Guam’s Children’s Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) evaluation team, comprised of Guam CEDDERS’ Bonnie Brandt, Mariles Benavente, Kerina Oshiro, and Keith Villaluna, published its first Evaluation Brief in April and began disseminating it to families, policymakers, agencies, and other stakeholders in the community. The Initiative, better known asI Famagu'on-ta, Guam System of Care, produced the Evaluation Brief which describes characteristics of children and youth enrolled in the project, outcomes achieved by project youth, and a story of one family’s personalexperience with the system of care and wraparound process. I Famagu'on-ta is a Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (DMHSA) project. It is one of 64 current sites across the U.S. funded bythe Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop and implement a system of care for children and youthwith serious mental health needs. A system of care is a comprehensiveapproach to providing services to children and families that is: individualized; accessible; family driven and youth guided; culturallycompetent; least restrictive; coordinated, integrated, and community-based. An important feature of a system of care is the wraparound process fordeveloping and implementing individualized action plans. The wraparoundplan is strengths-based and developed to assist youth with serious mental health needs and their families in becoming successful in their homes, schools and communities. In the wraparound process, agenciespartner with eachother and families to provide traditional and nontraditional services and supports. Through a memorandum of unde rsta ndin g with DMHSA, Guam CEDDERS CMHI Evaluation Project provides a variety of evaluation services for I Inside this issue: Page Project I Famagu'on-ta 1 MTARS Process Guma’ Mami On The Move 2 PAC6 Assessment Institute 3 Family Child Care ALONG Curriculum 5 13th Annual GSAT Conference 6 Walk, Wheel, Run Event GSAT Fair 7 Project Tinituhon Project Fo’na Cohort 1 8 NCIC TA Visit Pohnpei Training 9 Project Håtsa Updates 10 EHDI Conference in Utah Interdisciplinary Focus Group PAC6 con’t 11 Calendar of Events Guam EHDI Website Connie’s Farewell 12 Advisory New Officers Project I Famagu'on-ta con’t 4 University of Guam UNIBETSEDAT GUAHAN Guam CEDDERS Newsletter Volume 8, Number 3 June 1, 2007 I Tellai The Bridge I Tellai The Bridge Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, & ServiceProject I Famagu'on-ta Evaluation Brief Shows Positive Outcomes See I Famagu'on-ta Page 4 Page 2 Guam CEDDERS Newsletter June 1, 2007 I Tellai Guam CEDDERS Undergoes MTARS Process in Honolulu The Guam Tri-Agency partners underwent a Monitoring and Technical Assistance Review System (MTARS) with officials from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) on March 14-15 in Honolulu. The MTARS process examines the activities of each Tri-Agency and how they relate to their goals and objectives as reported in their State Plans and Grant Applications. The ADD Tri- Agencies from our sister territories of American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas also underwent the review process during this period. Guam’s Tri-Agency participants and ADD officials take a photo break during the March meetings. (Front row, L-R) Evelyn San Agustin-Claros, Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Chairperson, Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, Guam CEDDERS Director, Dr. Patricia Morrissey, ADD Commission, Faith McCormick, ADD Director, Tom Manglona, Guam Developmental Disabilities Council Chairperson. (Back Row, L-R) June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, Ophelia McLain, ADD Program Analyst, Manuel Cruz, Guam DDC Acting Executive Director, Dan Somerfleck, Guam Legal Services & Disability Law Center Executive Director, & Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director. Left Photo: (L-R) Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council members Bill Fuppal, Vice Chairperson, Evelyn San Agustin-Claros, Chairperson, and Joe Mendiola, provided input during the Teleconference Input Session, held on April 21st at the Westin Hotel, with Dr. Patricia Morrissey, ADD Commissioner. The input session was part of the Monitoring and Technical Assistance Review System (MTARS) process that began during the March meeting in Honolulu with the Commissioner. Guma' Mami Is “On The Move” The nuances of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) eligibility processes for transit services as well as rulings regarding ADA accessible service became clearer to the staff