Pohnpei Teachers Receive Information About the EPICS Project

by Guam CEDDERS Continuing Education Disability Studies EPICS Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation
Six individuals posing for photo.
Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, was recently in Pohnpei to share information on the EPICS Project. EPICS, which stands for “Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech-Language Pathology,” is currently in the recruitment of scholars phase. Attending the meeting on August 21 were (L-R): Joysleen Daniel, Pohnpei Special Education Staff and graduate of Project Fo’na; Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS; Maureen Villagomez, Special Education Teacher; Maiulynn Gallen, Special Education Teacher; Roddy Roberts, Vision Instruction Teacher; and Carlina Henry, Special Education Coordinator.

Pohnpei State Vision Instruction Program Receives Donated Braille Books

by Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Information Dissemination Pacific VIP Vision Impairment
Four individuals standing holding braille children's books.
The Pohnpei State Department of Education, Special Education Program, received a contribution of braille books for young children through the donation of Sheila Amato and her volunteers from West Virginia. This donation was made through the networking contact of Donna McNear, Pacific Vision Instruction Project (Pacific VIP) Consultant and UMASS-Boston adjunct instructor. Pictured receiving the books on August 21, are: (L-R) Roddy Robert, Vision Instruction Teacher; Karlina Henry, Special Education Coordinator; Joseph Villazon, Director of Education; and Johnatan Zared, Pakein Elementary School Principal. Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, delivered the books during her Pacific VIP site visit to Pohnpei.

Guam CEDDERS Posters Go On Display at the 25th Anniversary of the ADA Festival

by Guam CEDDERS Developmental Disabilities Information Dissemination Self-Advocacy
Four individuals standing holding posters.
Resources materials developed by Guam CEDDERS and funded by CEDDERS’ AIDD Core Grant were put on display at the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act Festival held at the Smithsonian Museum of American History on July 24-26. Copies of the posters, featuring advocates on Guam, are also being given to AIDD for display at the AIDD offices in Washington, DC. Celebrating the ADA. Receiving the posters are: (left to right) Shakia Baskerville, MPH, Presidential Management Fellow, Office of External Affairs, Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Shia Byers, Summer Intern, American Association for People with Disabilities (AAPD), Andrew Morris, MPH, Policy Analyst, Office of the Commissioner, Administration on Disabilities, Administration for Community Living, US Department of Health & Human Services

Child Care Centers Receive Health Care Consultant Orientation

by Guam CEDDERS Department of Public Health & Social Services Early Childhood
Two individuals standing presenting to filled lecture hall.
Guam CEDDERS, in partnership with the Department of Public Health & Social Services facilitated the Child Care Health Consultant Orientation for child care centers on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 in Room No. 131 (IT&E Lecture Hall) on the first floor of the Jesus S. and Eugenia A. Leon Guerrero, School of Business and Public Administration (SBPA) Building, at the University of Guam. Elaine Eclave, Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Consultant and Vera Blaz, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate facilitated a presentation during the event. The orientation provided information about health and safety for centers and the children they serve. Project Tinituhon, Guam’s Early Childhood Comprehensive System and Child Care Development Fund Program, Bureau of Social Services Administration, and Maternal Child Health Program co-facilitated the orientation.

Revised Guam Early Learning Guidelines for Ages Three to Five Unveiled

by Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Information Dissemination
Individual standing holding document while seated individuals look on.
On Monday, July 27, 2015, Vera Blaz, ​​Training Associate, facilitates a discussion on the revisions to the Guam Early Learning Guidelines (GELGs) for Ages Three to Five with providers from Project Bisita I Familia, Project Kariñ​​​​​u, and Guam LAUNCH at the Westin Resort Guam. The GELGs were updated through the support of Project Tinituhon and Project Bisita I Familia and will be used during home visits with families, by early childhood providers in the child care centers, and parents.

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Center Directors Receive ASQ Booster Training

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Department of Public Health & Social Services Early Childhood Information Dissemination
Individuals seated around table participating in lecture.
Guam CEDDERS conducted a training on ” ASQ Booster Training” on Saturday, July 25 at the University of Guam. Fifteen child care center directors and staff from 11 centers attended the training that covered early childhood developmental monitoring techniques and practices, and working with parents. This training is the second in a series made available to child caregivers through the support of Project Tinituhon, Guam’s Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems grant facilitated by Guam CEDDERS.
  • Individual seated at table with hand on braille sheet speaking into a microphone as other individuals look on.

    Lisa Ogo, GSAT Advisory Council Member reads the Council’s Resolution on Community Living, Choice, and Assistive Technology at the Transition into Community Living Conference held at the Westin Guam Resort and Spa on July 31.

  • Individual in wheelchair speaking with individual standing behind table with various assistive technology devices.

    Andrew Gumataotao (standing), GSAT student office assistant, provided assistive technology device demonstrations to conference participants.

  • Individual standing at podium next to two large screens while crowd of participants look on.

    Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS faculty, presented the No Wrong Door Initiative which is aimed at ensuring that all persons of all ages are able to access information for needed supports.

  • A crowded ballroom sits watching presentation.

    Conference participants listen attentively to Daren Burrier, Assistant Fire Chief, as he shares information in line with recent legislation about a new voluntary emergency online registry.

  • Individual standing on stage with six other individuals seated behind a table center stage.

    Andrew Tydingco (standing), Vice-President for Self Advocates in Action, shares information about their non-profit organization, and the role it plays in community living for individuals with disabilities as other members of the community resources panel look on.

