I Tellai The Bridge Guam CEDDERS Newsletter Volume 6, Number 2 March 5, 2004 Table of Contents Inside this issue: Page CIMP Workshop 1 CIMP Workshop con’t 2 New DDC Executive Director KUAM Airs Video; CMHI Visit Chuuk SpEd Handbook Training 3 Gift of Mobility Tehkie Mas V 4 FSM Test Guidelines CNMI Child Care Assessment 5 FSM SpEd’s New Office 5K Walk, Wheel, Run Event Pacific Meeting Snapshots 6 Child Care & Education Committee 7 10th Child Care Institute New Video Production 8 “Paras In The Classroom” Course Grant Writing2004 VCU Webcast Series 9 AT Poster SeriesNITCCI TA Award 10 GEHDI Parent Group Meeting AT & “Agribility” Workshop 11 Proceedings Announcement Calendar of Events 12 Page 1: Improvement Planning & Performance Reporting Workshop The Western Regional Resource Center (WRRC) and Guam CEDDERS hosted Pacific Region teams during the week of December 9-11, 2003 for “Improvement Planning and Performance Reporting,” the second phase of the Continuous Improvement Monitoring Process (CIMP). Teams from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa and Guam participated in the workshop, with each team comprised of parents with children with disabilities, Special Education Coordinators, and other CIMP team members. The three day workshop assisted teams in developing their jurisdictions’ Improvement Plan for Special Education. Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, Director of Guam CEDDERS, and Juan Flores, Guam Superintendent of Education, welcomed the ninety-nine participants to Guam and praised everyone for their hard work in continuing to improve the education of children with disabilities. Technical assistance providers from WRRC and Guam CEDDERS then presented an overview of the Continuous Improvement & Focused Monitoring System (CIFMS) Process and the new Annual Performance Report (APR), covering the components and steps necessary for completing both processes. Teams were assisted with identifying priorities, examining data, identifying resources for improvement, and examining effective practices and improvement strategies in order to achieve the goal of completing their Improvement Plan. The afternoon session began with each jurisdiction working in their teams to review the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) feedback on their Self-Assessments and then prepare updates. Guam CEDDERS hosted an evening get-together at the Alupang Beach Park and treated everyone to a Guam style dinner, which was complemented by giant mangrove crabs and reef fish brought in from Pohnpei by the Pohnpeian team. On day two, Dick Zeller and Caroline Moore, co-directors of WRRC, started the morning with an overview of the APR Requirements and how the APR relates to Improvement Planning and Reporting. Teams then resumed working on their Improvement Plans, and later in the afternoon, looked at data and accountability for results. A refocus on an overview of the Improvement Plan and Annual Performance Report processes opened the third and final day of the workshop. With the guidelines mapped out and examples highlighted, the jurisdictions were again provided opportunity to continue working in their teams to finish their plans. Many of the teams left with drafts of their Improvement Plans, which are to be completed and submitted to OSEP by March 31, 2004. Great going, everyone! Feedback from the participants indicated that this activity was extremely beneficial in assisting them in the development of their improvements. As part of the follow up support plan, on-site technical assistance will be provided by Guam CEDDERS. Photo with caption: Guam Department of Education Superintendent Juan Flores discusses Improvement Planning with some of the Guam Steering Committee members: Evelyn Claros, Evelyn Charfauros, & Rodney Priest. Related Photos on page 6 Page 2: Joseph Flores Appointed New DD Council Director The Guam Developmental Disabilities Council is pleased to announce that Mr. Joseph Flores has been appointed as its Executive Director as of November 2003. During the first two months in his new position, Mr. Flores facilitated the relocation of the DDC office from Tiyan to its new home in the University Castle Mall in Mangilao. He has met several times with the Council and has “hit the ground running” in terms of working at completing tasks of the Council as set forth in the DDC State Plan. To help in addressing these tasks, he has met with sister Tri Agency Directors, Dr. Heidi San Nicolas and Mr. Dan Somerfleck, Esq., to discuss ways in which the three agencies can continue collaborative efforts to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities on Guam. Mr. Flores served as the Director for the 2000 Guam Census. Having experience in statistics, he has expressed his commitment to