and clients of Guma Mami, Inc. at a Transit Training for Service Providers held at GSAT on April 27. The 11 participants explored functional assessments for eligibility, rider rights and responsibilities, the features of accessible rides on the public transit system, and engaged in problem solving of local transit situations. The question and answer format of problem solving, conducted by Guam CEDDERS Training Associate Ginger Porter, was a favorite feature of the morning’s training. What would they like next?....application of transit information to practice in the community with hands on training on the bus. There’s no doubt about it, these service providers are proactive and “on the move” to prepare their constituents for better access to public transportation services. Participants from Guma’ Mami and Sagan Mami who completed the Transit Training program included (L-R) Sylvia Mendiola, Guma Isa House Manager; Jeff Mendiola, Training Coordinator; Rose Babauta, Sagan Mami representative; Tricia Bernardo, Consumer Family Support; Tamara Colburn, Case Manager. Next steps will involve using the program to teach interested individuals how to navigate the Guam transit system. I Tellai Guam CEDDERS Newsletter June 1, 2007 Page 3 Creating Supports In the Region PAC6 Assessment Institute Regional Follow Up June Quitugua, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, teamed up with Brad Lenhardt and Caroline MaGee from the Western Regional Resource Center (WRRC) to conduct technical assistance and training visits to each of the six Pacific jurisdictions during the period of February to April. These follow-up visits were part of the supports available through the Pacific Assessment Consortium (PAC6) Planning Project administered by Guam CEDDERS. The visits followed the PAC6 Assessment Institute held in January on Guam with the expressed purpose to build local capacity for an Inclusive Assessment System. The follow-up site visits specifically focused on providing training on “The Stepwise Process to Access Grade Level Content Standards and Curriculum” that addresses the short term requirements for implementing alternate assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities. This “4-Step Process” for connecting assessment to instruction was introduced by Jean Clayton and Michael Burdge, Technical Assistance Specialists from the University of Kentucky’s Institute for Large Scale and American Samoa was the last stop of the “Implementing the Four-Step Process” Tour. Key department staff and teachers pose for a group photo. (Front row, sitting, L-R) Dr. Peter Tinitali, Sau Tanu, Moe Va’atausi; (back row, standing, L-R) Patrick Danielson, Laupepa Aloniu, Olive Isaako, Sulugia Faatau, & To Tamailelagi Leadership Assessment Team, comprised of special education teachers, general education teachers, and a special education program coordinator, to provide training as well as conduct school visits to assist teachers in developing and implementing their 4-Step plans. Ms. Quitugua and Mr. Lenhardt visited the Republic of the Marshall Islands Standards Over 60 teachers & administrators from the Palau Ministry of Education attended the PAC6 in late February. Assessment Project on-site follow up training on “Implementing the Four-Step Process” conducted by Over 30 general (ILSSA), during Guam CEDDERS Training Associate Jay Quitugua and WRRC’s Caroline MaGee. and special the PAC6 Assessment Institute in January. During this training, participants were provided with: • The IDEA/NCLB requirements for a comprehensive assessment system, including alternate assessments for school-age children; • A framework for a comprehensive assessment system, including alternate assessments in relation to the various statewide assessments; • Assistance in completing the self-assessment for determining the jurisdiction’s “status” and needs in relation to implementing an effective and comprehensive State assessment system, inclusive of students with disabilities. Guam was the first jurisdiction to conduct training on the “4-Step Process” with over 60 special education teachers and administrators in attendance in February, with another training conducted in March. Ms. Quitugua provided technical support to the Guam education teachers, principals, and staff participated in the training. Next, during the week of March 5th, Ms. Quitugua and Dr. Mary Spencer, lead regional consultant for assessment development, traveled to Pohnpei to conduct training for participants from the Federated States of Micronesia. With funding from Pohnpei State, a follow up training was provided