Page 1 – Cover Page STATE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD ON GUAM A Progress Report of Guam’sEarly Childhood Comprehensive System of Services and Supports SEPTEMBER 2009 This publication is 100% federally funded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Health Resources & Services Administration, Maternal Child Health Bureau, Grant No. H25MC06097, administered by the University of Guam, Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, & Service (Guam CEDDERS) in partnership with the Governor s Early Learning Council. Page 2 Full page photo of mother and baby Page 3 A warm Hafa Adai! Thank you for your interest in our most valuable assets, “Our Young Children” and their families. We are pleased to present the Project Tinituhon progress report of the State of Guam’s Early Childhood Comprehensive System of Services and Supports. This work highlights accomplishments over the past three years on Project Tinituhon’s four focus areas: 1) Access to Health Insurance and Medical/Dental Home 2) Social Emotional Development and Mental Health 3) Early Care and Education and Child Care 4) Parent Education and Family Supports These achievements have been a collaborative effort among families, child care providers, and various public and private early childhood agencies and organizations that are passionate about the health and well-being of our island’s precious children. We all have embraced the value of strong partnerships to ensure that every child is provided high quality, developmentally appropriate, safe, and healthy surroundings - recognizing that the most important years of a child’s life happen between the ages of birth to five. We are confident you will find this progress report informative and gratifying, and invite you to join us in recognizing and acknowledging the many accomplishments that have been achieved over the past few years by committed and dedicated individuals working for our children. A positive future of our island can only be realized through continued partnerships fostered by a common goal that, “All of Guam’s children will have healthy minds, bodies, and spirits as the foundation for lifelong success.” Please contact us if there is anything you would like to add or if you would like to participate in early childhood events. Updated information can be found on our website at www.alleyesonfive.guam.gov. “ALL EYES ON FIVE: The First Five Years Matter!” The key to our sound and successful future! Joann G. Camacho, First Lady of Guam, Co-Chairwoman Elaine B. Eclavea, Project Tinituhon Director, Co-Chairwoman Page 4 PROJECT TINITUHONSTRATEGIC MANAGEMENT TEAM FOCUS AREA WORK GROUPS Access to Health Insurance and Medical Home Ma. Theresa Arcangel, DPHSS Lora Castro, DPHSS Doris Crisostomo, Office of the Governor Linda DeNorcey, DPHSS Darryl Diras, DPHSS Estela Gapas, PNG Child Care & Learning Center Margarita Gay, DPHSS Brihinia Habin, Moylan’s Insurance Net Care Dr. Brian Que, Healthcare Provider Cathy Schroeder, Guam Head Start – DOE Rose Zabala, DPHSS Dr. Aline Yamashita, Guam CEDDERS (Facilitator) Social Emotional Development and Mental Health Lavina Camacho, DMHSA Carmen Quenga, Guam Early Intervention System – DOE Lydia Tenorio, DPHSS Cathy Tydingco, Special Education Preschool Program – DOE Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS (Facilitator) Early Care and Education and Child Care Teresita Catahay, DPHSS Arlene Cura, Guam Head Start – DOE Jerry Huffer, Adventures in Learning Child Development Center Ruth Leon Guerrero, One Stop Career Center – DOL Abraham Mora, DPHSS Christine San Nicolas, DPHSS Lagrimas Underwood, Honey Bear Kids Center Mary Kidd, Guam CEDDERS (Facilitator) Parent Education and Family Supports Lily Acfalle, Catholic Social Services Stasia Borja, Parent Pauline Camacho, Guam Parent Information Resource Center Evelyn Claros, Parent Lou Eclavea, Catholic Social Services Laura Taisipic, Guam Early Intervention System - DOE Doris Tolentino, Guam Head Start - DOE Liz Borja, Guam CEDDERS (Facilitator) Project Tinituhon Staff Elaine Eclavea, M.Ed., Project Director Aline Yamashita, Ph.D., Project Coordinator Elizabeth Borja, M.B.A., Project Research Associate Ruth Leon Guerrero, Project Office Technician Thilani Pereda, Guam CEDDERS Center Assistant Jay-Lynn Mendiola, Guam CEDDERS Student Assistant Marcus Mendiola, Guam CEDDERS Student Assistant 2 Page 5 Diagram of GUAM’S EARLYCHILDHOOD SYSTEM TIMELINE from 2000 to 2008 OVERVIEW Project Tinituhon (Tee nee t? hon) is a cross-agency Early Childhood Comprehensive System (ECCS) that supports families and the community of Guam in developing young children who are healthy and ready to learn at school entry. The Chamorro word tinituhon, “the beginning,” communicates how Guam embraces “the beginning” of a child’s early life experiences ensuring that basic needs are met, to include a feeling of safety and security with a sense of belonging and love, in order to set the stage for young children to grow to become well-adjusted, healthy, and productive adults. Project Tinituhon is a federal grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau. During the first four years of funding from 2005 to 2009, the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) grant was awarded to the Department of Public Health and Social Services, and administered through a contract with the University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, & Service (Guam CEDDERS). In spring 2009, Guam CEDDERS