I Tellai The Bridge Guam CEDDERS Newsletter Volume 7, Number 3 June 3, 2005 Table of Contents: Inside this issue: Page Micro-Enterprise Conference 1 Micro-Enterprise con’t. 2 Micronesia Mourns Palau 3 Implements Early Childhood Service Model New Advisory Members 4 GSAT Conference 5 GSAT Activities 6-7 Child Care Training Institute 8 Child Care Institute con’t 9 Karino Video Transportation Task Force 10 Task Force con’t 11 Calendar of Events 12 Page 1: Micro-Enterprise Ideas Present Financial Opportunity for Individuals with Disabilities As most Americans continue to work for someone else, business ownership is on the rise. And for individuals with disabilities and those working to support their employment needs, micro enterprise, or very small businesses, afford the opportunity for economic civil rights, equal participation in the greater community, and self-determination. This message, coming from nationally recognized consultants Cary Griffin and David Hammis, was just one of many inspirational ideas that 158 conference attendees absorbed on April 28-29, 2005 at the “Micro Enterprise Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities” Conference. Sponsored by the Guam Coalition for Development of Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities, the conference brought together consumers, Vocational Rehabilitation counselors, Community Rehabilitation Providers, the Guam Department of Labor, the Agency for Human Resource Development, the Small Business Development Center, school transition personnel, the Social Security Administration, the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council, CEDDERS, and employers to explore self employment as an option to employment. Governor Felix P. Camacho opened the conference with words of support from his administration, which has encouraged economic development through private enterprise. Dr. Harold Allen, UOG President, followed with a challenge to see results from the workings of the conference. Anyone can own a small business when proper support, adequate financing, and paying customers can be secured. Self employment is actually one of the few options where an individual can accumulate personal wealth and manage income in a way that is predictable and personally adjustable. Self employment allows for the creation of work opportunity designed specifically for someone that does not fit standard job description molds while preserving natural supports and community integration. Conferees learned from the experiences of Griffin and Hammis that persons with a wide range of significant disabilities have been successful in owning and operating their own businesses as a rehabilitative option under the Rehabilitation and the Workforce Investment Acts. Both systems can help with the purchase of equipment, supplies and services in starting a business. In addition, three new loan opportunities were unveiled as potential assistance to micro enterprise efforts: the Get Guam Teleworking loan funds, GOAL-AT funds for assistive technology purchases, and the new micro loans from the Pacific Islands Micro-Credit Institute. Idea development, benefits planning, funding options, and new partnerships within the Guam Coalition are the key ingredients to the future success of the ideas brought forth at the two day conference held at the Hilton Guam Resort and Spa. Just days after the conference, the Small Business Development Center began processing inquiries and making follow up phone calls to individuals who initiated action plans to pursue self employment options. Within a week, the Coalition prepared for the next step, continued training and technical assistance on topics identified as needing further development. With plans to offer two-hour training sessions each month through the next six months, the Coalition is targeting the further educational needs of service providers. By November, the Coalition will recall attendees to meet and provide feedback on the process and support, looking for ways to enhance the ability of individuals with disabilities to get to the step of obtaining a business license and filing their first Gross Receipts Tax form. To provide incentive, the Coalition will be offering cash prizes for business start up costs for the best business plans submitted. With the first step taken to introduce “new thinking and ideas” at the two day conference, the energy of the Coalition remains high for the odyssey of self employment and micro-enterprise opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Photo with caption: Guam Coalition for Development of Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities members gathered for a photo during the Microenterprise Conference. (Back row, L-R) Casey Jaszenka, Guam Small Business Development