GSAT, Guam EHDI, and Project Fitme Attend the Head Start Transition Conference

by Guam CEDDERS Developmental Disabilities Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
May 13, 2019. The Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT), Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) Project, and Guam Positive Parents Together, Inc. (GPPT) partnered to disseminate information on their respective programs during the 2019 Head Start Transition Conference at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort. The conference provided opportunities for sharing ideas and strategies with Head Start families as they prepare their children for transition into kindergarten. Pictured L-R: Ann Marie Cruz, Board President, GPPT; Shawni Acfalle, GSAT Center Assistant; Leah Abelon, CEDDERS Research Associate; and Tanya Simer, CEDDERS Research Associate.

Self-Advocates Participate in Stakeholder Input Session

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Developmental Disabilities Self-Advocacy
April 11, 2019: Guam CEDDERS facilitated a stakeholder input session with self-advocates and family advocates/personal care assistants to provide input on the progress of services and supports as outlined in the Tri-Agencies Five-Year-Work Plan at the Pacific Star Resort and Spa. Mary Kidd, Guam CEDDERS Consultant (sitting center), utilized the World Cafe process to enable participants to focus on specific topics and share feedback on assistive technology, public awareness, and self-advocacy.

Behavioral Health and Disabilities Glossary Presented at NASW Guam Conference

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Continuing Education Developmental Disabilities Disability Studies Research and Evaluation
Mariles Benavente, LCSW, LPC, and former Guam CEDDERS Cultural and Linguistic Competence Coordinator, conducted a breakout session titled, “The Behavioral Health Glossary in Chamorro: a Practical Tool towards Health Literacy and Patient-Centered Care” during the recent Guam Chapter of the National Association of Social Work Conference on March 17, 2019 held at the Westin Resort Guam. The glossary was developed to promote the importance of using interpreters, translators, and language products, such as this glossary, to improve access and use of behavioral health and disabilities services by the island’s linguistically diverse population. Ms. Benavente served as the editor of the glossary which was published in 2017 by Guam CEDDERS. A copy of the Glossary was given to the over 40 participants who attended the session. For an electronic copy of the glossary, go to www.guamcedders.org/publications-products/.

Langston University Consultants Meet Acting Governor Tenorio

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Developmental Disabilities
February 27, 2019: Acting Governor Joshua F. Tenorio met Langston University consultants after the proclamation signing and resolution presentation at the Guam Congress Building in Hagatna. Pictured left to right: Edward Manyibe, Capacity-Building Director and Research Associate Professor, Langston University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (LU-RRTC); Andre Washington, Co-Principal Investigator/Technical Assistant Coordinator, LU-RRTC; Acting Governor Joshua F. Tenorio; Corey Moore, Principal Investigator and Research Director, LU-RRTC.

March Proclaimed Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Developmental Disabilities
February 27, 2019: Acting Governor Joshua F. Tenorio signed a proclamation declaring March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month at the Guam Congress Building in Hagatna. Senator and Legislative Speaker Tina Muna-Barnes presented a resolution to the tri-agency representatives for their continued work in the field of disabilties. Joseph Mendiola, CEDDERS Interoperability Data Manager and DDC Council member, received a copy of the resolution on behalf of CEDDERS.

CEDDERS Associate Director Connects with Autism TA Provider at the National Autism Conference

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Developmental Disabilities Early Childhood
June De Leon, (right), Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, conferred with Donna Miller (left), during the 22th National Autism Conference held in State College, Pennsylvania on August 6-9. Ms. Miller, a technical assistance provider focusing on autism spectrum disorders for the Pennsylvania Department of Education, conducted a presentation titled, “Home-Based Coaching with Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder” during the Conference.

ADA Workshop Addresses Accessibility

by Guam CEDDERS Developmental Disabilities Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On July 27, 2018, Leah Abelon, Guam System for Assistive Technology Center Coordinator, presented an interactive workshop entitled “Creating Accessible Office Documents and Using Windows Ease of Access at the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID) Computer Lab. Participants included staff from DISID, Public Defender Service Corporation, and AmeriCorps. The workshop highlighted topics on visibility, audibility, and mobility. The workshop also focused on ensuring that documents are structured correctly for individuals with disabilities to be able to access them.
Participants were given the opportunity to explore the accessibility settings using the the exercise materials provided.

GSAT Advisory Council General Membership Meeting Held

by Guam CEDDERS Developmental Disabilities Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On July 24, 2018, the GSAT Advisory Council held their General Membership Meeting at the GSAT Conference Room. Topics included the progress of GSAT’s State Level and Leadership Activities, Assistive Technology purchases, and a report on the recently concluded Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America (RESNA) Conference. In attendance were, (pictured from left, clockwise) Evelyn Duenas, Vice – Chairperson; Benito Servino, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) Representative; Crystal Koch and Noemi Sanchez, Guam Legal Services – Disability Law Center (GLSC-DLC) Representatives; Raymond Sayas, Guam Developmental Disabilities Council (GDDC) Representative; Barbara Johnson, Secretary; Lourdes Ann Mesa, Chairperson. Present but not in the photo: Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator and Ivan Babauta, ASL Interpreter.

GSAT Advisory Council Executive Committee Conducts Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Developmental Disabilities Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On July 10, 2018, the GSAT Advisory Council Executive Committee met to develop and approve the agenda for the upcoming GSAT Advisory Council General Membership Meeting. (Pictured from left, clockwise) Dawn Maka, Member-at-Large; Lourdes Ann Mesa, Chairperson; Kirstin Rosario, ASL Interpreter; Evelyn Duenas, Vice-Chairperson, Josephine Cortez, Member-at-Large; and Barbara Johnson, Secretary; B Lou Mesa, Chairperson; Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator; Evangelis Babauta (standing), ASL Interpreter; Evelyn Duenas, Vice Chairperson; and Josephine Cortez, Member at Large.