GDOE Takes the Lead in ASD Assessment Training

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Community Services: Technical Assistance Community Services: Training Continuing Education Developmental Disabilities Disability Studies Guam Department of Education

Guam Department of Education (GDOE), in partnership with Guam CEDDERS, University of Southern California University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (USC UCEDD), and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), prioritized building capacity of GDOE personnel to identify and assess young and school age children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Since April 2016, Irina Zamora, Psy.D., from USC-CHLA, facilitated the assessment training series for the development of GDOE Cohorts 1 & 2 comprised of 17 early intervention and special education personnel representing an interdisciplinary team of early interventionists, speech pathologists, school psychologists, social workers, and consulting resource teachers-technical assistance. The training series included on-site and off-site consultation to ensure competencies in administering, scoring, and diagnosing children with ASD using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2), which is considered the gold standard for observational assessment of ASD.

During school year 2018-2019, GDOE committed to developing another interdisciplinary team, or Cohort #3, to complete the ASD assessment training. With GDOE Cohorts 1 & 2 serving as coaches, Dr. Zamora facilitated the on-site and off-site consultation for Cohort #3 members with the October 1-4 on-site visit to Guam concluding the training series with the seven Cohort #3 members taking the Western Psychological Services (WPS) ADOS-2 certification examination. The individually completed examination booklets were submitted to WPS for scoring and certification.

In conjunction with Dr. Zamora’s October on-site visit to Guam, Dr. Zamora conducted technical assistance and training visits to Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Palau from September 16-28. During her visit to Guam’s neighboring islands, Dr. Zamora conducted classroom observations, home visits, and workshops for parents and staff on the identification and evidence-based strategies for children with ASD.

Through funding from the Republic of Palau (ROP) Special Education Program, Guam CEDDERS June De Leon and consultant Donna McNear conducted a two-day technical assistance visit to Pelelui Elementary in ROP on November 5 and 6. The visit supported ROP in its efforts to improve programs and services for students with visual impairments. The visit included classroom observations and training for school personnel and parents on community supports for improving educational services for students with visual impairments. The visit also included individual meetings with the parents, teachers, and principal of the students with visual impairments enrolled at Pelelui Elementary. The meetings were an opportunity to learn from the parents about priorities for their children and how the school can support their priorities.

On October 4, The GDOE ADOS-2 Cohort 3 members and their coaches posed for a picture with Dr. Irina Zamora. L-R (front): Janice Almoguera, ADOS-2 coach; Marita
Gogue, ADOS-2 coach; Pia Watson, Cohort 3; Dr. Irina Zamora, consultant; Rowena Dimla, Cohort 3; Barbara Bernardo, Cohort 3; Alma Terbio, ADOS-2 coach; Anna Perez,
ADOS-2 coach. L-R (back): Audra Mesa, Cohort 3; and Jonathan Guerrero, Cohort 3. Cohort 3 members not shown: Nadine Cepeda and Arnell Medler.

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 Early Intervention System (GEIS) State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) and Professional Development Training

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Guam Department of Education Guam Early Intervention System

Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Consultant, conducted the Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) and Professional Development Training to GEIS staff on August 16.  Service Providers and Service Coordinators participated in the full-day training which focused on the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plans, Evidence-Based Practices, and Early Childhood Coaching.

Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Consultant Elaine Eclavea (standing) interacts with the GEIS service coordinators and providers during the Early Childhood Coaching portion of the training.

GDOE’s Continuous Improvement Road Map for Improving Reading Achievement

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Continuing Education Guam Department of Education
Chief Brodie Memorial Elementary School 1st grade teachers practice administering the aimswebPlus Early Literacy measures.
Capt. H.B. Price Elementary, 1st grade teacher and aimswebPlus trainer, Leilani Mesa (standing) assists participants in using the aimswebPlus assessment system.
(L-R) First grade teachers from M.U. Lujan Elementary, Bertha Torres and Ursula Umadhay, observe fellow colleagues as they practice administering the aimwebPlus.
J.M. Guerrero kindergarten teacher and aimswebPlus trainer Kasuandra Penaflor (standing) guides participants as they practice navigating the aimswebPlus online portal.

