Guam CEDDERS Newsletter Volume 9, Number 4 September 7,2007 Inside this issue: PAC6 Assessment Institute 1 PAC6 con’t 2 2007 PBILC Conference 3 Guam EHDI Site Review 4 CNMI Part C Presentation Child Caregivers Conference 5 2007 Model Child Care Centers 6 Social Emotional Training NCHAM TA Visit 7 Parent to Parent Kick Off Project Fo'na 8 Catholic School Training Input for New Core Grant Guam CEDDERS Loss of Staff 9 SDSU Workshop Tri-Agency Directors Meet CMHI Evaluation Project Presents 10 SOC Training Plan Ready Project DREAMS Gets Award 11 UCEDDs Share Expertise Let’s Go! 12 Transportation Updates 13 Håtsa Training, Policies, 14 & Mentor Program GOAL-AT Recipients 15 OSEP TA Visit Calendar of Events 16 New CEDDERS Staff Page 1: PAC6 Assessment Institute Builds Local Capacity The Pacific Assessment Consortium (PAC6) Implementation Projects brought 86 team members from American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and Palau to the beautiful island of Pohnpei to participate in the GSEG II: Regional Assessment Institute during the week of July 16-21. The purpose of the weeklong Institute was to improve the capacity to accurately report on the performance and participation of students with disabilities in each entity’s assessment system. To provide continuity, Michael Burdge and Jean Clayton from the University of Kentucky’s Center on Inclusive Large Scale Standards and Assessment (ILSSA), facilitated the training on developing rubrics and performance level descriptors that eventually led to the scoring of the alternate assessments for students with disabilities during school year 2006-2007. The first day at the opening Ceremony, participants were treated to a dinner hosted by the FSM Special Education Program and entertainment by the Pohnpei Department of Education Chorus. June De Leon, PAC6 Project Director, provided an overview of the GSEG PAC6 Implementation Projects and introduced the institute purpose, outcomes, and agenda for the week. That evening, each entity liaison was asked to introduce their team members and was given an opportunity to present a cultural performance. Tuesday through Saturday brought the teams to the College of Micronesia’s National Campus Gymnasium in Palikir, where they worked together as jurisdiction teams and role-alike teams to address issues they were facing with assessing students with disabilities and providing appropriate accommodations. To encourage teamwork and reach consensus on identified issues, participants were given two workbooks with instructions to have them completed by the end of the institute. The first was the Workbook for Documenting the Decision-Making Processes of Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of Alternate Assessments Based on Alternate Achievement Standards. This workbook provided guidance to the teams by identifying the basic components necessary for documenting the processes and decisions each entity has undergone. It will also be utilized to examine the implementation of their alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards (AA-AAS). The second was the Workbook for Documenting the Decision-Making Processes of Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of Accommodations. This workbook included components that were extracted from the PAC6 Self Assessment section on accommodations. By the last day of the institute, participants had developed their jurisdiction’s rubrics and performance learning descriptors that were used to score their alternate assessment portfolios. These assessments provide the participation and performance data needed for reporting students with significant cognitive disabilities who participated in the pilot “4-Step Process” alternate assessment in Spring 2007. As a result of their involvement in the GSEG II: Regional Assessment Institute, participating stakeholders have a greater understanding of the technical qualities for each component of an inclusive assessment system; have recommendations for revisions to the current assessment accommodation guidelines; and have a structure for developing and implementing alternate assessments based on alternate achievement standards that clearly articulate linkage of alternate achievement standards with grade-level content standards. These outcomes will assist them in meeting the new outcomes to be identified for the GSEG II: Regional Assessment Institute #2. ? Photo with caption: Eighty-six participants, including 10 from American Samoa, 7 from the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, 41 from the Federated States of Micronesia, 5 from Guam, 12 from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and 11 from the Republic of Palau, attended the Regional Assessment Institute held in Pohnpei, FSM on July 16-21. Michael Burdge (standing) provides some feedback to the Marshall Islands Team (seated L-R), Hiram Malolo, Rudy Lokeijak, & Stanley Heine. (Standing L-R) GSEG staff June Quitugua and June DeLeon, with WRRC’s Brad Lenhardt, Michael Burdge, and Jean Clayton, assist the Guam Team: (seated, clockwise) Therese Crisostomo, Arnel Medler, Florence Leon Guerrero, (hidden), Shawnette Celes, & Michelle Cerizo. Members of the FSM Leadership Assessment Team work on developing their Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) during the PAC6 Regional Assessment Institute in Pohnpei. (Standing, L-R) Arthur Albert, HerryWichep, Helper Samuel, Mekioshy William (hidden), Miyai