submitted the grant application for continued funding of the Project, and was awarded the grant in June, 2009. Since 2005, the goal of Guam’s ECCS has been to promote the health and wellbeing of young children by reducing the gaps in and improving the coordination of services for all young children and their families. Project Tinituhon, Guam’s first planning and implementation ECCS grant, provided the means for facilitating collaborative and coordinated services between public and private early childhood service agencies, organizations, and families. From 2005 to 2006, Project Tinituhon was in its planning phase of coordinating a system of early childhood services and supports. The years 2006 thru May 2009 were implementation phases of the Project which included the carrying out of goals, objectives, and activities across four areas of focus: 1) Access to Health Insurance and Medical/Dental Homes; 2) Social Emotional Development and Mental Health; 3) Early Care and Education and Child Care; and 4) Parent Education and Family Supports. The Project also recognized that System Sustainability needs to be addressed. This would include how to leverage funding and resources across the various early childhood serving agencies to most effectively and efficiently serve our young children and their families. 4 Page 7 Project Tinituhon forged continued partnerships which plan for an effective, collaborative cross-agency system ensuring young children on Guam have available, accessible, and affordable comprehensive health care and education that promotes healthy minds, bodies, and spirits as the foundation for which young children enter school ready to learn. These partners dedicated time by engaging in quarterly Early Learning Council meetings. At the same time, most of these partners represented ideas and thoughts by engaging in the Strategic Management Team meetings held on a more regular basis. As a result of these collaborative partnerships, steady progress towards Project Tinituhon’s vision has been made through concrete, meaningful outcomes. In 2009, Project Tinituhon adopted “All Eyes on Five” as its slogan in promoting the importance of the FIRST FIVE YEARS of a child’s life. With the development of Guam’s Early Childhood State Plan which embraces the physical, social, emotional, and educational needs of its young community, Project Tinituhon will continue its vision that “All of Guam’s children with have healthy minds, bodies, and spirits as the foundation for lifelong success!” Tinituhon (Tee nee t? hon ?) The Beginning of a child’s early life experiences requires that basic needs are met, to include a feeling of safety and security with a sense of belonging and love, in order to set the stage to grow to become well-adjusted, healthy, and productive adults. Footer: State of Early Childhood on Guam | 5 OVERALL PROJECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS Project Tinituhon, Guam’s Early Childhood Comprehensive System (ECCS) has been the mechanism for facilitating collaborative and coordinated services between child serving agencies, organizations, and families to pull together limited resources in an attempt to provide a seamless, accessible system of services. Partners include parents; the Guam Parent Information Resource Center; private child care centers; Catholic Social Services; Guam Child Care and Development Association; Sanctuary, Inc. the Department of Public Health and Social Services; Guam Department of Education; Guam Early Intervention System; Preschool Special Education; Head Start; Guam Community College; University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service; Department of Labor; Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse; Guam Memorial Hospital Authority; Office of the Governor; Legislative Committees on Health and Education; and the Guam Mayor’s Council. Project Tinituhon’s partners continue to work to achieve accessible, affordable, comprehensive, and high quality health care and education services for young children, birth through five years, and their families. In August 2007, Project Tinituhon drafted and adopted the Implementation Plan. To facilitate the movement of Project Tinituhon from the planning stage, the first four goals of the plan specifically address the focus areas identified by the Maternal Child Health Bureau. A fifth goal was added to address the sustainability of the ECCS beyond the grant period. The past two fiscal years have seen the Strategic Management Team work groups involved in ensuring the implementation of activities outlined in the plan in support of these goals. The most recent accomplishments completed during September 1, 2008 through August 31, 2009 include: 1) Training for early childhood providers, family home providers, and parent/families on promoting the social emotional competence of young children and quality child care; 2) Identification of Model Child Care (MCC) Centers with extensive professional growth programs for continued development; 3) “Train the trainer” workshops for “Positive Solutions for Families” – a social emotional program that addresses challenging behaviors; 4) Increased collaboration with stakeholders in increasing awareness of the importance of the early years and policies to support high quality child care; Footer: 6 5) Creation and distribution of the second edition of Nene Directory, Guam’s Comprehensive Directory of Supports and Services for children birth to five; 6) Quarterly publication and