Center, UOG, Dave Hammis, Griffin-Hammis Associates, LLC, Albert San Agustin, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, DISID, Ed Bernal, Department of Labor; (front row, L-R) Joseph Flores, Carol Crisostomo, DVR, Ruth Leon Guerrero, One Stop Career Center, Dept. of Labor, & Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS, UOG. Page 2: Micro-Enterprise Ideas con’t from Page 1 Text in colored box: Guam Coalition for Development of Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities * Dept. of Labor, AHRD * Division of Special Education, GDOE * Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, DISID * Guam CEDDERS * Guam Developmental Disabilities Council * Small Business Development Center, UOG Photo with caption: (L-R) Kim Volsteadt, Division of SpEd, Guam DOE, Sue Williams, Parent Services Coordinator, Division of SpEd, Guam DOE, & Cary Griffin, Griffin-Hammis Associates, LLC, share their excitement about the possibilities that exist in within the microenterprise arena. Page 3: Creating Supports In the Region…Micronesia Mourns Passing of Maria Waalthan The island state of Yap and the Federated States of Micronesia suffered a great loss with the untimely passing of Maria Nieves Waalthan, Special Education Coordinator for the Yap Department of Education in April. Although coming from a mostly business background, when Maria assumed her position in 1997, her business approach and can do spirit sparked a series of gradual but significant changes in what was then referred to as the Yap State Education Enterprising Department (SEED). Her work spurred a grassroots movement in the community that promoted more positive attitudes towards individuals with disabilities. Through her strong leadership, Maria spearheaded efforts to develop more community awareness of services for children with disabilities. With more children identified, more efforts were made to develop services and supports to meet their educational needs. Realizing the need for more trained personnel, she spent countless hours facilitating the process of providing professional development opportunities. Amidst all the hard work and many challenges, Maria was always able to maintain a positive attitude that made her a joy to work with. Even upon learning of her illness, she maintained this positive attitude that focused on her need to see that children receiving special education services be supported appropriately. We extend our sincerest condolences to her family. We will all miss her. Photos with caption: Maria is shown in this file with one of the Yapese students during a home visit. Maria is all smiles during the 8th grade graduation of her son, Victor, in 2001. Palau Implements Early Childhood Service Delivery Model Starting in this past May, the Republic of Palau, Ministries of Health and Education began their implementation of the New “Early Childhood Service Delivery Model” for serving young children with special needs and their families. As a result of concentrated efforts combined with ongoing technical assistance, parents, physicians, and service providers provided input to the new procedures during a 3-hour workshop on Friday, May 6, 2005. Twenty-three participants from Department of Health Service, Belau Head Start, Special Education Program and Parents of children with disabilities provided input the draft policy and procedures. Training on the new policy is planned to take place in August 2005 for Special Education, Head Start, and participating Health services staff. Elaine Eclavea from Guam CEDDERS, through a subcontract with the National Technical Assistance Center, provided technical assistance in the development of the new policy and procedures. Page 4: Advisory Council Elects New Officers Thomas Manglona and Dan Cobb were elected Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, respectively, during the Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council’s March 11 meeting. Tom, a consumer member of the board for the past four years, has had close to a ten-year history of direct involvement with Guam CEDDERS, starting with being a co-presenter during “Employment Power” and “Self-Advocacy” Workshops in the mid-1990’s and his long-time membership on the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) Board. A seasoned volunteer for other disability-related service organizations, Tom currently serves as the Vice Chairperson of the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council (GDDC). He is also currently a member of the Guam Transportation Task Force and the State-Wide Independent Living Council. After learning of the opportunities available during the recent Micro-Enterprise Conference (see article on page 1), he is working on re-starting his Bonsai Plant business. When