ensuring that individuals with developmental disabilities on Guam are identified and that services are made available to them. Mr. Flores believes that through increased awareness and dissemination of information on services for individuals with developmental disabilities, individuals requiring additional support will be able to receive the services and supports they need. Guam CEDDERS welcomes our newest member of the Tri-Agency team! Photo with caption: (L-R) Dan Somerfleck, Esq., Joseph Flores, DD Council Director, & Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D., Guam CEDDERS Director pose after the Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council meeting held in December 2003. Advertisement: KUAM TV 8 & 11 Airs Video!!! Thanks to KUAM TV, the 25-minute Guam CEDDERS video production, Si?a Ham Man Macho’cho’: Partnerships in Employment”, which showcases five individuals with disabilities in the workplace, was aired six times in late February and early March. Dångkulu na si Yu’os Ma’ase, KUAM!!! Photo with caption: CMHI Site Visit Project I’Famagu’on-ta recently went through its first federal “CMHI Site Visit” on January 26-29, 2004. The visit was geared towards assessing the progress and challenges facing the Project as it enters its Year Two implementation of the Cooperative Agreement with Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop a comprehensive System of Care for Children with serious emotional disturbances and their families. (Seated L-R) Annie Unpingco, Principal Investigator, Project I’Famagu’on-ta; Michelle Herman, Project Officer, SAMHSA; Debbie Toth-Dennis, SAMHSA Consultant/Family Involvement Specialist; Dr. Mary Fegurgur, Evaluation Team Member, Project I’Famagu’on-ta/Guam CEDDERS (Standing L-R) Dr. Velma Sablan, Lead Evaluator, Project I’Famagu’on-ta/Guam CEDDERS; Mariles Benavente, Evaluation Team Member, Project I’Famagu’on-ta/Guam CEDDERS; Scott Bryant, SAMHSA Coordinator for Site Visit; Kate Pahinui, SAMHSA Consultant/Peer Mentor; Dr. Ronnie San Nicolas, Clinical Director, Project I’Famagu’on-ta. Page 3 Creating Pathways In The Region… For more information contact Nieves Flores, Ed.D. at nflores@ite.net Revisions To The FSM Special Education Handbook Twenty-five special education teachers, Related Service Assistants, and staff from the Chuuk State School System were provided training on the newly revised FSM Special Education Procedural Handbook. Mary Kidd and June Quitugua from Guam CEDDERS provided the 4-day training at the Kurassa Center in Weno, Chuuk in February. The new handbook, revised by Dr. Nieves Flores, is more “user friendly” and has been reduced to only half the pages of the previous manual. The training provided skill building on the specifics of the FSM Screening and Assessment Procedures, developed by Dr. Clay Starlin of the Western Regional Resource Center (WRRC) and the Special Education Process with special emphasis on developing Individualized Education Programs. The 2004 Special Education Manual is still in draft form, but will be finalized for full implementation of the procedures for school year 2004-2005. Funding for the training was provided through the collaborative efforts of WRRC and the FSM National Government. Photos with captions: IEP Teams work on case studies to develop IEP’s using the new forms. Mary Kidd, CEDDERS staff, makes a point during her presentation on Child Identification. Manner Namelo (left) & Mickson Maras (right) administer the math screening to the participants as a review of the Child Identification process. The Gift of Mobility Extends to the Region Guam CEDDERS and GSAT recently distributed a total of 30 wheelchairs to children disabilities Palau, Yap, Pohnpei, and Kosrae. The wheelchairs were donated to Guam by the Wheelchair Foundation of America and shipped to each jurisdiction by the Guam Continental Micronesia Airport Services and Cargo Office. Because the donations were from the Wheelchair Foundation, whose mission is to deliver a wheelchair to every individual in the world who needs one, Guam CEDDERS contacted all the Special Education Coordinators in each jurisdiction and asked them to identify children in their programs who were in need of a wheelchair. response was immediate, and each coordinator commented that they hoped to receive the wheelchairs before Christmas. Guam CEDDERS staff began delivering the wheelchairs to Continental Micronesia's Cargo building on December 10th and the first shipment went out on Saturday, December 13th, with the others following immediately after, in time for Christmas. Guam CEDDERS and GSAT would like to thank Mrs. Lucy Rhoden, Airport Services Manager at Continental Micronesia, for coordinating the effort and extending the gift of mobility to the region. On behalf of the