distribution of Nene News – a newsletter that highlights information and strategies for a healthy, happy early childhood; 7) Mini Fair for young children and families where information is provided and activities are modeled; 8) The growth of the Guam Early Learning Council; 9) Two Early Childhood Summits; and 10) Continuous dialogue with child care providers regarding issues relative to licensure. Project Tinituhon maintained four focus areas with a workgroup to support each area. These include: Access to Universal Healthcare/Medical/Dental Home workgroup; Family Support/Parent Education workgroup; Mental Health/ Social Emotional workgroup; and the Early Care and Education and Child Care workgroup. Each of these groups met on a regular basis to review and facilitate the activities in the respective areas. The Implementation Plan adopted in 2007 served as the framework for activities. Project Tinituhon Workgroups * Access to Universal Healthcare / Medical Home * Family Support / Parent Education * Mental Health / Social Emotional * Early Care and Education and Child Care Footer: State of Early Childhood on Guam | 7 ACCESS TO UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE/MEDICAL/DENTAL HOME Goal: Increase the number of children who have access to health care. Strategies: 1. All healthcare providers on Guam willutilize a standardized developmentalscreening tool as a standard of carefor all young children birth to five. 2. Increase by 10% the number of physicians who establish a Medical/Dental Home for young children. Page 11 TABLE 1: Number and Percent of Children with Medical/Dental Home from 2004 to January 2009 Progress to Date * Project Tinituhon continues to access the expertise of Dr. Brian Que, Pediatrician and Fellow at John A. Burns School of Medicine in Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Que, who recently returned to Guam and is in private practice, serves as a consultant to facilitate activities for adoption of a standardized developmental screening tool and promote the Medical/Dental Home conceptual framework on Guam. Dr. Que continues to make progress in providing accessible, appropriate health services for all children through training pediatricians in developmental screening and ensuring all physicians have access to appropriate community referral information. His recommendations to instill in parents the need to be actively involved in their child’s developmental outcomes, improving perceived communication barriers with the Department of Education, and working with insurance providers to advocate Developmental Screening as a billable and reimbursable service are strategies that the focus area work group is addressing. * The focus area work group has begun identifying all events, meetings, and forums that occur throughout the medical field. Information about developmental screening and Medical/Dental Home will be presented through brochures or presentations. The focus group has identified outreach sites such as churches, mayor’s offices, and beaches where information can be distributed. This social marketing agenda will include brochures translated in a variety of languages to ensure cultural competence of our many ethnic groups on island. * The focus area work group has identified a point where parents would be most interested with their baby’s growth and development – at birth. Using this significant event as a springboard, the focus area work group is brainstorming effective strategies to present relevant and meaningful information on baby wellness, child care, growth, and development guidelines to mom before leaving the hospital. One strategy the group hopes to come to fruition is a packaged baby tub filled with the information which would be given as a send off to motivate new parents to pay close attention to the baby’s health, as well as provide effective strategies that will help the parents adapt and grow with their child. Text in colored box: A DATA SNAPSHOT DPHSS currently serves a consultant to facilitate activities for adoption of a standardized developmental total of 1,225 children birth to screening tool and promote the Medical/Dental Home conceptual framework on 18 years in its Special Health Footer: State of Early Childhood on Guam | 9 MENTAL HEALTH/SOCIAL EMOTIONAL Goal: Increase early childhood awareness and outreach on the importance of mental health and social emotional development of young children. Strategies: 1) Provide education and training forproviders of young children, birth tofive, in the area of social emotional development. 2) Increase the number of highlyqualified early childhood providersin the area of early childhood mentalhealth. 3) Integrate a mental health componentinto the standardized screening tool. Page 13 “Emotional well-being and social competence provide a strong foundation for cognitive abilities, which together comprise the foundations of school achievement, success in the workplace, and responsible citizenship.” (Shonkoff, J. P., M.D., “The Science of Early Childhood Development”)* Progress to Date * Targeted training for 150 childcare providers from approximately 25 licensed child care centers was conducted in April, May, and August 2009 using the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) Training Modules 1 and 2 on “Promoting the Social Emotional Competence of Infants and Toddlers” for center-based and family home providers. * A training of trainers on the modules by the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning: “Positive Solutions for Families” was provided to 40 trainers from 10 public and private early childhood serving agencies in April, 2009. These trainers work with families in a variety of capacities ranging from Head Start; Special Education Preschool and Guam Early Intervention; Public Health - Foster Families; Mental Health; Educational Development Intervention Services; Guam PIRC; and Sanctuary, Inc. As the sections were discussed, the participants added cultural adaptations relevant to the populations they serve. Language, practices, and other island grown adaptations were shared to help trainers tailor their training to be as culturally competent as possible. * To determine needs in early childhood mental health services, the focus area work group continues to facilitate a series of round-table discussions with mental health professionals. Initial discussions have identified barriers such as a lack of common definition and shared standards for mental health, lack of training/experience with young children, lack of infrastructure within the Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse to support additional services, and comfort level in working with young children. In addition, the work group continues to invite mental health providers to become members of the group. Further sessions will include identifying strategies to address these barriers. * The focus area work group will continue collaboration with the Access to Health Insurance and Medical/Dental Home work group and consider merging activities to ensure mental health is included in quality healthcare discussions. *For more information on “The Science of Early Childhood Development” please visit http://www.developingchild.net. Text in colored box: A DATA SNAPSHOT Maltreatment of young children is a well-documented risk factor. Statistics from DPHSS indicate that in 2008, a total of 2,501 children were referred due to suspected abuse and/or neglect. Of referred children, 25% were victims of maltreatment. Furthermore, of the 25% of children under six years of age, half were under the age of one (DPHSS, BOSSA). Guam’s population is also characterized by high rates of teen pregnancy comprising 10% of total births (2005 Guam Statistical Yearbook). It is estimated that between 5-25% of pregnant, postpartum, and parenting women experience depression. From August to December 2008, Head Start referred 55 children for mental health assessment. 52.2% of children had witnessed domestic violence; 44.6% had lived with someone with depression; 30.8% had lived with someone convicted of a crime; 39.6% had lived with someone with a substance abuse problem; 26.3% had been physically abused and 17.7% sexually abused; and 20.1% had attempted suicide (Macro International, 2008). Through DOE’s Part C program (GEIS), 167 children birth to age three and their families are currently receiving services and have Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) which address families’ needs relative to their children’s healthy social, emotional, and behavioral development. Footer: State of Early Childhood on Guam | 11 EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE Goal: Increase the availability of and access to quality childcare for all children. Strategies: 1. Improve the quality of childcare. 2. Increase the number of childcare facilities/homes to be ADA compliant. 3. Parents/families of young children birth to five will have opportunities to increase their knowledge and skills in quality childcare, child development, and positive parenting skills. Table 2: Comparison of the Number of Children Serviced in EC Settings for 2005 and 2008 Text in colored box: A DATA SNAPSHOT According to the 2000 Guam Census, approximately 11% of the total population are children birth to five. Based on this percentage, we can estimate that currently there are approximately 19,600 children birth to five, based on a reported population for 2009 of about 178,000. The current child care licensing regulations were initially established in 1978. These same rules that were developed over 30 years ago are still in place. PROGRESS TO DATE For school years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009, over 200 children were on a wait list for Head Start services. * 10,000 copies of Nene News was disseminated to families, child care providers, and early childhood serving agencies. * An Interagency Calendar was developed and disseminated to all Project Tinituhon members who were encouraged to provide updates. The calendar is intended to serve as a tool to increase awareness of activities conducted by different service providers of young children and Nene News (Baby News) was identified as an effective tool for implementing public awareness on the importance of quality child care to parents. Spearheaded by the Department of Public Health & Social Services, Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program and in partnership with Guam CEDDERS, Nene News sought the contribution of Project Tinituhon partners in providing articles on issues related to high quality child care and events of interest to parents and providers of young children, birth to five. Contributions were made, in varying ways, by Head Start, DPHSS CCDF program, the Guam Parent Information Resource Center (PIRC), and the Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS). * Facilitated by Project Tinituhon staff and with support from the DPHSS CCDF program, the focus area work group agreed