asked how he feels about being the newly elected Chairperson, he quickly responded, “I was set up! Seriously, though, I am willing to do my part and whatever needs to get things rolling.” Dan, a former resident of Hawaii who moved to Guam in 1993, has been an active parent through his involvement with several island organizations related to disabilities. Currently he is the President of PROCEED, a parent organization which provides training and supports to families with children with disabilities. He is the chair of the GDDC Family Supports Council, serves on the Statewide Independent Living Council, in addition to serving on the Guam Advisory Panel for Students with Disabilities and the GSAT Board. Upon his election, Dan stated that he “is ready to serve if it has anything to do with serving individuals with disabilities…you know me, I’ll go for it.” The Advisory Council gives un dangkulu na si Yu’os maase’ to former Chairperson Olympio Muedan and Vice Chairperson Evelyn Duenas, for serving in their Council positions during the 2004-05 term. Photo with caption: Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Members took some time out of their March 11 quarterly meeting to pose for a group picture. (Seated L-R) Joseph Flores, Guam DD Council, Jesse Pangelinan, Consumer, Olympio Mueden, Consumer, Dan Cobb, Vice Chairperson, Dana Edwards, Guam Legal Services/Disability Law Center, & Tom Manglona, Chairperson, Consumer. Back row, L-R) Beatrice Cruz Taitano, UOG EEO Officer, Berni Grajek, Consumer, Evelyn Claros, Parent, Laurie Sotto, Katrina Celes, Assistant Superintendent, Division of Special Education, Guam DOE, & Reina Sanchez, Dept. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Page 5: Over 200 Attend 11th Annual GSAT Conference The Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) project continued on its yearly tradition of hosting the 11th Annual Assistive Technology Conference on Friday, March 11 at the Guam Hilton Resort and Spa. The conference was a full day event, attracting over 200 participants inclusive of persons with disabilities, service providers, and various individuals interested in assistive technology (AT). The participants were treated to six presentations targeted to improve access to Assistive technology. As part of the activities, Senator Mike Cruz, Chairperson of the 28th Lehislaturan Guahan, presented a Legislative Resolution commemorating the celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to the Tri Agency. The first presentation featured Guam CEDDERS Assistive Technology Specialist Mike Terlaje demonstrating “GSAT’s 10 New & Improved AT Devices.” The top item demonstrated at the Conference was a Panasonic Digital Voice recorder. This compact device replaces old cassette recorders and in conjunction with software, Dragon Naturally Speaking, is able to covert recorded voice messages into text. Another highlight of the conference was the premier of the video “Freedom Machines”, produced by Freedom Machines from San Francisco, CA. and broadcasted nation-wide on the Public Broadcasting System (PBS). The video was truly inspiring as it highlighted the successes and failures of several individuals with disabilities, as they faced life’s trials with the help of Assistive Technology. Guam Legal Services Corporation/Disabilities Law Center’s Louise Toves provided information on knowing about your personal rights as an individual, in society and in accessing services, in her presentation “Defining Personal Limits.” Arlene Cohen, reference librarian at the University of Guam RFK Library, presented on how to use computers to access “Disability Health & Information on the World Wide Web.” The last two presenters provided information on assistive technology funding issues. Attorney John Weisenberger, the Guam Public Guardian, presented his interesting theory on what’s happening with the federal funds that Guam receives that are supposed to help provide AT through the Department of Public Health and Social Services. Marie Mesa Kerlin and Jim Denney, of the University of Guam’s Small Business Development Center, presented on the their new funding organization, the Pacific Islands Microcredit Institute (PIMI), and the benefits of “Micro Enterprise Opportunities” (see page 1 for related story). The response from those in attendance was positive with many sharing that they picked up new information and enjoyed the presentations and the setup of the event. The conference was full of both old and new faces, and demonstrated the continued strong interest the community has for Assistive Technology. Photos with caption: Senator Mike Cruz, Chairperson of the Committee on Health and Human Services, 28th Lehislaturan Guahan, presented the Tri-Agency with a Legislative Resolution