recipients of this gift of mobility, “Thank you, Wheelchair Foundation and Continental Airlines!” Photo with caption: Above photo, L-R) Continental representatives, Larry Lizama, Cargo Agent, Lucy Rhoden, Airport Services Manager, & Joe Gogo, Cargo Manager, were instrumental in facilitating the shipment of wheelchairs to Yap, Pohnpei, and Kosrae. Page 4: Tehkie Mas V Growing and Moving Ahead It was an overwhelming response! Six weeks of radio announcements, flyer distributions, Kaselehlie Press coverage, local television advertisements, and bright golden banners at every municipality in Pohnpei brought in large numbers of residents to the Pohnpei State Department of Education, Special Education Program’s 5th Annual Tehkie Mahs “Check Me Out Fair”. Held during the week of February 16 to 20, 678 people showed up at the five designated meeting places in the municipalities, generating a record 245% increase in participation over last year’s event. Tehkie Mahs “Check Me Out Fair”, which offered free vision, hearing, motor, and social development screening for infants and toddlers, added a food and nutrition survey as part of the screening process for families of children needing special education services. This annual event was initiated in 1999 with assistance from Guam CEDDERS and the Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education. Pohnpei DOE Special Education, in partnership with Pohnpei State Department of Public Health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program, Peace Corps volunteers, Head Start, and Dental Services, has been conducting the fair independently since 2001. This year’s large turnout will offer a healthy challenge for the Special Education staff to address an increase in special education services. FSM Standardized Test Guidelines Development The FSM National Special Education Office has assumed the challenging yet critical responsibility of developing the guidelines for the FSM National Standardized Test (NST). During the week of February 16, focus group meetings were held at the National Special Education Office’s new conference room to formulate the procedural guidelines addressing the need for the FSM NST to include children with disabilities in its system of assessments. Drafts incorporated the FSM Screening and Assessment Procedures developed by Dr. Clay Starlin from the University of Oregon’s Western Regional Resource Center (WRRC). An alternate assessment procedure was also being developed using a portfolio framework patterned after Palau’s Alternate Assessment developed by Dr. Nieves Flores, Guam CEDDERS Core Faculty. The FSM’s National Curriculum Minimum Standards, Standardized Test Development Project (Spring 1992) served as the main resource from which the procedures were based. Participants included Burnis Danis, Testing and Evaluation Specialist from the FSM National Department of Health, Education, and Social Affairs (DHESA) Testing and Evaluation Office, Makir Keller, Executive Director of Special Education, FSM National Government, Carlina Henry, Pohnpei State Department of Education, Special Education Program Assessment Team Coordinator, and Matha Rayel, Information Management Specialist. Guam CEDDERS Training Associate Mary Kidd and Inclusive Communities Initiative Area Coordinator June Quitugua facilitated the focus group process. Following approval of the final draft of the procedures, guidelines, and alternate assessment documents, this project will be presented to State Education Directors, Special Education Coordinators, and Assessment Teams in each state for review and training before being finalized for implementation for SY 2004-2005. Photo with caption: Burnis Danis, (foreground) Testing and Evaluation Specialist, DHESA, reviews draft guidelines with Carlina Henry, Special Education Assessment Team Coordinator, and Matha Rayel, Information Management Specialist, during a focus group meeting. Page 5 CNMI Childcare Accessibility In The CNMI With the recent promulgation of the new childcare regulation and license requirement for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), the CNMI Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (CNMI-DCC) placed high priority status on the need to provide on-site technical assistance to child care centers to promote inclusive childcare settings. Guam CEDDERS’ Mike Terlaje, Assitive Technology Specialist, and Elaine Eclavea, Health, Wellness, and Prevention Initiative Area Coordinator, conducted on-site technical assistance visits and training to twelve childcare centers in Saipan on November 19-22. The purpose of this visit was to conduct an orientation and promote awareness of the Americans with Disabilities Act Childcare Accessibility and Qualities of Early Childhood Environments for centers