Keller, Marbe Martin, Remenster Johnna, Tendy Liwy. (seated, L-R) Burnis Danis, Quartus Esau, & Joseph George. Page 2: PBILC Conference Continues Interagency Collaboration “Think Globally, Act Locally!” That was the message from John Moeschler, M.D., keynote speaker at the Pacific Basin Interagency Leadership Conference (PBLIC) held in Kosrae, FSM on June 11-14. Over three hundred participants from American Samoa, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, and the U.S. Mainland attended the 4-day conference. Drawing on the conference theme, “New Challenges Call For New Commitment,” Dr. Moeschler shared his reflections on the topic by noting six barriers to child health care in the U.S. and gave possible solutions to address existing problems. He noted that not all six barriers may be relevant to each respective island health care system, but suggested that they be considered in discussions so jurisdictions could look for similarities within their systems. These barriers included: 1) Access to insurance coverage; 2) Enrollment in available insurance plans; 3) Access to services; 4) Access to a consistent source of primary care; 5) Access to special health care services; and 6) Delivery of high quality health services. One of the many highlights of the conference was the parent panel that gave presentations on “The Parent Perspective: Successes and Challenges In Terms of Services and Supports.” Resina Nabraham, a parent from Chuuk, spoke about her daughter Angel’s vision screening by visiting physician Mark Wilkinson, O.D., in 2002. The screening, conducted at a Chuuk eye clinic, was facilitated by Guam CEDDERS. Diagnosed with microanalphthalmia, it was at this clinic that Angel was given her first pair of eye glasses at age three years. Mrs. Nabraham shared that from “2005-2007 (today) CSN/MCH, SpEd, and Guam CEDDERS have really contributed improvements in Angel’s life mainly because her corrected vision has abled her to see and experience things just like any normal child.” Mary Jean Yanger, a parent of a son with autism, shared how the Guam Public School System, Division of Special Education, and Guam CEDDERS were helpful in finding resources for her son and providing supports as they navigated the education system. Photo with caption: (L-R) Dr. John Moeschler, New Hampshire Pediatric Geneticist, and Cathy Cardenas, Guam Public School System, Division of Special Education’s representative, enjoy the entertainment during the cultural presentations, a regular feature of the PBILC Conference. Resina Nabraham is all smiles with her daughter, Angel. Mrs. Nabraham shared her experiences with the services and supports she received to assist her daughter, Angel, during a session at the PBILC Conference held in Kosrae in June. Page 3: Guam EHDI Project Undergoes Site Review The Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) Project underwent a site visit by the Office of Performance Review, a unit under the Human Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, on August 13-17. The OPR team of Gor Yee Lum and Jean Kajikawa assessed the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program, focusing on the percent of infants who received a hearing screening prior to hospital discharge within 1 month of age and the percent of newborns who were in need of and received a diagnostic evaluation before 3 months of age. The project reported a 98% rate for all newborns receiving hearing screening prior to discharge from Guam Memorial Hospital and Sagua Mañugu Birthing Center. The team, along with Guam EHDI staff, also reviewed trends in the program, barriers faced, and possible improvements to address these obstacles. The OPR team also had the opportunity to visit the Guam Memorial Hospital nursery and Sagua Mañagu Birthing Center to see first-hand how hearing screenings are conducted. ? Photo with caption: Guam CEDDERS staff celebrate the conclusion of a very productive site visit by the Office of Performance Review, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (L-R) Joseph Mendiola, Elaine Eclavea, Vicky Ritter, Gor Yee Lum, OPR Review Team Leader, Jean Kajikawa, Consultant, Dr. Velma Sablan, Lizzy Borja, & Dr. Heidi San Nicolas. CNMI Part C Program Presents At The National Outcomes TA Meeting Suzanne Lizama, CNMI Public School System’s Part C Coordinator, along with Maureen Sullivan, Vermont Part C Coordinator, conducted a presentation at the National Technical Assistance Meeting on Measuring Child and Family Outcomes on August 27 in Washington, D.C. The presentation, entitled Assuring the Quality of Data from Family Surveys, was facilitated by June De Leon and Elaine Eclavea from Guam CEDDERS, in collaboration with Kathy Whaley from the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center. Naomi Diaz, CNMI PSS Early Intervention Data Manager, also supported the session. Ms. Lizama and Ms. Sullivan shared their plans for validating the results of their family outcomes survey. Although from very different regions, they shared similar strategies, such as facilitating “guided focus group conversations,” to confirm the survey results. A copy of their PowerPoint presentations will be made available on www.nectac.org. ? Photo with caption: Attending the National Technical Assistance Meeting held on August 27 in Washington, D.C. were June DeLeon, Kathy Whaley, Maureen Sullivan, Suzanne Lizama, Terri Edgerton, Vermont Part C Program, Helen Keith, Vermont