GDOE Takes the Lead in the Identification and Assessment of Children with ASD

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Department of Education

March 11-14, 2019: The Guam Department of Education (GDOE), Division of Special Education, with technical support from Guam CEDDERS, provided training to 8 GDOE personnel, Cohort #3, in the administration and scoring of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2).  The training is designed to prepare the participants to take the Western Psychological Services (WPS) certification test for administering the ADOS-2. The overarching goal of the training is to build the capacity of the GDOE in identifying and assessing young and school age children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  The training was conducted by Dr. Irina Zamora, psychologist from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).

May 11-14, 2019: ADOS-2 Cohort #3 and coaches from L-R, back row: Arnell Medler, Barbara Bernardo, Julene Isezaki, Gage Parsons (coach), Rowena Dimla, Nadine Cepeda, and Jonathan Guerrero. Front row, L-R: Audra Mesa, Pia Watson, Dr. Irina Zamora (CHLA), and Josephine Cruz (Guam CEDDERS).
Brynn Badua gets ready to participate in the ADOS-2 live practice.

GDOE Gears Up for Multi-State Alternate Assessment

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Guam Department of Education

Guam CEDDERS in partnership with the Guam Department of Education (GDOE), Division of Special Education, facilitated a half-day refresher training on March 11, 2019 for elementary resource room teachers, and March 12, 2019 for secondary resource room teachers. The focus of the training was to prepare Special Education teachers for the administration of  the Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA). The MSAA is a comprehensive assessment system designed to promote higher academic outcomes for students with significant cognitive disabilities (MSAA Test Administration Manual, 2019). The training was conducted by June DeLeon, Associate Director from the Guam CEDDERS and Terese Crisostomo from the GDOE, Division of Special Education and was attended by 60 teachers at the GDOE offices in Tiyan.

March 12, 2019: Guam CEDDERS Associate Director June DeLeon discusses the accessibility features of the MSAA with secondary teachers during a refresher training. The focus of the training was to prepare Special Education teachers for the administration of the MSAA.
Guam Department of Education (GDOE), Division of Special Education secondary teachers discuss the Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA) requirements for test administrators during a refresher training.

Guam EHDI Parents & Staff Visit North Carolina D/HH Programs

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Department of Education Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Early Intervention System
February 20, 2019: Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Project, Guam Positive Parents Together, and Guam Department of Education – Guam Early Intervention System met with North Carolina Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) staff. Both EHDI Teams were able to share their experiences and the resources within their programs with one another. Front row left to right: Jenika Ballesta, Guam CEDDERS, Research Associate, Marie Wusstig, Guam EHDI, Training Associate; Beth Whitfield, NC Early Learning Sensory Support Program; Tisha Suzuki, Parent Mentor; Susan Dugan, GPPT Project Fitme Coordinator; Cathy Tydingco, GDOE-GEIS, School Program Coordinator; Ann Marie Cruz, GPPT Board President; Johnnie Sexton, CARE Project, Founder, Executive Director; NC-EHDI staffs; Evelyn Topasna, Parent Mentor; Tanya Simer, Guam EHDI, Hearing Screening Paraprofessional.
February 21, 2019: Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Project, Guam Positive Parents Together (GPPT), and Guam Department of Education (GDOE) – Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) toured the Greensboro County Deaf Education programs at Frazier Elementary School, Hunter Elementary School, Johnson Street School, and Grimsley High School. The Deaf Education program provides equal educational access for deaf and hard of hearing students. Support services are provided for different hearing loss and communication needs which consist of American Sign Language Interpreting and Assistive Technology devices. Pictured left to right: Joann Mapas, GCS Deaf Education Lead; Jenika Ballesta, Guam CEDDERS Research Associate; Tanya Simer, Guam EHDI Hearing Screening Paraprofessional; Ann Marie Cruz, GPPT Board President; Evelyn Topasna, Parent Mentor; Susan Dugan, GPPT Project Fitme Coordinator; Marie Wusstig, Guam EHDI Training Associate; Trisha Suzuki, Parent Mentor; Cathy Tydingco, School Program Coordinator, GDOE-GEIS.

EHDI Meets CSDHH

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Department of Education Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Early Intervention System
February 19. 2019: Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Project, Guam Positive Parents Together, and Guam Department of Education – Guam Early Intervention System met with Communication Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CSDHH) staff in Greensboro, North Carolina to discuss the programs and services CSDHH provide. CSDHH is a non-profit organization that provides services for Individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) and their families, which consists of advocacy, American Sign Language (ASL) classes, interpreting, and social activities. Pictured from left to right: Jenika Ballesta, Guam CEDDERS Research Associate; Cathy Tydingco, School Program Coordinator, Guam Department of Education; Ann Marie Cruz, GPPT Board President; Tanya Simer, Guam CEDDERS Hearing Screening Paraprofessional; Paige Sprinkle, CSDHH, Program Coordinator; Susan Dugan, GPPT Project Fitme Coordinator; Trisha Suzuki, Parent Mentor; Meredith Kaplan, CSDHH, Outreach Coordinator; Jen Dunn, NC Early Learning Sensory Support Program; Marie Wusstig, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate; Evelyn Topasna, Parent Mentor. Not pictured is Kelle Owens, MPA, Executive Director, CSDHH.
February 19, 2019: Guam Positive Parents Together are pictured from left to right: Ann Marie Cruz, GPPT Board President; Trisha Suzuki, Parent Mentor; Susan Dugan, GPPT Project Fitme Program Coordinator; Evelyn Topasna, Parent Mentor; Meredith Kaplan, CSDHH, Outreach Coordinator.

