Guam CEDDERS I Tellai The Bridge Newsletter Volume 7, Number 4 September 2, 2005 Inside this issue: Page Legislative Support 1 Legislative Support con’t 2 FSM Training Assessment 3 Summer Teacher Institute Teacher Institute con’t 4 Universal Design 5 Fo’na Recruitment 6 Beijing Presentation 7 Logic Model Presentation 8 Dick Zeller Retires 9 NEW Guam CEDDERS Staff Model Child Care 2005 10 Family Child Care 2005 Birth to Three Institute 11 Calendar of Events 12 Zeller Photo Legislative Support Crucial for Systems Change Historically, grassroot movements have led the way in taking first steps for systems change to improve services and supports for individuals with disabilities and their families. As groundswell support picks up momentum and critical mass is achieved, legislators often bring initiatives to the next step by sponsoring and enacting critical legislation that formally institute change. Members of the Guam Legislature have followed this pattern, and have been supportive partners in bringing about systems change. (See box on page 2). One of the many examples of legislative support can been seen in the efforts of Senator Lourdes “Lou” Leon Guerrero, who has been especially active in moving forward issues relating to “the disability agenda.” Senator Lou has sponsored or co-sponsored several pieces of legislation that directly address issues related to the quality of life of individuals with disabilities and their families. She introduced the bill that led to the establishment of the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities that consolidated vocational rehabilitation and case management services into one government entity. She spearheaded the provision of funding support to establish the Guam System of Care Council for Children with serious emotional disturbance and PROCEED (Parents Reaching Out For Children Experiencing Emotional Disturbance) that, in turn, played a significant role in obtaining federal support for the Children’s Mental Health Initiative I’ Famaguon-ta Project. More recently, Senator Lou led the legislative effort in the passage of P. L. 27-150, which mandates the implementation of universal hearing screening for the early detection and identification of children with hearing impairments. In addition, Senator Lou and her staff have been very involved in committee work on issues relating to providing medical coverage for individuals with disabilities under the Medically Indigent Program and the Individualized Budgeting project. Not content in merely enacting laws, the Senator also demonstrates her concern in other ways. Responding to consumer complaints about programic para-transit and transit services, she initiated a grass roots Transportation Task force, committing significant time and support of her Chief of Staff, to discover and craft transit recommendations to bring forward to the Governor, the Legislature, and the Department of Administration for the improvement of the transit system. She has also followed up on the implementation of existing legislation, specifically identifying the need to expand the enforcement of the accessible parking law, and thereby introducing Bill 131, “An Act To Strengthen The Enforcement Of Accessible Parking For Persons With Disabilities Act.” This bill, which seeks to amend the Guam Code Annotated, states that the “lack of enforcement has resulted in physical hardship and distress for those persons with disabilities wishing to park in the accessible area but are unable to because of those illegally parked.” The Bill seeks to make the Accessible Parking for Persons with Disabilities Act more enforceable, by appropriating funds for the training of individuals, including persons selected by non-profit organizations representing or servicing individuals with disabilities and are designated by the Director of DISID, provided they receive the proper training to issue citations to violators of this law. Dan Cobb, a parent of a boy with a disability describes the senator as “very knowledgeable and understanding of issues. She is one senator that pushes for the goals of what parents are looking for.” Mr. Cobb, who serves as president of PROCEED also said, “she suggests ways and goes out and gives support. She follows through. I think she’s great!” The grassroots movements, community members raising the issues, have led to many changes in practice, but within a system, policy changes are critical for long term impact - systems change. Senator Lou’s efforts are examples of creating and amending policies that reflect the desired result for all individuals on Guam to demonstrate a supportive partnership for moving forward the disability agenda. Page 2 Legislative Support con’t. Text in