in May to over 50 special education and general education teachers, and special education program staff from the Pohnpei State Department of Education (see photo on page 9). The Republic of Palau was visited by the Quitugua and MaGee team the week of March 19th with over 60 special education and general education teachers, school principals, and special education program staff in attendance. Working with the Palau Leadership Assessment Team, they identified one specific learning target in Reading and Math for See PAC6 on Page 11 Page 4 Guam CEDDERS Newsletter June 1, 2007 I Tellai Advisory Council Elects New Officers The Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council held its annual election of officers during its regularly scheduled meeting on March 2. Re-elected Chairperson was Evelyn San Agustin- Claros. Bill Fuppal was elected Vice Chairperson. Council members who were at the meeting were (Seated, L-R) Chairperson San Agustin-Claros, Vice Chairperson Fuppal, out-going Vice Chairperson Cecilia “Lee” Perez. (Standing, L-R) Herman Castro, Louise Toves, Manuel Cruz, Charlene Salinas, and Victor Cruz. Other members include Katrina Celes-Pieper, Daniel Somerfleck, Joseph Mendiola, Roseann Ada, & Reina Sanchez. I Famagu'on-ta Con’t from page 1 Famagu'on-ta, including local implementation of several national studies that all SAMSHA funded system of care communities must participate in. Over the past two and a half years, the CMHI Evaluation Project has been collecting information from youth and their caregivers for these studies and to help us learn more about what works for children with serious emotional and behavioral problems on Guam. The information is collected through highly structured, intensive interviews. Youth, ages 11 – 21, and their caregivers are interviewed upon enrollment in I Famagu'on-ta and then every 6 months for up to 36 months. Although the data collection is still ongoing, the results thus far tell us that youth and families who are participating in Guam’s system of care are experiencing positive changes in their lives. Additionally, we are learning more about the characteristics of youth with severe mental health needs in our community. The Evaluation Brief highlights some of these characteristics and positive changes as reported by 53 caregivers and 38 youth collected from December 2004 – December 2006 for a cohort which had completed baseline and 12-month follow-up interview protocols. While numbers and percentages are an important component, the CMHI Evaluation Team also collects information from youth and families’ personal stories as part of its evaluation activities. The Evaluation Brief contains the story of Ramon, a 17 year old youth with a history of complex personal and family problems. Ramon’s story is a powerful demonstration of the kind of positive changes that can result within a system of care and through the wraparound process. To request a copy of the Evaluation Brief contact the CMHI Evaluation Project at 735-2397 or 734-6531 (TTY), or send a message to bbrandt@ite.net. Alternative formats (e.g. Braille, large print or audiotapes) of the Evaluation Brief will be made available upon request. Characteristics of Youth Served • Average age is 12 years • Nearly 75% are male • 80% are of Chamorro descent • 15% live with both biological parents • 34% come from families headed by single females • 44% live in households with an annual income of less than $10,000 • 37% report suicidal ideation or self-injury at intake After receiving services from I Famagu'on-ta, Guam System of Care, for 12 months: • 33% of youth who reported school performance as a reason for referral to I Famagu'on-ta showed improvement; • Fewer youth were arrested, convicted of crimes and sentenced to a secure facility (Dept. of Youth Affairs); and • On measures of depression, clinical impairment, and behavioral/emotional problems, fewer youth scored in the severe range. I Tellai Guam CEDDERS Newsletter June 1, 2007 Page 5 Family Child Care Givers Complete Education Units Sixty-four participants completed the first three modules offered for Family Child Care Training. Funded through the Department of Public Health and Social Services, the training modules provided an in- depth examination of three developmental areas for young children. Each module required participants to module increased their awareness and knowledge of a variety of strategies for Language development, including the Seven Stages of Communication Development from birth through five years as well as working with second language learners. In March, participants