UOG President Robert A. Underwood. “Services will improve the quality of life for servicemen and women who have children with developmental disabilities.” The project aims to establish at least three services and help a minimum of twenty families in the first year, expanding services to no less than forty families in the second through fifth years. The first objective for Guam CEDDERS is to get the word out and spread awareness about the types of services available to eligible families. This includes local citizens who are engaged in all forms of military service. Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Marianas, Rear Admiral Bill French, supported the expanded opportunities for families of men and women in the military by saying, “I am pleased to be able to announce that these services will soon be available to our military families. I applaud the partnership between experts at the University of Guam, community organizations, and the U.S. Armed Forces to improve services for children with developmental disabilities and their families who are stationed on Guam.” It is truly fitting that the project is graced with the name, “Navigator’s Compass.” You’ll be hearing more about the unfolding direction of this new frontier. Text in colored box: Navigator’s Compass: Guam’s Family Support 360 for Military Families Goals * To enhance the capabilities of families to assist their children with developmental disabilities to achieve their maximum potential; * To support the increasing ability of children with disabilities to exercise greater choice and self determination and to engage in leadership activities in their communities; and * To ensure the legal and human rights protection of children with disabilities. Page 19 New Staff Joins Guam CEDDERS Team Photo with caption Five new professional staff joined the Guam CEDDERS family during the last quarter. (Photo above) Carla Torres (left), is the new Assistive Technology Specialist in charge of the GSAT Center. Carla moved to Guam from Saipan, where she was a Special Education teacher for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System. Diana Calvo (center) serves as the evaluator of the Parent Information Resource Center (PIRC) Project after having served for over 30 years as a social worker and administrator in various programs at the Guam Department of Public Health & Social Services (DPHSS). Julie Celeste, (right) a veteran from DPHSS with over 20 years experience as a management analyst, is the new Guam CEDDERS Administrative Manager. In addition, Dr. Mary Fegurgur, joined Guam CEDDERS as the Co-Principal Investigator of the newly funded Guam CEDDERS Project: The Navigator’s Compass, with Evelyn San Agustin Claros as the Senior Family Navigator. (See photo on Page 18) Welcome aboard! MEDICAL HOME Support Staff Team Welcomes New Members Photo with caption The support staff ranks of our organization also expanded during this past quarter. (L-R, front) Bianca Cruz, Marcus Finona, and Jaylynn Mendiola are Office Assistants—students in their first year at the University of Guam. (Back row, L-R) Elena Garrido (far left) and Elizabeth Ficke (far right) are Center Assistants. Robert Leon Guerrero and David Macapinlac (center) are Office Assistants. These support staff provide a strong foundation to the Guam CEDDERS operation. Welcome to the Guam CEDDERS team! Page 20 Calendar of Upcoming Events December 2008 * Dec 1-2– Yap On-Site PEPNet Needs Assessment * Dec 1-12-Pacific CIMAP Site Visits: Pohnpei, Saipan, Yap, Guam by Donna McNear * Dec 1-8-PAC6 Partners Meeting & Poster Presentation at the TASH Conference * Dec 3-5-Palau On-Site PEPNet Needs Assessment * Dec 6-Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Fair, Agana Shopping Center, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. * Dec 10-Part B Parent Input Session, M.U. Lujan Elementary School, 6-7 pm * Dec10-11-Håtsa Professional Development Team Follow-Up Session * Dec 11-Part B Parent Input Session, Astumbo Elementary School, 6-7 pm * Dec 10-11-PAC6 Palau Follow-Up Visit * Dec 12-Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Mtg, GSAT Training Ctr., 3:30 pm * Dec 12-UOG Fall Semester Ends * Dec 15-18-PAC6 RMI Follow-up Visit * Dec 16-PIRC Strategic Plan Review, 5:30 pm, PIRC Office * Dec 20-Governor’s Early Learning Summit—Part 2, Westin Resort &Spa, 8 am-12pm * Dec 21-UOG Commencement Ceremony January 2009 * Jan 5-9-PIRC Parent Mentor Training, 8-12 Noon, PIRC Office, J&G Commercial Building * Jan 8-9-Family Support 360 Evaluation Visit * Jan 8-10-FSM Coordinators’ Meeting, Guam * Jan 12-16-WRRC Regional Meeting: Secondary Transition Training & Annual Performance Report Clinic, Guam * Jan 27-CMHI National Evaluation Families Closure Focus Group * Jan 29-CMHI National Evaluation Families Closure Focus Group February 2009 * Feb 16-18– PAC6 Regional Institute Strands, Guam * Feb 19-20-Pacific CIMAP Regional Leadership Meeting, Guam Bon Voyage, Brenda! Brenda Leon Guerrero, Administrative Manager and Consumer Leadership and Systems Change Initiative Area Coordinator, left Guam CEDDERS on September 30 to pursue other interests. The first employee to be hired by Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, Director, Brenda routinely represented the Guam CEDDERS at the Developmental Disabilities Council and spearheaded a number of projects over the past 15 years. Known for her "fiscal prowess," federal officials have been known to compliment her talents on budget development and financial management. Good luck, Bren…..You are greatly missed! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Photo with caption Guam CEDDERS PAC6 and Pacific CIMAP staff get into the Christmas spirit while in their uniforms specially tailored in American Samoa. (Sitting L-R) Joseph “JJ” Mendiola & Krystal Perez. (Standing L-R) Jonas Macapinlac, June De Leon, Connie Guerrero, Jef Limtiaco, & June Quitugua. University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, & Service (Guam CEDDERS) Newsletter Guam CEDDERS Office of Academic & Student Affairs University of Guam, UOG Station Mangilao, Guam 96923 Phone: (671) 735-2480/1 Fax: (671) 734-5709 TTY: (671) 734-6531 Email: heidi.sannicolas@guamcedders.org I Tellai is a quarterly publication of Guam CEDDERS. Director: Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D. Editors: Terrie Fejarang, June De Leon, & Ginger Porter Layout & Design: Margaret Johnson This issue of I Tellai was made possible by contributions from the following Guam CEDDERS staff members: Bonnie Brandt, Liz Borja, Rosemarie Camacho, Elaine Eclavea, Nieves Flores, June De Leon, Terrie Fejarang, Connie Guerrero, Jonas Macapinlac, Joseph Mendiola, Ginger Porter, June Quitugua, & Aline Yamashita. The University of Guam is an equal opportunity employer and provider.