colored box: Legislation Related to the Disability Agenda P.L. 24-16 Relative to the establishment of the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities. P.L. 24-56 Relative to requiring transport care attendants in public transportation for individuals with disabilities. P.L. 24-182 An act to ban structures in or on sidewalks or public rights of way P.L. 24-190 Relative to coverage for chronic orthopedic deformities and blood and blood derivatives. P.L. 24-252 Relative to employment of individuals with severe disabilities. P.L. 26-40 Relative to the qualifications of the DISID Director and position of Deputy Director. P.L. 26-110 Relative to establishing the "Individuals with Significant Disabilities Vending Act." P.L. 27-47 Relative to creating the Guam System of Care Council for Children with serious emotional disturbance, and to appropriate thirty-eight thousand eight hundred dollars ($38,800.00) for such purpose. P.L. 27-143 To appropriate the sum of $65,000 to the Department of Integrated Services for individuals with disabilities (DISID) to fund Parents Reaching Out For Children Experiencing Emotional Disturbance (PROCEED) to ensure the continuance of programs and services for parents with children afflicted with serious emotional and behavioral disorders. P.L. 27-150 Relative to the requirement of universal hearing screening for infants and the early detection and identification of children with hearing impairments. Page 2 Creating Supports In the Region FSM Assessment Training Continues As a follow up to the December 2004 Assessment Training, twelve participants from the Federated States of Micronesia gathered at the University of Guam’s GSAT Training Center to continue their training on selected evaluation instruments for determining eligibility for special education services. Guam CEDDERS Dr. Nieves Flores and June Quitugua conducted the week long session on administering and scoring a variety of instruments as a requirement for completion of the 3-credit course, Assessment Skills for Children and Youth with Disabilities. The course also included an in depth session on identifying students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), as well as an update on the proposed IDEA Regulations in relation to evaluation. As an opportunity to apply their assessment skills, five students ranging from 1st grade to 5th grade were brought in on day four as practicum for the participants to administer and score the Brigance Comprehensive Inventory of Basic Skills, and the Activities Integrating Mathematics and Science (AIMS)Web. The week ended with all participants administering and scoring either the Expressive Vocabulary Test (EVT) or the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) as a final activity for the course. Guam CEDDERS will continue to provide support and technical assistance to each of the Evaluators through a website that was set up specifically for the FSM Assessment Team. Photo with caption: FSM Assessment Team. (Front Row, L-R) Welson Nedelic, Pohnpei, Marbe Martin, Kosrae, Petra Falan, Yap, Mickson Maras, Chuuk. (Back Row, L-R) June Quitugua, Guam CEDDERS, Carlina Henry, Pohnpei, Arthur Albert, FSM National DOE, Marda Palsis, Kosrae, Burnis Danis, FSM National DOE, Dorothy En, Yap, Steve Marcus, Chuuk, Lee Elesha, Kosrae, & Dr. Nieves Flores, Guam CEDDERS. Pohnpei Summer Teacher’s Institute The 2005 Pohnpei Summer Teacher’s Institute was held at Pohnpei Island Central High School July 25 – August 5, with over 50 general education teachers, special education teachers, and curriculum staff. With funding from the FSM National Government’s Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant, Guam CEDDERS facilitated the delivery of courses in algebra, chemistry, and physics through the UOG Professional Development and Life-Long Learning Center. The three secondary teachers from Guam that delivered the courses in Pohnpei were Rhoda Bamba-Algebra, Marilyn Castro-Physics, and Nenita Salinas-Chemistry. On the first day of each of the courses, adapting and modifying lessons to include ALL students, specifically high school students with disabilities, was covered. The Chemistry and Physics courses conducted lab activities on a daily basis and the teachers in these classes were given materials and supplies to keep and utilize in their classrooms once school begins. Each student in the three courses was required to develop lesson plans specific to the subject area and present their lesson to the class. With a range of lesson plan topic areas from atoms to chemical formulas, and wave properties to components of vectors, the participants definitely displayed their knowledge and skills acquired from the