UOG Social Work Faculty Visit Guam CEDDERS

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Information Dissemination
February 4: Lisa Linda Natividad, Ph.D., and Tricia Lizama, Ph.D, UOG Social Work faculty, visited Guam CEDDERS to discuss the inclusion of a breakout session entitled, “The Behavioral Health Glossary in CHamoru: A Practical Tool Towards Health Literacy and Patient-Centered Care” during the upcoming National Association of Social Workers – Guam Chapter Annual Conference scheduled for March 18-19, 2019 at the Westin Resort Guam. Mariles Benavente, LCSW, and retired Guam CEDDERS Cultural and Linguistic Competence Coordinator, the editor of the Glossary, will be the lead presenter of the session. (L-R) Dr. Natividad and Dr. Lizama are shown holding copies of the Glossary.

GPPT/Project Fitme and Guam EHDI Participate at the Lion’s Club Health Fair

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Systems for Assistive Technology Information Dissemination
February 02, 2019: The Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) Project Fitme and Guam’s Positive Parents Together (GPPT) participated in the Lion’s Club Health 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 (standing, L-R): Ashley Babauta, GPPT/Project Fitme Support Staff ; Jenika Ballesta, Guam CEDDERS Research Associate; and Bobbie Aflleje, GPPT/Project Fitme Support Staff.
February 02, 2019: the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) participated in the Lion’s Club Health Fair at the Micronesia Mall Center Court. Pictured at the event is Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator.

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 CEDDERS provided the “Pripåra Hao Emergency Preparedness Checklist and Guidebook for Persons with Disabilities” to the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council Program Coordinator

by Guam CEDDERS Continuing Education Developmental Disabilities Information Dissemination
Jenika Ballesta, Research Associate, presented copies of the “Pripåra Hao Emergency Preparedness Checklist and Guidebook for Persons with Disabilities” to Marie Libria, Guam Developmental Disabilities Council Program Coordinator. Ms. Libria will share these products during the 2018 AIDD Technical Assistance Institute, 2018 NACDD Annual Conference and related meetings, and during the “Emergency Preparedness: What Can Councils Do?” panel featuring FEMA, Alabama DD Council, and Guam DD Council.

UOG Students Explore Assistive Technology

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Community Services: Technical Assistance Community Services: Training Developmental Disabilities Disability Studies Guam Systems for Assistive Technology Information Dissemination Self-Advocacy

Three students in assistive technology center.
A Scavenger Hunt assignment was given to the seven students enrolled in UOG’s ED443, Assistive Technology class. Their assignment was given to them to familiarize themselves with GSAT, its vast array of technology, and an opportunity for “hands-on” exploration of its lending library. The students were given multiple scenarios/circumstances in which they needed to identify a minimum of two assistive technology devices, ranging from low to high tech that would assist in providing sufficient support in those areas. In the photo above, Ann Flores, Anntonette Quiambao, and Gabriel Posadas, (L-R) came in to GSAT on November 13, 2015, to complete their scavenger hunt.
Student sitting at desk.
Gabriel Posadas, a student from the University of Guam’s UOG’s ED443- Assistive Technology class, explores features of a software program designed to help students with learning disabilities who struggle with reading and writing.

JFK Teacher Receives Early Childhood Resources

by Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Information Dissemination
Two individuals seated at conference table.
John Hernandez, a teacher in the Health Department at John F. Kennedy High School, visited Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, on November 5 to discuss early childhood services and supports and receive resources. After conducting a pilot class, Mr. Hernandez recently spearheaded the approval process to teach a health course titled, “Prenatal to Infancy Wellness: Nutrition and Healthcare.” Students in the class include pregnant teens and new mothers. Resources shared included the “Guam Early Learning Guidelines,” “Neni Directory,” “Building Young Brains,” and various posters and early childhood videos produced by Guam CEDDERS.

GSAT Holds Training on using AT in the Workplace

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Developmental Disabilities Guam Systems for Assistive Technology Information Dissemination Self-Advocacy

As part of the activities to commemorate “National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” Carla Torres, Guam CEDDERS Assistive Technology and Special Projects Coordinator, conducted a presentation on “Assistive Technology Utilization in the Workplace” on October 8. Attendees included individuals with disabilities, family members, and personnel from the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID). 

Speaker presenting to a large group around a conference table.
Various community members, including service providers, employers, and individuals with disabilities, listen to Carla Torres (standing), GSAT program coordinator talk about “Utilizing Assistive Technology in the Workplace.”
Three workshop participants trying out assistive technology devices.
Community members try the various communication devices on display at GSAT’s new AT Center.

NDEAM Proclamation Signing

by Guam CEDDERS Developmental Disabilities Information Dissemination Self-Advocacy
Large group poses for photo in Governor's conference room.
On September 29, 2015, Acting Governor Ray Tenorio signed a proclamation declaring October “National Disability Employment Awareness Month.” The national theme this is year is “My Disability Is One Part of Who I Am.” The Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is leading the month-long celebration with a variety of training opportunities and celebratory activities for individuals with disabilities, employers, and service providers alike.

GSAT Helps Family Members Make Decisions about AT

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Guam Systems for Assistive Technology Information Dissemination

Two individuals looking at assistive technology device. Two individuals looking at assistive technology device. Two individuals looking at assistive technology device.

Carla Torres, Assistive Technology and Special Project Program Coordinator, conducted a demonstration of the Garaventa Stair Trac on September 18 for Lee Edquilane, a resident of Hagatna.  Mr. Edquilane came to GSAT to check out options to help his mother, who is a wheelchair user, safely navigate over stairs.