Child Development Division, Naomi Diaz, & Elaine Eclavea. Page 4: Child Caregivers Conference Held August 25 “Useful.” “Enjoyed listening for more information and additional learning.” “Presentations (were) excellent and beneficial to child care center and me personally.” These were just some of the comments participants wrote in their evaluation of the 2007 Annual Birth to Five Conference for Child Care Providers. Held on August 25 at the Guam Marriott Hotel, 210 center and home-based caregivers and parents had an opportunity to hear about the latest findings on child development, the impact of stress on developing children, elements of quality center-based child care settings, communicating with parents, developmentally appropriate practices, and other related topics. With support from the Guam Department of Public Health & Social Services (DPHSS), Child Care and Development Fund, Guam CEDDERS Health, Wellness, and Prevention Initiative Area (HWP IA)staff organized the event. Lydia Tenorio, DPHSS Human Services Administrator gave the welcoming remarks for the conference. Guam CEDDERS Elaine Eclavea, HWP IA Coordinator, and Training Associates Mary Kidd and Carmelita Ogo Connelley presented the topics during the conference. Guam CEDDERS’ video production, Gross Motor Is Not Gross, made its large group premiere during the conference. Photo with caption: Conference participants form a conga line (above photo) and follow multi-step directions (photo below) to get energized during the 2007 Annual Birth To Five Conference held on August 25. The theme for the event was Our Kids Count: Invest in Early Childhood NOW! Conference participants from Chief Gadao Academy show their team spirit. Text in colored box: Guam CEDDERS Elaine Eclavea, Health, Wellness, and Prevention Initiative Area Coordinator, led the presentations during the 2007 Annual Birth To Five Conference by giving a summary of the research on brain development and effectiveness factors in early childhood care and education, based on 40 years of program evaluation. These factors included: * Highly skilled staff * Low child to staff ratios * A rich language environment * Curriculum emphasizing developmentally appropriate practices * A safe and secure environment * Warm & responsive interactions * Child participation Reference: The Science of Early Childhood Development: Closing the Gap Between What We Know and What We Do. (Shonkoff, 2007). Page 5: 2007 Model Child Care Centers Receive TA Photos with caption: Caregivers from Centers selected to participate in the 2007 Model Child Care Center Program recently received 40 hours of in class training and 20 hours of on-site technical assistance. The Centers represented included Adventures in Learning Child Development Center, Amazing Kids Child Development Center, Bambini Day School, Blessed Seed Christian Academy and Day Care Center, First Step Early Childhood Educational Center, Honey Bear Kids Center, PNG Child Care and Learning Center, Treasures of the Heart Early Childhood Center, “Good Day” Child Care and Learning Center, and Ty’s Playsite and Learning Center. (Above photo, back row, L-R) Isabel Compton, Therese Rayray, Daphne Parr, Rita Tydingco, & Angelica Brown. (Second row, L-R) Mayreneann Huffer, Jennifer Santos, Irene Suda, Gloria Baluyat, Leizel Mira, Lola Pangelinan, Antoinette Deleon Guerrero, Regina Johnny, & Jeanette Riley. (Seated, L-R) Francis Naputi, Delilah Charfauros, Victoria Bautista, Tasha Mendiola, & Sinania Henere. Participants combine solids and liquids to form “Goop” as a Language and Science activity. Social Emotional Competence Training Completed In partnership with the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services, Guam CEDDERS offered “Promoting the Social Emotional Competence of Young Children Ages Two to Five Years,” a 30-contact hour course for family and center based caregivers. The course required the participants (pictured below) to attend five, six-hour sessions in which they were provided information to increase their awareness, knowledge, understanding and skills to support the healthy social emotional development of young children. It also addressed the challenging behaviors and mental health needs of young children including those with disabilities. Developed by the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundation for Early Learning, the course provided hands-on activities, video footage of actual challenging behaviors, teaching strategies for children at-risk of severe emotional disturbance, and the process of Positive Behavior Supports (PBS), an individualized intervention process for children with challenging behaviors. Taught by Guam CEDDERS Training Associates Mary Kidd and Carmelita Ogo Connelley, the course provided early childhood providers and parents/grandparents with preventive strategies and how to teach children appropriate behaviors to take the place of the challenging behavior. It also challenged participants to consider current practices of time-out, redirection, punishment and reward (traditional responses to challenging behavior which are short-term and reactive), and consider PBS which creates a plan specifically designed for the child who needs support in learning a new skill to replace the problem behavior. Page 6: NCHAM TA Visit Updates Knowledge in Audiology Kim Aeillo, CCC-A, audiologist and consultant from the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM), provided