courses. Pohnpei State Director of Education, Mr. Casiano Shoniber, visited the classes almost daily to observe his teachers in action and met with the consultants midway through the courses to get an update on the progress of the classes which were offered for three professional development graduate credits. Recommendations on improving the current math and science programs were also discussed. The three Guam Consultants had all agreed by the end that it was hard work, but they enjoyed the experience and would definitely do it again if given the opportunity. They also shared that they learned so much about the people and culture of Pohnpei from the participants and encourage their colleagues in Guam to take the time to visit our neighboring islands so they too can experience and understand the cultures, which would help them when teaching these children in Guam. Page 4 Creating Supports In The Region Pohnpei Summer Teacher’s Institute con’t. from Page 3 Photos with captions: Marilyn Castro-Physics, Rhoda Bamba-Algebra, Casiano Shoniber, Pohnpei State Director of Education, & Nenita Salinas-Chemistry pose for a group photo after the training. Teachers who completed Pohnpei’s Summer Teacher Institute’s Algebra course pose for a group shot. Teachers who completed Pohnpei’s Summer Teacher Institute’s Chemistry course gather in front of PICS High School. Teachers who completed Pohnpei’s Summer Teacher Institute’s Physics course take a short break for a group shot. “This course is a good one. I learned a lot and she gave me a lot of new strategies to use. The things she went over kind of sharpened my knowledge in my profession.” Course Participant “…I highly recommend that workshops/classes like these continue to be offered as soon as possible.” Course Participant Page 5 Guma Mami Implements Universal Design In early June, Guma’ Mami, Inc. contacted the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) for assistance in developing a plan to renovate a building to improve accessibility for use in Guma’ Mami’s residential housing program. Guma’ Mami, (Our House), a nonprofit organization, provides an array of services and supports to individuals with disabilities on Guam. Initially the house seemed as if it was accessible. The main doors to the house were 36 inches wide, it had an existing ramp, and a nice sidewalk located in front. But upon closer inspection, we noticed the house clearly had some significant accessibility problems. Assuming the ramp was accessible was one of the first mistakes. This ramp was over 48 inches wide, had nice railings, and even had the correct length for a ramp that needed to be 8 inches high to meet the ADA requirement. The problem however, with this ramp was that the ground it was built on was also sloped, so instead of being ADA compliant at a 1:12 slope, the slope was actually 1:9, which is considered to be very steep. In order to solve this problem and another issue – the need for a level accessible parking area- it was agreed that another ramp would be constructed connecting the accessible parking lot on the right side of the house. Another improvement to the exterior of the house was to provide a 48 inches wide sidewalk around the entire house. It is always important to take into account any obstacles on the ground. This house had air-conditioning compressor units and outdoor sinks placed on the ground. In this case, the sidewalk was angled or widened greater than 48 inches wherever obstacles were present. The house had four bedrooms and two bathrooms with great space to easily maneuver from the living room to the bedrooms. However, there was a 3-inch step that necessitated the construction of a ramp in the house. It was decided that the rear bathroom would be the easiest to renovate. The renovation consisted of enlarging the door to 36 inches wide. But the clear space of the restroom needed improvements as well. The sink and toilet were both adjusted to ensure there was adequate space. The largest obstacle was to make the shower accessible. It had a six inch birm to prevent water from coming out. Many houses on Guam have showers built in this manner. The initial plan was to build a shower stall with glass doors, but the design showed that the door was going to be blocking the toilet. After some careful considerations, it was decided that the easiest way and most accessible option was to have no wall at all. The use of a shower curtain ran the entire length of the short side of the bathroom and simply sloping the ground to prevent water from running everywhere was the most economical answer. With these relatively minor alterations, our community gained an accessible housing unit not only to provide a home to individuals