discussed the area of Cognitive Development, addressing the way in which young children learn and think. Topics included theories about cognition, learning styles, and multiple intelligences, and attend and participate in 15 hours of training to receive 1.5 Continuing Education Units through the University of Guam’s Professional Development and Lifelong Learning Center. The first module in January provided further awareness and Participants who completed the Family Child Care Training included: (Front-row, L-R) how these affect Makirita Chiro, Sanrine Samuel, Angelina Rodriguez, Rosarlyn Meika, Annae the way youngSantiago, Liahlanni Cruz, & Carmelita Ogo Connelley, Instructor. (Back-row, L-R) children think andNinsy Cideon, Janie Nauta, Lydia Querimit, Elaine Blas, Anna Marie Bagcal, Mellissa Gomes, Carmelita Capati, Simiko Samuel, Marie Remillo, Yvonne Terlaje, Jennifer learn. These Camacho, Cheryl Mc’leod, Therese Meno, Cheryl Quintanilla, Michelle Taitague, & modules were Antoinette Epp. knowledge in the area of Social and Emotional Development of young children. These participants learned about preventive strategies such as setting up the environment, establishing security and trust with the children they serve, and addressing challenging behaviors such as biting, temper tantrums, and lack of sharing. The module in February discussed Language Development of young children. Participants in this designed to assist professionals and paraprofessionals working with young children to access research-based information and developmentally appropriate practices to enhance the quality of care they provide to children and their families. Lastly, the area of physical development was addressed in the April training. Participants included family home care providers, parents, grandparents, and center-based providers. Parents Complete ALONG Curriculum Training On March 6-9, 17 participants completed the 20hour training in the All Learning Opportunities Nurture Growth (ALONG) curriculum, a parent training program, funded through the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS). Created by Guam CEDDERS staff, this curriculum provides parents and those working with young children an overview of effective and developmentally appropriate practices to facilitate learning, growth and development. Comprised of four modules, the topics covered in the first module, “Moving Along,” introduced the participants to the areas of development and health and safety issues. “Playing Along,” Module 2, increases awareness and knowledge of young children’s learning through play. In “Reading Along,” Module 3, participants learned about the importance of reading readiness, and its relationship to school success. The final module, “Getting Along,” examined the importance of social emotional development as the foundation to the overall development of young children and addressed challenging behaviors. Training participants (as shown in photo below), included parents of young children, grandparents, trainees from DPHSS and staff from Alee Shelter. Page 6 Guam CEDDERS Newsletter June 1, 2007 I Tellai 13th Annual GSAT Conference Focuses on Acquiring AT Departing a little from tradition, this year’s Annual Assistive Technology Conference was held in April, instead of the usual March date. The format for this year’s event consisted of two half-day morning sessions at the Westin Resort Guam on April 20 & 21. With the theme of this year’s conference posing the question, “What AT Is Available and How Do You Access It,” presentations addressed a broad range of consumers from veterans and seniors, to school-aged children and infants and toddlers. Presenters included both government agencies and local private businesses. Valuable information was provided by the Department of Public Health and Social Services and the Veterans Affairs Office which answered questions regarding assistive Mike Terlaje, GSAT AT Specialist and overall coordinator of the AT Conference, expounds on the exciting possibilities and developments in the future of Assistive Technology. technology covered under programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, the Medically Indigent Program, and the Veteran’s Administration. A session hosted by representatives of various cell phone companies highlighted accessibility options in mobile phones and the features that each company provides. The variety of choices now available through this technology are great examples of how the Americans with Disabilities Act has impacted our society. On the second day of the conference, consumers and service providers