I Tellai The Bridge Guam CEDDERS Newsletter Volume 7, Number 2 March 11, 2005 Inside this issue: Page Universal Newborn Hearing Becomes Law 1 Project FO’NA Starts Off 2 CNMI EI Monitoring System 3 Palau Improvement Planning PBILC Conference 4 Pohnpei’s Integrated Curriculum ADD Tri-Agency Meeting 5 Medical Home Training 6 RESNA Conference 7 Micro-Enterprise Opportunities Day Care Assessments 8 Supported Employment 9 CDC Visit Mobility Planning 10 Consumer Leadership 11 Capacity Building Institute Calendar of Events 12 GSAT Walk, Wheel, Run Universal Infant Hearing Screening Becomes Law Guam received a heart-warming end of the year gift when Governor Felix Camacho signed Bill 408 into law on December 30. Public Law 27-150, “Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Act (UNHSIA) of 2004,” requires that as a standard of care, hearing screenings must be performed on all infants born on Guam before they leave the facility in which they were born. As an anticipated outcome of the Guam Early Hearing Detection Intervention (GEHDI) Project, Guam CEDDERS worked diligently to facilitate a collaborative process in drafting this legislation and received input and recommendations from the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) Pediatrics’ Committee, GMHA Family Practice Committee, parents of young children with hearing impairments, and the GEHDI Advisory Committee. The drafting of the bill was truly a collaborative effort. Research has shown that approximately 3 in 1,000 newborns are born with permanent hearing loss, and 1 in every 1,000 is born deaf. Young children identified with hearing loss who receive intervention before six months of age develop language (spoken or signed) that is comparable with hearing peers. As of November 2004, 4,848 newborns have been screened for hearing prior to discharge from GMHA, Sagua Mañagu Birthing Center, and the U.S. Naval Hospital, Guam. Of that number, 52 have been referred for audiological evaluation, and 21 have been diagnosed with a conductive or sensorineural hearing loss. The long term outcomes for these children are much brighter as a result of early identification and supports. Photo with caption: Bill Toves, RN, GEHDI Nurse (right) performs a hearing screening. Page 2 Project FO’NA Starts Off Strong Project Fo’na students are off to a quick and intense start! Upon receiving notice of its grant award for funding last quarter, Velma Sablan, Ph.D., Guam CEDDERS Core Faculty and Principal Investigator, and Gloria Weddington, Ph.D., chair of San Jose State University’s (SJSU) Graduate Program in Speech Pathology, worked swiftly to establish the program framework. Project Fo’na launched into action in October to publicize the program on Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and Republic of the Marshall Islands to invite applications to fill the fifteen student slots to be supported by the grant for tuition, books, and fees. For the initial year of the project, coursework offered will fulfill the pre-requisites to enter SJSU’s graduate program in speech pathology. With the deadline to receive applications from prospective participants on December 1, the Selection Committee, comprised of faculty representatives from both institutions, finalized the list of students selected who were notified one week later. With four of the students coming from the neighboring islands, flight and lodging arrangements had to be made quickly. The first class, Introduction to Hearing Science, taught by SJSU faculty Dr. J.K. McCullough, took place from December 29 to January 14 at the GSAT Training Center. Normally offered across a regular semester, this course was compressed into a three-week period during which the majority of students continued their jobs as teachers. Demonstrating their strong commitment to the program, the seventeen students in this first class recorded an unprecedented perfect attendance! In addition, during a January 21 “merienda”, six students were awarded certificates of recognition for earning an A in the class. All pre-requisite classes will be offered during this first year, with completion anticipated by December 2005. At that point, applications will be solicited from the current students, graduates of Project Alula (a Bachelor’s in Communication Disorders program completed Summer 2004) and others who meet the program requirements. Actual graduate courses will start during the Spring of 2006. Project Fo’na is funded by a U.S. Department of Education