Guam Early Learning Council Convenes First Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Continuing Education Department of Public Health & Social Services Early Childhood Guam Early Intervention System Guam Launch Information Dissemination Project Kariñu

On September 4, the Guam Early Learning Council convened its first meeting under the new administration with Co-Chairperson Elaine Eclavea at the helm. New council members were provided with orientation in the development of the council and the timeline of early childhood initiatives on Guam. Early Childhood Program Administrators provided an overview of their respective programs as well as updates on services provided to families over the last eight months. Workgroup facilitators also reported on the status of the goals and activities for their focus areas as related to the Guam Early Childhood State Plan, which was last published in 2015. The next quarterly meeting will take place in December. Workgroup members spent the afternoon participating in the Karinu/Guam LAUNCH Early Childhood Evaluation Forum.

Members reviewed the progress of activities over the past year as well as data from the Wilder Survey used for Guam LAUNCH Evaluation reports and learned about the latest research in the Early Childhood field. Commitments on next steps and meeting dates were made to ensure that activities will continue.

On September 4, Guam Early Learning Council Workgroup Members posed for a photo at the end of the Karinu/Guam LAUNCH Early Childhood Evaluation Forum held at the Outrigger Guam Resort.
Elaine Eclavea (standing), Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Consultant and Guam Early Learning Council Co-Chairperson, reviewed a new grant opportunity with council members.
Bonnie Brandt (standing), Guam CEDDERS Training Associate and Karinu/Guam LAUNCH Lead Evaluator, reviewed data from results of the Wilder Survey as workgroup participants looked on.
Members of the Guam Early Learning Council Family Engagement Workgroup
(FEW) showed their great collaborative skills as they erected a structure made from uncooked spaghetti noodles, rope, tape, and a marshmallow during the afternoon session. The FEW members built the tallest structure in the room at 20.25 inches.

Guam and CNMI Early Childhood Providers and Parents Engage in ASD Training

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Early Childhood Guam Department of Education Guam Early Intervention System Guam Launch Project Bisita I Familia Project Kariñu
Dr. Giacomo Vivanti from the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, begins his session on ASD on Guam, April 22.
On April 22, Yolanda Gabriel, Assistant Superintendent, Guam Division of Special Education, gave opening remarks to set the stage for the Guam training sessions.
On April 22, GDOE School Program Consultant, Cathy Tydingco (standing), discussed supports for students and families with ASD with the Department of Public Health and Social Services, Bisita and Karinu program providers.
On April 23, Guam participants discuss “What does it look like?” in regards to the current early childhood services and supports for young children with ASD.
On April 24, Dr. Vivanti discusses with parents on Guam the research on evidence-based practices for young children with ASD in inclusive preschool programs.
On April 25, parents and family members from the CNMI listen attentively to Dr. Vivanti as he talks about the strategies and interventions provided during the parent session held on Saipan.
On April 26, CNMI, FSM, and Palau participants take a group photo with Dr. Vivanti.
On April 26, Dr. Vivanti (seated in the center) takes a group photo with representatives from CNMI, Guam CEDDERS, and the delegation from FSM and Palau who traveled to Saipan for the training. (seated L-R) Robin Palacios, CNMI Early Intervention Program Director; Kim Arnold, FSM- Pohnpei State Parent; Dr. Vivanti; Ansina Kony, FSM-Chuuk State Special Education (SpEd) Coordinator; Nora Renguul, Palau SpEd Coordinator. (standing first row L-R) Dr. Josephine Cruz, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate; Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Consultant; Francesca Morei-Misech, Palau Parents Empowered Executive Director; Nora Pangelinan, CNMI Data Management and Compliance Program Manager; Arthur Albert, FSM National Education Assistant Secretary; Beverly Nakamura, FSM-Chuuk State SpEd Teacher; June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director. (standing back row L-R) John Bugulrow, FSM-Yap State SpEd Coordinator; Eris Wichep, FSM-Pohnpei SpEd Related Service Specialist.

Kariñu Holds Peer Family Support Group Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Project Kariñu
Karinu staff and parents pose for a photo after the Peer Family Support Group meeting on July 17, 2018 at the Pacific Star Resort and Spa.
Pauline Camacho, Karinu Lead Family Partner, assists Jamie Freitas, parent, as she demonstrates how to make Spam Musubi to parents who attended the Peer Family Support Group on July 17, 2018.
Children who attended Karinu’s Peer Family Support Group on July 17, 2018 enthusiastically raise their hands to answer questions about good touch and bad touch during a presentation by Healing Heart and the Department of Public Health and Social Services Bureau of Social Services Administration.
Parents take turns introducing each other at the start of the Karinu Peer Family Support Group on July 17, 2018.

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.

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.

Project Kariñu Stakeholder Summit

by Guam CEDDERS Project Kariñu
Group posing for a photo.
On September 30, the Department of Public Health and Social Services, Project Kariñu, and the University of Guam CEDDERS held a Stakeholdder Summit at the Westin Resort Guam to celebrate Project Kariñu’s success over the last 7 years. During the summit, participants reviewed and validated evaluation findings, and discussed the next steps as federal funding for Project Kariñu came to an end on September 30.