technical assistance to the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Project on August 13-17. The purpose of this visit was to increase the knowledge and skills of health care and education professionals on the latest research and best practices in pediatric audiology and strategies to support young children with hearing impairments and their families. During the visit, Ms. Aeillo worked directly with two local audiologists, two audiometrists, and 11 hearing screeners on screening and testing techniques and protocols. She also conducted a presentation on “Early Intervention” for 19 Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) and four Naval Regional Medical Center’s Early Developmental Intervention Services (EDIS) staff. On the evening of August 14, Ms. Aeillo met with members of the Guam EHDI Parent to Parent Support Group covering topics on understanding audiological evaluations and the use of different modes of communication. Ms. Aeillo’s busy schedule included conducting Grand Rounds at Guam Memorial Hospital Authority, where she spoke on “Beyond Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS), Where Are We Now?” on August 15. She also conducted a presentation for six early intervention professionals on the “Colorado Hearing Resource (CO-Hear) Program-Service Delivery Model” on August 17. ? Photo with caption: Kim Aiello, CCC-A, from the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM) was recently on-island to provide training and technical assistance for families and health and education professionals. (L-R) Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, Guam CEDDERS Director, Elaine Eclavea, Guam EHDI Coordinator, & Ms. Aiello. Parent To Parent Group Kicks Off New School Year The Guam EHDI Parent To Parent Support Group held a get-together on August 25. Rebecca Perez Santo Tomas, Esq., Executive Director for Guam Legal Services Disability Law Center addressed the topic of Parents’ Rights to assist parents in navigating the often complex and confusing Special Education system. Attendees included (L-R) Celeste San Nicolas, Ann Marie Cruz, President of Guam’s Positive Parents Together, a coalition of parent organizations including the Guam EHDI Parent To Parent Support Group, and Mrs. Cruz’ daughter, Drucilla. In the background is Richard Flores. Page 7: Photos with caption: Project Fo’na Gears Up For The Home Stretch Project Fo'na’s student Cohort 1 completed their 10-week externship in San Jose, California in early August. Project Fo’na is a collaborative personnel preparation program for speech language pathologists facilitated by San Jose State University and the University of Guam CEDDERS. Dr. Velma Sablan, Project Fo’na Director, met with members of this group during a luncheon meeting held at the San Jose Hilton Hotel. Shown in the photo above (clockwise from bottom left) are Leann Bull, Henoleen Camacho, Rosario Hocog, Merleen Daniel, Dr. Velma Sablan, Stephanie Bamba, Julianne Serrano, Rowena Dimla, & Joysleen Daniel. Not shown: Daniel Domaoal and Amalia Gillan Badua. Students in Cohort 1 of Project Fo'na will be enrolled in a course in November to prepare them to take the Praxis examination for Speech & Language Pathologists. Scheduled to teach the prep course is Kay Payne, Ph.D., professor of Speech Pathology at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Gloria Weddington, Ph.D., San Jose State University Liaison and Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D., Guam CEDDERS Director, met with Dr. Payne in July to complete arrangements for the course. (Sitting, L-R) Dr. Payne, Dr. Weddington, Dr. San Nicolas. Standing is Jennifer Jones, Ph.D., professor of Speech Pathology, Howard University. Catholic School Faculty Attend Training Mt. Carmel and San Vicente Catholic Pre-school and Kindergarten faculty members attended training on “Strategies Promoting Positive Early Childhood Outcomes for Pre-School Children” on July 27, 30, and 31. Conducted by Guam CEDDERS Training Associate Mary Kidd, the course was designed to provide early childhood teachers with an overview of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards and the Guam Early Learning Guidelines for Children Three To Five Years. The course also provided information on assessment and curriculum strategies to meet the educational needs of preschool children, with or without disabilities, in natural settings. Each participant received 1.5 CEUs from the UOG Professional Development and Lifelong Learning Center for completing the 3-day, 15-hour training. Above photo: (Front row, L-R) Margarita Castro, Betty Mansapit, Leticia Panaso, Jean Bayonita, & Herma Abalde. (Back row, L-R) Dolores Terlaje, Rosita Cundiff, and Bonnie Tedtaotao. Advisory Council Members Provide Input For New Core Grant Application The Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Health, Wellness, and Prevention Subcommittee met three times between June and September to develop recommendations for the new Core grant application. Shown above are (seated L-R): Members Charlene Salinas, Reina Sanchez, Jesse Pangelinan, and Bill Fuppul. (Standing L-R) Guam CEDDERS staff Brenda Leon Guerrero, Mary Kidd, Advisory Council Chairperson Evelyn Claros, Guam CEDDERS staff Carmelita Ogo Connelley, & Elaine Eclavea. Page 8: Guam CEDDERS Mourns The Loss of Kerina Oshiro It is with sad and heavy hearts that we share the news that Kerina Oshiro, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, passed