Personnel Preparation Grant which provides a Masters degree program in speech pathology for residents of Guam and the region to help meet the speech therapy needs of children in Guam and the Pacific Basin. Photo with caption: Project Fo’na students from Guam: (Back row, L-R,) Daniel Domoal, Richard Tumanda, Amalia Gillan, Melanie T. Arciaga, Paul Zerzan, (Front row, L-R) Barbara Quinata, Robin Malicis, Nicole Duenas, Erica Santos, Julianne Serrano, Rowena Dimla, Angelina Quinene, & Dr. Velma Sablan, Project Director. Not shown are Saipan students: Rosario Hocog, Tricia Taitano, Leann Zweber; Pohnpei student: Merleen Daniel; & Guam student: Francis G. Lujan. Project FO'NA Winter 2004 & Spring 2005 Courses ? Introduction to Hearing Science ? Resources in Human Communicative Disorders ? Speech and Language for Normal and Exceptional Individuals ? Audiology I Page 3 Creating Supports In the Region… CNMI EI Monitoring System Draft Completed After months of meetings, research, and edits, Guam CEDDERS’ facilitators Elaine Eclavea and June De Leon presented the draft Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Public School System (PSS) Early Intervention Service System (EISS) Part C Monitoring System to the Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) on September 10. The draft Monitoring System establishes a framework to examine the effectiveness of services and supports provided to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. The updated CNMI EISS Procedural Manual, edited by Guam CEDDERS, was also presented during the meeting that was attended by 11 ICC members. Procedures supporting the EISS monitoring system were highlighted during the presentation. Support for these activities was provided by the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NEC*TAC) and the CNMI PSS. Photo with caption: ICC members, (L-R) Tessa Diaz, Health Department Coordinator, Maria Duenas, Care Coordinator, & Benjamin Seiman, CNMI Congressman, carefully review the various components of the EISS Part C Monitoring System. Palau Improvement Planning Advances The Palau Ministry of Education’s Special Education Program is moving full speed ahead towards completing their Annual Performance Report (APR) due to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in March 2005. During the week of January 9-15, Guam CEDDERS staffers, Dr. Nieves Flores and June Quitugua, worked with Evans Imetengel, Special Education Coordinator, and his staff in re-examining their program priorities and data collection, and identifying effective practices and strategies to achieve their goal of improving services for children with disabilities and their families. A Guam CEDDERS follow-up visit in March will assist in continuing the process to complete Palau’s APR. Support for the on-site technical assistance to Palau was provided by the Western Regional Resource Center/Technical Assistance Consulting Service (WRRC/TACS), University of Oregon. Page 4 Creating Supports In The Region… “Many Flames, One Fire,” PBILC 2005 CNMI Congratulations to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Pacific Basin Interagency Leadership Consortium (PBILC) Conference Planning Committee for a successful regional conference held at the Dai Ichi Hotel, Saipan, CNMI, on February 22-25! With 250 participants from the Pacific Basin Region, Hawaii, and the U.S. mainland, the conference offered inspirational keynotes and concurrent workshops on interagency and disability-related topical areas. Photos with caption: Dineta Palemai (left), Yap State Maternal Child Health Program Coordinator, confers with Rosa Tacheliol, Yap State Director of Education, during the “Family Centered Communication” Workshop conducted by Guam CEDDERS’ Elaine Eclavea and Terrie Fejarang during the second day of the PBILC. Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Initiative Area Coordinator, (standing) observes and facilitates the discussion of two participants during her workshop presentation on Early Literacy. Mary Kidd, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, was a co-presenter during this session. Integrated Curriculum Units Workshop Held in Pohnpei As one means to promote the inclusion of all students in general education classes, the Pohnpei Department of Education, Special Education Program, sponsored a five-day workshop on “Developing Standards-Based Integrated Curriculum Units” using the State Social Studies Standards. Guam CEDDERS’ Mary Kidd and June Quitugua