Front cover: 20th Anniversary Celebrating CEDDERS 1993-2013 University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research & Service Page 2 Message from the Director February 14, 2013 marks the Emerald, or 20th Anniversary of the University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (Guam CEDDERS) as a nationally designated Center of Excellence. We are thrilled to be celebrating the strengths and capacity of Guam CEDDERS to address the area of disability through interdisciplinary training, technical assistance and clinical support, research and evaluation, and dissemination of high quality publications, materials, and information. We have, from 1993-2013, touched an entire generation of individuals. Those born in 1993 are now in the workforce or are in the process of completing college degrees. Anniversaries provide an opportunity for retrospective reflection, lead to celebration of the outcomes of collective efforts, and provide a platform for saying thank you to all who have supported our journey. It is a time to reflect on who we are as a Center of Excellence, who we serve, and with whom we collaborate in carrying out our mission. An Emerald Anniversary is also a time to reflect on the legacy created by Guam CEDDERS and to imagine and plan for the positive impact Guam CEDDERS will continue to contribute to in the future. We thank our Advisory Council, as key stakeholders in the effort to enhance the quality of life, opportunities, and inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in our island and regional communities. We acknowledge your longstanding partnership with us in this important work. We thank Guam’s self-advocates and family members, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins, for guiding us and strengthening our work. We thank our Tri-Agency partners, Guam Legal Services Corporation-Disability Law Center and Guam Developmental Disabilities Council, for working with us on a joint agenda for change and support. We thank Guam’s agency heads, non-profit organization directors, policy makers, Congresswoman, and the Governor for entrusting leadership responsibilities in the area of disabilities to Guam CEDDERS through the designation of our organization as lead agency for major efforts, and for supporting Guam CEDDERS in securing millions of dollars in federal funding each year. We thank the University community and our university leaders for giving us autonomy and support so that we may conduct, in creative and meaningful ways, outreach and support that is consistent with the Land Grant philosophy and that makes a real difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities and allows for the greatest impact within the community. We thank our regional partners for joining with and supporting our efforts to provide outreach beyond the shores of Guam to the wider Pacific community. Guam CEDDERS is a dynamic, everchanging, collaborative organization with the singular vision of enhancing the quality of life for those with developmental disabilities. Guam CEDDERS values mutual respect and stays focused. Organizationally we are resilient, have the courage and passion to tackle big issues, and are absolutely tenacious in our quest to pursue both excellence and equity. What makes Guam CEDDERS effective is the outstanding quality and commitment of our entire staff, and the manner in which each contribute to the whole of the organization and to our shared mission which is: In partnership with individuals with disabilities and their families, agencies, organizations, and service providers, the Guam CEDDERS creates pathways that enhance, improve, and support the quality of life of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. In this report, you will find a synopsis of Guam CEDDERS’s major outcomes over the past 20 years, including success in leveraging more than 102 million dollars in funding to support training, technical assistance, research, and dissemination of information that has impacted individuals, families, schools, agencies, service providers, clinicians, community members, and policy makers. Review our timeline of major impacts, and celebrate with us as we summarize overall achievements that we believe have increased the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities on Guam and in the Pacific region. As we renew our commitment for the next decade, we look forward to your continued support, collaboration, and partnership as we continue our journey, expand our legacy, strive to even higher levels of excellence, and stay true to our mission over the coming decades. BIBA UOG! BIBA GUAM CEDDERS!! Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D., Director Page 3 UAP Founders, 1993 Guam CEDDERS (formerly UAP) has served as a training, technical assistance, and research center in the Western Pacific Region for the past 20 years. Beginning in 1993 as a satellite program of the University of Hawaii’s University Affiliated Program, Guam CEDDERS in 1995 evolved to a fully funded center that aims to provide assistance in the movement to enhance, improve, and support the quality of life on individuals with disabilities and their families. Past and on-going collaborative efforts include working with government and non-profit organizations in Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia including Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap, as well as the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and American Samoa. Funding for UAPs now University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) began in 1963 under President John F. Kennedy. Guam CEDDERS is Guam’s Center