GSAT and Guam EHDI attend the Guam Federation of Teachers Fair

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Systems for Assistive Technology Information Dissemination
August 10, 2019: Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator, and Tanya Simer, Guam CEDDERS Research Associate, demonstrate the features of the various Assistive Technology devices to Mara Wusstig, Teacher at the Guam Department of Education, during the Annual Guam Federation of Teachers’ Health Fair at the Guam Premier Outlets.
August 10, 2019: Jenika Ballesta, Guam CEDDERS, Research Associate and Tanya Simer, Guam CEDDERS, Research Associate, provided information about the importance of newborn hearing screening, developmental milestones and other resources for persons with disabilities to a parent during the Guam Federation of Teachers’ the 6th Annual Health Fair at the Guam Premium Outlet. Not pictured Bobbie Afjelle, Guam Positive Parents Together Inc. (GPPT) Project Fitme Support Staff provided information on the parent support group available for families of children identified with a hearing loss.

Guam EHDI Met with GPPT on Future Training Activities

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
On August 2, Guam’s Positive Parents Together (GPPT) Board President Ann Marie Cruz (left) and GPPT Parent Mentor Evelyn Topasna (right) met with Marie Wusstig (center), Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, to discuss the facilitation of training opportunities for families to develop their self-advocacy skills, the recruitment of potential deaf mentors, planning for The CARE Project Family Retreat, and social activities for families of children identified with a hearing loss.

Guam EHDI Presented at WIC

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
On August 2, Guam CEDDERS staff presented information about the importance of newborn hearing screening and child developmental milestones for parents present at the Breastfeeding Promotion held at the Northern Regional Community Health Center, Dededo for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Pictured Left to Right: Marie Wusstig, Training Associate and Jenika Ballesta, Research Associate.

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.

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.

GPPT/Project Fitme Participates in Head Start Fitness Fair

by Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
March 30, 2019: (L-R) Kunta Kinte Edmond, UOG Social Work Intern, Bobbie Afjelle and Ashley Babauta, Guam Positive Parents Together, Inc. (GPPT) Project Fitme Deaf/Hard of Hearing Parent Support Group, provided information to parents on early hearing screening and deaf/hard of hearing during the 2019 Guam Head Start Program Fitness Fair held at the Dededo Sport Complex.
March 30, 2019: Kunta Kinte Edmond, UOG Social Work Intern, plays the “Simon Says, Exercise!” Fitness Game with the children during the 2019 Guam Head Start Program Fitness Fair at the Dededo Sports Complex. The children had the opportunity to have fun while exercising.

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.

Village Play Time Held at Piti Social Hall

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
March 22, 2019: Marie Wusstig (left), CEDDERS Training Associate, and Tanya Simer (center), CEDDERS Hearing Screening Paraprofessional, show two little girls and their grandmother how to make musical instruments using recycled products while attending the Village Play Time event held at the Piti Social Hall.
March 22, 2019: Staff from the Department of Education Early Childhood Preschool Program read to children and their parents during the Village Play Time event held at the Piti Social Hall. This event allows children to participate in developmentally appropriate activities with their parents.

iCanConnect Program Representative Meets CEDDERS Staff

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
March 12, 2019: Leah Neumann, a deaf-blind specialist from the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) provided information to Guam CEDDERS during her visit in Guam. She also participated as a resource vendor during the 25th Annual GSAT Fair on March 9, 2019. The iCanConnect program provides individuals with significant vision and hearing loss with free equipment and training. Pictured from left: Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, Tanya Simer, Hearing Screening Paraprofessional; Jenika Ballesta, Research Associate; Marie Wusstig, Training Associate; Leah Neumann, HKNC Deaf-Blind Specialist; Leah Abelon, Research Associate; and Kunta Kinte Edmond, UOG Social Work Intern.

Guam EHDI Share Accomplishments

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
March 1, 2019: Marie Wusstig, CEDDERS Training Associate, and JJ Mendiola, Interoperability Data Manager, highlighted the two major accomplishments the Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Project achieved in 2018 during the Islands/Outlying Territories Meeting at the 2019 EHDI Conference held in Chicago, IL. Not pictured: Jenika Ballesta, CEDDERS Research Associate. These accomplishments included attaining a significant improvement in the completion rate for Diagnostic Audiological Evaluations (DAE) in 2018 and the establishment of an active parent mentoring and leadership partnership.