conducted the workshop during the week of January 17-21 that was attended by 22 special education teachers, curriculum specialists, and administrators. Participants were provided with a process for developing an Integrated Curriculum unit that examined how designing the integrated units not only helps students see connections among different subject areas, but also challenges students to think at higher levels and promote a deeper understanding of what they are studying. The participants also developed integrated curricular objectives across the different content areas and wrote lesson plans with lessons and activities that are more concrete and meaningful to the students, which also facilitates the transfer of knowledge. As a culminating activity, the group developed a draft unit on “The Roles and Responsibilities of the Family” for first grade students in Pohnpei. Funding for this activity was provided through the Pohnpei State Special Education Programs for Pacific Island Entities (SEPPIE) grant. Page 5 ADD & Pacific Region Tri-Agencies Meet in Honolulu At the request of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Directors from the Pacific Territories University Centers on Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDS), Developmental Disabilities Councils (DDC’s), and Protection and Advocacy Systems (P &A’s) met with federal representatives from the ADD on March 2-3 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Also participating in the Tri-Agency meeting were UCEDD Center and P & A Associate Directors and one Chairperson of a DD Council. Representing ADD were Faith McCormick, Director, Office of Programs, and Debbie Powell, Director, Office of Operations & Discretionary Grants. There have been tremendous changes within the Pacific Leadership and within ADD. Of the nine Director positions (3 P&A, 3 DDC and 3 UCEDD), only three are still remaining since the initial ADD visits to the region took place in 1994 and 1995. Similarly, nearly all of the key staff and the Commissioner have changed at ADD. The meeting provided an opportunity for the region to get to know the federal representatives from ADD, and to do networking and collaborative planning within and across the DD networks. Ms. McCormick and Ms. Powell disseminated a “Report to Congress on Moving into the 21st Century” as well as other documents that will assist the Pacific in preparing for MTARS - “Monitoring and Technical Assistance Review Systems” in the future. The MTARS documents highlighted Compliance Items, Program Practices and Operations, and Best and Innovative Practices. During the meeting, Guam CEDDERS had the opportunity to disseminate several of its developed products including five recently produced video productions that feature individuals with disabilities on Guam. Also shared were recent reports, newsletters, and promotional items. A major outcome of the meeting was the development of a Plan of Action for the Northern Marianas and American Samoa UCEDDS to exercise self determination in requesting that ADD examine the feasibility of allowing the Centers to be fully participating and fully funded Centers in the UCEDD family. As a result of the meeting, ADD will be hosting quarterly teleconference calls to keep in touch with the Pacific and to determine areas for needed technical assistance. It is also the desire of ADD to feature the Pacific Tri-Agency Network in the April edition of the ADD Update. Tri-Agency teams from each jurisdiction will continue to work together in addressing the Work Plan items that were conceptualized during the Regional ADD Tri-Agency meeting. Photo with caption: (Standing, L-R) Daniel Somerfleck, Director, Guam Legal Services Corp., Teresita Camacho, Director, CNMI Protection &Advocacy (P&A), Lydia Barcinas, Board President, CNMI P&A, Kodaro Ala, American Samoa, P&A Staff, Denise Thomsen, Assistant Director, American Samoa UCEDD, Tafa Mamea, Director, American Samoa UCEDD, Robert Erickson, Director, CNMI UCEDD , Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D., Director, Guam CEDDERS, Terrie Fejarang, Associate Director, Guam CEDDERS, (Sitting, L-R) Debbie Powell, ADD, Director, Office of Operations & Discretionary Grants, Joseph Flores, Guam Developmental Disabilities (DD) Council, Shirley Lujan, Chairperson, Guam DD Council, Henry Sesepasara, Director, American Samoa, DD Council, Tony Chong, Acting Director, CNMI DD Council, & Faith McCormick, ADD, Director, Office of Programs. Not shown: Mellanie Lee, Education/Transition Specialist, Hawaii CDS. Page 6 Guam Providers Attend Medical Home Training Guam CEDDERS, in collaboration with the Department of Public Health & Social Services (DPHSS), Medical Social Services Division – Special Kids Clinic, and the Guam Department of Education (GDOE), sponsored a week-long series of events that focused on the “Medical Home Concept.” According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a Medical Home is not a building or a place; rather it is “an approach to providing health care for all children and youth, including those with special health care needs, that is cost-effective and of high quality.” Dr. Louise Iwaishi, Medical Director of the Kapiolani Medical Center in Hawaii and President of the AAP, Hawaii Chapter, was on island to provide technical assistance and a series of trainings and presentations that focused on the “Medical Home Concept” for Guam’s healthcare and allied professionals. She conducted Grand Rounds for physicians and nurses at the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) on January 12. A “Family Forum” was held at Catholic Social Services later that day. Dr. Iwaishi conducted in-service training for Guam Department of Education (GDOE) and Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) Nurses, GDOE Division of Special Education staff, and was also a guest speaker on “Real Women” and “The Island Doctor” Radio Talk shows. Her presentations focused on advocating for the Medical Home concept for Guam’s children with special health care needs. Dr. Iwaishi also provided consultation to Dr. Olga Emgushov, Pediatrician, during the Special Kids Clinic at the Northern Regional Clinic. The final activity of Dr. Iwaishi’s visit included a conference entitled, “Every Child on Guam Deserves a Medical Home”, at the Outrigger Guam Resort on January 15. Dr. Iwaishi served as the keynote speaker for the event attended by 87 participants comprised of parents and families, health care professionals, education and other allied professionals. This activity was a collaborative effort of the Hawaii AAP, GDOE, Division of Special Education, DPHSS, the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Project, (GEHDI) and Guam CEDDERS. Photos with caption: Dr. Iwaishi presents to the healthcare professionals on the “Medical Home Concept”. (L-R) Christine San Nicolas, DPHSS MIP social worker, Dr. Louise Iwashi, Kapiolani Center, Medical Director, & Terry Aguon, DPHSS MIP social worker, during the Grand Rounds held at GMHA. Text in colored box: Seven Elements of a Medical Home (as defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics) 1. Accessibility 2. Family-Centered 3. Comprehensive 4. Continuous 5. Coordinated 6. Compassionate 7. Culturally Sensitive Page 7 Guam CEDDERS Presents at the Annual RESNA Meeting As part of the continuing process to get Guam CEDDERS’ new Assistive Technology alternative financing programs up and running, Mike Terlaje, Guam Options for Alternative Loans for Assistive Technology (GOAL-AT) and Get Guam Teleworking (GGT) Project Coordinator and Marie Mesa-Kerlin, Senior Counselor at the University of Guam Small Business Development Center (SBDC) participated in the annual Rehabilitation Engineers Society of North America (RESNA) Alternative Financing and Telework Loan Programs meeting on Dec. 13–14 in Washington DC. The meeting was a two-day event in which programs from other states and territories had a chance to exchange ideas and share aspects of each of their projects. Mr. Terlaje and Ms. Mesa-Kerlin also participated on a panel which discussed the benefits and advantages of partnering with local Small Business Development Centers. Although the start up for the two loan programs on Guam has taken longer than originally anticipated, progress is currently being made with the finalization of the Request For Proposal process to select a lending institution to administer the two funds. Photo with caption: (L-R) Mike Terlaje, Goal AT & GGT Project Coordinator, Guam CEDDERS; Pamela Martin, Program Officer, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Washington, D. C., Jeremy Buzzell, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education, Washington D.C., and Marie Mesa-Kerlin, Program Director, Citibank’s Women in Business Program, Guam SBDC, UOG, pose for a group shot during the Annual RESNA meeting held on December 13-14. Advertisement: Micro-Enterprise Opportunities For Individuals with Disabilities April 