commended them for their efforts on behalf on individuals with disabilities. (L-R) Mike Terlaje, AT Specialist, Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, Guam CEDDERS Director, Millie Lujan, Chairperson, Guam DD Council, Joseph Flores, Executive Director, Guam DDC, Dan Sommerfleck, Executive Director, Guam Legal Services Corporation/Disability Law Center, Elaine Dell’Isola, Staff Assistant & Senator Cruz. Left photo: Senator Ray Tenorio presents a Legislative Resolution to GSAT Advisory Board members commending GSAT for hosting its annual AT Conference and Fair. (L-R) Linda Leon Guerrero, Lisa Ogo, Senator Tenorio, Dawn Maka, & Mike Terlaje. Right photo: Participants listen intensely during a presentation at the 2005 GSAT Conference held at the Hilton Guam Resort and Spa. Page 6: GSAT Fair Held At Hagåtña Venue GSAT held its Annual Assistive Technology Fair to the Agana Shopping Center on March 12. Various types of assistive technology addressing the needs of individuals with a broad range of disabilities were on display. In addition, 28 vendors and service providers displayed their various products and program information. One of the featured attractions, as requested from surveys and back by popular demand, was the Wheelchair Obstacle Course, set up in the center court area. The obstacle course provided a chance for the community at large to experience having a mobility impairment with participants having to navigate through ramps, closed doors, and thick, plush, carpeting, and carrying everyday objects while using a wheelchair. The highlight of the Fair was the generous donation of TTY’s by the new Guam Telephone Authority (GTA). Ernie Galito, GTA Sales Supervisor, donated 100 TTY’s to Guam Department of Education (GDOE) Superintendent, Mr. Juan Flores, and 50 TTY’s to GSAT and the deaf community on Guam. The donation helped fill a much needed void in the deaf community. A TTY, Teletype Writer Phone, is a special telephone used to communicate with the deaf where instead of talking on the phone, you would type your message. It is very similar to chatting on a computer or texting on a cell phone. For more information on TTY’s, contact the GSAT office as they provide TTY’s on short term loan and training on how to use them. Photos with caption: A young participant attempts one of the tasks in the Wheelchair Obstacle course. GTA Sales Supervisor, Ernie Galito, announces the TTY donations to GDOE’s Deaf & Hearing Impaired Program. (L-R) Juan Flores, GDOE Superintendent & Mr. Galito. This participant finds out just how difficult it can be for a person using a wheelchair to open a door. 2005 GSAT Walk, Wheel, Run Event GSAT hosted its Annual 5K/1 Mile Walk, Wheel, & Run on Saturday April l2, 2005 at the Paseo de Susanna Park. The race course for the 5K went from the Paseo to the Alupang Beach Park and back, with the 1 mile course being two laps around Paseo. Close to 200 participants completed the events. Our heartfelt thanks go to the many sponsors for their generous donations of raffle prizes, water, fruits, and all the other items that made the event possible. A special thanks also goes to all the volunteers and Guam CEDDERS staff for their help in the planning and setup of this year’s race. Next year promises to be bigger and better! (Left photo) Tom Manglona, Guam CEDDERS newly elected Advisory Council Chairperson, takes his miniature Doberman on the 1 mile course during the Walk, Wheel, Run Event. (Right photo) Participants rest after the event and wait anxiously for the raffle drawing to start. 2005 GSAT Fair In continuing to target all residents of Guam, GSAT moved its Annual Fair down to the Agana Shopping Center. The Fair took place on March 12, 2005. GSAT setup up a total of six AT tables in the Center court, representing disability categories of Mobility Impaired, Hearing Impaired and Deaf, Vision Impaired or Blind, Speech Impaired, and lastly Environmental controls. The hosted a total of 28 vendors and service providers displaying their various products and program information. One of the featured attractions, as requested from past surveys and back by popular demand, was the Wheelchair Obstacle course, set up in the center court area, the obstacle course provided a chance for the community to experience having a mobility impairment. The obstacle course provided information and experience of the difficulty of getting up ramps, opening doors, wheeling over thick plush carpeting, and carrying everyday objects all while using a wheelchair. The highlight of the Fair, had to be the most generous donation of TTY phones by the New Guam Telephone Authority (GTA). Ernie Galleto, GTA Sales Supervisor, was present to donate 100 TTY’s to Guam Department of Education (GDOE) Superintendent, Mr. Juan