Guam EHDI Staff and GPPT Fitme Project Coordinator Attend Parent Leadership Training in Saipan

by Jenika Ballesta Continuing Education Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
(L-R) Susan Dugan, Guam Positive Parents Together (GPPT) Project Fitme Project Coordinator; Candance Lindow-Davies, Hands & Voices Director of Outreach; Karen Putz and Stephanie Olson, Hands & Voices Co-Directors of Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH) Infusion take time out to pose for a photo during the D/HH Parent Leadership Training that took place in Saipan, CNMI on February 24, 2018, as part of the CNMI EHDI Project’s parent engagement initiative. The purpose of the training was to provide guidance to parents of children who are D/HH on leadership strategies to support other parents of children who are D/HH.
Parents and trainers take a group photo during the D/HH Parent Leadership Training that took place in Saipan, CNMI on February 24, 2018, as part of the CNMI EHDI Project’s parent engagement initiative.
Stephanie Olson, Hands and Voices Co-Director of D/HH Infusion poses with Terrie Fejarang, Guam EHDI Project Director. Stephanie was part of a Hands and Voices team that conducted training and technical assistance for parent leadership in Saipan, CNMI on February 22-24.
(L-R) Terrie Fejarang, Guam EHDI Project Director, and Mystica Kaipat, Saipan-based Sign Language Interpreter, reminisce about when Mystica started her formal interpreter training in 1996. Mystica was a member of the first cohort to complete the requirements to earn an Associate Degree in Sign Language Interpreting under the Regional Sign Language Interpreter Training Program facilitated by Guam CEDDERS in partnership with Guam Community College. They met up at the D/HH Parent Leadership Training that took place in Saipan, CNMI as part of the CNMI EHDI Project’s parent engagement initiative during which Mystica served as a local-based interpreter.

Parent Support Group Project Coordinator Receives Orientation

by Jenika Ballesta Community Services: Technical Assistance Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
On Feb. 20, Susan Dugan, Guam Positive Parents Together (GPPT) Project Coordinator met with Marie Wusstig , Guam EHDI Project Coordinator, for a general orientation to the initial hearing screening process at various Guam birthing sites. Susan is facilitating the family engagement program for parents and families of children identified as having a hearing loss.

Project Fitme Held Quality Improvement Meeting with EHDI Partners

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
The Guam EHDI Diagnostic Audiological Evaluation/Early Intervention (DAE/EI) Quality Improvement (QI) Team met on February 5 to discuss the current status of DAE completion rates. The meeting also developed strategies and a plan to facilitate improvements to increase the timely completion of DAEs. Attending the meeting were (L-R) Keith Villaluna, Guam EHDI Surveillance Specialist; Marie Wusstig, Guam EHDI Project Coordinator; Pat Mantanona, Guam Early Intervention System Program Coordinator; Susan Dugan, Guam Positive Parents Together (GPPT) Deaf/Hard of Hearing Project Coordinator; Renee L.G. Koffend, AuD., Guam EHDI Audiological Consultant, and Terrie Fejarang, Guam EHDI Project Director.

Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Consultant Conducts Presentation for Guam Early Intervention System

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
On November 17, Renee Koffend, Au.D., CCC-A, Audiologist and Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Consultant, conducted a presentation on “Hearing Loss Identification and Rehabilitation” to Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) service providers. The presentation included a review of the current Guam EHDI Hearing Screening and Diagnostic Audiological Evaluation (DAE).

Guam CEDDERS Participates in the Head Start Parent Engagement Conference

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Model Services Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
Renee Koffend, AuD, Audiologist and Guam EHDI Consultant, presents information on “Hearing Loss Identification and Rehabilitation” to interested parents during a session at the Head Start Parent Engagement Conference on October 21 at the Pacific Star Resort and Spa.
Leah Abelon (left), GSAT Center Coordinator, and Christina Jung (right), CEDDERS Research Associate, help secure Praiselyn Mario to her mother, Mimy Mario, while using the FireFly Upsee Mobility Harness. This assistive technology device allows parents to assist their child to stand and walk.
Leah Abelon (right), GSAT Center Coordinator, shares information with an interested parent on the Logan ProxTalker, an assistive technology device known for its advanced and adaptable recorded speech communication options during the 2017 Head Start Parent Engagement Conference on October 21 at the Pacific Star Resort and Spa.

Guam CEDDERS Participates in OPTAG Cerebral Palsy Awareness Outreach

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Community Services: Model Services Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
(L-R) Shawni Acfalle, GSAT Center Assistant; Tanya Simer, Social Work Practicum Student; and Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator, display assistive technology devices at the Cerebral Palsy Awareness Outreach Event hosted by the Occupational & Physical Therapy Association of Guam (OPTAG). The event took place at the Agana Shopping Center on October 14.
Alieh Zinatroo holds her son, Ashkan Teimoury, while he uses the FireFly Upsee Mobility Harness during the Cerebral Palsy Awareness Outreach Event at Agana Shopping Center on October 14. The FireFly Upsee Mobility Harness is an assistive technology item that allows parents to assist their child to stand and walk.
Leah Abelon (right), GSAT Center Coordinator, poses for a photo with the Zinatroo family during the Cerebral Awareness Outreach Event hosted by Occupational and Physical Therapy Association of Guam (OPTAG).
Marie Wusstig (right), Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Project Coordinator, shares information with visitors about the Guam EHDI program and the importance of monitoring a child’s hearing and speech development, during the Cerebral Palsy Awareness Outreach Event at Agana Shopping Center on October 14.

Guam CEDDERS Facilitates Training on Guam ChildLink-EHDI for Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC)

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
On October 3, Joseph Mendiola (right), Guam EHDI Interoperability Data Manager, conducted training on Guam ChildLink – EHDI with Sheryll Lewis (left), RN, the designated Hearing Screening Coordinator of the Guam Regional Medical City Mother & Baby Unit. Guam ChildLink, the online data base system facilitated by the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI), administered by Guam CEDDERS, is part of the system used to ensure that all babies born on Guam undergo hearing screening before leaving the facility of their birth and receive follow up services if needed.

Guam EHDI Parent Advisory Subcommittee Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
Guam EHDI Parent Advisory Subcommittee members met with Guam EHDI staff on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 to discuss and provide input on parent engagement strategies. Seated from Left to Right: Ann Marie Cruz, Parent; Joe Tuquero, Guam EHDI Chairperson and Parent; Marie Wusstig, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate; Joyce Tejeresas, Guam EHDI Co-chairperson and Parent; baby Richard Flores; Julia Flores and Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS, Associate Director. Not pictured, Tanya Simer, UOG Social Work Intern.

Guam CEDDERS Meets with the New Guam EHDI Advisory Committee Chairperson

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
On September 14, newly elected Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) Project Advisory Chairperson, Joseph Tuquero (Right), met with Guam EHDI staff, Terrie Fejarang, Associate Director, Guam CEDDERS (Center) and Marie Wusstig, Training Associate (Left) for an orientation on the project, the facilitation of parent and family engagement, and roles and responsibilities of the EHDI Advisory Chairperson.