I Tellai The Bridge Guam CEDDERS Newsletter Volume 8, Number 2 March 3, 2006Page Inside this issue: Page Fo’na Begins Grad Program 1 Project Fo’na con’t 2 IB Products Available Terlaje Receives Award 3 First GOAL-AT Awarded CNMI EISS Services 4 CNMI TA 5 Transit Training 6 Guma Mami Training ADD Meets with Director 7 GSAT Fair Announcement Project Håtsa Updates 8 Vision & Deaf Ed Consultants 9 CMHI Federal Site Visit 10 GSAT Conference Announcement 11 Family Child Care Training 12 GCA Endorsement Child Care Products Available 13 EHDI Site Visit 14 Leadership Institute Begins Social Work Practicum Students 15 GEHDI Proposal Selected Calendar of Events 16 GSAT’s ADA Quick Guide Project Fo’na Begins Graduate Program By August 2008, twenty-three master's level speech language therapists will be working with school children on Guam and across the region. This influx of specialists will fill a critical void and improve the quality of life for children and their families who struggle with speech and language disorders. UOG's Center for Excellence for Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service, in partnership with San Jose State University, launched its Master in Speech and Language Pathology program on December 20, 2005. That evening, 23 students were accepted into the program. Fifteen students received support from the federally funded Project with eight students receiving support through the local Yamashita Educator Corps. "The education our graduate students will receive will enable them to provide high quality speech and language services to children with communication disorders on Guam and in the region," said Dr. Velma Sablan, Fo'na Project Director, Guam CEDDERS, and Associate Professor, School of Education. "The outcomes of this project will have a lasting benefit for hundreds of families throughout the Western Pacific. We are building a very important resource pool to serve our children on Guam and the region." The Speech-Language Pathology master's program is funded through a four-year $800,000 grant from the United States Department of Education awarded to Guam CEDDERS and San Jose State University. It builds on the previous grant entitled Project ALULA, which supported training in the area at the Bachelor’s degree level. The graduate program, dubbed Project Fo'na, meaning to "move ahead" in Chamorro, is designed to encourage those with bachelor's degrees to move ahead in their training in order to meet the speech and language therapy needs of children in Guam and other islands of the Western Pacific. "The Master's program will allow me to help those children who have speech deficiencies just as I had," said graduate student, Paul Zerzan, who lost the ability to speak at the age of three because of traumatic childhood experiences during the 1950s. Zerzan was able to work through his disability with the help of professionals and today the 53-year-old student is enthusiastic about the graduate program. "I'm proud to be a part of this team of very talented individuals," he said. "This program is a huge opportunity for the people on island and in the Western Pacific. This grant will benefit so many people." Zerzan plans to work on Guam as a speech therapist and eventually specialize in helping senior citizens and children with autism. "I think this is the best thing I've ever done." Fellow graduate student, Amalia Gillan, agrees that the program will produce professionals to fill critical positions across the region. Currently a kindergarten teacher at Chief Brodie Elementary school, she sees the need first hand. "There is a real need for more therapists," she said. "Guam doesn't have enough speech language professionals to provide services to those children who need help." Gillan took prerequisite courses for nearly a year to become eligible for Project Fo'na and began taking online classes under the Master's degree program in January of this year. After she completes her master's degree, Gillan plans to continue working for the Guam Public School System as a speech and language pathologist. Within 3 years, thanks to Project Fo'na, Guam will have dramatically improved the personnel infrastructure for speech and language pathologists throughout the region; a move that will have a positive impact on hundreds of families for decades to come. Photo with caption: Project Fo’na students proudly wear their medals which indicate their acceptance into the graduate program in Speech and Language Pathology. The medals were awarded during a ceremony held on December 21, recognizing their efforts. Page 2 Project Fo’na Graduate Program con’t Text in colored box: Project Fo’na Participants Acciaga, Melanie Lujan, Francis Glenn Bull, Leann Malicsi, Robin Bamba, Stephanie Quinata, Barbara Camacho, Henoleen Quinene, Angelina Daniel, Joysleen Sablan, Janice Daniel, Merleen Santos, Erica Dimla, Rowena Sanz, Joseph Dumalao, Daniel Serrano, Julianne Duenas, Nicole Taitano, Tricia Eclavea, Lisa Tumando, Richard Gillan, Amalia