EPICS Scholars Meet with Dr. Wendy Quach, CCC-SLP

by Guam CEDDERS EPICS

Attending the meeting were (L-R) Front Row: Megan Merfalen, Tatiana Perez, John Payne, Lisa Eclavea, Gabrielle Duenas, and Meagan Terlaje. Back Row: Joseph Mendiola, Christina Coles, Camille Gonzales, Dr. Quach, Bobbie Obillo, Lillian Reyes, Dianne Sapida, Cassandra Dimla, Jasmin Avani, Lanni Cruz, and Aileen Serrano.
Guam-based EPICS scholars met for the first time face to face with Dr. Wendy Quach, CCC-SLP, Co-Director on January 16 at the GSAT Center. The EPICS Project provides scholarships and access to San Jose State University’s Graduate Program in Speech Language Pathology. Attending the meeting were (L-R) Front Row: Megan Merfalen, Tatiana Perez, John Payne, Lisa Eclavea, Gabrielle Duenas, and Meagan Terlaje. Back Row: Joseph Mendiola, Christina Coles, Camille Gonzales, Dr. Quach, Bobbie Obillo, Lillian Reyes, Dianne Sapida, Cassandra Dimla, Jasmin Avani, Lanni Cruz, and Aileen Serrano.
Dr. Quach met with the Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education, Speech Language Pathologists on January 17 to discuss scholar observations and practica supervision.
Dr. Quach met with Yolanda Gabriel, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education, Guam Department of Education, on January 17, to discuss Project EPICS activities and timelines, and facilitating supports for the Guam-based EPICS Scholars.
Dr. Quach also travelled to Saipan on January 19 and met with CNMI EPICS Scholars. Pictured above are Dr. Quach and Tricia Taitano, EPICS Scholar, meeting at Oleai Elementary School.
Dr. Quach met with Ignacio Dela Cruz, EPICS Scholar, at William Reyes Elementary School.
Dr. Quach also met with Cathy Ruszala, EPICS Scholar.
Dr. Quach met with Suzanne Lizama, CNMI Special Education Director, on January 19, to discuss Project EPICS activities and timelines, and facilitating supports for the CNMI EPICS Scholars. Also attending this meeting was Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Liaison for Project EPICS.

  • Four individuals posing for photo.

    (L-R) Terrie Fejarang and June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Directors, met with Vaitinasa Dr. Salu Hunkin-Finau, American Samoa Director of Education, and Paolo Salavea, American Samoa Special Education Interim Coordinator on August 6 to discuss the EPICS Project.

  • Eight individuals posing for photo.

    Seated: (L-R) June De Leon & Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Directors and Vaitinasa Dr. Salu Hunkin-Finau, American Samoa Director of Education. Standing: (L-R): Faailuga Kapesi, Special Education Teacher; Sala Godinet, Special Education Teacher; Lana Aga, Fiscal Officer; David Gabriel, Assessment Officer; and Paolo Salavea, Special Education Interim Coordinator.

EPICS Recruitment Goes to American Samoa

by Guam CEDDERS EPICS Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation

Guam CEDDERS Staff met with staff from the American Samoa Department of Education to share information on recruitment for the upcoming EPICS Program.  Applications relating to EPICS, which stands for “Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech Language Pathology” are due on August 31.  For more information, please contact Terrie Fejarang at terrie.fejarang@guamcedders.org.

  • Three individuals posing for photo.

    Sigalu Epenesa (Left) and Amy Epati, (Right) met with June De Leon (Center), Guam CEDDERS Associate Director and Project Director for the Pacific Vision Instruction Project (Pacific VIP) on August 5 to discuss final activities of the project. The Pacific VIP is a personnel preparation grant, in partnership with the University of Massachusetts-Boston.

  • Five individuals posing for photo.

    (L-R) Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director; Sigalu Epenesa, Pacific VIP Scholar; Paolo Salavea, American Samoa Special Education Interim Coordinator; Amy Epati, Pacific VIP Scholar, and June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, met on August 5 to finalize steps for completing activities of the project.

Pacific VIP Scholars Complete Final Activities

by Guam CEDDERS Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation Pacific VIP Vision Impairment

EPICS Program Shares Recruitment Information

by Guam CEDDERS Developmental Disabilities EPICS Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation
Two individuals seated facing each other.
Dr. Gloria Weddington, Project EPICS San Jose State University Guam Liaison, met with Frank Hariuchi, Special Education Coordinator, Ministry of Education, Republic of the Marshall Islands, on July 30 after the OSEP Leadership Conference. Dr. Weddington was providing information on EPICS, which stands for “Educating Pacific Islander Clinicians in Speech Language Pathology” slated to start in September 2015.

Pacific VIP Reps Meet with Agencies During Chuuk Site Visit

by Guam CEDDERS Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation Pacific VIP Vision Impairment
Eight individuals seated around table.
A meeting was held on August 19, attended by representatives of Chuuk State Special Education and Chuuk Department of Public Health, to discuss collaborative activities related to vision impairments in Chuuk. Attending the meeting were (Clockwise starting at bottom left) : Ansina Kony, Special Education Coordinator; Donna McNear, UMASS-Boston Vision Instruction Project Adjunct Faculty; Callie Brusegaard (partially hidden), UMASS Boston doctoral student; Cathy Mori, Chuuk Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Project Coordinator; Chelsea Mori, VIP Scholar and Chuuk State VI Instructor; Awreen Paul, Department of Public Health; Dr. Anamarie Yomai, Public Health Physician; and Jason Reiong, VIP Scholar and Chuuk High School Principal. Not shown: Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director.

Pohnpei Teachers Receive Information About the EPICS Project

by Guam CEDDERS Continuing Education Disability Studies EPICS Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation
Six individuals posing for photo.
Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, was recently in Pohnpei to share information on the EPICS Project. EPICS, which stands for “Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech-Language Pathology,” is currently in the recruitment of scholars phase. Attending the meeting on August 21 were (L-R): Joysleen Daniel, Pohnpei Special Education Staff and graduate of Project Fo’na; Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS; Maureen Villagomez, Special Education Teacher; Maiulynn Gallen, Special Education Teacher; Roddy Roberts, Vision Instruction Teacher; and Carlina Henry, Special Education Coordinator.

LEND Faculty Provided Training to Service Providers & Parents

by Guam CEDDERS Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation LEND
Presenter standing in lecture room full of participants.
Leolinda Parlin (standing), Co-Director of the University of Hawaii Maternal Child Health Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental & Related Disabilities (MCH LEND), Program, conducted a presentation during a parent meeting focusing on the topic of “Addressing the Needs of Older Children (5-12th grade) with Autism” on May 7. Ms. Parlin was joined by Mariailiana Stark, DrPH, APRN-Rx, PNP-BC, and Joshua Fouts, PhD., BCBA-D. Approximately 25 parents and interested community members attended the meeting held at the IT&E Lecture Hall, Jesus and Eugenia Leon Guerrero Building, University of Guam.

Practicum Student Receives Social Work Pin

by Guam CEDDERS Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation
ix individuals posing for photo in lecture hall.
Trish Billen, Guam CEDDERS Social Work Practicum student, was honored during the University of Guam Social Work Pinning Ceremony held on May 21, 2015 at the University of Guam CLASS Lecture Hall. In attendance were (L-R:) Bonnie Brandt, Guam CEDDERS, Trish Billen, Florina Anson, Trish’s mother, Yuleen Nanpei Perman, Trish’s cousin, Bernadette Shisler, Guam CEDDERS, and Mariles Benavente, Guam CEDDERS.