providing services to children from birth to 5 years of age. Thomas Camacho, Director of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Developmental Disabilities Council (CNMI DDC), delivered welcoming remarks for the first day’s session, which was attended by childcare owners, directors, and staff from the DCC Child Care Licensing and Public School System Child Development Block Grant. As part of the TA visit, Mr. Terlaje and Ms. Eclavea were joined by colleague Elizabeth Borja, Research Assistant, in a meeting with Mr. Juan Babauta, Secretary of the Department of Cultural and Community Affairs, to discuss public awareness activities, information, and materials that would be useful to individuals interested in applying for a childcare license. Guam CEDDERS prepared brochures containing information on the application process in addition to a directory of services pamphlet to be printed and disseminated by CNMI DDC. Photo with caption: Mike Terlaje, Guam CEDDERS Assistive Technology Specialist conducts a presentation on ADA Accessibility Compliance Standards. Photo with caption: FSM National Office of Special Education Relocates The focus group meetings for the development of the FSM National Standarized Test were held at the newly renovated National Office of Education in the Center Point Building in Kolonia. Posing at the entrance of the accessible building are Linda Phillip, Finance Officer, Makir Keller, Director of FSM National Office of Special Education, Rosalyn Paneulo, Executive Secretary, & Matha Rayel, Management Information Specialist. Advertisement: MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!! GSAT’s 10th Anniversary 5K and 1 Mile Walk, Wheel, Run Event May 1, 2004, 6:30 a.m., Paseo de Susana For more information contact Mike Terlaje at 735-2490 or mterlaje@ite.net Page 6: Photos with captions: The team from American Samoa listens attentively to the presentation on the Annual Performance Report. The Chuuk team engages in intense discussion as they work on conceptualizing their activities and strategies for the Improvement Plan. Dick Zeller from WRRC & June De Leon from Guam CEDDERS prep for the next presentation. Clarence Luther & Ruthian Lokeijak from the Republic of the Marshall Islands show some relief as progress is being made with their Improvement Plan. John Gilmatan & Carmen Gorong, from Yap, review the activities identified in the Improvement Plan. George Tilfas, High School Coordinator & Arthur Albert, Kosrae Special Education Coordinator, work on drafting the Kosrae Improvement Plan. Nora Renguul, Palau Special Education Program, shows she can still smile even after all the work put into developing the Improvement Plan. Emrick Lebehn, (center) Pohnpei Special Education Coordinator, makes a point regarding the OSEP Improvement Plan to the Pohnpei team. Page 7: Early Childhood Care and Education Committee The “Early Childhood Care and Education Committee” (ECCE), coming out of the Department of Public Health and Social Services’ Division of Public Welfare, Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Program, is addressing the goals of President Bush’s early childhood initiative, Good Start, Grow Smart. As outlined in the CCDF State Plan, the committee is beginning to develop and subsequently implement a plan to assess Early Learning Standards for young children three to five years of age. This committee attended an orientation session on December 1, 2003 and formed four subcommittees including: 1. Early Learning Guidelines, which will develop early learning standards for ages birth to 5 that align with Guam Department of Education’s K – 12 Standards focusing on language, literacy, and numeracy skills that can be applied to a variety of settings that serve young children; 2. Professional Development, which will develop a comprehensive professional plan to improve the preparation and ongoing development of providers. This plan will include the core competencies for providers’ specific education and training, and will align with efforts to support the early learning of young children; 3. Program Coordination, which requires the coordination of at least four early childhood programs and/or funding streams; and 4. Child Care Licensure and Regulations, which will update Guam’s current laws and regulations governing child care facilities. In addition, on January 12 to 14, 2004, Ms. Abby Cohen, Region IX Technical Assistant from the National Child Care Information Center, provided technical assistance to the ECCEC and its subcommittees on each of the four areas. This assistance was very helpful in the progress made by each subcommittee thus far. Furthermore, Ms. Cohen continues to provide technical assistance via email. For more information about the ECCEC or to become a member, contact Liz Borja at 735-2507/2466 or lizborja@ite.net. Photo with caption: Abby Cohen (background) addresses members of the Early Childhood Care and Education Committee. 