28, 2005 & April 29, 2005 Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, Marianas Ballroom Featuring: Cary Griffin & Dave Hammis, Griffin-Hammis Associates, LLC For more information contact UOG’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at 735-2590 Page 8 Accessibility Assessments and Early Childhood Guidelines Move Forward Mike Terlaje, Guam CEDDERS AT Specialist, assisted by Joseph Mendiola and Dolores Palomo, Guam CEDDERS staff, conducted “ADA On-site Accessibility Assessments” for the six recognized Model Child Care Centers on Guam. These model centers include: Agat Bay Child Development Center in Agat, Adventures in Learning Child Care and Development Center in Yona, Honey Bear Kids Center in Sinajana, Lee’s Playschool in Agana Heights, PNG Child Care and Learning Center in Tamuning, and Treasures of the Heart Early Childhood Center in Tamuning. The assessment is one of the activities under the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) Memorandum of Understanding Pilot Program for the implementation of “Guam’s Early Learning Guidelines for Children Three to Five Years Old.” In addition to an ADA Assessment, Mary Kidd, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, will be conducting an on-site Programmatic Assessment to ensure that the recommended “Best Practices for Inclusion” are implemented in each center. Data gathered from these assessments will be included in an individualized report highlighting identified strengths, technical assistance priorities, needs, and recommendations on ways to improve their facility accessibility and program. Some of the areas of accessibility examined by Mr. Terlaje included parking stalls and drop off areas, exterior travel routes, door entrances, interior travel routes, restrooms, and general safety. These safety issues included electrical outlets, smoke detectors, emergency exits, fire alarms and extinguishers, and emergency evacuation plans. Part of the safety assessment also looked at ensuring that all furniture in the centers did not protrude or contain any sharp edges. Lastly, the physical condition of playground equipment was assessed. As part of this pilot program, the centers have also been working closely with Ms. Kidd on the development of Units and Lesson Plans that align with the draft “Early Learning Guidelines for Children Three to Five Years Old.” After their development, the Lesson Plans will be implemented in the centers, with on-site technical assistance by Ms. Kidd, to ensure alignment with the Guidelines. A training institute on the Early Learning Guidelines for up to 250 childcare providers is scheduled to take place in April and May. Directors from the model centers will present sample Lesson Plans and the process for implementing them in their centers during the training institute. Photos with captions: This restroom has accessible clear space and fixture heights. Playground equipment must have no sharp edges. Ramps improve accessibility. Slopes need to be 1:12. Page 9 Supported Employment Fee For Service Initiated Community Rehabilitation Providers (CPRs) may now engage in supported employment activities with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) clientele under a new Fee for Service schedule established by VR. Guam CEDDERS, in collaboration with VR, prepared the presentation and provided each organization with copies of the CD and handouts of training tips for future use. VR also provided forms for the management of supported employment activity for billing purposes. Organizations represented included Sanctuary, Guam Vocational Rehabilitation Center, Oasis, Guma Mami, Catholic Social Services, Guam International Christian Academy, Asmuyao Community School, and The Salvation Army. Photo with caption: Community Rehabilitation Providers met with VR on February 11 for an "Orientation to Supported Employment". CDC Staff Conduct GEHDI Site Visit The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention conducted a technical assistance site visit to the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Project (GEHDI) on January 31 to February 4. The visiting team members included Mr. John Eichwald, CDC Team Leader, Dr. June Holstrum, Dr. Craig Mason, and Mr. Quansheng Song. Dr. Mason and Mr. Song provided data management technical assistance, while Dr. Holstrum and Mr. Eichwald provided EHDI technical assistance. Thirty-five Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) staff attended Grand Rounds