Zerzan, Paul Hocog, Rosario Individualized Budgeting Brochure and Study Available An informational brochure for Guam’s Individualized Budgeting Program has been developed for DISID’s outreach to individuals with disabilities and their families. For more information please contact the DISID office at 642-0038/9. Copies of “Inadanña para Tinilaika - Partners For Change”, a study on the impact on the lives of individuals who participated in the Individualized Budgeting Pilot Project conducted by Guam CEDDERS for the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID) are now available. Please send requests to DISID, located on the 7th Floor of the Pacific Daily News Building in Hagåtña. Page 3 Mike Terlaje Receives “Champion” Award In recognition of his efforts in establishing the Guam Options for Alternative Loans for Assistive Technology (GOAL-AT), and the Get Guam Teleworking (GGT), Mike Terlaje received the 2006 Small Business Administration’s “Financial Services Champion of the Year” award during a ceremony held on February 24. Mr. Terlaje, Guam CEDDERS’ Assistive Technology Specialist, also received a U.S. Congressional Resolution and Resolution from the Mina Bente Ocho na Lehislaturan Guahan commending his efforts in taking the lead in developing the policies and procedures for these loan programs that promote the independence and productivity of individuals with disabilities. Working closely with the Small Business Development Center, the Pacific Islands MicroCredit Institute, and the Bank of Guam, Mr. Terlaje was instrumental in creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities to establish their own businesses and enhance their quality of life. Congratulations, Mike!! Photo with caption: Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo presents Mike Terlaje the 2006 Small Business Administration’s “Financial Services Champion of the Year” award. (L-R) Lt. Governor Kaleo Moylan, Congresswoman Bordallo, Terlaje, & Ken Lujan, Guam Branch Manager, Small Business Development Center, UOG. First GOAL-AT Loan Awarded Photo with caption: The Guam Options for Alternative Loans for Assistive Technology (GOAL-AT) Program, through the collaborative partnership of the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT), Guam CEDDERS, the Pacific Islands MicroCredit Institute, (PIMI), and the Bank of Guam (BOG), is pleased to announce the award of its first loan to Mr. Thomas Borja on January 20. The GOAL-AT Program provides loans to qualified individuals with disabilities to purchase assistive technology devices and home modifications to improve accessibility. Mr. Borja's loan is to purchase adaptive gardening equipment to help him in his lawn maintenance business. (L-R) James Denney, Executive Director, PIMI, Mike Terlaje, GSAT Assistive Technology Specialist, William Leon Guerrero, BOG Chief Operating Officer, Borja, Keven Camacho, BOG Upper Tumon Branch Manager, Carol Crisostomo and Laurie Sotto, Loan Program Board Members. Page 4 Creating Supports In the Region EISS Works on Improving Services On February 21-22, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI) Early Intervention Service System (EISS) personnel from the Public School System (PSS) and Public Health engaged in a two-day professional development event facilitated by Guam CEDDERS. The purpose for the two-day event was to review critical data and information for improving early intervention services. Discussion areas included: the number of children served, where children receive services, how to implement a system to gather feedback from families receiving services, how child outcomes would be measured, and how monitoring procedural requirements will require evidence of clear documentation. Consultants from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, were also available on the first day to share information on the identification and early intervention service needs of young children with hearing loss and their families. A wealth of information shared and discussed led to an understanding of how each service coordinator and provider contributes to the growth of the young children and families served, as well as to the program data collected, compiled, and reported on an annual basis. For example, on December 1, 2005, 57 infants and toddlers (birth to three) with disabilities and their families were served, which represented approximately 1.58% of the Census population for that age group. Although the percentage was below the U.S. National average, the percentage represented an increase from 1.3% reported on December 1, 2004. The data sparked conversations that focused on strategies for increasing the number of young children served. A highlight of the two-day event was the tremendous support received from Josie Fital, wife of Governor Benigno Fitial and Margaret Keene, wife of Lt. Governor Timothy R. Villagomez, during the EISS presentation facilitated by Suzanne Lizama, the EISS Coordinator. The luncheon presentation held on the first