CNMI Part C Providers Receive Early Childhood Coaching Certification

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Community Services: Training
Guam CEDDERS facilitated technical assistance for CNMI Part C Providers to receive evidence-based Early Childhood Coaching certification through collaboration with CNMI Part C and Hawaii Part C programs. Guam CEDDERS and CNMI Part C providers participated in three webinars, onsite training in Hawaii, and six months of peer-to-peer coaching and mentoring with Dr. M’lssa Sheldon and Dathan Rush. The participants received certification in September 2017. The certification ensures that early childhood coaching is practiced with fidelity. Pictured (L-R): Peter Mendiola, CNMI Part C Special Instruction Teacher; Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS CNMI Part C Consultant; Robin Palacios, CNMI Part C Director; and Jonisa Sanchez, CNMI Part C Special Instruction Teacher.

Guam CEDDERS Participates in OPTAG Cerebral Palsy Awareness Outreach

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Community Services: Model Services Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
(L-R) Shawni Acfalle, GSAT Center Assistant; Tanya Simer, Social Work Practicum Student; and Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator, display assistive technology devices at the Cerebral Palsy Awareness Outreach Event hosted by the Occupational & Physical Therapy Association of Guam (OPTAG). The event took place at the Agana Shopping Center on October 14.
Alieh Zinatroo holds her son, Ashkan Teimoury, while he uses the FireFly Upsee Mobility Harness during the Cerebral Palsy Awareness Outreach Event at Agana Shopping Center on October 14. The FireFly Upsee Mobility Harness is an assistive technology item that allows parents to assist their child to stand and walk.
Leah Abelon (right), GSAT Center Coordinator, poses for a photo with the Zinatroo family during the Cerebral Awareness Outreach Event hosted by Occupational and Physical Therapy Association of Guam (OPTAG).
Marie Wusstig (right), Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Project Coordinator, shares information with visitors about the Guam EHDI program and the importance of monitoring a child’s hearing and speech development, during the Cerebral Palsy Awareness Outreach Event at Agana Shopping Center on October 14.

Guam CEDDERS Facilitates Training on Guam ChildLink-EHDI for Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC)

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
On October 3, Joseph Mendiola (right), Guam EHDI Interoperability Data Manager, conducted training on Guam ChildLink – EHDI with Sheryll Lewis (left), RN, the designated Hearing Screening Coordinator of the Guam Regional Medical City Mother & Baby Unit. Guam ChildLink, the online data base system facilitated by the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI), administered by Guam CEDDERS, is part of the system used to ensure that all babies born on Guam undergo hearing screening before leaving the facility of their birth and receive follow up services if needed.

GSAT Participates in the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Conference and Resource Fair

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator, conducts a presentation on GSAT Services and Assistive Technology during the NDEAM Conference held at the Hotel Nikko Guam on October 11.
Shawni Acfalle (right), GSAT Center Assistant, and Joseph Taijeron, Social Work Practicum Student, demonstrate an Assistive Technology (AT) device called “iBill,” to Joe Blas, Hotel Nikko Guam Assistant General Manager, during the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Conference on October 11.

Autism Community Together Input Session

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance
Autism Community Together (ACT) gathered at GSAT on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 to provide input on prioritized Areas of Emphasis as part of Guam CEDDERS’ needs assessment efforts. Seated, front row (L-R) are: Carol Darlow, parent, Josephine Blas, ACT President, with son Joseph Blas seated on her lap; and Lourdes Mesa, parent. Second row (L-R), Clifford Bascon Wooten, self-advocate, Lourdes Bascon Mendiola, parent, Evelyn San Agustin-Claros, parent, Asuncion Riate,parent, Kristal Leigh K. Flores, parent, and Mary Kidd, Guam CEDDERS. Back row (L-R) Joseph Taijeron Social Work intern, and Michael Acosta Social Work student.

Guam CEDDERS and GSAT Advisory Council Member Speaks to Social Work Students

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council
Barbara Johnson, a member of the Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council and the GSAT Advisory Council, was a guest speaker in Terrie Fejarang’s SW 400: Fields of Social Work Practice class on October 6, 2017. Ms. Johnson spoke about her experiences as a person who is deaf and offered tips to the budding social workers on how to communicate with people who are deaf. Shown in Front Row (L-R): Destiny Estrellado, Tasi Anghet Martinez, Barbara Johnson, Serene Pecha, Joyce Borja, Alisia Barcinas, and Mariecar Patino. Back Row: Mike Acosta, LeoneaPeter, Joe Taijeron, Julio Gomez, Micheal Petitte, Ryan Manglona, Onania Sniverly, and Adrian Davis.
Joyce Borja, (right) engages in one on one conversation with Barbara Johnson (left), guest speaker, on October 6.

Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Member Demonstrates OrCam MyEye for Community Members

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On September 29, Maria Bontogon, a senior at the University of Guam and a member of the Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council, conducted a demonstration on the OrCam MyEye for community members. The OrCam is a type of wearable technology that is able to read printed text, do facial recognition, reads bar codes, and identifies currency and color. Social Work students also attended the presentation with their instructor, Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director. This presentation was hosted by the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT).

Guam EHDI Parent Advisory Subcommittee Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
Guam EHDI Parent Advisory Subcommittee members met with Guam EHDI staff on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 to discuss and provide input on parent engagement strategies. Seated from Left to Right: Ann Marie Cruz, Parent; Joe Tuquero, Guam EHDI Chairperson and Parent; Marie Wusstig, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate; Joyce Tejeresas, Guam EHDI Co-chairperson and Parent; baby Richard Flores; Julia Flores and Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS, Associate Director. Not pictured, Tanya Simer, UOG Social Work Intern.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month Proclamation (NDEAM) Signing

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Model Services Guam Systems for Assistive Technology

On September 29, Acting Governor Ray Tenorio signed a proclamation declaring October, “National Disability Employment Awareness Month.” This year’s theme is “Inclusion drives Innovation.” The Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID) Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) will be hosting the NDEAM Conference and Resource Fair on October 11 at the Nikko Hotel Guam. A variety of workshops will also be held in October. Please see Guam CEDDERS calendar for event listing.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month Proclamation Attendees of the NDEAM Proclamation Signing pose for a photo with Acting Governor Ray Tenorio.