CNMI Part C Providers Receive Early Childhood Coaching Certification

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Community Services: Training
Guam CEDDERS facilitated technical assistance for CNMI Part C Providers to receive evidence-based Early Childhood Coaching certification through collaboration with CNMI Part C and Hawaii Part C programs. Guam CEDDERS and CNMI Part C providers participated in three webinars, onsite training in Hawaii, and six months of peer-to-peer coaching and mentoring with Dr. M’lssa Sheldon and Dathan Rush. The participants received certification in September 2017. The certification ensures that early childhood coaching is practiced with fidelity. Pictured (L-R): Peter Mendiola, CNMI Part C Special Instruction Teacher; Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS CNMI Part C Consultant; Robin Palacios, CNMI Part C Director; and Jonisa Sanchez, CNMI Part C Special Instruction Teacher.

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.

GSAT Participates in the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Conference and Resource Fair

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator, conducts a presentation on GSAT Services and Assistive Technology during the NDEAM Conference held at the Hotel Nikko Guam on October 11.
Shawni Acfalle (right), GSAT Center Assistant, and Joseph Taijeron, Social Work Practicum Student, demonstrate an Assistive Technology (AT) device called “iBill,” to Joe Blas, Hotel Nikko Guam Assistant General Manager, during the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Conference on October 11.

Guam CEDDERS and GSAT Advisory Council Member Speaks to Social Work Students

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council
Barbara Johnson, a member of the Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council and the GSAT Advisory Council, was a guest speaker in Terrie Fejarang’s SW 400: Fields of Social Work Practice class on October 6, 2017. Ms. Johnson spoke about her experiences as a person who is deaf and offered tips to the budding social workers on how to communicate with people who are deaf. Shown in Front Row (L-R): Destiny Estrellado, Tasi Anghet Martinez, Barbara Johnson, Serene Pecha, Joyce Borja, Alisia Barcinas, and Mariecar Patino. Back Row: Mike Acosta, LeoneaPeter, Joe Taijeron, Julio Gomez, Micheal Petitte, Ryan Manglona, Onania Sniverly, and Adrian Davis.
Joyce Borja, (right) engages in one on one conversation with Barbara Johnson (left), guest speaker, on October 6.

Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Member Demonstrates OrCam MyEye for Community Members

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On September 29, Maria Bontogon, a senior at the University of Guam and a member of the Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council, conducted a demonstration on the OrCam MyEye for community members. The OrCam is a type of wearable technology that is able to read printed text, do facial recognition, reads bar codes, and identifies currency and color. Social Work students also attended the presentation with their instructor, Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director. This presentation was hosted by the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT).

iCanConnect free technology program for Guam

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
Cathy Kirscher, Southwest Regional Representative of the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC), talking to training attendees.
On September 13, Cathy Kirscher, Southwest Regional Representative of the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC), conducted a presentation on the iCanConnect Program at the GSAT Center. The program aims to put technology into the hands of people with significant combined hearing and vision loss so they can stay connected with the people who matter most. For those who qualify for the program, technology and training for distance communication is provided for free.
Cathy Kirscher demonstrates the functions of the Meteor Vibrating Watch to Maria Bontogon, Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council member and University of Guam student.

UOG Social Work Intern Joe Taijeron, shares his fascination with the AfterShockz Wireless Bone Conduction Earphones with Guam CEDDERS Research Associate Christina Jung.

(Pictured L-R) Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator; Cathy Kirscher, Southwest Regional Representative, Helen Keller National Center; and Ben Servino, DISID Director.

Seating and Wheeled Mobility Service Training Workshop

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
A Seating and Wheeled Mobility Service Training Workshop was held at in Saipan on September 7-9. The Training was conducted by Dr. Laura Cohen (front, fifth from left), from Rehabilitation Consultants and sponsored by the Disability Network Partners (DNP) – Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Council on Developmental Disabilities, CDD- Assistive Technology Program, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Maternal Child Health, Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy, Inc. ,and the Northern Marianas College-University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. GSAT Center Coordinator, Leah Abelon (front, second from left) attended the three-day training.

Dr. Cohen facilitated range of motion exercises and measurements for wheelchair fitting with staff from Marianas Health, Medquest, and the Guam System for Assistive Technology during the hands on application sessions held on September 9.

Hearing Screening Clinic at Department of Public Health and Social Services

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
On September 1, Rosario Realica (left) DPHSS RN, and Leah Balano (right), DPHSS NA, conducted hearing screenings for infants during the rescreen clinic at the Department of Public Health & Social Services in Mangilao. (Not pictured) Marie Wusstig, Guam EHDI Project Coordinator, and Christina Jung, Guam CEDDERS Research Associate.

Rescreen Clinic at DPHSS Central is Now Open!

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Department of Public Health & Social Services Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
Marie Wusstig, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate and Guam EHDI Project Coordinator, conducts a hearing screening for Khaelid John Wolford, Son of Kathyleen Wolford (left), during the Rescreen Clinic. The event took place Friday, August 18, at DPHSS Mangilao.
Carah Mendoza (center) seems to be thinking, “what are you guys doing to me?” while undergoing hearing screening on August 18 at the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) Screening Clinic. Conducting the hearing screening are Lea Balano, DPHSS nurse aide (left) with assistance from Charlene Mendoza (Right), Carah’s mother.