to function as the subcommittee for the program providing input and feedback for its activities outlined in the Comprehensive State Plan for Child Care. As such, the workgroup reviewed and provided input to the Plan for Professional Development for Early Childhood Educators, Model Child Care (MCC) Program and the updating of the Rules and Regulations for Licensed Child Care Facilities (Licensure Subcommittee work). * Three private child care centers were chosen to participate in the 2009 DPHSS MCC program which consisted of 45 hours of training and over 10 hours of on-site, technical assistance per center. These three plus the existing 12 model centers, demonstrate the interest and commitment of child care providers to work and maintain standards of excellence in quality child care. * Project Tinituhon staff sent out invitations to all of Guam’s licensed child care centers to conduct an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Assessment and included an informational packet for ADA compliance for child care settings. Eighteen centers had an assessment completed and received a report on modifications that their facility can make to ensure compliance. * In 2008 and 2009, Project Tinituhon staff worked in collaboration with the DPHSS CCDF program to identify the use of mini-grant funds to be used to assist centers in meeting ADA requirements. The centers that received an assessment will be able to use the findings in the report to support their application and justify costs for improvements. As part of the 2008 Leadership Institute, Guam CEDDERS staff conducted training on how to complete the grant application in order to obtain needed funds for accommodations and modifications of facilities. Footer: State of Early Childhood on Guam | 13 PARENT EDUCATION AND FAMILY SUPPORTS Goal: Increase public awareness of services and supports available for children birth to five and their families. Strategies: 1. Families, service providers, and the community will be aware of the various services and supports available for young children birth to five years. 2. Develop a public awarenesscampaign for informing familiesof all services available. Page 17 During the initial environmental scan conducted by Project Tinituhon in 2006, of all early childhood serving agencies, it was noted that the only agencies that offered parent training/education on a regular basis was the DPHSS in collaboration with Guam CEDDERS and GDOE Head Start. Other agencies offered parent trainings for their target populations, based on the needs of the population. Participants in the Governor’s Summit on Early Childhood stressed the need to provide training strands for parents, as well as the need to address issues of language and cultural competency. Furthermore, stakeholders commented that parent training/education opportunities were fragmented. They requested that the training programs become more cohesive and structured and that early childhood agencies communicate and coordinate to be able to offer training to a wider range of interested families, rather than just those targeted and offered for their respective populations. Currently there are many family support services on Guam offered by the various early childhood agencies. However, families who participated in the Governor’s Summit on Early Childhood expressed that if some of the services were more family-sensitive, the training programs would be more successful in empowering them to be more effective advocates for their children. Furthermore, families expressed an interest in family leadership training which would result in building competence in families by helping, guiding, and supporting each other. Progress to Date * Project Tinituhon staff facilitated work among families, the Guam PIRC, and other early childhood serving agencies to publish and disseminate the “Nene Directory”. This comprehensive directory provides information on supports and services available throughout the island to children birth through five and their families. Over 500 copies of the Nene Directory have been disseminated. * Each year, since 2006, early childhood serving agencies such as the Guam Early Interagency System, Head Start, Special Education Preschool Program, Model Child Care Centers, and Guam CEDDERS sponsor the “Power of Play” interactive parent conference, held at the Tamuning Elementary School campus. During the conference, parents and children go through various play stations in which parents are given strategies for enhancing the overall development of their children. * An Interagency Family Information Fair was held in August 2008 at the Agana Shopping Center attended by approximately 200 families of young children birth to five. There were a total of 22 vendors from public and private early childhood serving agencies and organizations who worked collaboratively to participate in the event which provided valuable health and education information for families. * In May 2009, a Mini-Family Information Fair was held and provided an opportunity for over 100 families of young children birth to five to access information about the various services and supports available to families across the island. Young children enjoyed participating in activities presented by different child care providers. Footer: State of Early Childhood on Guam | 15 SYSTEM SUSTAINABILITY Goal: Increase supports and services for young children and their families by strengthening cross-agency coordination. Strategy: Create a