were given the opportunity to express their opinions on the community impact and effectiveness of Guam CEDDERS, the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council, and the Guam Legal Services Disability Law Center (GLS), also referred to as the “Tri-Agency,” which receive funding support through the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD). ADD Commissioner Dr. Patricia Morrissey, Director Faith McCormick and Program Analyst Ophelia McLain were on hand via teleconference from their Washington, D.C. offices. A total of 109 consumers and service providers attended this session, with 16 providing oral testimony. The Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) Center, in collaboration with the Guam Legal Services Disability Law Center (GLS), the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council, and the Guam Public School System, sponsored this 13th Annual AT Conference. GSAT Conference Workshops Friday, April 20 New AT Solutions: A Preview of Current Trends Renovating Your Home Part 1: Homeowner’s Rehabilitation Program Renovating Your Home Part 2: Veteran’s Rehabilitation Program AT & Developmental Disabilities Cell Phone Accessibility Options TBI—How Much Do We Know Way Beyond Smoke Signals: Access to the World of Print & Beyond Transportation: What Does the Futgure Hold? AT & Mental Illness + Brain Injury Saturday, April 21 What AT Is Covered? Public, Private, & Veteran Services AT Special Focus: Healthcare AT In the Workplace: What Is Reasonable Accommodation? Is Small Business Right for Me? My Small Business: I Did It! Starting AT Use In Early Childhood Access to AT for Transitioning Students Web Content Accessibility I Tellai Guam CEDDERS Newsletter June 1, 2007 Page 7 4th Annual Walk/Wheel/Run Event Held on UOG Campus This year’s Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) Center Walk/Wheel/Run was held for the first time at the University of Guam campus. With the start and finish located adjacent to the Center, the 100+ participants were treated to a spectacular view of Pago Bay and Guam’s southern coast that included a beautiful rainbow over the ocean at the end of the event. For the first time since its inception, residents of nearby Guma’ Mami participated in the one mile segment. Guam Residents Learn About Assistive Tech at GSAT Fair Dee Palomo, left, explains the services provided by the GSAT Center during the Fair held on March 3 at the Agana Shopping Center. Student Office Assistant, Patrick Carlos, right, answers questions posed by consumers during the AT Fair. Jean Hudson (left), KUAM TV news reporter, interviews Mike Terlaje, Guam CEDDERS Assistive Technology Specialist, on the GSAT Fair and assistive technology in general. A special news segment on the Fair was aired later that evening. Page 8 Guam CEDDERS Newsletter June 1, 2007 I Tellai Project Tinituhon Gets TA from Health Systems Research, Inc. Thirty participants from Project Tinituhon’s Strategic Management Team and Working Group Members, along with the Early Childhood Comprehensive System teams from the Republic of Palau and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands attended a regional technical assistance workshop facilitated by Christopher Botsko, Senior Associate and Jamie Hart, Practice Area Leader from the Health Systems Research, Inc. on April 16 and 17. Guam’s First Lady, JoAnn Camacho, gave opening remarks at the start of the workshop, stressing the importance of the early years. The outcomes of the workshop, entitled “System Planning, System Building: An Early Childhood Comprehensive System (ECCS) Workshop For Guam and Palau Focusing on Policy and Sustainability” included: • To learn more about building a comprehensive system and what other Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) Grantees have been able to accomplish • To examine current policies and develop a plan for moving or continuing to move forward • To develop/enhance a sustainability plan Specific outcomes for Project Tinituhon included the refinement of Guam’s Strategic Plan for the implementation of a comprehensive early childhood system. The implementation of Guam’s plan will begin in September, 2007. Gross Motor Video Now Available Gross Motor Is NOT Gross! promotes the importance of providing opportunities and safe environments for young children to explore and move around in as they build their large muscles and motor skills. Local attitudes and beliefs relating to outdoor play and exposure to the elements are also discussed. For a FREE copy of Gross Motor Is NOT Gross! Contact Mary Kidd Guam CEDDERS Training