GSAT Hosts Transition into the Community Conference

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Developmental Disabilities Information Dissemination Self-Advocacy

On July 31, 2015, at the Westin Resort, 130 people participated in this event titled Transition into Community Living: An Assistive Technology Training for Individuals with Disabilities, Family Members, and Service Providers. The day kicked off with GSAT’s program coordinator Carla Torres presenting on GSAT’s long standing commitment to the Guam community to assist individuals with disabilities live productive, independent, and happy lives. GSAT’s Advisory Council read their Resolution on Community Living, Choice, and Assistive Technology which helped to set the perspective of the day.

Guam Early Learning Guidelines Begins Update Process

by Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Information Dissemination
A group of individuals pose for photo at the Guam System for Assistive Technology meeting room.
With funding support from Project Tinituhon and Project Bisita I Familia, Guam CEDDERS recently began facilitating the process to update the Guam Early Learning Guidelines: Birth to 36 Months published in 2007. Members of the Early Childhood Care and Education Strategic Management Team met on July 17 to lay out the initial framework for the update. Participating in the first meeting were: (L-R) Linda Rodriquez, Terrie Fejarang, Vera Blaz, Joseph Montague, Kat Bayson, Ramon Castro, Maggie Bell, and Mary Kidd. Input was also received from Maggie Huffer, Director of the Adventures in Learning Child Care Center, and Ama Underwood, a former child care center director.
  • Several individuals seated in large lecture hall watching presentations on multiple screens.

    Cohort 2 team participated in a group webinar on July 17, with Sharron Corle from the National MCH Workforce Development Center, on screen in background. The webinar was on Strengths Based Leadership. Cohort 2 is a team of early childhood program administrators, staff, and parents that are receiving training and technical assistance on how to improve health and education services, access, and integration on Guam. Cohort 2 is a Department and Public Health & Social Services initiative in collaboration with the University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service (Guam CEDDERS), Department of Education, Office of the Governor and Office of the First Lady. (Back row right to left: Margarita Gay, Linda Rodriguez, Julyne Manglona, Pauline Camacho. Middle row from right to left: Joe Montague, Bonnie Brandt, Terry Aguon. Front row from right to left: Elaine Eclavea, Jolene Dagame, Elizabeth Calvo.)

  • Group posing for photo with image of presenter projected on large screen behind them.

    On July 17, Sharron Corle (on screen), Maternal Child Health Consultant, facilitated a webinar with the Cohort 2 Leadership Team on Strengths Based Leadership. Cohort 2 is a team of early childhood program administrators, staff, and parents that are receiving training and technical assistance on how to improve health and education services, access, and integration on Guam. Cohort 2 is a Department and Public Health & Social Services initiative in collaboration with the University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service (Guam CEDDERS), Department of Education, Office of the Governor and Office of the First Lady. (Front row left to right: Jeffrey Pinaula, Vera Blaz, Pauline Camacho, Elaine Eclavea, Tammy Bamba, and Linda Rodriguez. Back row from left to right: Elizabeth Calvo, Jolene Dagame, Bonnie Brandt, Margarita Gay, Julyne Manglona, Terry Aguon, Maggie Bell, Joe Montague.)

Cohort 2 Attends Strengths Finder Webinar

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Department of Public Health & Social Services Early Childhood

  • Governor standing at microphone addressing crowd.

    Governor Eddie Calvo (at the microphone) delivered opening remarks during the "Deaf Jam Fiesta" event held at the Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Park at Ypao Beach on July 11. Joining the Governor were (L-R) Ben Servino, Director, Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID); Melissa Cayton, Deaf Jam main organizer; Andrew Tydingco, master of ceremonies and Vice President, SiñA; Rosanne Ada, Executive Director, Guam Developmental Disabilities Council. Guam CEDDERS participated in the event with a display of informational brochures and materials featuring the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) and Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) programs.

  • Crowd of participants seated under outdoor pavilion.

    Participants at the "Deaf Jam Fiesta" focused their attention during the Governor's welcoming remarks.

  • Female individual standing at microphone addressing crowd.

    Melissa Cayton (at the microphone) and main organizer, welcomed the participants of the 2015 Deaf Jam Fiesta event on July 11. Over 100 guests attended the event which included individuals who are deaf/hard of hearing and their families, individuals with disabilities and their families, community members and service providers. Standing around Melissa were (L-R) Kirsten Bamba, Sign Language Interpreter, Ben Servino, Director, Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID); Rosanne Ada, Executive Director, Guam Developmental Disabilities Council, and Governor Eddie Calvo. Not shown: Andrew Tydingco, master of ceremonies and Vice President, SiñA.

  • Several individuals standing in single file line wearing grass skirts, red tube tops and a flower in their right ear.

    Members of the deaf community learned several cultural dances and joined in during the performances by "Taotao Lagu" dance troupe.

  • Two female individuals in conversation. One female individual smiles towards camera.

    (Facing Camera L-R) Nacrina and Johanna Mendiola engage in conversation with Kirsten Bamba (Left with back to camera) while hanging out at the 2015 Deaf Jam Fiesta.

  • Three individuals facing camera

    (L-R) Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, Leone Rohr, Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Member, and Joyce Flores, Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) Program Advisory Council member, pose by the Guam EHDI display table during the 2015 Deaf Jam Fiesta event held at the Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Park at Ypao Beach on July 11.

  • Several individuals dancing in traditional costume. A young child dancing along with group.

    Kaleb Suzuki (in dark blue shirt) joins in during the audience participation segment of the cultural presentation. His parents, (at right with phone cameras) proudly record his dance moves.

  • Several individuals dancing in traditional costume. Adult male dancing along with group.

    Ben Servino, DISID Director (in black shirt), shows his moves during the cultural presentation. The Deaf Jam Fiesta coincidentally took place on his birthday.

Deaf Jam Fiesta Celebration

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Information Dissemination Self-Advocacy