away after a short illness on June 30. Although Kerina was a member of the Guam CEDDERS family for only two years, she made a great impact as an evaluator on Project Famagu’on-ta, the Children’s Mental Health Initiative, and project coordinator for Project Tinituhon, Guam’s State Early Childhood Comprehensive System Project. Prior to coming to the University, she worked for the Guam Public School System’s Division of Special Education for three years as an autism technical assistant. She also worked for the Department of Education and related service agencies in Hawaii for nine years, concentrating her talents on working with children with autism and their families, a passion that she maintained until the end of her life. Kerina’s graduate degrees from the University of Hawaii in Public Health in Maternal and Child Health and Psychology, and doctoral coursework in Clinical Psychology, provided the professional foundation for her life’s work. But it was her inborn love for helping children with disabilities that fueled her drive to teach and support children with autism in school and their homes. This dedication led to her being selected to receive the Autism Society of Hawaii (ASH) Service Provider of the Year in 1999. Kerina is survived by her mother, Terry, sisters Jean and Vanessa, brothers Jesse, Robert, Daryl, and Stephen, nine nieces and nephews, and her Guam CEDDERS and GPSS family. ? Photo with caption: Kerina Oshiro, MPH, MA, addresses participants during a Project Tinituhon activity in this file photo. Kerina is shown fielding questions during a local radio talk show program with Katherine McLean, M.D., Director of the University of New Mexico Center on Disabilities Studies, in August 2005. Photos with caption: SDSU Workshop Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, participated in San Diego State University Interwork Institute’s workshop on “Starting Academic Rehabilitation Programs and Disability Course Development” on June 28-29 in San Diego. Topics included Distance Learning & Technologies, Building an Academic Ramp, Administrative and Community Perspectives, Course Development in Rehabilitation and Disability, and Funding Opportunities to Support Program Development. Shown above are (L-R), Dr. Mari Guillermo, Interwork Project Coordinator, Ms. Fejarang, Dr. Bobbi Adkins, Interwork Project Director, & Dr. Michelle Santos, Dean, School of Technology and Student Services, Guam Community College. Tri-Agency Directors Meet The Guam ADD Tri-Agency directors met on August 27 to discuss upcoming collaborative activities. The meeting was the first time Rebecca Perez Santo Tomas, Esq,, newly appointed Guam Legal Services Disability Law Center Executive Director, met with Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, Director, Guam CEDDERS, and Manuel Cruz, Executive Director of the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council. Shown above are (L-R) Dr. San Nicolas, Mr. Cruz & Attorney Santo Tomas. Page 9: CMHI Evaluation Project Presents at Summer Meeting P Bonnie Brandt, Lead Evaluator for Guam CEDDERS Children’s Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) Evaluation Project presented Guam’s Evolving Continuous Quality Improvement Process as part of an evaluation workshop conducted at the Summer 2007 System of Care Community Meeting held in New Orleans August 1 - 3. The workshop, Understanding Your Continuous Quality Improvement Report, also included presentations by Lauren Whalen from ORC Macro International, John Fluke from Walter R. McDonald & Associates, and Keith Pirtle, Project Director Oklahoma Dept. of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services. During her presentation, Ms. Brandt shared Guam’s experience in developing and implementing a continuous quality improvement (i.e. CQI) process to help guide the development and improvement of services provided by I Famagu’on-ta, the Guam System of Care, to children with serious emotional and behavioral needs and their families. After discussing community strengths and challenges, Ms. Brandt talked about the early stages of Guam’s CQI process, including the development of a community evaluation advisory team (i.e. CEAT), the development of a logic model, and the sharing of descriptive data about children and families enrolled in I Famagu’on-ta. She also shared key milestones that moved Guam’s CQI process from talking about data, to actually using it to revise policies and practices. An important factor in this process was participating in the piloting of the Continuous Quality Improvement Report which was developed by ORC Macro for use by all SAMHSA funded system of care sites, and the “localization” of the report by the Guam CEDDERS’ CMHI Evaluation Team to better meet Guam’s unique needs. In concluding the presentation, Ms. Brandt shared the following “lessons learned” in developing and imple-menting Guam’s CQI process: (1) it is a developmental process; (2) relationships and trust are key; (3) the quality of the data is critical; (4) you must consider your local context; and (5) numbers don’t tell the whole story. Since many of the participants in the workshop were from newly funded system of care sites, the team offered practical strategies for engaging stakeholders in a CQI process, as well as ways to meaningfully engage families and youth in the evaluation process. Copies of the Evaluation Brief published by Guam CEDDERS