GDOE Participates in OSEP Leadership Conference Poster Session

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Model Services Continuing Education Guam Department of Education

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) in partnership with Guam CEDDERS participated in the poster session at the Office of Special Education Program (OSEP) Leadership Conference on July 22 in Washington, D.C.  The title of the poster was “It Happens in the School Building.” The poster centered on the continuous improvement efforts of the four State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) target schools as they work on increasing the reading achievement of elementary students, specifically those students with disabilities.

From L-R ront row: June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director; Yolanda Gabriel, GDOE Assistant Superintendent Division of Special Education; Terese Crisostomo, GDOE School Program Consultant; Josephine Cruz, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate; Natasha Dela Cruz, Principal, M.U. Lujan Elementary; Melissa Mafnas, Principal, J.M. Guerrero Elementary School; Laura Taisipic, GDOE School Program Consultant. From L-R Back row: Dennis Bakker, GDOE Division of Special Education Data Manager; and Charlie Kniseley, OSEP State Lead.

Guam EHDI Delivers Resources to GEIS

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Early Intervention System Information Dissemination
June 6, 2019: Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) delivered resources to Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) for families of children recently referred for a Diagnostic Audiological Evaluation (DAE). The resources help families prepare for their child’s DAE appointment with an audiologist. (Pictured Left to Right) Tanya Simer, CEDDERS Research Associate, and Macrina Atoigue, Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) Secretary.

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.

Village Play Time Held at the Agaña Heights Community Center

by Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Guam Department of Education Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
March 29, 2019: Kunta Edmond (left), UOG Social Work Intern, and Bobbie Afjelle, Guam’s Positive Parent’s Together, Inc. (GPPT), Support Staff (right), demonstrate a motor skills activity using common household items with parents and their children during the Village Play Time event held at the Agaña Heights Community Center. This activity helps children strengthen fine motor skills by pouring, transferring, and matching items.
March 29, 2019: Staff from the Department of Education Early Childhood Preschool program read aloud “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss with the children and parents during story time at the Village Play Time event held at the Agaña Heights Community Center. This event allows children to participate in developmentally appropriate activities with their parents.
March 29, 2019: Kunta Kinte Edmond (left with back to camera), UOG Social Work Intern, Bobbie Afjella (middle), Guam Positive Parents Together, Inc., and Tanya Simer, CEDDERS Hearing Screening Paraprofessional, use recyclable household products to demonstrate an activity with a parent and her child during the Village Play Time event held at the Agana Heights Community Center. The Village Play Time event gives parents and young children the opportunity to interact with others as well as learn about different developmentally appropriate activities that can be done at home.
March 29, 2019: Staff from the Department of Education Early Childhood Special Education Preschool program read aloud “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss to children and parents during story time at the Village Play Time event held at the Agana Heights Community Center. This event allows children to participate in developmentally appropriate activities with their parents.

GDOE School Psychologists Discuss How to Assess Complex Cases

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Guam Department of Education
March 15, 2019: the Guam Department of Education (GDOE), Division of Special Education, with technical support from the Guam CEDDERS, provided an opportunity for school psychologists at GDOE to come together and discuss the assessment of complex cases with Dr. Irina Zamora, psychologist from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). The collaboration facilitated problem solving and dialogue on best practices for assessment. Standing L-R: Audra Mesa, Pia Watson, Rowena Guzman, Alma Terbio, Tom Babauta, Tom Hazama, Marian Punzalan, Marita Gogue, Dr. Irina Zamora (CHLA), Doris Espinosa, and Joanne Kim.

Parents of Children with Autism Participate in Workshop

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Guam Department of Education
March 13, 2019: The Guam Department of Education (GDOE), Division of Special Education, in collaboration with Guam CEDDERS, held a workshop for parents with children on the autism spectrum. The focus of the workshop was on providing strategies for parents to help their child manage the demands of the home environment. The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Irina Zamora, a psychologist from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). It was attended by 22 participants.