On August 4, 11, and 12, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE), in a collaborative effort with Guam CEDDERS, provided support to the GDOE State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) teachers with a webinar conducted by the Learning A-Z, Director for International Academics and Curriculum, Jennifer Nigh.  The first session on August 4, was for teacher coordinators and subsequent webinars were held on August 11 and 12 for all teachers.  On August 11, the session was for M.U. Lujan and Juan M. Guerrero Elementary school teachers and the August 12 session was for Chief Brodie and Price Elementary school teachers.  A total of more than 100 teachers attended over the scheduled three-day period.

Learning A-Z’s leveled reading program, RAZ-Plus, was procured as a supplemental resource to improve reading proficiency.  Research conducted by McREL on RAZ-Plus showed a strong correlation between reading achievement and motivation to read.  During the hour-long webinars, Ms. Nigh presented SSIP teachers with an overview, highlighting various features, as well as, demonstrating what access to the platform by teachers, students, and families would look like.  There is a need for the continuous strengthening of relationships between home and school—most especially during this time of social distancing.  The RAZ-Plus home-school connection feature acts as a conduit in maintaining communication.  Specifically, RAZ-Plus builds that family connection using their online platform, in addition to, shared printed resources, and other shared types of family communication.

In these unprecedented times, it is imperative to implement a literacy program that integrates seamlessly with GDOE’s three models of instruction: face-to-face, home packet, and distance online learning.  RAZ-Plus resources are fully accessible in multiple types of formats:  mobile, online, printable, and projectable learning. The home packet (hard copy) and online distance models are also supported through printable and downloadable leveled readers, as well as, uploading these resources into GDOE’s online Google Classroom platform.

Throughout the interactive presentations, teachers provided continuous feedback.  Attendees also noted their enthusiasm and excitement in the opportunity to utilize the RAZ-Plus literacy tools with their students.  Moving forward, GDOE plans to continue to provide additional support to all teachers with webinars, small group training, and other technical assistance for all SSIP schools.

Despite the challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Guam Department of Education’s (GDOE) State Systemic Improvement Project (SSIP) in partnership with Guam CEDDERS continues to provide technical assistance and support to the target schools in the area of reading achievement and evidence-based practices. On August 5, an SSIP core team meeting was held to plan the next steps for the new school year. Activities for the new school year include assisting schools in using the district’s universal screener amid a virtual context to collect baseline and progress monitoring data; using evidence-based practices such as explicit instruction; using data to drive improvement models, and scaling up to include math content. The challenge for the upcoming school year is centered on meeting the needs of students through remote learning. However, despite the unprecedented challenges the new school year brings, the SSIP core team is equipped with grit and perseverance to meet the challenges. The SSIP core team is comprised of the following four SSIP principals and an assistant principal: Rose Castro from J.M. Guerrero Elementary, Darlene Castro from Chief Brodie Memorial Elementary, Natasha Dela Cruz from M.U. Lujan Elementary, Elias Tasipic from Price Elementary, and Denise Tiamanglo, an assistant principal from Price Elementary. Other team members include Terese Crisostomo, from GDOE Special Education Division, Joshua Blas, GDOE SSIP Project Director, and Guam CEDDERS consultants Nieves Flores and June Quitugua, and Guam CEDDERS staff June De Leon, Josephine Cruz, and Debra Whitt.

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) in partnership with Guam CEDDERS supported training in parent coaching practices of the Parent-Early Start Denver Model (P-ESDM). The training provided support to Guam Early Intervention Systems (GEIS) providers in evidence-based, family-centered planning and coaching of naturalistic, developmental interactive strategies for accelerated learning in children with or at-risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for ages birth to three years old. Four virtual training workshops were held in the months of July through September. The training sessions were conducted by Dr. Laurie Vismara, a co-author of “An Early Start for Your Child with Autism”, a guide that provides doable, practical strategies for early intervention providers and families to use every day with their child with ASD. Dr. Vismara is also a researcher and licensed therapist who has spent her career working closely with families of children with ASD and contributing to the science and program development of the P-ESDM. The overarching goal of the training sessions was to provide GEIS service providers with the tools and strategies to support parents and families to help their child have enriched learning opportunities at home.

In efforts to ensure that all infants and toddlers enrolled in the CNMI Early Intervention Program receive services in a manner that protects the health of the child, family, and early intervention practitioners, Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS, Early Childhood Consultant facilitated a series of virtual professional development training via Zoom Video Conferencing. On April 14, the training entitled Providing Early Intervention Services through Distance Technology was designed to increase the knowledge and understanding of providers on how to use Tele-Intervention during this time of social distancing. The topics discussed during the session was on feasibility, system requirements, Planning the Visit, and the Framework for Tele-Intervention Home Visits (this included 3-parts of the Visit). The training included information from The Family, Infant, and Preschool Program’s presentation by Dr. Dathan Rush. The Tele-Intervention strategies identified by Dr. Rush aligns with the evidenced-based model of Early Childhood Coaching as indicated in the CNMI Part C State Systemic Improvement Plan. CNMI Early Intervention Staff continued weekly Reflective Coaching Training Sessions through the months of April, May, and June to build the capacity of staff in using the “Collaborative Problem-Solving” process to enhance tele-intervention home visits. 