in April 2007 were disseminated to workshop participants and participants were invited to contact Guam CEDDERS’ CMHI Evaluation Team for more information. Jennifer Dewy, Ph.D., Technical Director of Macro International, Inc., requested and obtained permission to use the Brief as a model for dissemination for newly-funded sites. System of Care Training Plan Ready for Piloting At the request of I Famagu’on-ta, Guam System of Care, Guam CEDDERS’ Evaluators Bonnie Brandt and Mariles Benavente developed the Guam System of Care Comprehensive Training Plan. The plan provides a guide for increasing awareness and knowledge of System of Care values, principles, and practices. Work is currently underway to develop an introductory training module which will be piloted in November with a group of students enrolled in the University of Guam Social Work program. ? Photo with caption: (Left Photo) Bonnie Brandt (standing), and Mariles Benavente, (seated at right), present the draft of the “Guam System of Care Comprehensive Training Plan” to service providers. Page 10: Project DREAMS Gets Award! What happens when a group of committed, hard-working, and driven parents of children with disabilities get together and formulate a dream to improve services for ALL children and families in the public school system? They form a non-profit organization, apply for a grant with their dream mapped out on paper, and then their application gets funded in the amount of $405,828!!! Guam’s Positive Parents Together (GPPT), a coalition of support groups for parents who have children with disabilities, took on the challenge of conceptualizing Project DREAMS, Dedicated to Reaching Excellence And Maintaining Success. The project brings together parents, public school teachers and administrators, public agencies, and private service providers. Project DREAMS will establish a Parent Information Resource Center that will offer information and training to all parents to equip them to meet their children’s educational needs. Activities will include parent and teacher training, developing special programs to meet specific needs of students, and promoting cultural competency in addressing the challenges for Guam’s diverse community. During the writing process, GPPT received technical assistance from Guam CEDDERS in developing the framework of the project design. This partnership will continue for the duration of the project, with Guam CEDDERS supporting some of the training activities. Congratulations GPPT! Your efforts will positively impact the children of Guam and their families! ? Photo with caption: GPPT spearheaded efforts to seek funding for Project DREAMS. Team members included (L-R) Helen Middlebrook, Evelyn Claros, Pauline Camacho, AnnMarie Cruz, & Joseph Mendiola. Not shown: Mary Therese Edgerle. Sister UCEDDs Share Expertise During Guam Visits Photo with caption: Debby Boyer, Training Associate from the Center on Disabilities Studies at the University of Delaware, took time off from her family vacation to Guam to share her expertise on Positive Behavior Supports with personnel from Guam CEDDERS and the Guam Public School System’s Project Menhalom, a Character Education Program. (Seated, L-R) Mary Kidd, Guam CEDDERS; Debby Boyer & Miranda Partie, her daughter. (Back row, L-R) Carmen Garrido, Beverly Babauta, Sahlee Felisan, Bea Camacho, & Jolene Quintanilla, GPSS; Carmelita Ogo Connelley, & Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS. Jan Nisbet, Ph.D., Director of the University of New Hampshire Center for Disability Studies (left), provided insight and guidance to the Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council and staff in preparation of writing its new Core grant application. Dr. Nisbet is shown above, at left, with Evelyn Claros, Advisory Council Chairperson, foreground, and Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D., Guam CEDDERS Director, at right. Dr. Nisbet also shared her recommendations and strategies for conducting research. Page 11: Ni Hi Ta’ Fan Hanao—Let’s Go! Ni hi ta’ fan hanao….Let’s go (together)! That was the central theme for the Guam Team participating in the 2007 Institute for Transportation Coordination, August 20-23, in Washington, D.C. Guam CED-DERS prepared the successful grant application in March of this year, and submitted it to the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), the sponsor organization. The grant, one of 22 funded from a pool of 36 applicants, supported the expenses of a four person team to participate. In concert with the goals of the United We Ride and Jobs First initiatives, the Institute fostered the planning for the coordination of transportation resources to 1) accomplish more rides for the same or fewer assets, 2) simplify access to transportation, and 3) increase customer satisfaction. Those participating were Joseph C. Manibusan, Deputy Director Department of Administration, Division of Public Transportation Services; David Dell’Isola, Acting Director, Agency for Human Resources Development; Charlene San Nicolas, Transportation Services Program Coordinator, Division of Senior Citizens, Department of Public Health & Social Services; and Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS. With a bit of pre-planning, the team set out to: * Enhance the capacity of the public transportation system to operate efficiently on its own, * Create a common vision of coordinating services to maximize resources