Flores, and 50 TTY’s to GSAT and the deaf community on Guam. The donation helped fill a much needed void in the deaf community. For those who are unfamiliar with a TTY, Teletype Writer Phone, it is the special telephone used to communicate with the deaf, instead of talking on the phone, you would type your message. It is very similar to chatting on a computer or texting on a cell phone. For more information on TTY’s, contact the GSAT office as they provide TTY’s on short term loan and also training on how to use them. 2005 GSAT Conference With continued funding for the next six years, the GSAT project was able to continue on its yearly tradition of hosting an Assistive Technology Conference and Fair. GSAT celebrated its 11th Annual GSAT Conference on Friday, March 11, 2005 at the Guam Hilton Resort and Spa. The conference was a full day event, attracting over 200 participants inclusive of persons with disabilities, service providers, and various individuals interested in Assistive technology. The participants were treated to six presentations targeted to improving access to Assistive technology. As part of the activities, Senator Mike Cruz, Chairperson of the 28th Lehislaturan Guahan, presented a Legislative Resolution commemorating the celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to the Tri Agency. The first presentation featured Guam CEDDERS Assistive Technology Specialist Mike Terlaje demonstrating “GSAT’s 10 New & Improved AT Devices.” The top item demonstrated at the Conference was a Panasonic Digital Voice recorder. This compact device replaces old cassette recorders and in conjunction with software, Dragon Naturally Speaking, is able to covert recorded voice messages into text. Another one of the main highlights of the Conference was the premier of the video “Freedom Machines”, produced by Freedom Machines from San Francisco, CA. and broadcasted nation-wide on the Public Broadcasting System (PBS). The video was truly inspiring as it highlighted the successes and failures of several individuals with disabilities, as they faced life’s trials with the help of Assistive Technology. Guam Legal Services Corporation/Disabilities Law Center’s Louise Toves provided information on knowing about your personal rights as an individual, in society and in accessing services, in her presentation “Defining Personal Limits.” Arlen Cohen, reference librarian at the University of Guam RFK Library, presented on how to use computers to access “Disability Health & Information on the World Wide Web.” Our last two presenters provided information on assistive technology funding issues. Attorney. John Weisenberger, the Guam Public Guardian, presented his interesting theory on what’s happening with the federal funds that Guam receives that are supposed to help provide AT through the Department of Public Health and Social Services. Marie Mesa Kerlin and Jim Denney, of the University of Guam’s Small Business Development Center, presented on the their new funding organization, the Pacific Islands Microcredit Institute (PIMI), and the benefits of “Micro Enterprise Opportunities” (see page 1 for related story). The response from those in attendance was definitely positive with many sharing that they enjoyed the presentations and the setup of the event. The conference was full of both old an new faces, and truly showed the continued strong interest the community has for Assistive Technology. Walk, Wheel, Run Event Sponsors * 76* Fun Fair* IT & E* Outrigger Guam Resort* Atkins Kroll, Inc.* Guam CEDDERS* King’s Restaurant* Pay-Less Supermarkets* Bank of Guam* Guam International Country Club* Laser Tel* Tarza Magical Adventure Zone* BankPacific* Guam Telephone Authority* Leo Palace Resort* Tom Manglona* Burger King* Hotel Sante Fe* Lujan’s Towing* Tony Roma’s* Computerland* Hyatt Regency Guam* Marianas Energy Corporation* Underwater World* Creativitees* International Distributors, Inc.* Mary Kidd* University of Guam* Duty Free Shoppers* Island Tinting* McDonald’s of Guam* Xerox* Fish Eye Marine Park* Guam Developmental Disabilities Council* * Transportation Task Force Concludes With Recommendations Nine months of review and investigation of transportation problems, operational systems, regulations, and best practices as held by the community based Transportation Task Force has resulted in a final document presenting recommendations to the Governor, the Legislature, and the Department of Administration, Division of Public Transportation Services for action to improve transit services. Coordinated by Guam CEDDERS, the team compiled a list of nine administrative and 17 operational strategies, identifying parties responsible for the recommended actions and providing timelines for coordination and implementation. The document