EHDI Delivers DAE Toolkits to GDOE-GEIS

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Department of Education Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Early Intervention System Information Dissemination
February 15, 2019: Guam Department of Education Guam Early Intervention System (GDOE – GEIS) staff received ten Diagnostic Audiological Evaluation (DAE) Toolkits for infants referred for a DAE from Guam EHDI staff. Toolkits include materials to assist families to prepare for the infant’s diagnostic audiological evaluation. Pictured from left to right; Tanya Simer, Guam EHDI Hearing Screening Paraprofessional, and Nacrina Atoigue, Secretary, GDOE – GEIS. Not shown: EDLynn Beyond, Guam CEDDERS Student Office Assistant.

EPICS Clinical Practicum in Guam DOE Schools to Start Soon

by Guam CEDDERS EPICS Guam Department of Education
February 6, 2019: The Guam-based scholars in the Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech Pathology (EPICS) San Jose State University graduate program in Speech Language Pathology will be starting their practicum in Guam Department of Education Schools by the third week of February. Natasha Dela Cruz, Principal at MU Lujan Elementary School in Yona, met with Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director and EPICS on site Liaison, to discuss the latest project updates in preparation for the start of practicum. Ms. Dela Cruz is shown here signing consent forms to be sent to and signed by parents to give permission to the scholars to work with their child under the supervision of the licensed speech pathologist assigned to the school.
February 6, 2019: (L-R): Amalia Badua, Guam DOE Speech Therapist assigned to Agana Heights Elementary School (AHES); Hannah Gutierrez, Principal, AHES; and Meagan Terlaje, AHES Teacher and EPICS Scholar are excited about the anticipated start of student practicum by the end of the month.
February 7, 2019: (L-R): Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director and EPICS Project On-Site Liaison, met with Nancy Diaz, Principal, P.C. Lujan Elementary School, to facilitate the beginning of student practicum for the EPICS scholars.
February 7, 2019: Evangeline Iglesias, Principal, Wettengel Elementary School, signs off on documents to facilitate the student practicum process for EPICS scholars.

GEIS Staff Receive Diagnostic Audiological Evaluation (DAE) Toolkits

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Early Intervention System
December 5, 2018: Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) staff received ten Diagnostic Audiological Evaluation (DAE) Toolkits for infants referred for a DAE from Guam EHDI staff. Toolkits include materials to assist families to prepare for the infant’s diagnostic audiological evaluation. Pictured Left to Right: Barbara Leon Guerrero, GEIS Data Clerk; Tanya Simer, Guam EHDI Hearing Screening Paraprofessional; Therese Sanchez, GEIS Service Coordinator. Not shown: Jenika Ballesta, Guam CEDDERS, Research Associate.

DOE Vision Instruction Program Staff Participate in Webinar Session

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Department of Education Guam Early Intervention System Vision Impairment

November 16, 2018: Donna McNear, Consultant for the Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education, Vision Instruction Program (on screen) facilitated another webinar in a series focused on providing supports to students with visual impairment. Attending this session were (L-R): Pat Mantanona, Program Coordinator for the Guam Early Intervention Program; Diane Artero, Vision Instruction Program (VIP) Teacher; Darlene Taimanglo VIP Teacher; and Tricia Taitague, Part B VI Program Coordinator.

Guam EHDI Sustainability Planning Committee Meet

by Guam CEDDERS Department of Public Health & Social Services Guam Department of Education Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention

October 12, 2018: The Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EDHI) Sustainability Planning Committee held its first meeting to begin the development of initial plans for long term system sustainability of the universal newborn hearing screening process. Participating in the meeting were: L-R: Maggie Bell, Maternal Child Health Program Coordinator, Department of Public Health and Social Services; Marie Wusstig, Guam CEDDERS/Guam EHDI Program Coordinator; Joseph Mendiola, Guam CEDDERS/Guam EHDI Interoperability Data Manager; Pat Mantanona, Program Coordinator, Guam Early Intervention System, Guam Department of Education; and Maggie Bell, MCH Program Coordinator, Department of Public Health and Social Services. Not shown: Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director/Guam EHDI Project Director.

Guam EHDI Meets with GMHA Medical Records

by Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Guam Early Intervention System
On September 19, 2018, Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Staff met with Guam Memorial Hospital Authority Medical Records Staff to discuss weekly data entry of infants referring on the initial hearing screening into Guam ChildLink EHDI database. Pictured Left to Right: Sera Rios, Medical Records Administrator, GMHA; Nova Naguit, Medical Records Staff, GMHA; and Joseph Mendiola, QI & Evaluation Coordinator/Evaluator & Performance
Monitor/Surveillance Supervisor, Guam EHDI. Not shown: Marie Wusstig, Project Coordinator, Guam EHDI.