3rd Annual Week of the Young Child

by Guam CEDDERS Department of Public Health & Social Services Guam Launch Project Bisita I Familia Project Kariñu Tinituhon WOYC

The Guam Early Learning Council, in collaboration with Early Childhood Agencies, facilitated training event in celebration of the 3rd Annual Week of the Young Child held on April 9-15.

Senator Nerissa Bretania Underwood, Ph.D., presented a legislated resolution to the ICC, congratulating them on sponsoring the Early Childhood Parent Conference held at Pacific Star Hotel on April 9. Pictured L-R: Laura Taisipic, DOE Parent Services; Cathy Tydingco, DOE School Program Consultant; Dr. Nerissa Bretania Underwood, Senator in the 33rd Guam Legislature; Karlyn Borja, Interagency Coordinating Council Chairperson; Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Consultant; and Pauline Camacho, Project Kariñu Lead Family Partner.
Senator Nerissa Bretania Underwood, Ph.D., presented a legislated resolution to the ICC, congratulating them on sponsoring the Early Childhood Parent Conference held at Pacific Star Hotel on April 9. Pictured L-R: Laura Taisipic, DOE Parent Services; Cathy Tydingco, DOE School Program Consultant; Dr. Nerissa Bretania Underwood, Senator in the 33rd Guam Legislature; Karlyn Borja, Interagency Coordinating Council Chairperson; Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Consultant; and Pauline Camacho, Project Kariñu Lead Family Partner.
Governor Eddie Baza Calvo signed the proclamation for the Week of the Young Child on April 11, 2016 at the Governor's Complex in Adelup. Attending the proclamation signing were representatives from various Early Childhood Agencies.
Governor Eddie Baza Calvo signed the proclamation for the Week of the Young Child on April 11, 2016 at the Governor’s Complex in Adelup. Attending the proclamation signing were representatives from various Early Childhood Agencies.
On April 15, early childhood providers and parent leaders gathered to attend a training on "Bringing the Protective Factors Framework to Life in Your Work: Social and Emotional Competence," at the Sinajana Mayor's Office during the Week of the Young Child. The training was facilitated by Vera Blaz, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate.
On April 15, early childhood providers and parent leaders gathered to attend a training on “Bringing the Protective Factors Framework to Life in Your Work: Social and Emotional Competence,” at the Sinajana Mayor’s Office during the Week of the Young Child. The training was facilitated by Vera Blaz, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate.

Project Kariñu hosts an Appreciation Event for Friends, Families, and Collaborators

by Guam CEDDERS Project Kariñu

Individual standing in front of participants seated in round tables in a Hotel Ballroom.
Dr. Suzanne Kaneshiro provides opening remarks during the “Recognizing, Regrouping, and Rejuvenating: Families, Friends, and Collaborators of Project Kariñu” appreciation event on September 25th at the Outrigger Guam Resort.
Over 40 individuals pose for a group photo in front of projector screen in Hotel.
Stakeholders involved with Project Kariñu since it’s inception and through it’s current phase gathered for a photo during the “Recognizing, Regrouping, Regrouping, and Rejuvenating: Families, Friends, and Collaborators of Project Kariñu” appreciation event on September 25th at the Outrigger Guam Resort.

Four Sisters Complete Strategic Planning Retreat

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Launch Project Bisita I Familia Project Kariñu Tinituhon

 

Group photo of 22 individuals
Staff from the Four Sisters (Project Tinituhon, Kariñu, Bisita, and Guam LAUNCH) pose for a photo at the completion of the Strategic Planning Retreat held on September 23 at the Outrigger Guam Resort.
Six people around table, one writing on large post-it paper on table.
Project Kariñu’s service delivery team provide input while Dr. Lilli Perez records the information during an activity on September 23 at the Outrigger Guam Resort.

  • Individuals gathered around a table in discussion.

    Parents participating in Café Conversation at the Project Kariñu Parent Cafe, on August 21 at the Pacific Star Resort & Spa. The Project Kariñu Parent Cafe is in collaboration with Project Bisita and Project LAUNCH facilitated a Parent Cafe a the Pacific Star Resort and Spa. The Parent Café theme was on Taking Care of Yourself and focused on the 3 protective factors:  Parent Resilience, Concrete Support in Times of Need, and Social Connections. Project Tinituhon, facilitated by Guam CEDDERS provides technical assistance for Parent Cafés.  

  • Large group posing for photo.

    Project Kariñu, Project Bisita, and Project LAUNCH facilitates a Parent Café on August 21 at the Pacific Star Resort & Spa.  The Parent Café is a conversation process that gets parents talking about the protective factors and what they do in their lives and their families to build the protective factors. When parents and providers are more intentional about living the protective factors the overall outcome is strengthened families, optimal child development, and reduced child maltreatment and abuse.  For more information about the next Parent Café happening near you or to start your own Parent Café please call Guam CEDDERS at 735-2466.

Parents Participate in Café Conversation

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Department of Public Health & Social Services Early Childhood Information Dissemination Project Kariñu