with disabilities, but also to serve as a model to all that making these accommodations, while relatively simple, can be a significant improvement for all. Photos (Below) taken after the completion of Guma Mami’s renovations. Page 6 Project Fo'na Sponsors "Recruitment Night" Project Fo'na sponsored a recruitment dinner on June 14 for all potential applicants for the graduate degree program in speech pathology scheduled to begin in January 3, 2006. Five graduates of the Project Alula undergraduate program in communication disorders program and 17 Project Fo'na undergraduate students, who are currently working on completing their 30 hours of pre-requisite undergraduate coursework, were in attendance. Students were given information on the structure and format of the graduate degree program, which will include distance education classes, practicum in Guam schools, as well as sites in San Jose, California. A question and answer period for the potential applicants was also part of the evening's program. Applications will be available this fall, with selections to be made by November 30. The Guam Public School System continues to experience a critical shortage of certified Speech and Language Pathologists. Project Fo'na aims to build the resource pool in this profession by the year 2008, when students will be completing their training programs. Project Fo'na is funded under the Office of Special Education, U.S. DOE, under the Minority Institution Program. Photos with captions: Attending the Recruitment Night were Project Fo’na personnel (L-R) Dr. Velma Sablan, University of Guam, Dr. Gloria Weddington, San Jose State University, Co-Principal Investigators, and Dr. Marion Meyerson, San Jose State University faculty who was on island to teach “Voice Science” and “Normal Processes of Speech, Language, and Hearing” during the summer term. Seventeen Project Fo’na participants take time away from their studies to attend the meeting. Project Alula & Project Fo’na undergraduate cohorts pose for photo after the Recruitment Meeting with Drs. Weddington, Sablan, & Meyerson. Alula cohort members (L-R) Michelle Sablan, Lisa Eclavea, Jennifer Raguindin, John Payne, & Joe Sanz plan on applying to the graduate program. Page 7 Core Faculty Presents at Beijing Conference Dr. Nieves Flores, Guam CEDDERS Core Faculty, presented a paper entitled “Testing What We Teach and Using Test Results To Improve What And How We Teach” at the Tenth China-U.S. Conference on Education on July 11-14 in Beijing, China. Sponsored by the Global Interactions (U.S.) and Beijing Institute of Education, Dr. Flores’ presentation addressed the Conference theme of “Aligning Assessment with Instruction”. The paper focused on two major issues in light of the “No Child Left Behind Act”: the current accountability system and the use of assessment to improve instruction. Dr. Flores maintains that the use of standardized testing and the focus on “increasing scores to avoid sanctions”, rather than the use of scores to improve instruction, implies that schools should be “teaching to the test” instead of “testing what we teach” to improve instruction. She further maintains that the current assessment systems for accountability often drive instruction versus instruction driving the assessment system. Dr. Flores proposes the following strategies to address the issues: 1. Be clear as to what we want students to know and be able to do as a result of our teaching; 2. Utilize assessment instruments which provide specific information on whether or not the child has achieved the identified standards. The instrument should not measure a student’s language or deficit as a result of a language barrier or disability; and 3. Extend assessment systems beyond a single testing event, i.e., implementing opportunities for more frequent assessment events throughout the year, including formative and summative evaluations. The presentation also addressed the use of assessment results to improve instruction. Dr. Flores’ main recommendation is to teach, assess, and base future instructional decisions on the areas mastered by the students and re-teach the areas of the curriculum in which the students have failed to demonstrate mastery. In her conclusion, Dr. Flores stated “the issue is not about eliminating any type of statewide assessment to ensure schools are held accountable for the teaching and learning. The issue is to focus on the prize. What is the prize? The prize is improved results for students.” Photos with captions: (L-R) Dr. Flores and Li Fan, President of the Beijing Institute of Education, meet during a break at the 10th China-US Conference on Education. (L-R) Dr. Mercedes Davila-Torres from Puerto Rico and Dr. Flores “play tourist” at a scenic area. Dr. Flores (left) poses with conference participants, (left-right) Dr. Mercedes Davila-Torres, Jerrie Ueberle, & Norma Ocasio. As part of the conference format, presentations were read verbatim, with the verbal Chinese translation provided after each paragraph. Page 8 Guam’s Logic Model Presented in Sacramento Guam recently sent a community team of representatives to the Technical Assistance Partnership, Region V, System of Care Community Meeting held in Sacramento, California from August 8 to 10. The regional meeting, facilitated and funded by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), occurs annually to provide regional support and resources to system of care funded communities. Team members included Project I’Famagu’on-ta staff: Annie Unpingco, Doines Guevara, Berni Grajek, Mary Therese Edgerle, Sonia Taijeron, and the evaluation staff, Dr. Velma Sablan and Mariles Benavente from Guam CEDDERS. Family, youth and community representatives included Fred Blas, Guam Fire Department, Doresa Blas, Frank Santos from Catholic Social Services and Arthur Paulino, Juvenile Division, Guam Police Department. Guam CEDDERS Director Dr. Heidi San Nicolas and newly recruited Lead Evaluator for the project, Bonnie Brandt, also attended these meetings. Several members of Guam’s contingent participated as presenters in various workshops throughout the week. Annie Unpingco, MSW, Principle Investigator for the project, joined a panel of presenters who spoke on “Creating Flexible Funding Policies in Government Systems.” Mary Therese Edgerle, Key Family Contact with other family representatives, focused on the topic: “A Strategic Framework for Infusing Family Involvement in Your System of Care.” Sgt. Arthur Paulino was a panel speaker on the topic: “Getting Law Enforcement on Your System of Care Team: Strategies to Improve Outcomes for Our Youth.” Representing the evaluation component, Dr. Sablan and Mariles Benavente, ACSW, did a presentation in conjunction with Dr. Mario Hernandez, author of the monograph “Making Children’s Mental Health Services Successful; Crafting Logic Models for Systems of Care: Ideas into Action.” Dr. Hernandez’s framework for developing a logic model to guide systems change was used to develop Guam’s Logic Model. Rich Weisgal, the director of Contra Costa System of Care Project, and our Guam speakers presented information on how our respective communities used the framework and steps outlined in Dr. Hernandez’s monograph to develop our local models. Copies of the power point presentation were provided to the TA Partnership Meeting Organizers as well as to Dr. Hernandez, at his request, for use in his website. This Logic Model will be presented to the Guam System of Care Council during their September meeting. The Logic Model will be used by the Council and the project to guide their strategic planning efforts towards sustainability. Text in colored boxes: Through wraparound processes, agencies coordinate care and share resources using the traditional and non-traditional supports and services to maintain the child in the home/community. For a copy of the Guam System of Care’s Logic Model, please contact Mariles Benavente at 735-2397. Page 9 Pacific Basin Friend Dick Zeller Retires With over 30 years serving as the Director of the Western Regional Resource Center (WRRC), University of Oregon, Richard “Dick” Zeller, Ph.D. has transitioned into working on a few projects within the field and spending more time with family and friends. On behalf of the region, Guam CEDDERS would like to recognize and express sincere appreciation for the many years of collaborative technical support that Dick has provided in support of improving services and supports for children and youth with disabilities and their families in the Pacific Basin Region! Over the years, Dick worked closely with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to understand the technical assistance needs of the Pacific Basin entities—the uniqueness, the successes, and the challenges of providing early intervention and special education programs in each area. One of Dick’s major initiatives that has positively impacted the region was facilitating the annual Pacific Meeting with OSEP staff held in conjunction with the annual OSEP Leadership Conference. This collaborative meeting provided a face-to-face opportunity for each entity and technical assistance provider to share stories with OSEP staff as a means of communicating program priorities, issues, and concerns. Thank you, Dick, for your work on behalf of the islands. Your work will continue to bear fruit for many years to come! See Photo on Page 12 Guam CEDDERS Transitions August was