of Excellence and receives core funding from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Guam CEDDERS is a member of Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), the national organization which represents 67 Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service in operation nationwide. This affiliation facilitates the accessibility of information on appropriate services for individuals with disabilities. Our staff expertise is enhanced and extended by being able to use the resources of the AUCD network in the provision of services and training and the development of products. Photo with caption: Shown above is the original five-member team that established Guam University Affiliated Program (UAP) in February, 1993 at the Pacific Basin UAP Organizational Meeting in Honolulu. (L-R): Dr. Steve Spencer, Associate Superintendent for Special Education, Guam Department of Education; Lola Rojas, Executive Director, Guma’ Mami, Inc.; Frances Standing Soldier, Executive Director, Guam Developmental Disabilities Council; Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, UAP Director; Peter Alexis Ada, Deputy Director, Department of Public Health & Social Services. Page 4-7 THE EVOLUTION OF GUAM CEDDERS The facts and stats celebrating 20 years of service in our region. The University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research & Service is one of 67 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) nationwide and is ranked 22nd in the nation in the amount of funding leveraged. THE TIMELINE, This timeline highlights some key events throughout Guam CEDDERS’ history and represents only a fraction of the training, service, technical assistance, research, and information dissemination that our organization has facilitated each year. 1992 * Work began at Federal level to create funding for University Affiliated Program (UAP) presence on Guam * University of Hawaii (UH) and University of Guam (UOG) advised of funding for feasibility study 1993 * University Affiliated Program (UAP) established as a satellite of the University of Hawaii Pacific Basin University Affiliated Program. Lola Rojas, Peter Alexis Ada, Frances Limtiaco, Dr. Steve Spencer, and Dr. Heidi San Nicolas comprised the team that set up the organizational structure * Territorial Forum on Disability held first island-wide disability meeting held on Guam) 1994 * First UAP Federal Site Visit resulting in Guam UAP being eligible to apply for full status UAP * Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) federal grant funded * Interpreter Training grant funded (3-year federal grant) * DD Council projects awarded to UAP: First study on transportation, Job coaching, Manu na Gaige Resource Directory, Consumer newsletter, Legal Guide 1995 * Guam UAP becomes a fully independent University Affiliated Program * GSAT Center Building established * First GSAT Advisory Board formed * 1st UAP Annual Assistive Technology Conference 1996 * Regional Sign Language Interpreter Personnel Preparation Grant funded 1997 * UAP Celebrates 5th Anniversary * Second UAP federal site review * “Train the Trainer” Workshop: “Access and Use of AT Devices & Services” by Utah AT Program 1998 * First issue of I Tellai (The Bridge) published * Health, Wellness, & Prevention Initiative Area established * Conference on Employment Individuals with Disabilities held 1999 * Project Alula: BA in Communication Disorders begins * Educational Assistant Program for School Aides established * Regional Sign Language Interpreter Training * Cycle 1 graduation * Guam UAP and WRRC Conduct IDEA and Instructional Strategies Training in the Marshall Islands 2000 * Project Filak I is funded to build awareness about a System of Care approach and wraparound for children with serious mental health needs * PBILC 2000 Pacific Basin Interagency Leadership Conference held 2001 * Guam UAP becomes Guam CEDDERS! * 1st Annual Walk, Wheel, Run 5K or 1 mile event 2002 * Project I Famagu’on-ta, Guam’s System of Care for Children 5-21 with serious mental health needs funded ($9.2 million over six years) * Guam CEDDERS hosts federal public hearing on the Reauthorization of IDEA * GSAT hosts first videoconferencing activity * Guam CEDDERS 10th Anniversary! * Guam CEDDERS Survives Typhoons Chata’an & Pongsona 2003 * Guam CEDDERS hosts Island Summit on Disabilities * Guam EHDI, Telework and GOAL-AT grants awarded * Transportation Summit 2004 * Project Fo’na (Graduate level program to train Speech Language Pathologist) grant awarded * GSAT 10th anniversary celebrated * Newborn Hearing Screening Legislation passed * CNMI Child Care Project * Palau Child Care Project 2005 * Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Legislation Passed * 3rd Annual Walk, Wheel, Run 5K or 1 Mile Event * Project Håtsa (Teacher Quality Enhancement) kicks off * Project Tinituhon (Early Childhood Comprehensive Planning) begins 2006 * First GOAL-AT Loan Application awarded * Pacific Assessment Consortium (PAC 6) planning grant begins * 4th Annual Walk, Wheel, Run 5K or 1 Mile Event 2007 * First issue of Ta Na’ Siña (We Can Do it!) now called I Lina’la-ta (Our Lives), a newsletter, that highlights the lives of individuals with disabilities * Pacific CIMAP begins * Family Advocacy Creates Results: $750,000 in New Funding for Guam’s System of Care * Guam Early Learning Guidelines Birth – 36 months published 2008 * Project Fo’na participants graduate! * Governor’s Early Childhood Summit * Early Learning Council established * Guam CEDDERS I Famagu’on-ta Evaluation Team received SAMHSA’s Excellence in Evaluation Award * PACIFIC Project begins 2009 * Project Kariñu, Guam’s