10th Annual Child Care Institute Approximately 275 child care providers attended the Annual Child Care Training Institute held on January 31 and February 28 at the Outrigger Guam Resort. Co-sponsored by the Department of Public Health and Social Services’ Child Care and Development Fund Program (CCDF), Guam CEDDERS, and the Guam Caregiver Association, the Institute marked its tenth anniversary year. Guam CEDDERS support was evident. Liz Borja, Research and Training Associate, provided technical assistance to the Guam Caregivers Association in writing the CCDF sponsorship grant and then coordinated the logistical arrangements for the Institute. Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Health, Wellness, and Prevention Initiative Area Coordinator, delivered opening remarks at both training Institutes, which highlighted the Bush Administration’s “Good Start, Grow Smart” Early Childhood Initiative. The initiative requires states and territories to develop Early Learning Guidelines that focus on early literacy, pre-reading, and numeracy skills. This initiative additionally requires a plan for the professional development of child care givers and the provision of program coordination. With technical assistance from Mary Kidd, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, 24 child care directors and assistant directors presented information on early literacy, pre-reading, numeracy, language, and cognitive development skills. In addition, participants engaged in activities that enabled them to connect theoretical practice with hands-on tasks that may be easily integrated into daily center activities. Incorporating “Train the Trainer” strategies, the presentations conducted by the directors and assistant directors met their requirements as participants of the 2003 Child Care Leadership Institute, which focused on the President and First Lady’s Early Childhood Initiatives. Participants of the Institute received a Certificate of Completion for attending up to six hours of training in the four topical areas. Photo with caption: Participants engage in a “hands-on” activity led by Maggie Huffer, Assistant Director of Adventures in Learning Child Development Center, during the Language & Cognitive Development session. Page 8: New CEDDERS Video: “This Is Me, Clinton Mesa” Ideas to promote more awareness of the challenges that students with various types of disabilities face each day are generated in a variety of settings. This was the case in one particular instance, where a hallway conversation at a local high school culminated in a video production of one young man’s personal experience in growing up with Asperger’s Syndrome. Last May, George Washington High School general science teacher Denise Yasuhiro Chaco shared her wish that all her students could be informed about Clinton Mesa’s situation in order to enlist more of their support and understanding. Guam CEDDERS’ Terrie Fejarang who has been providing support to the school through the Guam Special Education Programs for Pacific Island Entities (SEPPIE) Model School Program which aims to promote more inclusive practices, suggested that the production of a video could be one way to do exactly that. When broached with the proposal, Clinton, and his parents, Chris and Lou Mesa, agreed to having their son’s story told in video format. With the school’s approval and support, permission from the parents of some of his peers to be videotaped, and funding support from Guam CEDDERS’ Core Grant, initial filming started in late May of last year and continued during the late summer and into the fall. Final shots were filmed in October and November, with editing, script re-writes, re-takes, screening and reviewing also occurring simultaneously. “This Is Me, Clinton Mesa”, is a story about a teenager and his family’s journey of uncertainty, discovery, advocacy and self empowerment. The video takes you from the period when as a toddler through his middle school years, Clinton’s parents felt that his growth and development seemed “different” in many ways. The story continues through the period where they were reassured that “he is just immature for his age” and that he would grow out of it; and then to the point where he is diagnosed as having Asperger’s. At that juncture, various services and supports were provided, enabling him to continue attending general education classes as well as work on developing appropriate social skills. Interviews of his parents, two of his teachers, an autism specialist, a speech pathologist, two of his peers, with Clinton himself as the narrator, help tell his story. To obtain