a month of transitions at Guam CEDDERS. Dr. Velma Sablan, Lead Evaluator, and Dr. Mary Fegurgur, Clinical Evaluator for the I Famagu’on-ta (Our Children) Children’s Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) Project, left the project effective August 15. Dr. Sablan will continue her involvement with Guam CEDDERS as Core faculty, director of Project Fo’na, and evaluator for the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (GEHDI) Tracking and Surveillance Project. Dr. Fegurgur has accepted a full time faculty position with the University of Guam’s School of Education Counseling Department and continues her private practice. Assuming the role of Lead Evaluator for I Famagu’on-ta is Bonnie Brandt. A former Guam University Affiliated Program Technical Assistant from 1994-97, Bonnie returned from an eight and a half year off-island hiatus that took her to Maui and Ft. Lauderdale where she continued working in the field of education. Bonnie holds a masters degree in Special Education from the University of Oregon and has extensive experience working with children with disabilities and their families, conducting research, coordinating and providing technical assistance, and teaching at the university level. Also joining the I Famagu’on-ta staff is Keith Villaluna. A graduate of the University of Guam, Keith has already made a significant contribution to the project by ensuring that data from project activities is appropriately verified and entered following strict protocols as part of a national study on children with serious emotional disturbance and their families. To Velma and Mary, and Mariles Benavente, ACSW, who is continuing her work with the Evaluation Team, thank you for laying the framework to get the evaluation process going. And to Bonnie and Keith, welcome to Guam CEDDERS! Photo with caption: New I’Famagu’on-ta staff, Keith Villaluna and Bonnie Brandt. Page 10 Model Child Care 2005 Three new sites have been selected to participate in the Model Child Care Center Training Program: Blessed Seed Christian Academy and Daycare in Maite, First Step Early Childhood Educational Center in Dededo, and Bambini Day School Center in Tamuning. After undergoing an application process that included an interview and programmatic and physical accessibility evaluations, selected centers receive curriculum resources, 40 hours of training, and 20 hours of on-site technical assistance, with particular attention on implementing Guam’s Early Learning Guidelines. In addition, child care programs that are identified as Model Child Care Centers agree to serve as centers for observation by other child care directors and providers and are placed on a list for future referrals for placement of young children at risk or with developmental disabilities. The centers in this cycle began a six Saturday series of training sessions on July 16 and continued through September 17. Participants who complete the required 40 contact hours of training will receive 4.0 CEUs from the University of Guam’s Professional Development and Lifelong Learning Center. Topics covered during the training sessions include: Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Child Care, Child Growth & Development, Disability Awareness, Curriculum Development, Creating Supportive Climates, and Family Partnerships. A new requirement for this year’s training program includes the implementation of Guam’s Early Learning Guidelines for Children Three to Five Years Old, which were completed and piloted during this year’s Training Institute held in April and May. The newly selected Model Centers have signed an MOU stating their commitment to implementing the strategies and best practices that align with the Guidelines. This project is funded by the Department of Public Health and Social Services, Division of Public Welfare, Child Care and Development Fund Program. Family Child Care 2005 Thirty-six family child care providers and 10 staff from the Department of Public Health and Social Services, Work Programs Section completed a total of 15 contact hours of training in June and August, 2005 and received 1.5 CEUs from the University of Guam’s Professional Development and Lifelong Learning Center. Training sessions involved various hands-on and interactive activities on ways to implement Guam’s Early Learning Guidelines for Children Three to Five Years Old. A second phase of this training will include the selection of 10 family home providers who will sign a Memorandum of Understanding stating their agreement to participate in technical assistance activities for promoting Quality Child Care Outcomes in Family Home settings. Participants will receive five (5) theme boxes that will include Lesson