Associate at 735-2515 This video is a production of the Department of Public Health and Social Services in partnership with Guam CEDDERS. Project Fo’na Students Start Externship The first group of students under Project Fo’na departed Guam June 1 to begin their 10-week externship to fulfill requirements of their graduate program in Speech and Language Pathology. Project Fo’na is a collaborative program between University of Guam CEDDERS and San Jose State University. Students in this first cohort, shown above, are (L-R) Rowena Dimla, Janice Sablan, Stephanie Bamba, Julianne Serrano, Daniel Domaoal, & Amalia Gillan Badua. Students not shown, but who are part of Cohort 1 are: Rosario Hocog, Henoleen Camacho, Leann Bull, Joysleen Daniel and Merleen Daniel. Placements for externs Dimla, Bamba, Serrano, Badua, Hocog, Camacho, Bull, and the Daniels are in the San Jose, California area. Mr. Domaoal’s placement is in Los Angeles, California, while Ms. Sablan will be gaining her experience in New Zealand. The second cohort of students is currently completing on- island practicum hours at Guam Public School System and Guam Memorial Hospital sites. This group is scheduled to complete their externship requirements during Summer 2008. Project Fo’na is funded through a personnel preparation grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, with additional student support from the Yamashita Educator Corps, University of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Public School System, and the Pohnpei State Department of Education. Students in the program are from Guam, the CNMI, and Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. I Tellai Guam CEDDERS Newsletter June 1, 2007 Page 9 Consultant Helps Update Standards in Child Care Facilities Abby Cohen, National Childcare Information Center, Region IX State Technical Assistance Specialist, returned to Guam to provide technical assistance to the Department of Public Health and Social Services on April 23-24 with the Early Childhood Care & Education Committee (ECCEC) Licensure Subcommittee at the Guam Marriott Resort and Hotel. During the work sessions, Ms. Cohen provided feedback and recommendations to update the “Standards for Licensed Child Care Facilities” which were established in 1978. In addition to updating the Standards, the Subcommittee reviewed the “Child Welfare Services Act,” the mandate for operating a licensed child care facility. Ms. Cohen, a lawyer by profession, provided the Subcommittee recommend- Abby Cohen, TA Specialist with the National Child Care Information Center, confers with Department of Public Health & Social Services officials during a break at the April 23 work session. (L-R) Cohen, Lydia Tenorio, Administrator, Bureau of Social Services Administration (BOSSA), Ronald Carandang, Division of Environmental Health, Terry Catahay, Social Services Supervisor, BOSSA, & Diana Calvo, Administrator, Division of Public Welfare. dations for updating the statute (a next step of focus for the subcommittee). Lastly, the Subcommittee engaged in discussions on the military relocation from Okinawa to Guam, and what the community child care centers will need to do to prepare for this influx. Ms. Cohen has been providing technical assistance since 2004 on raising the standards and quality of child care for Guam. Updating Guam’s Standards For Licensed Child Care Facilities Some of the following areas were recommended to be included or amended: • Water Safety (e.g., pool, ocean, water play) • Emergency and disaster procedures • Universal precautions (e.g., hand washing) • Infant care (e.g. diapering, sleeping positions, etc.) • Suspected child abuse • Custodial Issues • Immunizations • Staff/Child Ratios • Staff qualifications • Staff training • Supervision • Discipline • Administering medication • Liability • Outdoor play • Evening Care Pohnpei Personnel Complete Training on Adapting Curriculum Teachers and staff of the Pohnpei State Department of Education attended an 8-hour training on curriculum adaptations for students with disabilities in general education classes using the “4-Step Process.” The training was conducted by Guam CEDDERS Training Associate June Quitugua and Assistive Technology Specialist, Mike Terlaje on May 1-4. Page 10 Guam CEDDERS Newsletter June 1, 2007 I Tellai Project Håtsa: Administrator Standards Under Board Review Momentum continues to build as Project Håtsa strives towards meeting its goal of increasing student achievement through teacher quality enhancement. Significant progress has been made with regard to the Proposed Administrator Standards