day included an introduction to the EISS staff and consultants from Guam CEDDERS and CDC. Commissioner Rita Inos closed the meeting with inspirational remarks, recognizing EISS’ successes, yet challenging each person to persist in improving services because it is vitally important that PSS, in collaboration with Public Health, continue to serve infants and toddlers with developmental delays/disabilities and their families! Portions of this article will appear in the March issue of the “Island Locator: Marianas’ Guide & Information Magazine.” Photos with caption: Honorable Josie Fital, the First Lady, (sitting second from left) and Honorable Margaret Keene, wife of the Lt. Governor, (sitting third from left) take time to be with the CNMI Early Intervention Service System (EISS) staff and University of Guam CEDDERS technical assistance providers during the first day of the two-day EISS professional development activities on February 21 & 22, 2006. (Standing L-R) June De Leon, Consultant, Guam CEDDERS; Lydia Santos, Social Worker, Public Health (PH); Margaret Blaz, Speech Pathologist, Public School System (PSS); Robin Palacios, Early Interventionist, PSS; Viola Kaipat, Service Coordinator, PH; Michelle Huet, Occupational Therapist, PSS; Nancy Rushmer, Consultant, PH; Angie Mister, Audiologist, PSS; Anthonia Erlet, Early Interventionist, PSS; Elaine Eclavea, Consultant, Guam CEDDERS; Julie Lieto, Service Coordinator, PH; and Naomi Diaz, Early Interventionist/Data Specialist, PSS. (Sitting, L-R) Margaret Aldan, Maternal & Child Health Coordinator, PH; Honorable Josie Fital; Honorable Margaret Keene; Suzanne Lizama, EISS Coordinator; PSS; and Esther Flemming, Special Administrative Assistant to the Governor. Not shown: Erica Frink, Early Interventionist, PSS; & Doris Itibus, Service Coordinator, PH. Page 5 Creating Supports In The Region CNMI Technical Assistance Supports SPP Priorities Guam CEDDERS training associates June Quitugua and Vince Leon Guerrero recently spent three days in Saipan providing technical assistance and training to the personnel from the CNMI Public School System’s (PSS) Special Education Program. On February 22, they facilitated the CNMI’s Special Education State Advisory Panel’s (SESAP) Parent Focus Group to continue the process of identifying activities that will increase parent involvement in the schools, eventually leading to improvements in services and results for their children with disabilities. Eleven parents and one PSS representative attended the meeting and worked together in small and large groups to initiate and complete the development of a parent survey and various other activities that they planned to put into action, to support CNMI’s State Performance Plan (SPP) for Special Education. As a follow up to previous technical assistance visits, the merging of the Special Education Compliance Monitoring Process into the Western Association for Schools and Colleges (WASC) Accreditation Process was further examined with representatives from Kagman Elementary School and Cha-Cha Oceanview Junior High School. Participants enthusiastically embraced this strategy, making them the first group ever to adopt this unprecedented merging of the two-pronged approach. On February 23, a full-day training on the revised Special Education Procedural Manual to 40 Contact Teachers and Related Services Staff was conducted. The training covered the statutory changes in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) of 2004 and discussion on revising the current processes, procedures, and forms to be used in order to address the new changes in the federal statute. Guam CEDDERS staff also spent considerable time with the Compliance Monitor to review and edit the Compliance Monitoring Individualized Education Program (IEP) Record Review Form for the CNMI’s State Level Compliance Monitoring system. Guam CEDDERS will be working closely with Joanne Nicholls, PSS Special Education Program Coordinator and Laura Brown, PSS Special Education Compliance Monitor, to complete this activity. Photos with caption: ChaCha Oceanview Junior High and Kagman Elementary staff are excited about merging WASC accreditation standards with Special Education compliance monitoring requirements. Spearheading efforts are: Seated (L-R): Marietta Catingdig, Ignacia Demapan, Barbara Merfalen. (standing, L-R) Cynthia Sering, Vince Leon Guerrero, John Guerrero, Alicia Oliva, Johanna Taimanao, & Laura Brown. Guam CEDDERS’ June Quitugua (standing) reviews the revisions to the CNMI Special Education Procedural Manual with contact teachers and related services personnel on February 23. Page 6 Transit Workers Attend ADA Training Public transit operators, schedulers, dispatchers and supervisors took the first step to get on board with good customer service during the months of November and December. Guam CEDDERS staff, Mike Terlaje and Ginger Porter, presented to sixty transit personnel from both contractors on “Transit Operators and ADA Service” and “Wheelchair Transportation Safety and Practice.” The interactive presentation format included locally developed “Sticky Situations” for problem solving discussions which required application of ADA standards and local transit rules and regulations. Participants were also able to view videos of proper loading and securement of wheelchairs, and crash test results for proper forward facing securement of individuals who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Operators fielded many questions about their service and indicated their desire for more training and information, particularly on Guam Transit Rules and Regulations. Both Fleet Services, Inc. and Kloppenberg Enterprises, Inc. were provided with Training Packets for their future reference and use which included a CD of all presentation materials, the Guam Public Transit Rules and Regulations, additional Transit Operator’s Pocket Guides, and a copy of “The Current State of Transportation for People with disabilities in the United States,” published by the National Council on Disability. Photo with caption: Transit employees pose for a group shot during their break. Guma Mami: People On the Move Guma Mami social workers and program managers learned something about the rights of riders on the public transit system on Thursday, February 9. In response to their request for training on rider rights and responsibilities, Guam CEDDERS provided training and information to assist with counseling Guma Mami consumers and providing travel training instruction. The two hour session, facilitated by Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS staff, and Evelyn Duenas, a system rider and member of the Guma Mami Board, ended with discussion of their “sticky” situations regarding paratransit response and service for their customers. The “problem solving approach” provided the participants with new tools to understand the appropriate guidelines which apply to the needs of their transit riders. Photo with caption: (Front, L-R) Evelyn Duenas, Marie Babauta, Tamara Colburn, (Back, L-R) Nina Damian, Samuel Ilesugan, & Amy Baleto pose for a group photo. Text in colored box: Paratransit Scenarios That Elicited Good Discussion What if… A paratransit rider requests a ride at 7:30 AM for an 8:30 AM appointment. The rider is told he cannot be accommodated until 9 AM, which is within the one hour window of service. He is also told, “That is the only ride you can get. Take it or leave it.” What is wrong here? A. Although the 9 AM ride falls within a proper 1 hour scheduling window, it does not serve the passenger’s need to make his appointment. The ride must be negotiated so the rider can meet the appointment.A rider does not necessarily have to take it or leave it. What if… A paratransit rider calls one day ahead to reserve a ride. The rider is told the schedule is full and he cannot be accommodated. What are the rider’s rights? What should the rider do? A: Paratransit must provide a requested ride if it has been made a day in advance. Transit providers MAY NOT use lack of space as a reason for ride denial; to do so is a violation of civil rights. Transit authorities must have plans to accommodate requests which are in excess of usual capacity. The rider should advocate for his right to ride. If he cannotnegotiate a ride, he should complain to the Ombudsman. As a final course of action, the rider should file a complaint with the FTA Office of Civil Rights. What if… A rider has a confirmed ride for 5 PM to go home. When the driver arrives on time, he tells the rider he has last minute additions to his schedule. The rider gets home at 7 PM. (The ride usually takes an hour.) Is something wrong here? A: Paratransit must provide a ride comparable to the same time frame as regular service. If fixed and demand route service can deliver the ride within an hour, it is unreasonable for a paratransit rider to accept a 2 hour ride. Once the ride is confirmed, the rider has an expected time frame which should only be changed by notice and renegotiation. Page 7 ADD Official Meets with Guam CEDDERS Director Photo with caption: Dr. Jennifer Johnson, Administration on Developmental Disabilities Program Specialist, and Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, Guam CEDDERS Director, met during the 2006 Disability Policy Seminar held in Washington, D.C. on February 6. Advertisement: Mark Your Calendar!!! 