on January 31 conducted by Mr. Eichwald on the topic of “Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Update”. A luncheon was held at the Leo Palace Resort the same day where Mr. Eichwald discussed audiological trends and updates with two island audiologists who serve both the civilian and Navy populations. Dr. Holstrum and Mr. Eichwald also provided training at GSAT later that day to eight service providers from the Guam Early Intervention System and Navy Early Developmental Intervention Services. The training addressed “Outcomes for Infants Through Screening, Diagnosis and Follow-up Nationwide”. On February 1, the team had a meeting regarding the CDC/EHDI/GEHDI updates attended by 12 GMHA staff members including Head Nurses, Management Information Systems personnel, and the Sagua Mañagu Manager. Sagua Mañagu received technical assistance from Dr. Mason and Mr. Song on February 3 to assist the Birthing Center in creating their data management system in anticipation of piloting the Guam EHDI Project at their site. On March 9, 2005 a new application was submitted to CDC to continue GEHDI funding for three more years. Photo with caption: Participants listen attentively during a presentation by John Eichwald, EHDI Team Leader for CDC. Page 10 Project ACTION Assists Mobility Planning Team Efforts are under way to improve access to public transportation for people with disabilities in Guam through the establishment of a Mobility Planning Team. The team includes Rudy Cabana, Department of Administration Transportation Planner, Evelyn Duenas, Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Vice Chairperson, GSAT Advisory Board Chair, and transit rider, and Joseph Flores, Executive Director of the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council. The Guam group was one of 20 teams from throughout the U.S. who participated in the Fourth Annual Mobility Planning Services (MPS) Institute of the Easter Seals Project ACTION (ESPA) held on March 5-8 in Washington, D.C. The local team, whose expenses were supported in part by ESPA, was accepted through a competitive application process prepared by Guam CEDDERS staff Ginger Porter. "The event was designed to bring communities together who want to learn ways to strengthen the availability and accessibility of transportation services locally," Ms. Porter said. "An important way to do that is through a cross-agency approach and we intend to continue our cooperative efforts, with a major outcome for Guam’s team being the development of a work plan with specific objectives to improve our system.” An MPS team of national experts conducted sessions on funding and legislation, community assessment, coalition building, coordination of public and private networks, customer monitoring and feedback, marketing, increasing ridership, travel training, servicing customers who use mobility aids, identifying community resources, and understanding paratransit eligibility determination processes. The Institute was sponsored by the Easter Seals Project ACTION (Accessible Community Transportation in Our Nation) which is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration. ESPA promotes cooperation between the transportation industry and the disability community to increase mobility for people with disabilities under the ADA. Established in 1988, ESPA is administered by Easter Seals Inc. Photo with caption: ACTION Team members pose for a group shot. (Back row, L-R) Al Abeson, Director, Easter Seals Project (ESP) ACTION, Beverly Morris, Planning & Eligibility Officer, MTA-New York City Transit Paratransit Division, New York, Joseph Flores, Executive Director, Guam Developmental Disabilities Council, (front row, L-R) Evelyn Duenas, Transit rider, Guam ESP ACTION Team member, & Rudy Cabana, Transit Planner, Division of Public Transportation, Department of Administration. Text in colored box: Guam Mobility Planning Team Work Plan ? Increase awareness of elected officials of the need for the Transit System to be ADA compliant ? Ensure that the civil rights of riders with disabilities are protected ? Facilitate transit planning including: ? Updating Paratransit Eligibility Requirements ? Implementing an Eligibility Appeal Process ? Assessing community needs ? Adjusting transit routes and schedules, and ? Recommending Equitable Fare Adjustments Page 11 Consumer Leadership Produces A Positive Outcome Recent advocacy efforts by two individuals with disabilities have resulted in a positive outcome