formalized coordinating body that has authority to address, facilitate, and oversee agencies and organizations whose roles and responsibilities are to support children birth to five within a comprehensive system. Progress to Date * In March 2008, Project Tinituhon staff provided assistance to the Office of the Governor in submitting a grant application to the National Governor’s Association Center on Best Practices. The $10,000 mini-grant award provided funding for the Governor to establish the Governor’s Early Learning Council and host the Early Childhood Summit. * In April 2008, Governor Felix Camacho signed Executive Order 2008-03 which established the Guam Early Learning Council (GELC). The Council consists of executive level membership from Project Tinituhon partners and other partners including parents, private and non-profit organizations, and legislative members. The council is co-chaired by the First Lady of Guam, Joann Camacho and Project Tinituhon Director, Elaine Eclavea. * At the October 2008 Early Childhood Summit, Dr. Ross Thompson, a nationally recognized professor of psychology from the University of California, Davis, presented the latest findings in early childhood education, specifically in the area of brain architecture and school readiness. Dr. Thompson also provided feedback to the recommended next steps and strategies resulting from breakout sessions organized by focus areas. This summit was attended by 75 participants from both public and private entities including families, child care providers, health care providers, judges, senators, and staff from various early childhood serving agencies. * At the December 2008 Early Childhood Summit, participants were asked to review the next steps developed during the October 2008 summit. The results reinforced the framework for the Early Childhood Comprehensive System. This summit was attended by 40 participants from both public and private entities including families, child care providers, health care providers, judges, senators, and staff from various early childhood serving agencies. * Both Early Childhood Summits also included members of the Guam Early Learning Council, Project Tinituhon Strategic Management Teams (SMT) workgroups, Head Start Policy Council, Guam Interagency Coordinating Council, program managers, parents and families. * The Proceedings of the Early Childhood Summit in October 2008 were published and disseminated. A second edition, along with a DVD and informational brochure is under development. * In 2009, the GELC membership expanded to include the Guam System of Care Council. Governor Camacho appointed Mr. Richard Brown, chairperson of the Council, to serve as a member. * Project Tinituhon was highlighted by First Lady Joann Camacho at a national conference of the Spouses of the National Governor’s Association in December 2008. Footer: State of Early Childhood on Guam | 17 Page 20 NEXT STEPS Overall next steps for Project Tinituhon include: * Coordination and collaboration for data collection and information sharing; * Blending and braiding of resources; * Supporting and directing public awareness and an information campaign through an overall social marketing plan; and * A continued focus on shared outcomes for children and families describing the overall next steps for Project Tinituhon. Each goal area has specific activities. Access to Health Insurance and Medical/Dental Home * Continue training on developmental screening and movement towards adoption of a standardized developmental screening tool and promotion of the Medical/ Dental Home framework throughout the island will continue. * Work with insurance providers to support billing processes within Medicaid/ Medicare for both a well-check up and a developmental screen within one visit will continue. * Coordinate with other focus groups, as well as other initiatives, to develop and implement the plan to have each baby leave the hospital with a baby tub full of meaningful information for healthy beginnings. Social Emotional Development and Mental Health * Continue training in social emotional development strategies and activities for young children to care providers, as well as continued training for families on positive solutions for social emotional development. * Gather data describing baby needs from birth will be developed and braided with the Medical/Dental Home and Health Insurance plan for each baby leaving the hospital with a tub full of critical information for healthy habits. Early Care and Education and Child Care * Continue development of a quality rating system with developmental assessment kits to measure child outcomes. * Continue progress on the updating of the “Rules and Regulations for Child Care Settings.” * Increase the number of child care centers identified as a Model Child Care Center. Parent Education and Family Supports * Develop family leadership modules and training plans. * Gather data to better understand parent needs (braided with the Medical/Dental Home and Health Insurance baby bath plan). * Publish an updated edition of the Nene Directory. * Establish a central resource center for families. * Develop and continue support for the “All Eyes on Five” website. Footer: 18 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2008-03 OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR HAGATNA, GUAM 96910 U.S.A EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2008-O3 RELATIVE TO ESTABLISHING THE GUAM EARLY LEARNING COUNCIL FOR GUAM’S EARLY