12th Annual GSAT Fair, Guam Premier Outlets March 25, Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For reasonable accommodations please call GSAT at least 72 hours prior to the event at 735-2490 (V), 735-2491 (TDD/TTY), 734-8378 (Fax) This conference is funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), U.S. Department of Education, State Grant for Assistive Technology, P.L. 108-364. Page 8 Project Håtsa Updates Project Håtsa has shifted into high gear these last three months. Focus groups for each of the three Focus Areas, comprised of teachers, administrators, University of Guam faculty, and community members, have been meeting regularly (even during the December holidays!). Focus Area 1: Policy & Curriculum Alignment Focus Group has completed the “Draft Teacher Standards and Performance Indicators.” The next step in the input process is to have the Guam Public School System (GPSS) and community stakeholders review the Draft and provide their input during a series of meetings scheduled for March. Focus Area 2: Mentoring & Professional Growth, has developed a “Mentoring Kit”, that includes a program overview, literature review of mentoring, and “Emerging Competencies of Beginning Teachers” which will drive the support provided by mentors. Roles and responsibilities of mentors and mentees, “Helpful Hints”, and related information are also part of the Kit. Focus Area 3 activities have concentrated on addressing school administrator certification and academic preparation. The “Draft School Administrator Standards and Performance Indicators” has been completed and will also be up for review and comment by stakeholders in March. Workshops were held in December and January to provide guidance to school personnel taking the lead in applying for Mini Grants to fund technology upgrades and professional development. With potential awards dependent on level and population, all schools have been highly encouraged to access a total of $640,000 set aside for this purpose. Applications are due March 3. Lynn Hines, Program Manager from the National Board for the Certification of Teachers conducted a training for persons who will be serving as mentors for teachers who are pursing National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) candidates. Training topics covered the rigorous tasks of portfolio preparation and testing that candidates must undergo. Photos with caption: Lynn Hines, (right), from the National Board for Certification of Teachers jots down notes during the “Chalk Talk” radio show on February 18. Nieves Flores, Håtsa Project Director, listens in the background. Concerted efforts are being devoted to keeping GPSS personnel and other community stakeholders informed about Project Håtsa activities. They include (L-R) an 8-page supplement to the Pacific Daily News, with a distribution rate of 30,000 readers, published on February 9; Håtsa Highlights, a quarterly newsletter specifically for GPSS personnel launched on January 27; and the Håtsa Website, launched on February 23, at www.gdoe.net/hatsa. Staff appearances on “Chalk Talk” a radio talk show, also took place in February. Page 9 Vision & Deaf Ed Consultants Visit in February February was a busy month for consultant visits facilitated by Guam CEDDERS for the Guam Public School System (GPSS), Division of Special Education. Donna McNear, Vision Specialist from the Rum River Cooperative in Minnesota, was on-island on January 30-February 4, to carry out a program review, staff training, and conduct individual assessments for students with visual impairments. On February 4, Ms. McNear conducted a full-day training, “Skills for Success”, for 29 vision services staff, school personnel, and Guam Early Intervention System service coordinators. Ms. McNear is no stranger to the island, having provided consultative services since 2002. Making her first visit to Guam on February 20-25, was Dr. Judy Coryell whose task was to conduct an assessment of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH) Program to develop a plan with prioritized steps to improve services. She also assessed professional development needs for program faculty and staff. After visiting D/HH classrooms, observing and interacting with personnel at P.C. Lujan Elementary, Agueda Johnston Middle, and John F. Kennedy High, and consulting with Program Coordinator Bing Santos and Associate Superintendent for Special Education, Katrina Celes Pieper, Dr. Coryell drafted a “Three-Year Program Implementation Pan.” Dr. Coryell is a faculty member at the University of Hawaii School of Education, Department of Special Education. Photos with caption: (L-R) Katrina Celes Pieper, Associate Superintendent for Special Education, GPSS, Dr. Judy Coryell, Deaf Education Consultant, and Bing Santos, Coordinator for Vision and Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services, review the recommendations for program development during Dr. Coryell’s exit meeting. Guam Public School System, Division of Special Education, Vision Services staff pose with Donna McNear. (Standing, L-R) Sandra Frost, Donna McNear, Vision Specialist from Rum River Cooperative in Minnesota, Bing Santos, Hediliza Mafnas, Sonja Aguon, (kneeling, L-R) Lee Wright & Charles Villagomez. Carmen Quenga, Pauline Owen, and Sherry Fejeran, Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) service coordinators, confer during Donna McNear’s February 4 training session. Page 10 I’Famagu’on-ta Undergoes Third Annual Federal Site Visit Photos with caption: Project I’Famagu’on-ta recently went through a 3rd Annual Federal Site