provides a historical reference to transit services, which actually dates back to the 12th Guam Legislature, and used the framework of the 1996 Study on Public Transportation for Persons with Disabilities, which was commissioned by the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council for comparison data. Delineating the lack of progress since 1996, the recommendations point out that paratransit services are now strained after an 8 year increase in eligibilities of 650% and a 38% decrease in vehicles assigned to the service. Of particular focus is the need to improve the eligibility process, bringing it up to standards used nationally by similar communities. Underlying the operational strategies are several foundational administrative actions that are required: appointment of the Transportation Commission, repeal and revision of several public laws, and organizing an Appeals and Grievance Board. In addition to these primary administrative strategies, the task force enlisted the following as the most important issues for actions: paratransit eligibility, paratransit services, increasing demand in fixed and demand response systems, standard operating procedures, establishment of management personnel, adjusting schedules and routes, increasing the number of vehicles, plans for back up service, customer service, marketing and training. Coordination of a few administrative actions with the multiple operational improvements through the next two years are steps in the right direction that will result in improvements to our public transportation system. Ultimately, it will be up to the riders and advocates to ensure that the government meets the goal of achieving a comprehensive consolidated and coordinated accessible public transportation system. 2005 Child Care Training Institute Professional partnerships continue to evolve into strong alliances in the area of child care training for family home and center-based providers. Going on their fourth year of collaboration, the Public Health and Social Services, Division of Public Welfare’s Child Care and Development Fund Program (DPHSS/DPW/CCDF), the Guam Caregivers’ Association, and Guam CEDDERS conducted another round of exemplary workshop sessions at the 2005 Child Care Training Institute, Strategies to Implement Early Learning Guidelines for Children Three to Five Years Old, held on April 9 and 16, with a repeat series on April 30 and May 7 at the Westin Resort and Spa in Tumon. Two hundred four(204) adults serving young children completed the 15-hour training session and earned 1.5 Continuing Education Credits through the University of Guam’s Professional Development and Lifelong Learning Center (PDLLC). These credits were funded by DPHSS/DPW/CCDF. Instructors were Guam CEDDERS staffers Elaine Eclavea, Mary Kidd, and June Quitugua. Model Childcare Center Directors Ama Underwood, Estela Gapas, Mency Galila, Millie Anderson, Nicole Santiago, Cheryl ______, Lysa Mesa, Jerry Huffer, Rebecca Huffer, and Michelle Huffer took the lead in the delivery of Institute content related to specific thematic units and lesson plans. Guest presenter, Rosa Tacheliol, Yap State Department of Education Director, modeled energizers to introduce the Human Body unit in the Yapese language to demonstrate the use of the languages other than English in daily activities. A very exciting aspect of this Institute was for the first time, Guam has crafted a formal document, known as the Guam Early Learning Guidelines for Children Three to Five Years Old, detailing 46 Standards for the care and education of those young children, which was presented to participants. This milestone evolved as a response to President Bush’s 2002 Good Start, Grow Smart Early Childhood Initiative to activate states and territories to strengthen early learning so that all children will have the necessary skills enabling them to be ready to learn when they enter kindergarten. This set of behaviors tells what young children at that age should be able to do and what anyone working with young children can do to foster positive learning experiences so that learning continues to grow. The standards also align with the kindergarten standards from the Department of Education so that parents and child care providers from centers know that there is a connection between what they are doing and what children should know when they actually start kindergarten. The first day of the Institute was spent learning how to use the Early Learning Guidelines to create units or themes of information, create a lesson plan and include adaptations for children with different needs plus a section on how to assess what children have learned. The second Saturday, showed three different presenters from the Model Child Care Centers