and create greater efficiency and accessibility; * Provide community education on transportation options by minimizing physical, operational, and psychological barriers to the use of the public transit system. * Create a common vision of One Call – One Ride by planning for an integrated scheduling and dispatch system, addressing the community’s inventory of vehicles and usual patterns of service. Under the tutelage of a group of technical advisers from the Federal Transit Administration and CTAA, the Guam Team focused on plans to establish a one call system and begin the journey of coordinating public transit and senior citizens transportation services. The team also left Washington, D.C. with a network of planning partners, national resources, and scores of electronic files and information for further assistance. CTAA will continue to support the Guam Team plan through calls, assignment of a transportation ambassador, and provision of an on-site technical assistance visit this coming year. The Senior Citizens and Workforce partners are enthused about the new ideas and possibilities available to their constituents, among whom are individuals with disabilities, as they begin their work together with transit on Guam’s transportation issues. “Ni hi ta’ fan hanao!” ? Photo with caption: Guam’s team was comprised of (L-R) David Dell’Isola from the Agency for Human Resource Development, Joey Manibusan from the Department of Administration, and Charlene San Nicolas, from the Division of Senior Citizens, Department of Public Health & Social Services. Not shown: Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS. Page 12: Transportation Updates Photo with caption: A team of community stakeholders gathered on May 17 to conduct an assessment of transportation services and begin to identify the gaps in service as part of the United We Ride Project GATE. The following week, they were joined by stakeholder leaders to jointly address the priorities and plan for action for coordinated transportation services. Shown are participants of the May 17 assessment meeting: (Back row, L-R) Joseph Manibusan, Deputy Director, DOA, Div. of Transportation Services; Dan Cobb, Center Director, Guam CIL; Matt Wood, Oasis Empowerment Center for Women; Rally Pilipina, Transportation Services Planner; Mark Martinez, transit rider; Travis Kloppenburg, KEI General Manager; Maggie Reyes, Guam Vocational Rehabilitation Center; Francis Susuico, Agency for Human Resource Development; Patrick Cepeda, Senator Adolpho Palacios’ Office; (middle row, L-R) Lydia Cooper, CEDDERS UWR Project Coordinator; Charlene San Nicolas, Senior Transportation Services, Div. of Sr. Citizens, DPHSS; Rose Babauta, transit rider; Manuel Cruz, Acting Director Guam DDC; Melissa Savares, President, Guam Mayor’s Council; Jimmy Wang, Veterans Affairs; Joe Wusstig, Veteran’s Affairs; Cathy Millhoff, transit rider; Bernie Grajek, Acting Director, Guma Mami, Inc.; Ginger Porter, CEDDERS UWR Project Director; Vanessa Longa, transit rider; Vangie Ojeda, GHURA; (front row, L-R) ; Ron Respicio, transit rider; Noel Lazaga, transit rider; Josie Cortez , transit rider; Zeni Natividad, DISID; Sen. Adolpho Palacios, 29th Guam Legislature; & Selena Villagomez, Able Industries. The Guam Transportation Coordination Team met with CTAA Advisors who will assist the island in coordination efforts for the coming year. (L-R) James McLary, CTAA Ambassador, Region 2; Kelly Shawn, CTAA Assistance Director for Technical Assistance Programs; Dave Dell’Isola, Acting Director, Agency for Human Resource Development; Joseph C. Manibusan, Deputy Director, DOA; David Cyra, CTAA Ambassador, Region 9; Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS; & Charlene San Nicolas, Division of Senior Citizens, Transportation Program Coordinator, DPHSS. Senator Frank Ishizaki, Chairperson, Committee on Governmental Operations and Organizations, Mina Bente Nuebe Liheslaturan Guahan, participated in a field trip on September 4 to observe first hand the challenges of riding public transportation. Joining him on the trip were Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, Evelyn Duenas, Vice President of the Transportation Commission, and Zachary Tai-manglo, Legislative Staff Assistant. (Front) Ms. Duenas. (Standing, L-R) Ms. Porter, Senator Ishizaki, & Mr. Taimanglo. Page 13: Project Håtsa Updates: Training, Policy Adoption, & Mentor Program Project Håtsa, Guam Public School System’s Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant, in partnership with Guam CEDDERS at the University of Guam, facilitated a second in a series of district-wide training for GPSS on “Designing Powerful Professional Development.” “Using Job-Embedded Approaches” was the topic for school teams from the Haya and Kattan Districts on August 7-8 and for school teams from the Lagu and Luchan Districts on August 9-10. Consultants Dr. Patricia Roy and Dr. Parker McMullen from Arizona conducted the workshops which promote the use of continuous integration and follow up strategies to incorporate components of professional development concepts into regular instructional activities at the school level. This model, demonstrated through research to be highly effective and endorsed by the National Staff Development Council (NSDC), aims to strengthen instruction and improve student achievement through professional development accountability. Teams from all four districts have pledged to implement