a copy of this video, send your request to mjohnson@ite.net. Teacher Staff Development: Effective Use of School Aides Photos with captions: (L-R) JohnRaymond Aguon and Cecilia Castro, Chamorro teachers at Southern High School, work on conflict resolution during a role playing activity. (L-R) Carmen Garrido & Dalia del Rosario, from the Alternative School, take on the role of school aides while Ana Olaes, a Southern High School instructor, plays the teacher while using the “8 Steps For Effective Communication” strategy. ED894: “Effective Utilization of Paraeducators in the Classroom” was held at Southern High School from February 12 to March 4. Sixteen Guam Department of Education personnel from Southern High School, M.A. Sablan Elementary School, and the Alternative School completed the class which focused on the roles and responsibilities of school aides, developing instructional teams, using effective communication strategies, providing feedback, and evaluations. The participants included: (Seated, L-R) Luis Cabral, JohnRaymond Aguon, Dalia del Rosario, Hilda Tabilas. (Standing, L-R) Kalafa Jackson, Jacqueline Reyes, Shirley Olkeriil, Cecilia Castro, Vikki Shubbert, May Ann Charfauros, Jill White, Carmen Garrido, Ana Olaes, Marlene Baleto, Maria Arevalo, & Michelle Cerizo, co-instructor. Not shown: Terrie Fejarang, co-instructor. Page 9: Grant Writing for Success Tight local budgets drove the desire for some twenty-six individuals to enroll in a grant writing class and gain skills in order to pursue professional and service dreams. Developed through the collaborative efforts of San Diego State University (SDSU) and Guam CEDDERS, the initial class meetings were taught on site by Dr. Mari Guillermo from SDSU’s Interwork Institute and local CEDDERS facilitator, Ginger Porter on January 6-8. Participants were guided through an odyssey of planning and writing, utilizing a web-based course developed through Project Success, a federal grant project of SDSU. The overall goal of Project Success is to promote and enhance participation in the U.S. Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and National Institute on Disability Research and Rehabilitation (NIDRR) funded activities using state-of-art technology, training, and focused technical assistance. Each week, students address one portion of grant development to complete a proposal for submittal by the end of eight weeks. The course is nearing its end and communication has been flying back and forth across the Pacific (via email between SDSU and Guam), supporting the development of ideas on the following topics: * Residential support for homeless men, many of whom have a drug dependency and mental illness needs * A Maritime Academy for students at risk * An Inclusive Learning Institution for students at risk of dropping out and where all students have a PEP (Personal Education Plan) * Transportation for individuals with disabilities * Respite center for families of children with serious emotional illness * Drug education for parents of teens * Consumer organization for development of leadership and advocacy skills * Education program for those affected by radioactive fallout A special student incentive for outstanding performance is selection for participation in this year’s Pacific Rim Conference to be held in Honolulu on March 29-30, 2004. Photo with caption: Participants in the grant writing workshops included: (Front row, L-R) Rodney Priest, Dr. Mari Guillermo, instructor, Mary Therese Edgerle, Liza Camacho, Sue Williams, Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate. (Back row, L-R) Timothy McDow, Zosef Branch, Berni Grajek, Jackie Ronan, Millie Lujan, Jeff Jesus, & Jo Beth Aquino. Virginia Commonwealth University 2004 Webcast Series Keeping current on emerging disability issues used to be a challenge. With the current resources, networks, and technology available, this challenge is fast becoming a thing of the past. Community rehabilitation providers, vocational rehabilitation counselors, independent living directors, educators, families, and employers can look forward to virtual access to leaders in the field of employment and disabilities. Through the collaborative efforts and supports of San Diego State University and Guam CEDDERS, these groups will be provided admittance to Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) Webcast Series on Employment. A successful trial of the 2003 series prompted Guam CEDDERS to expand site usage of the 2004 series, providing access to a variety of topics including “Positive Behavior Supports”, “Funding Organization Change”, “Employment in a Rural Community”, “Using Work Incentives to Fund Mico-Enterprises”, “Fading Job Place Supports”, and Organizational Strategies to Impact Customized Employment