in Guam, who guided participants through a step-by-step process of developing and implementing their units and plans using the Early Learning Guidelines. Themes included the Human Body, animals, Families, Food, Transportation, and Vacations. Participants engaged in various hands on activities that helped them understand how the lesson plans and activities are used in helping preschoolers achieve the standards as indicated in the Early Learning Guidelines. Another special feature was the premiere showing of the newly produced video: Kariñu: Loving Our Babies (see related story on page __). Inclusive Childcare on Guam, another short training video produced by Guam CEDDERS, was also shown. Asked if they would recommend the workshop to others, many said yes “because it is very important and helpful to who is in the field or who is interested in the little children’s future”. Others commented that it is “hands on”, “very informative, educational and with good things to practice at home and at a school environment”, “it would be nice if parents attended”, there is “new info, very usable in everyday life”. Every participant went home with a wealth of resources including Good Start, Grow Smart, the Guam Early Learning Guidelines, the Institute’s presentations on Strategies to Implement Early Learning Guidelines for Children Three to Five Years Old, and a folder filled with units and lesson plans field tested by Directors and Staff of Guam’s six Model Child Care Centers. Photos with caption: The Westin’s ballroom was packed with child care providers eager to learn about the Early Learning Guidelines. Participants at the 2005 Training Institute. Advertisement: If you didn’t make it to the race, GSAT still has T-shirts!!! T-Shirts Available for $5 each. See Liz Horne at GSAT to make your purchase! Text in a box: Transportation Task Force Agencies * 28th Guam Legislature * Department of Administration * Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation * Division of Public Transportation Services * Guam CEDDERS * Guam Center for Independent Living * Guam Developmental Disabilities * Guam Legal Services Corporation * Guam Project Action Team * Senior Transportation Services (GGARP-SPIMA) Operational Recommendations Timelines ? June 2005-(DOA,Div. Of Public Trans.)-Appoint Ombudsman (federal requirement) and provide public notice of appointment ? June 2005-(DOA,Div. Of Public Trans.)-Implement system for consumer input and advise public of system ? June-Aug. 2005-(DOA,Div. Of Public Trans.)-Activate public awareness campaign on proposed changes to eligibility process ? July 2005-(DOA,Div. Of Public Trans.)-Establish DOA Public Transit Grievance Review & Appeals Board ? July 2005-(DOA,Div. Of Public Trans.)-Establish supplemental taxi and other transportation service to ensure adequate paratransit capacity ? July-Aug.2005-(Div. Planners w/DPW, GLS, GSAT, GCIL, mayors & contractor(s)-Assess fixed route stops for location & accessibility ? Aug.2005-(-(DOA,Div. Of Public Trans.)-Revise & disseminate Paratransit Guide ? Aug.2005-(DOA, Div. Planners & Contractor(s))-Provide plan for separate or additional contract for behicle backup and route enhancements in high demand areas (Mangilao, Tamuning, Dededo) ? Aug.2005-(DOA, Div. Planners)-Establish SOPs: Reservation/Dispatch service, Route service, etc., Routine review: schedules, routes, rider data, cost/ride… ? Sept.2005-(DOA,Div. Of Public Trans.)-Implement new marketing strategies to draw in new rider groups to increase revenue base ? Sept. 1, 2005-(DOA,Div. Of Public Trans.)-Implement paratransit eligibility processing & classification as newly adopted Rules & Regs. Include personal interview & functional assessment process. Apply to new & renewals. Establish 2/3 year renewal cycle for eligibility ? Sept. 1, 2005-(DOA,Div. Of Public Trans., GCIL,GSAT,SPED Div.)-Establish schedule for Travel Training implementation ? FY2006-(DOA, Div. Planners, Transportation Commission) Revise discount system for paratransit to eliminate bias of para over regular system. ? FY2006-(DOA, Div. Planner, Contractor(s))-Add Door-to-Door service for a fee (Paratransit) ? FY2006-(DOA, Div. Planner)-Place additional busses into the fixed route system. Expand present contract to include mini and full size vans into service. ? FY2006-(DOA, Div. Planner)-Distribute complimentary visitor paratransit information through GVB and GHRA ? FY2007-(DOA, Div. Planner)-Establish Trip-by-Trip Eligibility for paratransit. Administrative Recommendations Timeline ? June 2005—(Governor) Appoint members to the Guam Transportation ? Jun-Dec.2005-(DOA) Place Proposed Rules & Regs (June 2004 Draft) under the Guam Administrative Regs in accordance with the AAA ? Sept.2005-(Guam Legislature)-Confirm Governor