Project Bisita I Familia Parent Café

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Project Bisita I Familia
Project Bisita I Familia held a Parent Cafe, on August 18 at the Pacific Star Resort & Spa. The Parent Café theme was on “Being a Strong Parent” and focused on the 2 protective factors: 1) Parents Need to Help Their Children to Communicate/ Children’s Social and Emotional Development and 2) Being a Great Parent Is Part Natural and Part Learned/ Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development.

DPHSS Nurses Receive Training on OAE Screening

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Department of Public Health & Social Services Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention

Marie Wusstig (Left), Guam CEDDERS Training Associate and Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Project Coordinator, conducts hands-on training on the Bio-logic AuDx, Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) equipment with Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) nurses in preparation for the upcoming High-Risk Hearing Rescreen Clinic for infants needing follow-up screening. The OAE training took place at DPHSS Central on Friday, August 11.

Marie Wusstig (Left), Guam CEDDERS Training Associate and Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Project Coordinator, conducts hands-on training on the Bio-logic AuDx, Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) equipment with Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) nurses in preparation for the upcoming High-Risk Hearing Rescreen Clinic for infants needing follow-up screening. The OAE training took place at DPHSS Central on Friday, August 11.
Christina Jung, Guam CEDDERS Research Associate and Guam EHDI Hearing Screening Facilitator, discusses the different types of Newborn Hearing Screening Forms for the birthing sites with DPHSS nurses during the Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Training on Friday, August 11 at DPHSS Central.
Guam EHDI staff and DPHSS nurses and MCH administrator gathered for a group photo after the completion of the OAE Screening Training session that took place on Friday, August 11 at DPHSS Central. Left to right: Leonel Arcangel, RN; Marilyn Dela Cruz, NA; Ofelia Elayda, RN; Ma. Gwen Yanesa, RN; Christina Jung, Research Associate, Guam CEDDERS, Hearing Screening Facilitator, Guam EHDI; Margarita Gay, Administrator Community Health & Nursing Services, DPHSS; Rosario Realica, RN; Lynn Okada, RN; Sherill Tinio, RN; Ester Gutierrez, NA.

CEDDERS and Guam LAUNCH Co-Present at SAMHSA 2017 Summer Grantee Training Institute

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Launch

From June 13 – 16, Cohort 6 Project LAUNCH grantees gathered in Rockville, Maryland for the Summer 2017 Grantee Training Institute. The Training Institute was an opportunity to learn new strategies and gain support and guidance from national experts, graduated Project LAUNCH sites, and other Cohort 6 grantees. During the Training Institute, CEDDERS Training Associate, Bonnie Brandt, and Guam LAUNCH Project Director, Helene Paulino, co-presented during a break out session titled: Culturally Grounded Approaches to Supporting Families and Communities through Project LAUNCH. Their presentation highlighted the Cultural Cafés which CEDDERS facilitated in 2016 to gather and validate information about cultural values, strengths, and practices that might influence families’ participation in Guam LAUNCH activities. During the presentation, participants were provided with an overview of the cultural café process, key findings, and recommendations for how this strategy might support decision making related to cultural adaptations in service delivery and evaluation.

Guam CEDDERS Participated in Kariñu’s Strategic Planning Retreat

by Guam CEDDERS Project Kariñu

On June 2, Bonnie Brandt, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, facilitated the Guam LAUNCH Community Evaluation Advisory Team (CEAT) meeting during the Kariñu Strategic Planning Event held at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort.
(L-R) Gerry Lunod, PEACE Office; Bonnie Brandt, Guam CEDDERS; and Helene Paulino & Terry Aguon, Karinu, pose for a picture during the Kariñu Strategic Planning Retreat held on June 2 at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort.
On June 2, Kariñu staff along with Guam CEDDERS Evaluation Team participated in team building activities lead by Gerry Lunod from the PEACE Office during the Kariñu Strategic Planning Retreat. (Sitting L-R): Bertha Kachita, Lolita Leon Guerrero, Antoinette Latson, Kariñu; and Bernadette Shisler, Guam CEDDERS; (Standing L-R) Tammy Bamba, Pauline Camacho, Lavina Camacho, Isabella Fagota, Kariñu; Bonnie Brandt, Guam CEDDERS; Gerry Lunod, PEACE Office; Helene Paulino, Terry Aguon, Marie Baleto-Sherwin, Jamie Freitas, JoBeth Aquino, Kariñu.
On June 30, Helene Paulino (standing beside flowchart), Kariñu, discussed the flowchart of services during the Kariñu Strategic Planning Retreat held at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort.