Plans and Hands-On activities for promoting quality services in family home settings. Photo with caption: Julia Garcia, Family Home Provider, leads participants in singing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" on June 4, 2005. Page 11 9th Annual Birth to Three Institute In partnership with the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS), under the National Infant & Toddler Child Care Initiative @ ZERO to THREE, Guam CEDDERS staff, Elaine Eclavea, Mary Kidd, & Lizzy Borja and DPHSS staff Julie Celeste, Management Analyst IV, and Lydia Tenorio, Administrator, Bureau of Social Services Administration, attended the 9th Annual Birth to Three Institute in Washington D.C. from June 20-24. The Guam Team members attended a Pre-Institute session on June 21 for all recipients of the National Infant & Toddler Child Care Initiative (NITCCI) Grant for 2004-2005. This session also included a Poster Display of how the NITCCI grantees, including Guam, used funding in their states to improve services for infants and toddlers. During this Poster Session, participants had the opportunity to view each state’s displays and network. Elaine Eclavea co-presented with representatives from the state of Arkansas on “Building a System that Welcomes Infants & Toddlers with Special Needs.” Her presentation included data on Guam’s child care services, focusing on the Model Child Care Program. During the conference, Sandra Peterson, NITCCI State Specialist provided feedback and technical assistance to the team on Guam’s Infant & Toddler Early Learning Guidelines. Photo with caption: Guam National Infant & Toddler Child Care Initiative (NITCCI) Team members attended the Birth to Three Institute in Washington, D.C. from June 20 to 24. Team members are pictured here with the NITCCI staff. (Front L-R) Sandra Peterson, NITCCI, Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS, Lydia Tenorio, GDPHSS, Judith Davis, NITCCI, Elizabeth Ford, NITCCI, (Back L-R) Mary Kidd, Guam CEDDERS, Julie Celeste GDPHSS, Paul Noski, NITCCI, Diane Stetson, NITCCI, Lizzy Borja, Guam CEDDERS, & Karen Heying, NITCCI. Page 12 Calendar of Upcoming Events October 2005 ? Oct 3-Official start of Project Håtsa ? Oct 3-7-FSM Interagency Meeting, Pohnpei ? Oct 5-8-Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium/Center for Improving Teacher Quality (INTASC/CTQ) State Team Meeting, CA ? Oct 7-Alternate Finance Committee Meeting, 12-1:30 p.m., GSAT Training Center ? Oct 7-Project Håtsa Evaluator Meeting, 1:30 p.m., House 29 Dean Circle ? Oct 10-Transportation Task Force Committee Meeting, 4 p.m., GSAT Training Center November 2005 ? Nov 8-Community Evaluation Advisory Team Meeting (CEAT) ? Nov 28-Dec 2-Comprehensive Strategic Planning for Sustainability of Guam’s System of Care, September 2005 ? Sept 2-Summit 2005 Guam State Planning Team meeting, 1:30p.m. ? Sept 2-Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Meeting, 3:30-5 p.m., GSAT Training Center ? Sept 3-Model Child Care Training, Rm 127 CNAS Bldg., 8-3:30p.m. ? Sept 7-8-Inclusion for All Symposium, DISID, Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, 8-5p.m. ? Sept 13-Project I’Famagu’on-ta/CEAT Meeting, 9-11a.m., I’Famagu’on-ta Conference Room, Hagåtña ? Sept 13 & 15-”All Learning Opportunities Nurture Growth” (ALONG) Parent Training for DPHSS’ Community Work Experience Program (CWEP) Parents, 1-5p.m., House 19 GSAT Training Center ? Sept 17-Model Child Care Training, Rm 127 CNAS Bldg., 8-3:30p.m. ? Sept 19, 21, & 27-”Train-the-Trainer” ALONG Curriculum, 9-3p.m., Venue TBA ? Sept 20-ADD Commissioner’s Forum, Washington, D.C. ? Sept 21-24-National Summit, Washington, D.C. ? Sept 26-30-FSM National TA, Pohnpei December 2005 ? Dec 2-Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Meeting, 3:30-5p.m., GSAT Training Center ? Dec 12-16-Therapeutic Foster Care Training, Venue TBA Photo with caption: Dick Zeller Retires Dick Zeller shares a moment with his Guam colleagues and friends during the Western Regional Resource Center (WRRC) Pacific Meeting in Eugene, Oregon, August 15-17, 2005. (L-R): Vince Leon Guerrero, Guam Special Education Associate Superintendent, Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Initiative Area Coordinator, Dick, & June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director. See Story on Page 9 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, & Ginger Porter Layout & Design: Margaret Johnson This issue of I Tellai was made possible by contributions from the following Guam CEDDERS staff members: Liz Borja, June De Leon, Elaine Eclavea, Terrie Fejarang, Nieves Flores, Mary Kidd, June Quitugua, Velma Sablan, & 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.