Outcome”. The presentations, complete with downloadable slides and resource reading, are 45 minutes and are followed by a 30- minute chat session. Each is archived and available for viewing anytime, meaning Guam viewers can see a delayed broadcast and fit it conveniently into a regular workday. Group viewing has provided opportunity to discuss issues as they relate to local systems and needs. The 2004 series will be available at Guam CEDDERS and to four other Community Rehabilitation Provider Network sites. As was conducted at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation on February 20, each site will receive an orientation to the VCU host website, www.worksupport.com, and gain information on how to access the webcasts for their training and informational needs. Text in colored box: Virginia Commonwealth 2004 Webcast Series Topics ? Positive Behavior Supports (Feb 23) ? Funding Organization Change (March 22) ? Employment in a Rural Community (April 19) ? Using Work Incentives to Fund Micro-Enterprises (Sept 20) ? Fading Job Place Supports (Oct 18) ? Organizational Strategies to Impact Customized Employment Outcomes (Nov 15) Page 10: “Power of Assistive Technology” Poster Series A poster series showcasing five individuals with disabilities of varying ages and situations has been produced as part of the activities to commemorate the Guam System for Assistive Technology’s (GSAT) 10th Anniversary Celebration. Each poster provides testimony on the tremendously positive impact assistive technology has had on individual lives. Evelyn Duenas, Thomas Manglona, Lisa Ogo, Jonah Cacayan, and Paul Uncangco are featured in the posters which will be available for distribution in April. Designed by Guam CEDDERS, the posters are being published through the generous support of the Guam Legal Services Disability Law Center (GLSDLC). To submit a request for copies of the posters, contact the GSAT Center at 735-2490. Guam Selected for NITCCI Technical Assistance Guam received notice in mid-February of its selection to participate in the National Infant and Toddler Child Care Initiative (NITCCI). This initiative is a project of the Child Care Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services. Submitted by the Guam Department of Public Health, Division of Public Welfare and facilitated by Guam CEDDERS, the three-year project is designed to provide technical support to Guam’s Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Program administrators in making system-wide improvements in infant and toddler child care. As part of the technical assistance provided to Guam and the nine state awardees, NITCCI plans to produce fact sheets, issue briefs, and other materials to be available to all states and territories. Text in colored box: NITCCI TA Outcomes * A draft of the Guam Child Care Standards for legislative action by June 2004 * A draft of the Early Learning Guidelines (ELG) for children birth to five for administering and monitoring child care services * A plan for professional development following the draft ELG for all providers by June 2004 * Development and implementation of four regional public awareness presentations on “Guam’s Comprehensive Plan for the Care and Education of Young Children” to be facilitated by DPHSS for all child care providers and the general public to ensure awareness of the policy and procedural changes for child care services. Page 11: GEHDI Parent to Parent Support Group Thirteen parents attended the “Parent To Parent” support group meeting held on January 20 at the Westin Resort Guam. The presentation topic at this meeting was “What Happens After You Find Out Your Child has a Hearing Loss?” conducted by Kaiana Mendiola, Pre-School teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program at Tamuning Elementary and Lenny Josef, Pediatric Physical Therapist at the Naval Regional Medical Center Guam. As part of the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (GEHDI) Project, the “Parent to Parent” support group was established for families of children with hearing impairments. The purpose of this support group is to provide parents and families a venue to connect with other families and to provide them with information about the resources available in the community. The first support group meeting was held in August, 2003 and meets every two months. The next session is scheduled for March 25, 6:00 p.m. at the Westin Resort. For more information, please call Ruth Leon Guerrero at 735-2466 or ruthlg@ite.net. Photo with caption: Participants listen attentively to Kaiana Mendiola giving her presentation on “ What Happens after you find out your child has a hearing loss?” (L-R) Jessica Castro, Katie Josef, Lenny Josef, Vicky Ritter, Kaiana Mendiola, & Robert Castro (back to