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 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Brochures Presented to Village Mayor’s Offices

by Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention

Oct. 3, 2018: The Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) Project provided copies of the Guam EHDI brochures and the Neni Directory to the Barrigada and Mangilao Mayors’ offices. These publications promote the importance of early childhood development, developmental screening, and contact information on early childhood programs, supports, and services for families.

GMHA Medical Records Staff Receive Training on Guam ChildLink-EHDI

by Guam CEDDERS Department of Public Health & Social Services Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
On September 26, Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) Medical Records staff received training to input hearing screening information of infants born at GMHA into Guam ChildLink-EHDI. Pictured from left to right: Geraldine Dollaga, GMHA Medical Records staff; Sera Rios, GMHA Medical Records Administrator; Nova Naguit, GMHA Medical Records staff; and Joseph Mendiola, Guam EHDI Evaluator/Performance Monitor.

Guam EHDI Project Fitme & GSAT Staff Participates in Weekend Outreach Event

by Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Systems for Assistive Technology Information Dissemination
On Saturday, August 25, 2018, the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) Project Fitme and Guam’s Positive Parents Together (GPPT) participated in the 5th Annual Breastfeeding Awareness Fair at the Micronesia Mall Center Court. Guam EHDI and GPPT shared information about initial hearing screening for newborns and parent supports available to families of children identified with a hearing loss. Pictured at the event were (sitting, L-R): Susan Dugan, GPPT Project Fitme Parent Support Coordinator; and Marie Wusstig, Guam EHDI Project Coordinator. Also participating in this outreach activity were (L-R, standing) Pauline Camacho, Karinu Lead Family Partner; and Bertha Diamond, Karinu Family Partner.

On August 25, 2018, the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) and the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (GHEDI) programs represented Guam CEDDERS at the 5th Annual Breast Feeding Awareness Health Fair. The event was hosted by the Breastfeeding Action Team of the Non-Communicable Disease Consortium under the Department of Public Health & Social Services. This year’s theme was “Breastfeeding: Foundation of Life,” which focused on the support, promotion, and protection of breastfeeding.

Guam EHDI Advisory Committee Meeting Held

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention

The Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Project Advisory Committee held its quarterly meeting on August 22, 2018. Topics discussed included updates from birth sites and Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) on the status of new born hearing screenings and intervention services for newborns that require hearing services. Committee Members also provided feedback related to the various Guam EHDI activities and goals, with particular emphasis on providing supports and information to families with children who are newly identified as having a significant hearing loss.

Guam EHDI Project Fitme/GPPT Deaf/Hard of Hearing Parent Support Coordinator Attends Community Outreach Event

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Uncategorized
Susan R. Dugan, Guam EHDI Project Fitme Project Coordinator with Guam Positive Parents Together, Inc. (GPPT), participated in the Power of Play Community Outreach at the Hemlani Apartments on July 27. Ms . Dugan shared information on the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) Project with the residents of this community, and more specifically, information about the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Parent Support Group.

Guam CEDDERS Training Associate Met with Guam Memorial Hospital Authority Nursing Supervisors About the Hearing Screening Compliance Survey

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Continuing Education Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
L – R:  On July 11, 2018, Marie Wusstig, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate met with Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) nursing supervisors, Avelina “Bing” Opena, RN, NICU supervisor and Ma. Victoria “Marivic” Guiao, RN, OB Ward supervisor to review results and recommendations of the Hearing Screening Compliance Survey. Supervisors provided additional input for the training objectives for the upcoming “Hearing Screening Protocol and Equipment Training”, scheduled for July 16 – 17, 2018, which will be facilitated by, Renee L.G. Koffend, AuD, CCC-A, Guam EHDI Audiologist Consultant.

Guam Positive Parent Together Inc (GPPT), Project Fitme Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH) Parent Support Group Training

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
On July 14, 2018, the Guam’s Positive Parents Together Inc (GPPT), Project Fitme Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH) Parent Support Group coordinated a training and learning session for families to learn more about hearing loss, audiological evaluations, types of hearing aids and hearing aid maintenance. The session was conducted at Guam Hearing Doctors by Renee L.G. Koffend, AuD., CCC-A. Dr. Koffend (far right) demonstrates one of the many tests conducted determine if an individual has some form of hearing loss on Liam Cruz (middle), son of Jay-Lynn Mendiola (far left).
On July 14, 2018, Guam’s Positive Parents Together Inc. (GPPT), Project Fitme Parent Support Group Members, are pictured with Dr. Renee L.G. Koffend, who conducted a training and learning session on hearing loss, audiological evaluations, types of hearing aids and hearing aid maintenance. Pictured from left to right is Renee L.G. Koffend, AuD, CCC-A; Evelyn and Gatbo Topasna; Jay-Lynn Mendiola and Liam Cruz; Trisha and Caleb Suzuki; and Susan R. Dugan, GPPT Project Fitme Project Coordinator.

Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Facilitated a Learning Community Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
Marie Wusstig and Terrie Fejarang, Guam EHDI staff members, facilitated the second Learning Community Meeting held on June 1. Learning Community participants included three parents and a sibling, a pediatrician, an audiologist, nursing supervisors from Guam Memorial Hospital Authority and Guam Regional Medical City, and representatives from Sagua Mañagu Birthing Center, Guam Early Intervention System and Guam EHDI. A lively interactive discussion took place focusing on the promotion of a Shared Plan of Care (SPoC).

Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Facilitated Evaluation Work Group Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Early Intervention System
Joseph Mendiola, Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Interoperability Manager, facilitated the Evaluation Work Group meeting with EHDI ChildLink users on June 1. Participants of the Work Group included three parents, an audiologist, and representatives from the three civilian birthing sites, Guam Memorial Hospital Authority, Sagua Mañagu Birthing Center, and Guam Regional Medical City, as well as from Guam Early Intervention System and Guam EHDI staff.