specific strategies covered during the training. Other major accomplishments facilitated by the project were the adoption for full implementation of the Educator Certification Stages and Professional Growth Program and piloting of the Administrator Standards which took place during the Guam Education Policy Board’s meeting on August 9. These policies go into effect during school year 2007-2008. ? Photo with caption: Administrators, consultants, a division head, and Project Håtsa staff attended the first session “Designing Powerful Professional Development.” “Using Job-Embedded Approaches”. (Front row, seated L-R) Consultants Parker McMullen and Patricia Roy. (Second row, L-R) Gayle Hendricks, Project Håtsa: Jen Punogbayan, Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary; Naomi Taitingfong, Untalan Middle; Evelyn Mantanona, Inarajan Elementary; Josephine Parel-Fontbuena, Price Elementary; Dawn Reyes, Inarajan Middle. Third Row (standing, L-R) Nieves Flores, Project Håtsa; Eloise Sanchez, Curriculum and Instruction; Sophie Duenas, George Washington High; Mike Meno, Truman Elementary; Trisha Moylan, Oceanview Middle; Marjorie Raess, Merizo Elementary; Erica Cepeda, M.U. Lujan; Jolene Cabrera, J.Q. San Miguel Elementary; Bernie Duenas, Carbullido Elementary; Rosalind Meeks, Alternative School; Maria Blas, P.C. Lujan Elementary; Agnes Camacho, M.A. Sablan; Marsha Martir, Untalan Middle; Christine Terlaje, Talofofo Elementary; Janet Duenas, F.Q. Sanchez; Anna Pangelinan, Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary; & Aline Yamashita, Project Håtsa. Top Chart: The majority of mentees continue to be from elementary schools, with high schools doubling their numbers from School Year 2007 to SY 2008. Bottom Chart: The number of mentees went from 83 in SY 2007 to 120 in SY 2008. This represents a 45% increase in participation by new teachers. This increase is attributed to the new requirement that beginning teachers must complete a year in a mentoring program for initial certification, the inclusion of students participating in the Fast Track Teacher Preparation Program, and greater program awareness and support by school leaders and teachers. Of the 28 public schools that had teachers in their first, second, or third years of teaching, 100% had mentees in the program during the second year of the program, as compared to 76% during the first year. Page 14: GOAL-AT Assists 14 Consumers As of September 1, the Guam Options for Alternative Loans for Assistive Technology (GOAL-AT) has disbursed 14 loans to consumers to purchase assistive technology. Below is the list of devices purchased through the loan. 8 Hearing aids 3 Mobility aids 4 Computers and/or computer related equipment 1 Vision aid 1 Adaptive exercise device 1 Adaptive lawn care devices Photo with caption: GOAL-AT Loan Recipients include Catherine McDonald (top photo), who purchased hearing aids, Bill Fuppul (left photo) who purchased a laptop, cell phone, and a printer, and Linda Leon Guerrero (right photo) who used her funding to purchase a motorized scooter. OSEP TA Visit Pa Charles Kniseley, from the Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Dept. of Education, and a member of the U.S. DOE Risk Management Team, visited Guam in early June as a member of the U.S. DOE Risk Management Team for the Guam Public School System. Mr. Kniseley spent some time with Katrina Celes-Pieper, Associate Superintendent of Special Education, and June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director. Shown above (L-R) are Ms. Celes-Pieper, Mr. Kniseley, & Ms. De Leon. 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, Carmelita Ogo Connelley, June De Leon, Elaine Eclavea, Terrie Fejarang, Mary Kidd, Dolores Palomo, Ginger Porter, June Quitugua, Dr. Velma Sablan, Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, & Dr. Aline Yamashita. 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. Page 15: Calendar of Upcoming Events * Sep 10-13-Chuuk State Focused TA Visit * Sep 22-“Power of Play” Conference, Tamuning Elementary School, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. * Sep 24-26-Yap State Focused TA Visit * Sep 27-Guam EHDI Parent to Parent Meeting, Venue TBA, 6-8 p.m. * Sep 27-29-GSEG PAC6 Site Visit, Saipan, CNMI * Oct 1-4-Pohnpei State Focused TA Visit * Oct 1-5-GSEG PAC6 Site Visit, RMI * Oct 7-9-Early Childhood Hearing Detection & Intervention Second Annual Parent Conference, Nashville, Tennessee * Oct 8-12-GSEG PAC6 Site Visit, FSM in Chuuk * Oct 9-Guam EHDI Second Advisory Committee Meeting, Venue TBA, 11a.m.-2 p.m. * Oct 14-17-FSM National SPP/APR Committee Mtg,, Pohnpei * Oct 15-19-GSEG PAC6 Site Visit, Palau * Oct 17-19-Project Håtsa Mentor Academy III, Venue TBA, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. * Oct 25-26-Ticket To Work Conference, Time& Location TBA * Nov 11-14-AUCD Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C. * Nov 12-16-GSEG PAC6 Site Visit, American Samoa * Nov 15-Guam EHDI Parent to Parent Meeting, Venue TBA, 6-8 p.m. New Staff Joins Guam CEDDERS Patricia Bennett, M.Ed., joined the Guam CEDDERS staff in August as the lead evaluator for Project Håtsa, Guam Public School System’s Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant in partnership with Guam CEDDERS. With a wealth of experience as a teacher and school administrator, Pat fills a position vacated by Vince Leon Guerrero in July. Best wishes, Vince, and welcome aboard, Pat!