camera). Assistive Technology & “Agribility” GSAT hosted two training sessions conducted by Therese Willkomm, Ph.D., from the New Hampshire Technology Partnership Project on January 22. Dr. Willkomm has over 22 years of experience in providing AT solutions for persons with disabilities. Dr. Willkomm’s sessions provided ample hands on demonstration in fabricating quick and affordable AT adaptations. To demonstrate that materials for AT devices are readily available on the island, Dr. Wilkomm spent the entire first day of her visit going to various island stores and collecting items such as wires, plastic, and plexiglass that could be used to adapt equipment. She also provided the Center with five of her AT resource kits which contained tools such as glass cutters, wire strippers, and mini blow torches needed to assemble or make modifications to AT devices. The training was fun and lively as staff and the GSAT board members worked in teams designing and producing their own AT solutions! GSAT also received a bonus presentation from Dr. Wilkomm on the possibilities of setting up an “agribility” project on Guam. Agribility projects assist farmers with disabilities by providing information and training on AT devices needed for farming. The project may become a reality as GSAT will advise the Department of Agriculture and University of Guam, College of Natural and Applied Sciences on the possibilities this concept presents. Photo with caption: Therese Wilkomm, Ph.D., (background) provides valuable information on adapting equipment to Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council members and staff during her TA visit on January 22. Advertisement: 2003 Island Summit On Disabilities Proceedings “Celebrating Our Success, Preparing for the Future” Now Available For more information contact Nieves Flores, Ed.D at nflores@ite.net Guam CEDDERS Calendar of Upcoming Events March 2004 * Mar 1-6 - FSM CIMP TA Visit, Pohnpei * Mar 1-6 - Dr. Joey Wallace TA Visit to GSAT * Mar 4 - Last day of ED 894: Effective Utilization of Paraeducators in the Classroom, Southern High School, Santa Rita, GU * Mar 5 - GSAT 10th Anniversary Celebration, Westin Resort, 8:30am-5pm * Mar 5 - Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council mtg, GSAT, 3:30pm * Mar 6 - GSAT 10th Annual Assitive Technology Fair, Vendor Displays, 10am-5pm, Guam Premiem Outlets * Mar 6 - “Kids in Daycare: Keep ‘em Healthy”, Child Care Training, 8am-5pm, UOG, CALS, Rm 127 * Mar 8-13 - Special Education Training, Pohnpei * Mar 9 - Charter Day, UOG * Mar 10-12 - CNMI TA Visit * Mar 13 - “Kids in Daycare: Keep ‘em Healthy”, Child Care Training, 8am-5pm, UOG, CALS, Rm 127 * Mar 16-18 - Pohnpei TA Visit * Mar 20 - “Kids in Daycare: Keep ‘em Healthy”, Child Care Training, 8am-5pm, UOG, CALS, Rm 127 * Mar 21-22 - CDC EHDI Guam Site Visit * Mar 23 - Parent-To-Parent mtg, Westin, 6-8pm Resort, 6-8pm, “Chapters 3 & 5 SKI HI Manual” * Mar 24-26 - National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Annual Conference, Guam Hilton Resort & Spa * Mar 27 - “Kids in Daycare: Keep ‘em Healthy”, Child Care Training, 8am-5pm, UOG, CALS, Rm 127 * Mar 29-30 - Pac-Rim Conference, Presentation: SDSU, Guam CEDDERS, GDOE, GDVR * Mar 31-Apr 1 - PBILC Leadership mtg. April 2004 * Apr 17 - “Kids in Daycare: Keep ‘em Healthy”, Child Care Training, 8am-5pm, UOG, CALS, Rm 127 * Apr 24 - “Kids in Daycare: Keep ‘em Healthy”, Child Care Training, 8am-5pm, UOG, CALS, Rm May 2004 * May 1 - GSAT 5K Walk, Wheel, Run Event, Paseo de Susana, 6:00am * May 1 - “Kids in Daycare: Keep ‘em Healthy”, Child Care Training, 8am-5pm, UOG, CALS, Rm 127 * May 8 - “Kids in Daycare: Keep ‘em Healthy”, Child Care Training, 8am-5pm, UOG, CALS, Rm 127 * May 15 - “Kids in Daycare: Keep ‘em Healthy”, Child Care Training, 8am-5pm, UOG, CALS, Rm 127 June 2004 * Jun 4 - Guam CEDDERS Advisory Meeting, 3:30pm, GSAT Training Center, House 19 * Jun 7-12 - Kosrae TA Visit * Jun 14-18 - Pohnpei TA Visit 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 Mangilao, Guam 96923 Phone: (671) 735-2480/1 Fax: (671) 734-5709 TTY: (671) 735-6531 Email: heidisan@uog9.uog.edu I Tellai is a quarterly publication of Guam CEDDERS. Director: Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D. Editors: Terrie Fejarang & Ginger Porter Layout & Design: Margaret Johnson This issue of I Tellai was made possible by contributions from the following Guam CEDDERS staff members: Mariles Benavente, Liz Borja, June De Leon, Elaine Eclavea, Terrie Fejarang, Brenda Leon Guerrero, Mary Kidd, Ginger Porter, June Quitugua, & Mike Terlaje. Alternative formats of I Tellai will be made available upon request. Please contact Margaret Johnson at (671) 735-2477 (v), (671) 735-6531 (TTY), (671) 734-5709 (fax), at mjohnson@ite.net for more information.