in the transportation domain. Consumers Lisa Ogo and Evelyn Duenas, who also is the Vice Chairperson of the Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council, wrote to the Government of Guam agency which oversees the Public Transit system on December 22, requesting the addition of a fixed route bus stop at the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) Training Center located on Deans Circle at the University of Guam. They stated in their letter that adding this stop “will relieve many requests for paratransit service, which is presently difficult to schedule due to capacity restraints. A GSAT stop location will provide paratransit riders the option of utilizing the regular system to a location that is widely used for meetings, training, and technical assistance.” In his written response, Joseph Manibusan, Deputy Director of the Department of Administration, approved the request and thanked the two ladies for bringing the suggestion to their attention. Congratulations to Ms. Ogo and Ms. Duenas for their efforts and demonstrating that consumer leadership is the way to go! Photo with caption: Transition Capacity Building Institute Ginger Porter, (back row, third from left) Guam CEDDERS Training Associate and Evelyn Duenas, (front row, fourth from left) Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Vice Chairperson, attended the National Capacity Building Institute on “Enhancing Transition to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Youth with Disabilities through Culturally Relevant Supports, Services, and Education” held on March 2-3 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Institute offered recommendations for “practices that create or strengthen culturally relevant support services, educational environments, assessment tools, and community/family partnerships.” Guam Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Planner Carol Crisostomo (back row, fifth from left), and Rehab Counselor Lydia Perez (front row, third from left) also attended the Institute. Page 12 Calendar of Upcoming Events March 2005 ? Mar 11-GSAT Conference, Hilton Hotel, 9-3:30 p.m. ? Mar 11 - Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Mtg., 3:30 p.m., Hilton Hotel ? Mar 12-GSAT Fair, Agana Shopping Center, 10-3:00 p.m. ? Mar 14-Policy Maker Forum, Hilton Hotel, 9-2 p.m. ? Mar 14-19-FSM National TA, Pohnpei ? Mar 18-PAS Train-the-Trainer, Venue TBA ? Mar 23-Guam DDC Consumer Workshop, Hilton Hotel, 9-2 p.m. ? Mar 29-Guma Mami’s Individuals with Disabilities Art Exhibit, 6-9 p.m., Guam Marriott Resort ? Mar 29-31-OSEP Leadership Meeting, Washington, D.C. April 2005 ? Apr 2-GSAT Walk, Wheel, Run Event, Paseo Stadium Parking Lot, Hagatña ? Apr 5-6-OSEP Implementation Planning Workshop, Washington, D.C. ? Apr 9-Child Care Training Institute, Westin Resort & Spa ? Apr 16-Child Care Training Institute, Westin Resort & Spa ? Apr 18-23-Kosrae CIMP Monitoring /TA Visit ? Apr 28-29-Micro-Enterprise Opportunities Conference, Hilton Hotel ? Apr 30-Child Care Training Institute, Westin Resort & Spa May 2005 ? May 2-3-AUCD Directors Meeting, IL ? May 7-Child Care Training Institute, Westin Resort & Spa ? May 16-20-FSM MCH/SpEd Joint Workshop, Kosrae ? May 29-UOG Commencement June 2005 ? Jun 3-Summit 2005 Guam State Team meeting, 1:30 p.m. ? Jun 3-Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Mtg., 3:30, GSAT ? Jun 6-10-Chuuk CIMP Monitoring/TA Visit ? Jun 12-15-IASSID Asia Pacific Conference, Taipei ? Jun 20-25-Birth to Three Institute, Washington, D.C. Advertisement: Mark your Calendar! GSAT Walk/Wheel/Run 5K/1Mile Event Paseo Stadium Parking Lot, Hagatña April 2, 2005 6:30 a.m. Go Time 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: heidisan@uog9.uog.edu I Tellai is a quarterly publication of Guam CEDDERS. Director: Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D. Editors: Terrie Fejarang & June De Leon Layout & Design: Margaret Johnson This issue of I Tellai was made possible by contributions from the following Guam CEDDERS staff members: Liz Borja, Elaine Eclavea, June De Leon, Terrie Fejarang, Mary Kidd, Ginger Porter, June Quitugua, Vicky Ritter, Heidi San Nicolas, & Mike Terlaje. Alternative formats (e.g. Braille, large print, or audio tapes) of I Tellai will be made available upon request. Please contact Margaret Johnson at (671) 735-2477 (v), (671) 735-6531 (TTY), or (671) 734-5709 (fax) for more information. The University of Guam is an equal opportunity employer and provider.