Project Bisita I Familia Advisory Committee Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Department of Public Health & Social Services Project Bisita I Familia
Project Bisita I Familia staff held its Advisory Committee meeting on May 23 at the Lagu Resource Center, Dededo. (Standing; L-R): Maria Dixon, Administrative Assistant; Pat Mantanona​, Program Coordinator​​; Diana Santos, Social Worker; Nahleen Heard, HRSA/MCHB Project Officer; Vera Blaz, Training Associate; Terry Aguon,​ Human Service Program Administrator​; Helene Paulino, Program Coordinator; Relida Sumaylo, Project Supervisor; JJ Mendiola, Data Coordinator.(Kneeling; L-R): Sherill Tinio, Home Visitor; Audrey Topasna, Program Coordinator; Margarita Gay, Project Director; Jenika Ballesta, CQI Coordinator; Elizabeth Calvo, Social Marketing Coordinator.

DPHSS Project Bisita I Familia Staff Attend Site Review Exit Conference

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Project Bisita I Familia
Project Bisita I Familia held an exit conference on May 26, to discuss the summary of findings from the federal on-site visit conducted by the Region IX Project Officer and representatives from The Bizzell Group, project consultants. Pictured (L-R): Diana Santos, DPHSS Social Worker; Jenika Ballesta, Guam CEDDERS Research Associate and Bisita, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)Coordinator; Vera Blaz; Guam CEDDERS Training Associate; Margarita Gay, DPHSS Bisita Project Director; JJ Mendiola, Guam CEDDERS Interoperability Data Manager; Maria Dixon, DPHSS Bisita Administrative Assistant; James Gillan, DPHSS Director; Audrey Topasna, DPHSS Bisita Program Coordinator; Relida Sumaylo, DPHSS Bisita Project Supervisor; Sherill Tinio, DPHSS Bisita Home Visitor; Ronda Waller, Programmatic Reviewer, Bizzell Group; Nahleen Heard, KRSA/MCHB Project Officer; George Dines, Fiscal Reviewer Bizzell Group.

Early Childhood Comprehensive System Evaluation and Planning Forum

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Guam Launch

Participants of the Early Childhood Comprehensive System Evaluation & Planning Forum posed for a photo at the end of the day. The forum was held on May 19, 2017 at the Dusit Thani Resort Guam.
Vera Blaz, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, facilitates group discussion with the Early Learning Workgroup. Pictured (L-R) Cindy Respicio, Head Start; Leonel Arcangel, DPHSS; Gerry Huffer & Jenny Huffer, Adventures in Learning; and Vera Blaz, Guam CEDDERS.
Participants enjoyed the energizer activity “Peel the Banana” which was led by Jenika Ballesta & Vera Blaz during the Early Childhood Comprehensive System Evaluation & Planning Forum.
Bonnie Brandt, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, gives a thumbs up during her data presentation at the Early Childhood Comprehensive System Evaluation & Planning Forum on May 19, 2017.

Guam EHDI Evaluation Workgroup Meeting with the Department of Public Health & Social Services (DPHSS)

by Guam CEDDERS Department of Public Health & Social Services Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Research and Evaluation
On May 16, Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Consultant (left), facilitated an Evaluation Work Group ​meeting ​with the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS)​ ​as part of​ the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Project . The purpose of the workgroup is to gather input for the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention – Information System (EHDI-IS) Evaluation Plan from its stakeholders. During the meeting, an overview of the system was provided and agreements were established regarding evaluation activities, events, and timelines. Pictured (Left-Right): Elaine Eclavea, Margarita Gay, Administrator of Community Health & Nursing Services; Margaret Bell, Program Coordinator IV of MCH Program.​ ​Not pictured: Marie Wusstig, Guam CEDDERS staff.

Project Bisita I Familia Planning Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Department of Public Health & Social Services Project Bisita I Familia
On May 11, Project Bisita I Familia staff held a planning meeting to review the agenda for the federal on-site visit with the Region IX Project Officer and representatives from The Bizzell Group. Pictured (L-R): Maria Dixon, Administrative Assistant; Elizabeth Calvo, Social Marketing Coordinator; Relida Sumaylo, Project Supervisor; Sherill Tinio, Home Visitor; Audrey Topasna, Program Coordinator; Margarita Gay, Project Director; JJ Mendiola, Data Coordinator. Not Pictured Jenika Ballesta, CQI Coordinator.

Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month Proclamation Signing

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Project Kariñu
Guam CEDDERS along with staff from the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) Karinu, Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC), Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID), Superior Court of Guam, the Guam Fire Department, Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor, and children and families from Karinu and GBHWC attended the Proclamation Signing for Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month on Friday, April 28th at the Governor’s Conference Room in Adelup. Acting Governor Ray Tenorio signed the Proclamation to declare the Month of May as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Guam CEDDERS continues to provide support for Children’s Mental Health in our role as the evaluator for Karinu, Guam’s Early Childhood System of Care and Wellness Promotion & Prevention for young children birth to age 5.