July 26 marks the 30th anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In honor of this monumental legislation, Guam CEDDERS staff took time from their busy schedules on June 30 to watch the documentary Crip Camp. The documentary offered a raw and authentic portrayal of the people and events that led to the passage of the ADA in 1990.
The seeds of discontent for the status quo were planted at Camp Jened, nicknamed Crip Camp, a haven for teens with disabilities who were often neglected and overlooked by the outside world. Camp Jened gave campers a window to what a world where they were included could look like. This set into motion the events that would lead to the passing of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the 26-day 504 sit-in, and finally to the passage of the ADA in 1990.
After watching the documentary, Guam CEDDERS staff were given the opportunity to reflect on the impact of the message of the movie on their role at Guam CEDDERS. Everyone gleaned different lessons from the documentary. But it was strikingly clear that Guam CEDDERS carries the legacy of Camp Jened forward. The struggle of civil rights leader, Judith Heumann and her friends from Camp Jened has become Guam CEDDERS’ purpose. Their mission is our mission. As eloquently expressed by Denise Sherer Jacobson, an author, disability self-advocate, and former Camp Jened camper, “The ADA was a wonderful achievement, but it was only the tip of the iceberg. You can pass a law but until you can change society’s attitudes, that law won’t mean much.” And as such, we continue our work at Guam CEDDERS of creating partnerships and pathways to increase the quality of life of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Social distancing. Sanitizing. Washing hands. Wearing a mask. Daily temperature checks. ZOOM meetings. What does all this mean? Is this normal? Or is this the “new normal?” While we live in a world that has the most scientific and technological advancements, a virus that is invisible to the naked eye has destabilized our economies, healthcare, and educational systems. This pandemic lets us know that we must continue progress in science and research to face future challenges. Without a vaccine, humankind must continue to live not in fear but live differently. By living differently and safely, we need to be informed. Information overload? Maybe. But better to know than to not know and not know what to do.
On June 26th, the team at Guam CEDDERS embarked on the first of what will be an on-going information dissemination process of Guam CEDDERS’ Pandemic Plan & Procedures. This plan aligns with the University of Guam – Pandemic Plan & Procedures for Operating Under PCOR3 / UPPOP3. The Guam CEDDERS’ leadership team wanted to ensure that all employees under Guam CEDDERS are aware of the procedures and actions to take during a pandemic situation as well as provide feedback on best practices for the organization.
COVID-19 activities that included a Scavenger Hunt, COVID BINGO, and Guam CEDDERS Pandemic Plan & Procedures Quiz with prizes brought cheers and healthy, competitive spirits amongst colleagues. With much excitement and laughter, the team at Guam CEDDERS showed that preparing for the “new normal” does not have to be mundane. With camaraderie and teamwork, we as a family, an organization, an island community, people of the world can get through this pandemic together. As in all things in life, “life is what you make of it,” even when living in “new normal” times.

On January 23, Joseph Mendiola, Interoperability Data Manager, Guam CEDDERS (Left) with Carlo Docago, DMR (Right) perform operations for EDHI’s server.

First and foremost, Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention 

(EDHI) would like to thank our partners during this COVID19 Pandemic for their service to Guam’s community! Like in most places throughout the world, COVID19 has caused a halt to most services on Guam since March 16, 2020.  As a direct result of the government shutdown, the Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) and the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) audiology unit postponed scheduled outpatient hearing screening appointments for the safety of families and staff during this challenging period.

Although this shutdown has setback the ability for infants to receive timely follow-up hearing screening services to infants delivered at the local government hospital who refer at the initial hearing screening, there is still a silver lining for infants born on Guam!  Amid all the COVID19 challenges that the medical community has encountered, Guam EHDI’s birthing site partners continue to provide initial newborn hearing screening before discharge from Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) and Sagua Mañagu Birthing Center (SMBC).  GMHA staff continued to monitor and track the number of babies needing an outpatient hearing screening appointment and gathered the families’ contact information to assist the Guam EHDI partners once outpatient hearing screening services can be resumed. The SMBC did not miss a step as staff continued providing follow-up outpatient hearing screening appointments at their facility.  Kudos to the hardworking team at GMHA and SMBC for advancing the mission of screening babies before discharge in line with the Joint Commission on Infant Hearing Screening (JCIH) guidelines!

Our Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) family partner, Guam’s Positive Parents Together, Inc. (GPPT), was also affected by the pandemic.  GPPT canceled an inaugural Deaf and Hard of Hearing Family and Mentor Pool Party scheduled by GPPT for its DHH families to meet and interact with DHH adults. The long-awaited and highly anticipated event to bring families of children who are DHH together with the adult DHH community would have provided families the opportunity to interact and foster relationships with DHH adults and provide DHH children role models for them.   Guam EHDI continues to work with GPPT to ensure families receive opportunities to engage with the DHH adult community.

On May 7, Guam EHDI provided training on the Guam ChildLink Data System at the request of Guam’s Preschool Development Birth to Five Leadership Workgroup.  The presentation allowed participants to learn how Guam ChildLink has evolved to be a data collection, surveillance, and reporting system for five early childhood projects on Guam. During the presentation, the Guam EHDI Interoperability Data Manager, Joseph Mendiola, summarized the Guam EHDI network, reviewed the Guam ChildLink database development and maintenance, and discussed opportunities for data sharing. In attendance were representatives from Guam CEDDERS, the Guam Early Learning Council, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) Maternal and Child Health Bureau, DPHSS Family Health Information Resource Center, DPHSS Bureau of Social Services Administration, and GDOE GEIS.