Early Childhood System of Care for young children with social, emotional, and behavioral needs funded in 2009 (8.3 million over six years) * PAC6 Team Presents at PacRim and Pacific Education Conferences * Updated Self-Advocacy Workshop Offered * I Famagu’on-ta Evaluation Summit facilitated by CEDDERS 2010 * Pacific Vision Instruction Project (Graduate Program) Grant Awarded in collaboration with Univ. of Massachusetts * Tri-Agency Bowling Bash * Emergency Preparedness for Individuals with Disabilities * Guam Presents at SABE (Self-Advocates Becoming Empowerment) Conference 2011 * Self-Advocates Lead Self- Advocate Workshop! * Pacific CIMAP outcomes Shared at Sydney, Australia Vision Impairment Conference * Guam Transportation Forum * Rules & Regulations for Licensed Child Care Centers & Group Child Care Homes becomes law * Pacific VIP Master’s Degree Program Launched * Tele-Audiology evaluations pilot project established with Colorado Children’s Hospital 2012 * Self-Advocacy Summit * Early Childhood Summit * McREL Pacifc Research Alliance formed * First LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental & Related Disabilities) cohort graduates 2013 * Guam CEDDERS hosts Self-Advocacy lecture series by visiting Fulbright Scholar Yevgeniy “Yev” Tetyukhin, Ph.D. * American Printing House for the Blind Officials Visit Guam for the first time * Guam CEDDERS Celebrates 20th Anniversary! ...and even greater things to come. Page 8-9 CEDDERS IMPACT & OUTCOMES Collage of event photos Direct and/or Demonstration Services 3,179 hours of service to 29,637 participants over the last ten years Clinical Services 28,905 babies had their hearing screened from November 2002 to the present Training 11,953 hours of training provided locally and regionally for 30,704 participants over the last ten years Technical Assistance 39,987 hours of technical assistance and community services provided locally and regionally for 61,500 participants over the last ten years * Project Alula: BA in Communication Disorders * Masters in Special Education Program * Sign Language Interpreter Training Program * Project Fo’na (MA in Speech/Language Pathology) * PROCEED School Aide Training Program * Pacific Vision Instruction Project (VIP) Master’s Degree Program Page 10 CEDDERS IMPACT & OUTCOMES Collage of Developed Products Developing & Disseminating Information Developed 672 products, and of those products, 416,647 units were disseminated over the last ten years. 1998-2013 The Guam CEDDERS newsletter, I Tellai (The Bridge), has been published quarterly for 15 years. 2007-2013 I Lina’la-ta (Our Life), previously named Ta Na’ Siña (We Can Do it!), a newsletter that highlights the lives of individuals with disabilities has been published quarterly for 6 years. Images of developed products: * Guam Early Learning Guidelines for Young Children Ages Three to Five * Guam Early Learning Guidelines for Young Children Birth to 36 Months * 2010 Guam Directory of Services & Resources for Individuals with Disabilities * 2012 Nene Directory * Hearing and Speech Development * Newborn Hearing Screening Program Page 11 Research & Evaluation 11,735 hours of research & evaluation performed over the last ten years. What does it mean? The Numbers in Perspective Guam CEDDERS has supported and launched new early intervention and early hearing screening programs including teleaudiology; has helped to establish model inclusive child care opportunities, expanded services offered to school age children and adolescents, increased the pool and skills of qualified medical professionals, speech pathologists, special educators, those providing leadership in neurodevelopmental disabilities, educational assistants, administrators, sign language interpreters, vision specialists, deaf educators, and autism and other developmental disabilities specialists. Guam CEDDERS has also educated policy makers about needed changes and creation of local laws, and has provided systems change opportunities while also encouraging expansion and improvement in services, transportation, employment opportunities, and job accommodations. Guam CEDDERS has provided a center where citizens may gain familiarity with assistive technology services and devices. Guam CEDDERS has improved the lives and opportunities of individuals with disabilities and their families through strategic partnerships, collaboration, training and technical assistance, all supported through the securing of necessary funding to launch and sustain high quality programs. FUNDING In 1992 UOG received $6,300 to conduct a feasibility study to establish a UAP for Guam. Over the past 20 years, Guam CEDDERS has secured over one hundred million dollars in contracts and federal funding which has helped to improve the lives of thousands of individuals on island and throughout the Pacific region. 1993 $55,000 1994 $674,685 1995 $834,000*estimated 1996 $1,071,532 1997 $1,090,333 1998 $2,830,845 1999 $3,570,427 2000 $1,720,226 2001 $2,289,106 2002 $2,708,225 2003 $3,019,525 2004 $4,850,289 2005 $5,547,343 2006 $6,726,752 2007 $7,024,005 2008 $10,628,468 2009 $9,225,271 2010 $11,824,414 2011 $8,558,112 2012 $8,591,401 2013 $9,693,946 TOTAL FUNDING OVER 20 YEARS $102,316,279 Back page: Photo of Guam CEDDERS Staff 2013 This report was produced with 100% funding support from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration on Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, Grant No. 90DD0647/05 and facilitated by the University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (Guam CEDDERS). This report is available in alternate formats and is also available online at www.guamcedders.org