Visit to assess status of Project goals and activities on Feb. 6 – 8, 2006. The CMHI Team is shown above with local Project I’Famagu’on-ta Management Staff. From Right to Left: Annie Unpingco, Principal Investigator, William Kando, Project Director, Michelle Herman SAMHSA Project Officer, Becky Ornelas, Technical Assistance Liaison, Pat Baker, Federation for Families Representative, Scott Bryan-Comstock, Team Leader for the Site Visitors, & Bonnie Brandt, Lead Evaluator. CMHI Site Visitors are shown with Project Management Staff as well as Wrap Coordinators and members of the Evaluation Team. (L-R) Keith Villaluna, Elisa Duenas, Bharti Hemlani, Bill Balajadia, KristiAnna Santos, Mariles Benavente, Wanda Kraft, Becky Ornales, Bonnie Brandt, Pat Baker, Scott Bryant-Comstock, Michelle Herman, Annie Unpingco, Rhoda Gaba, & William Kando. Page 11 Full page advertisement: 12th Annual GSAT Conference “With AT...Anything is Possible!” Saturday, April 1, 2006 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, Marianas Ballroom Featuring Presentations on: Employment Transportation Assistive Technology in the Workplace Employment Opportunities Workforce Investment Act Education Assistive Technology Referral Communication Disorders Hands-On with OT / PT Legal Access Transition Independent Living Memory & Assistive Technology (AT) Visitability Accessible Voting GOAL—AT Loan Program New AT & the Hearing Impaired Seating is limited so please register by 5 p.m. Friday, March 24, 2006 For reasonable accommodations please call GSAT at least 72 hours prior to the event at 735-2490 (V), 735-2491 (TDD/TTY), 734-8378 (Fax) This conference is funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), U.S. Department of Education, State Grant for Assistive Technology, P.L. 108-364, and Guam Legal Services Corporation/Disability Law Center. The University of Guam is an equal opportunity employer and provider. Page 12 Family Child Care Training Continues Session I of the annual training for Family Child Care Providers was conducted on January 28 and February 4 at the Catholic Social Services Conference Room in Barrigada Heights. This is the fourth series of training for family home providers funded by the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program administered by the Department of Public Health & Social Services, Division of Public Welfare, facilitated by Guam CEDDERS and under the instruction of Mary Kidd, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate. Participants were given the opportunity to earn 1.5 continuing education units for completing the 15-hour workshop, from the University’s Professional Development and Lifelong Learning Center. Twenty-three participants attended a 15-hour workshop on “Strategies to Develop Quality Environments in Family Child Care.” Main topics covered included: 1) Child Growth and Development, 2) Health, Safety, & Nutrition, 3) Children with Special Needs, 4) Guam’s Early Learning Guidelines for Young Children Ages Three to Five, and 5) Activity-Based Planning. After each session participants were asked to develop a brief action plan describing what new information or strategies they learned from the workshop and how they would implement it in their family home child care settings. Participants were asked to fill out an evaluation form after each of the training sessions. When asked if they would recommend the training to others, participants responded: “Yes, I feel that it would help them to better understand and know about their kids and their friends; and Yes, to understand about child development from 0-5 years.” When asked if they would recommend the instructor to other students, participants responded: “Yes, the instructor seem to be very enthusiastic; and She explains and at the same time she makes us laugh.” Session II is scheduled for July 29 and August 5. Photo with caption: Family caregivers participate in an energizer aimed at promoting the integration of music and rhythm combined with gross motor skills. The activity was an example of how to meet the standards established in the Guam Early Learning Guidelines For Young Children Ages 3-5 Years. Photo with caption: GCA Endorses Guam Early Learning Guidelines Mary Kidd, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, spoke to the Guam Caregivers Association (GCA) on February 1 during their regularly scheduled meeting. Topics covered included the Guam Early Learning Guidelines for Young Children 3-5 Years, the Nene News Newsletter, and upcoming conferences and training to be conducted by Guam CEDDERS. The training sessions are sponsored by the Department of Public Health & Social Services, Division of Public Welfare, Child Care Development Fund. Front row (seated, L-R): Estela Gapas, Anna Wignarajah, Pete Borja, Sister Kathy Bromwell, & Mency Galila. Second row: Julie Rivera, Delilah Charfauros, Maria Unsay, Grace Paja, Rebecca Gutierrez, Betty Lyn Llaneta, Elena Quiogue, & Millie Anderson. Back row, L-R) Sister Teresita