CHILDHOOD COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM WHEREAS, there exists a need to establish an Early Learning Council to support the coordination and collaboration of agencies and organizations, both public and private, serving young children birth to five, and their families; and WHEREAS, it is scientifically established that positive social, emotional, physical, language, intellectual, and spiritual/moral experiences for young children, most especially between neonatal to five years of age are necessary and critical for promoting and nurturing the overall developmental needs of a child; and WHEREAS, research on brain development has clearly indicated that the first years of life are particularly critical to a child’s healthy development, readiness to enter school, read at grade level, graduate from high school and succeed; and WHEREAS, there is strong, scientific evidence that quality health care and education services during neonatal to five years of age has a direct impact on economic development, saving communities money by preventing future expenses for remedial education, incarceration, and cash assistance; and WHEREAS, the responsibility for providing quality health care and education services has traditionally been the responsibility of organizations at the state/local level requiring definitive vision, clear mission, strong partnerships, and collaboration; and WHEREAS, programs that address the early health care and education of Guam’s youngest children are fragmented, lack coordinated planning, overlap in some instances, leave substantive gaps in other instances; and WHEREAS, programs providing early health care and education services should be coordinated and structured to maximize efficiency, simplify and expand accessibility to quality health care and educational programs, and provide a maximum return for Guam’s taxpayers investments; and WHEREAS, governmental programs must collaboratively develop and implement effective, efficient and coordinated service delivery to ensure that all of Guam’s youngest children are given an equal opportunity to reach their full potential; and WHEREAS, governance, which comprises traditions, institutions and processes that determine how power is exercised; how constituents are given a voice; how decisions are made on issues of mutual concern; and how quality and accountability are integrated, are vital components of any early childhood comprehensive system; and WHEREAS, it is critical and beneficial to the territory of Guam’s children that issues affecting their well being be considered at the highest level of the Island’s Government; and WHEREAS, Guam has established the VISION that “All of Guam’s young children will have healthy minds, bodies, and spirits as the foundation for lifelong success,” and the mission “to support each child (birth to 5) in reaching his/her full potential through a health care and education system that is accessible, comprehensive, integrated, and responsive to diverse cultures that is developed in collaboration with families and communities.”, and WHEREAS, Guam, through Project Tinituhon, has established five goals in support of this vision and mission as stated in the Implementation Plan; and WHEREAS, Guam, through Project Tinituhon, has begun the activities of the Implementation Plan for Guam’s Early Childhood Comprehensive System, bringing together key child serving agencies, both public and private in health care and education to be more responsive to the evolving and complex needs of ALL children birth to five and their families; and WHEREAS, the national legislation, P.L. 110-134 “Improving the Head Start Act of 2007” mandates the establishment of a State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care for children birth to school entry and Guam Head Start Program is a vital and active participant of Project Tinituhon; and WHEREAS, continued implementation and sustainability of the Early Childhood Comprehensive System to meet the goals for young children and their families requires strong support and commitment at all levels of the government and community. NOW, THEREFORE, I, FELIX P. CAMACHO, I Maga’lahen Guahan, Governor of Guam, by virtue of the authority bested in me, by the Organic Act of Guam as amended and the laws of Guam and entrusted to me by the people of Guam, do order the establishment of the Guam Early Learning Council, whose composition, goals and objectives, and roles and responsibilities for the efficient and effective delivery of services and supports to young children, birth to five, and their families are as follows: SECTION I. Composition of Council Membership. 1) Members representing key child serving agencies including government agencies (directors/agency heads) and private organizations, directly and indirectly involved in supporting the quality health care and education of children birth to five and their families, to develop a coordinated, efficient, and cost-effective Early Childhood Comprehensive System: a. Executive Director of Parent Information Resource Center (PIRC) – Parents/families of young children, including those with disabilities; b. Non-profit organizations providing services and supports to children, birth to five, and their families; c. Private Child Care Providers (infants through preschool); d. Guam Medical Society – pediatricians and family practitioners; e. Department of Public Health and Social Services – Child Care Bureau, Child Welfare; f. Guam Public School System – Head Start, Early Intervention: Part C Preschool Special Education: Part B, Section 619; g. Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse; h. Guam Department of Labor – One Stop Career Center; i. University of Guam CEDDERS; j. Guam Community College – Early Childhood Program; k. Guam Memorial Hospital; and l. Guam Legislative Chairs, including but not limited to, committees on Health, Education, and Human Services. 2) Co-chairmanship of the Council will be shared between the First Lady of Guam and the Project Director of Project Tinituhon, Guam’s Early Childhood Comprehensive System. SECTION II: Goals and Objectives of the Early Learning Council. 1) The Guam Early Learning Council has the following as its goals: a. To serve as the required state council for Guam’s Head Start Program; b. To increase supports and services for young children and their families by strengthening cross-agency coordination, involving public and private entities, to ensure delivery of comprehensive services for young children and their families; and c. To expand and refine Guam’s Policy agenda for Early Learning Birth to Five. 2) The Guam Early Learning Council has the following objectives to support these goals: a. Strengthen collaboration among governance entities that oversee and coordinate subsystems; b. Leverage funding streams to maximize resources; c. Develop and implement a mechanism for cross-agency data collection for monitoring and reporting; d. Create cross-agency standards for child and family outcomes; e. Refine professional development structures to ensure appropriately skilled systems workforce; and f. Expand awareness of and access to parent education and family supports. SECTION III: Roles and Responsibilities 1) The Guam Early Learning Council will oversee and ensure the effective and efficient collaboration within Guam’s Early Childhood Comprehensive System and is empowered to: a. Make recommendations on the most effective policy direction and methods to improve the coordination, quality, and delivery of quality health care and education services for young children on Guam; b. Critically examine and prioritize funding in support of child and family outcomes; c. Promote and support the acquisition of funding opportunities, through government and private organizations, in support of the overall vision and mission of the Early Childhood Comprehensive System; d. Provide input to the Strategic Management Team of Guam’s Early Childhood Comprehensive System to ensure the collaboration and integration of data collection and evaluation, leveraging of resources and funding, and public awareness and education on the importance of early childhood; e. Provide the Governor and Legislature a “State of Early Childhood Health and Education on Guam” Brief; f. Establish policies and procedures for the efficient and effective decision-making processes in support of their responsibilities; and g. Regularly review goals and objectives to ensure they are responsive and relevant to the evolving needs of Guam’s youngest children and their families. Carry out the responsibilities mandated and outlines in the National legislation, “Improving Head Start for school Readiness act of 2007” (P.L. 110-134), Section 642B and others assigned by the Governor of Guam. SIGNED and PROMULGATED at Hagatna, Guam this 9th day of April, 2008. FELIX P. CAMACHO, I Maga’lahen Guahan, Governor of Guam COUNTERSIGNED: MICHAEL W. CRUZ, M.D., I Segundu Maga’ Lahen Guahan, Lieutenant Governor of Guam Page 26 Full page photo of father holding son’s hand who’s coming down the slide. Page 27 GOVERNOR’S EARLY LEARNING COUNCIL Dr. Nerissa Bretania-Underwood Superintendent – GDOE; Richard Brown Chairperson - Guam System of Care Council; May Camacho Assistant Superintendent - Division of Special Education, GDOE; Dr. Clare Camacho Department Chair for Education - Guam Community College; Pauline Camacho Director - Guam PIRC; PeterJohn Camacho Administrator/CEO – GMHA; Maria Connelley Director - Department of Labor; Doris Crisostomo Special Assistant - Office of the Governor; Dr. Dina Dimalanta Pediatrician; Estela Gapas, R.N. Owner, PNG Child Care & Learning Center; Ruth Leon Guerrero Fair Employment Officer - One Stop Career Center, DOL; Cerila Rapadas Executive Director - Catholic Social Services; J. Peter Roberto Director – DPHSS; Dr. Heidi San Nicolas Director - Guam CEDDERS; Catherine Schroeder Director - Head Start, GDOE; Dr. David Shimizu Director – DMHSA; Linda Ann Susuico Chief Human Services Administrator - DPHSS/DPW; Carol Tayama Mayor, President - Mayors’ Council of Guam; Jason Tedtaotao Deputy Director – DMHSA; Lydia Tenorio BOSSA Administrator – DPHSS; Sarah Thomas-Nededog Executive Director - Sanctuary, Inc.; Lagrimas Underwood Owner - Honey Bear Kids Center; Dr. Judith Won Pat Speaker - 30th Guam Legislature. Page 28 Project Tinituhon , “The BEGINNING” The Foundation for Lifelong Success for your child BEGINS with YOU! Social Emotional Development/Mental Health Holding and talking with your baby are the first steps to building a positive relationship with your child. Access to Universal Healthcare/Medical Homes Regular and consistent medical care is important for positive growth and development. Early Care and Education and Child Care Quality childcare provides positive learning opportunities for healthy growth and development. Family Support/Parent Education Be a positive role model! You are your child’s first, most consistent, and enduring teacher.