appointments to Guam Transportation Commission ? Sept.2005(Legislature w/GCIL, DDC, DOA)-Amend P.L. 26-76 to define Role of Transportation Commission ? On/before Oct.2005-(DOA)-Establish Division Administrator for the Division of Public Transportation ? Oct-Dec.2005-(Consortium)-Conduct Community Assessment ? Dec.2005-(Legislature w/GCIL, DDC, DOA)-Repeal P.L. 26-57 ? FY2006-(Div. Planners w/Transportation Committee) Review Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Grants (3) for possible redirection and/or use of funds to purchase special minivans and life equipped vans. ? FY2006-(Guam Legislature) Explore Taxicab Laws to provide incentive to increase accessible taxicab service. Transportation Task Force Recommendations con’t from Page 10 (L-R) Jan Nisbet, Ph.D., Director of the New Hampshire University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Maria Waathan, Yap State Special Education Coordinator, Petra ________, Consulting Resource Teacher, & _______________ worked on ______________ during a technical assistance visit in Yap in March, 2004. New Video “Karinu: Loving Our Babies” Now Available One of the comments that is typically made by both participants and staff during the variety of training sessions conducted by Guam CEDDERS is, “wouldn’t it be great if we used videos that are produced locally that depict our local environment and cultures?” While most would agree that although the majority of concepts and theories across disciplines may also hold true across geographical locations, for many of the participants in Guam and regional training, having the ideas demonstrated in island settings provides that “extra something” for them to personally relate to, thus leading the way for better understanding and internalization which in turn increases the likelihood of putting the ideas and strategies into practice. It is because of these reasons that Guam CEDDERS has responded to this challenge by producing an increasing number of videos to be used in a number of training settings that help us meet our organization’s mission. Kariñu: Loving Our Babies is our most recent production. A collaborative effort supported by the Department of Public Health and Social Services, Division of Public Welfare, Child Care and Development Fund Program, this 19-minute video, with the target audience being child care providers, focuses on promoting positive social and emotional development in children birth to three years. As noted on the DVD jacket, “particular attention is focused on bonding, attachment, and developing trust; the importance of appropriate touching; and Social/Emotional Developmental Milestones.” One feature of the video highlights local practices that deal with the concept of “maggodai”. Maggodai is defined as “a very intense overwhelming feeling, a strong feeling of the need to connect with the baby through physical and social contact.” Talking about this topic, which many in the field of child care view as a “sensitive” issue, definitely addresses local concerns. Page 12 Calendar of Upcoming Events June 2005 ? Jun 3-Summit 2005 Guam State Team Planning meeting, 1:30 p.m. ? Jun 3-Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Mtg., 3:30, GSAT ? Jun 3-Project Fo’na Student Meeting ? Jun 6-11-Project Fo’na Summer Session Part 1 ? Jun 6-11-Chuuk CIMP Monitoring/TA Visit ? Jun 12-15-IASSID Asia Pacific Conference, Taipei ? Jun 20-25-Birth to Three Institute, Washington, D.C. July 2005 ? Jul 4-Project Fo’na Summer Session Part 2 ? Jul 11-16-FSM National Steering Committee Meeting, Pohnpei ? Jul 12-15-Pacific Education Conference ? Jul 25-28-OSEP Personnel Prep Conference, Washington, D.C. ? Jul 29-Guam EHDI Parent-to-Parent meeting, Venue TBA, 6-9pm August 2005 ? Aug 11-12-OSEP Summer Institute (SPP&APR), Washington, D.C. ? Aug 15-UOG Fall Semester begins ? Aug 17-UOG Classes begin ? Aug 26-Guam EHDI Parent-to-Parent meeting, Venue TBA, 6-9pm September 2005 ? Sep 2-Summit 2005 Guam State Team Planning meeting, 1:30p.m. ? Sep 2-Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Meeting, 3:30 p.m. ? Sep 6-8-WRRC Pacific Regional, Venue TBA ? Sep 20-ADD Commissioner’s Forum, Washington, D.C. ? Sep 21-24-National Summit, Washington, D.C. ? Sep 28-Guam EHDI Parent-to-Parent meeting, Venue TBA, 6-9pm Photo with caption: Congratulations Brenda! Guam CEDDERS Administrator, Brenda Leon Guerrero, received her Masters Degree in Education, with an emphasis in administration and supervision, from the University of Guam on May 29. Posing with her are her proud parents, Dr. Jose Leon Guerrero, Professor Emeritus, UOG, and Jovita Leon Guerrero, Professor Emeritus, Guam Community College. 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, & 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.