Matias, Ama Underwood, Maggie Huffer, Bernice Purugganan, Dolores Cruz, Subashri Nagarajan, & Tiffany Fernandez. Page 13 Child Care Products Now Available (Photos around text below) Several new items have recently been completed and are now available for dissemination. Nene News, (left) a quarterly newsletter for child caregivers and parents, was launched on January 17. The final version of the “Guam Early Learning Guidelines For Young Children Ages Three To Five” (right) was completed in January. To date, 3,480 have been disseminated to childcare providers and parents. Lastly, a poster series promoting Active Play, Brain Growth, Preschooler, and Social Emotional development again targeting caregivers and parents, was completed in February. All these products were developed by Guam CEDDERS through a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Public Health & Social Services, Division of Public Welfare (DPW) Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Program. For more information, contact Mary Kidd, Training Associate, Guam CEDDERS at 735-2466. Page 14 CDC Concludes EHDI Site Visit The Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) project completed their annual site visit from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on February 15 through the 17, 2006. Dr. June Holstrum and Marcia Victor arrived on Guam to evaluate Guam’s progress in newborn hearing screening and follow up for all babies born on Guam and the Guam EHDI effort to establish a fully operational tracking and surveillance system which will assure that infants identified with hearing loss are provided with aural rehabilitation and early intervention services. Prior to their arrival, the site team provided project staff with a 5 page questionnaire to collect needed data and to guide the site visit. The Guam EHDI staff structured the visit to include the team’s participation in the Guam EHDI Advisory Council’s quarterly meeting. The team did a presentation on early hearing detection and provided Council members with recent information on infant hearing screening. Mr. Quansheng Song, colleague and technical assistant from the University of Maine, was also on island to fine tune the newly installed Guam EHDI tracking and surveillance system called Guam ChildLink. His simultaneous participation during the CDC site visit allowed the Guam EHDI staff to refine the data tracking system and discuss plans for linkages to Guam’s birthing sites and intervention services. In a meeting attended by GMHA, Sagua Mañagu, Guam Early Intervention Services, data personnel, and Guam EHDI staff, plans were discussed on how electronic linkages will be developed. Although final reports form the site team will be forthcoming, the team indicated that they were pleased with Guam EHDI’s progress since their last visit in 2005. Photo with caption: GEHDI Advisory Committee members are pose for a group photo. (Sitting, first left) June Holstrum and Marcia Victor (sitting second left) from the Center for Disease Control, during the GEHDI quarterly Advisory Committee meeting held on February 15, 2006. Leadership Institute for Child Care Directors Begins The 2006 Child Care Leadership Institute kicked off with two days of training sessions on February 24-25 at the Catholic Social Services in Barrigada Heights. Through funding from the Department of Public Health and Social Services, “Strategies for Promoting Effective Early Childhood Settings and Instructional Designs”, a 45-contact hour course, gave participants an opportunity to earn continuing education credits (CEUs), undergraduate or graduate credit. The outcome of the course for early childhood educators, is to have increased knowledge and skills for promoting positive learning environments and effective instructional strategies for all children, including children with disabilities. The course is expected to run until June 10, covering topics on early childhood research and implications, early childhood standards, curriculum and strategies to support the standards, services and supports for children with special needs, assessment and analysis, safety, nutrition, and partnerships to plan results of the assessments with families. The Guam Early Learning Guidelines for Young Children Ages Three to Five Years will be one of the resources available to guide curriculum planning with teachers and directors. Other materials include the Creative Curriculum Developmental Assessment Toolkit for tracking individual children’s progress at entry and at the end of the year. The next session will start on March 17. For more information contact Liz Borja at 735-2507/2466. Page 15 Photo with caption: Guam CEDDERS Welcomes Social Work Practicum Students Two Social Work students began fulfilling practicum requirements at Guam CEDDERS this semester. Working out of GSAT and House 21, the Developed Products Center, are Ovita “Ovi” Perez, a senior, and Lynnette Mendiola, a junior. Both students will be developing their skills in promoting