and Stages that are currently being reviewed by the Personnel Subcommittee of the Guam Education Policy Board. Also undergoing review by the Joint Board-Union Committee is the Professional Teacher Evaluation Program (PTEP). Concerted efforts are being devoted to move this key piece of the Håtsa initiatives in order to meet the timeline for piloting and implementation this fall. The Administrator Certification Stages is currently before the Certification Advisory Council and hopefully will be endorsed at their next meeting and transmitted to the Superintendent. Ensuring that key stakeholders, especially teachers and administrators, are kept abreast of the progress of the project is a key objective of the project. To address this, presentations have been made to faculty and staff at each of the 37 public schools. Meetings held during this past quarter have focused on the PTEP, Administrator Standards, Administrator Certification Stages, and Alternate Routes to Teacher Certification. Focus Groups for Alternate Routes and Administrator Certification Stages continue to take place as they consider input from these presentations and other constituencies. In its first year of implementation, Håtsa’s Mentor Program is in full swing with 14 mentors providing guidance and support to 83 beginning teachers. To Mentors and mentees took time out of their weekend to be interviewed on “Chalk Talk, ” a program on K57 Radio, to inform the general public about the merits of a formal mentor program. (L-R) Mentors Lou Concepcion & Mike Skinner, mentees Joann Meeks & Joanna Payumo, mentors Emily Meno & Tiffany Fernandez, and show co-hosts Vince Leon Guerrero and Gayle Hendricks. Vince and Gayle also are part of the Håtsa Team, with Vince serving as an evaluator, and Gayle filling the program coordinator position for Teacher Supervision & Evaluation. help publicize the program and assist in next year’s recruitment efforts, the mentors have gone on radio and TV, in addition to presenting information at GPSS schools and students currently in the School of Education, University of Guam. Project Håtsa, Guam Public School System’s Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant, in partnership with the University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (Guam CEDDERS), facilitated a workshop on “Foundations in Mentoring” conducted by Outreach Coordinators from the New Teacher Center based at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) on April 10-12. Research has shown that providing an intensive mentoring and induction program for beginning teachers contributes significantly to strengthening teacher skills, increasing job satisfaction, and improving retention rates, which in turn increases student achievement. Project Håtsa’s Mentoring Program was implemented this fall, with 14 teacher mentors providing support to 83 new teachers. Shown above, during the first day of the training are (Front Row, L-R, seated) Aline Yamashita, Håtsa Program Coordinator for Mentoring and Professional Development; Luis Reyes, GPSS Superintendent; Bruce Duncan, Outreach Coordinator, New Teacher Center, UCSC; (Second Row, L-R) Heidi San Nicolas, Guam CEDDERS Director; Nieves Flores, Håtsa Project Director; Rosemary Garcia, Outreach Coordinator, New Teacher Center, UCSC; & Connie Guerrero, Håtsa Program Coordinator for Policy & Curriculum Alignment; (Third row, L-R) Mike Skinner & Ana Camacho-Anderson , Håtsa District Mentor Coordinators. For more information on Project Håtsa, visit the website at www@gdoe.net/hatsa. Mentors discussed the merits of their program during a taping of Viewpoint, a weekly television program produced and aired by KGTF, Guam’s Public Broadcasting Station. Participating in the pre-recorded panel discussion were (L-R) Mike Skinner, Ana Camacho-Anderson, Linda Sablan, Marie Barretto, and Kirk Drygas. Serving as moderator was Jackie Quitugua Ronan (seated at right with her back to the camera), general manager of KGTF. I Tellai Guam CEDDERS Newsletter June 1, 2007 Page 11 Guam Attends 2007 EHDI Interdisciplinary Group Conference in Utah Promotes System Of Care Guam CEDDERS sent a team to the 2007 Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EDHI) National Conference held in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 26-27. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control, the Maternal Child Health Bureau, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the National Center on Hearing Assessment and Management, a major focus of the conference was on strategies to increase hearing screening rates for newborns and the impact of Cochlear Implants on children with significant hearing loss. The Guam Team included, (L-R) Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, Guam CEDDERS Director, Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Initiative Area Coordinator for Health, Wellness, and Prevention and Project Coordinator for the Guam EDHI Project, Ann Marie Cruz, representing the Guam Parent-To- Parent Support Group, Bing Opena, Guam Memorial Hospital Authority Nursery/NICU Head Nurse, & Robert Leon Guerrero, M.D., Guam’s AAP Champion. PAC 6 Con’t from Page 3 each of the grade levels that are tested with the Palau Achievement Test to use as the target skills for the alternate assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities. During the last week of March, Ms. Quitugua conducted training in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) on the “4-Step Process” to a mix of about 30 special education teachers and teacher aides during their Staff Development Day. This process was highly encouraged for use as an instructional tool for including students with significant cognitive disabilities in the general education classroom. The beautiful island of American Samoa was the last jurisdiction to be visited during the week of April 23rd by Ms. Quitugua and Mr. Lenhardt as a follow-up to the January Institute. Upon returning from Guam in January, the American Samoa Leadership Assessment Team immediately began conducting training for all special education teachers on the implementation of the “4-Step Process,” as well as continuing work on their content standards extensions. With guidance and technical support provided to all six Pacific jurisdictions, each entity will be collecting student evidence for reporting short-term data on students participating in an alternate assessment to be reviewed during the upcoming GSEG Assessment Institute scheduled for the week of July 16 in Pohnpei, FSM. Project I Famagu'on-ta’s Evaluation Team met with University of Guam faculty on May 4 to obtain input on how best to infuse training on System of Care concepts across disciplines. In attendance were (clockwise, L-R) Bonnie Brandt, lead evaluator; Dr. Gerhard Schwarb (partially hidden), Social Work Department Chair; Dr. Stephen Kane, Counseling; Dr. Richard Fee, Special Education; Terrie Fejarang, Social Work; Dr. John Sanchez, Education; Dr. Mary Fegurgur, Psychology; Dr. John Tracy, Social Work; & Mariles Benavente, clinical evaluator. Not shown: Sarah Thomas-Nededog, Sanctuary Executive Director. 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@ite.net 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, Bonnie Brandt, Carmelita Ogo Connelley, Terrie Fejarang, Mary Kidd, Ginger Porter, June Quitugua, & Michael 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. Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, & Service Page 12 Guam CEDDERS Newsletter June 1, 2007 I Tellai August 2007 .Aug 4-Model Child Care Training, Session 8, GSAT Center, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. .Aug 13-17 - Health Resources & Services Administration Site Visit with the Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Project, House 26, Dean Circle, UOG •Aug 17-Social Emotional Training, Session 5, CSS Conference Room, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. •Jun 1 -Quarterly Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Mtg, 3:30pm, GSAT Center •Jun 2-Model Child Care Training, Session 6, GSAT Center, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. •Jun 11-WRRC/NECTAC Pacific Special Education Directors Mtg., Kosrae, FSM •Jun12-14-Pacific Basin Interagency Leadership Consortium Conference, Kosrae, FSM •Jun 15-FSM NIAC Mtg., Kosrae, FSM •Jun 26-Social Emotional Training, Session 3, CSS Conference Room, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. July 2007 •Jul 7-Model Child Care Training, Session 7, GSAT Center, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. •Jul 16-21-GSEG II: Pacific Assessment Consortium Institute #1, Pohnpei, FSM •Jul 28-Social Emotional Training, Session 4, CSS Conference Room, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. To: Guam CEDDERS University of Guam Office of Academic & Student Affairs UOG Station Mangilao, Guam 96923 A farewell party was held on May 10 for departing Guam CEDDERS staff, Connie Guerrero, who served as Project Håtsa’s program coordinator for Focus Area 1: Stakeholder Involvement: Policy & Curriculum Alignment. Thank you Connie for making significant contributions! Guam EHDI Website Now Online! www.guamehdi.com Esta Later Connie!