self-advocacy, helping consumers learn about assistive technology devices and apply for supports through the Guam Options for Alternative Loans-Assistive Technology (GOAL-AT) and Get Guam Teleworking (GGT) projects. They will also be conducting informal accessibility assessments and developing materials to promote awareness on various disability related programs and issues. Ovi and Lynette are scheduled to conduct a workshop on “Visitability” at the GSAT Conference in April. Welcome aboard, Ovi and Lynnette! Text in colored box: GEHDI Proposal Selected for Conference Dr. Velma Sablan, Elaine Eclavea, and Vicky Ritter, Guam EHDI staff, were recently notified that their proposal entitled, “The Guam EHDI Tracking and Surveillance System: Using Data Trends To Improve Hearing Screening Outcomes” was accepted for presentation at the International Newborn Hearing Screening Conference to be held in Villa Erba, Cernobbio (Como Lake), Italy on May 31 to June 3. Three significant findings have emerged from preliminary data analyses: (1) Universal newborn hearing screening and follow up services has improved on Guam dramatically in two years, but further improvements are needed, (2) Early Intervention service providers may not fully appreciate the relationship between hearing loss and speech and language development as infants with various levels of hearing loss are often observed to follow similar developmental milestones as infants with no hearing loss. (3) Parents of infants with hearing loss may not be seeing the value of regular hearing assessment and early intervention services. Page 16 Calendar of Upcoming Events March 2006 ? Mar 3-Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Meeting, GSAT, 3:30-5 p.m. ? Mar 7-Tri Agency Meeting, Guam Developmental Disabilities Council Conference Room, Mangilao, 10 a.m. ? Mar 10-11-FSM Coordinators Meeting, HI. ? Mar 12-PBILC Planning Meeting, HI. ? Mar 13-WRRC Pacific Meeting, HI. ? Mar 17-Family Child Care Directors Leader-ship Institute, Catholic Social Services (CSS) Conference Room, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. ? Mar 14-UOG Charter Day ? Mar 14-Community Evaluation Advisory Team Meeting, Hagåtña Project Site, 9-11 a.m. ? Mar 18-Parent Conference “The Power of Play”, Northern Region, Astumbo Elementary School, Dededo, 9 a.m.-Noon ? Mar 20-Grantwriting SDSU Workshop Kicks Off, GSAT Training Center ? Mar 25-GSAT Assistive Technology Fair, Guam Premier Outlets, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. ? Mar 25-Model Child Care Training, CSS Conference Room, 8 a.m.-3p.m. April 2006 ? Apr 1-GSAT Annual Assistive Conference, Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, 8-3:30 p.m. ? Apr 1-Parent Conference “The Power of Play”, Central Region, C.L. Taitano Elementary School, Sinajana, 9 a.m.-Noon ? Apr 4-Nene News (2) Dissemination ? Apr 7-8-Child Care Directors Leadership Institute, Catholic Social Services (CSS) Conference Room, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. ? Apr 22-Model Child Care Training, CSS Conference Room, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. May 2006 * May 6-GSAT Walk, Wheel, Run Fun Event ? May 13-Parent Conference “The Power of Play”, Southern Region, Marcial Sablan Elementary School, Agat, 9 a.m.-Noon ? May 20-Model Child Care Center Training, CSS Conference Room, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. May 26-27-Family Child Care Directors Leadership Institute, Catholic Social Services (CSS) Conference Room, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 2006 ? Jun 9-10-Child Care Directors Leadership Institute, Catholic Social Services (CSS) Conference Room, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. ? Jun 17-Model Child Care Training, CSS Conference Room, 8:00 a.m.-2 p.m. July 2006 ? Jul 3-Nene News (3) Dissemination ? Jul 29-Child Care Directors Leadership Institute, Session 2, Catholic Social Services (CSS) Conference Room, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Advertisements: 2006 Family Child Care Session II Schedule July 29 and August 5 For more information, or to register for the training, please contact Guam CEDDERS at 735-2466 or email lizborja@ite.net GRANT WRITING FOR SUCCESS Kick-Off Dates: March 20—24, 2006 Online Instruction Follows Location: House #19, Dean’s Circle, UOG Credit: Graduate credits through UOG PDLLC Class limit: 20 Call Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS, House 26 Dean Circle at 735-2478/2369 Sponsored through a partnership between San Diego State University Center for Distance Learning Capacity Building Success Project and University of Guam CEDDERS. 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: Mariles Benavente, Liz Borja, June De Leon, Elaine Eclavea, Terrie Fejarang, Mary Kidd, Vince Leon Guerrero, Kerina Oshiro, Ginger Porter, June Quitugua, Velma Sablan, & Mike Terlaje. Michele Catahay contributed the article on Project Fo’na. 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.