Cover: Female with a visual impairment, using a walking stick climbing up stairs with her Personal Assistant behind her. 2014 Annual Report Making an Impact July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014 University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research & Service Page 2 Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council 2014 Photo with caption: Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Members pose for a group photo after the June 19 Council meeting. Standing (left to right): Ben Servino, Director, Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID); Rosanne Ada, Executive Director, Guam Developmental Disabilities Council (GDDC); Erlinda Tydingco, Chairperson, Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council & President, Self-Advocates in Action (Si–A); Berni Grajek, Executive Director, Guma Mami, Inc.; Linda Rodriguez, Administrator, Bureau of Social Services Administration (BOSSA), Department of Public Health & Social Services; Gian Magana, Self-Advocate; Terese Crisostomo, School Program Consultant, Division of Special Education, Guam Department of Education; Marcelene Santos, J.D., Guam Public Guardian. Seated (left to right): Tom Manglona, Self-Advocate & Past Chairperson; Ana Marie Kilroy, Parent. Self-Advocates & Family Representatives Maria Bontogon Bill Fuppul Ana Marie Kilroy Gian Magana Tom Manglona Moses Puas Leone Rohr Nathan Taimanglo Erlinda ÒLynnÓ Tydingco Agency & Organization Representatives Rosanne Ada Elaine Faculo-Gogue Yolanda Gabriel James Gillan Berni Grajek Harold Parker, J.D. Marcelene Santos, J.D. Ben Servino About the Cover Maria Bontogon, a senior at Simon Sanchez High School, practices her navigational skills under the watchful guidance of Diane Artero, her teacher for Orientation and Mobility. Ms. Artero is a scholar in the Pacific Vision Instruction Project (Pacific VIP), a Guam CEDDERS program in partnership with the University of Massachusetts - Boston. Page 3 Page header: Table of Contents Page 2 Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Page 4 About Guam CEDDERS Page 6 Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation; Continuing Education; Community Services: Training Page 12 Community Services: Technical Assistance, Model Services, Demonstration Services Page 16 Research/Evaluation; Information Dissemination Page 20 Collaborating Partners Page 23 The Guam CEDDERS Team Page 23 Funding Photo of family with quotation ÒAs a family of 11 kids, that includes two children who live with Autism, we approach the challenges of life as a TEAM. This team approach helps us to learn together, cope together and enjoy lifeÕs rewards together.Ó - The Rohr Family Page 4 Header: About Guam CEDDERS Mission Statement In partnership with individuals with disabilities and their families, agencies, organizations, and service providers, Guam CEDDERS creates pathways that enhance, improve, and support the quality of life of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Manhihita HumatÕsa I Tellai - Building Bridges Together July 1, 2013 marked the beginning of a new five-year cycle of activities supported by the Guam CEDDERS Core Grant. Guided by the Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council, the development of the new Work Plan incorporated input provided by the broader community of stakeholders that included individuals with disabilities, their family members, service providers, and policy makers. Making an Impact Three main factors contributed to the selection of ÒMaking An ImpactÓ as this yearÕs Annual Report theme. First, we conducted a follow up survey of former Guam CEDDERS Trainees one year, five years, and ten years after the completion of their longterm trainee programs. The results of the survey indicated that the majority of trainees continue to serve individuals with disabilities, a significant impact of the training completed one, five, and even 10 years ago. Second, we are almost at the end of the Pacific Vision Instruction Project (Pacific VIP), a Guam CEDDERS personnel preparation project, in partnership with the University of Massachusetts - Boston graduate Vision Studies program. The 19 ÒscholarsÓ in this program are already making a significant impact in the education and lives of students who are blind or have low vision. Lastly, the training, technical assistance, and information dissemination continues to increase professional and public awareness and expertise on a range of disability-related issues. We are excited that our projects and initiatives are indeed making an impact. But we are very aware that so much more needs to be done to assist the population that we serve. As indicated in the input obtained during the Ò2014 Update of the Guam Territorial Agenda on Disabilities ForumÓ which took place on May 27, so much more remains to be addressed. While proud of its accomplishments as an organization during the past 21 years, the Guam CEDDERS team remains steadfast and invigorated by its commitment and passion to meet the challenges of its mission Òto build pathways that will enhance, improve, and support the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.Ó Photo at the bottom of the page of a female showing a male participant how to use an assistive technology device with the caption: Dee Palomo, GSAT Center Assistant (right), provides information on an assistive technology device to a customer during the Annual Assistive Technology Fair. Page 5 Header: Core Functions This 2014 Annual Report features the Guam CEDDERS activities conducted during the period of July 1, 2013 Ð June 30, 2014. Aligned with the CenterÕs Five-Year Work Plan, the activities are reported by the Guam CEDDERSÕ Core Function clusters, as follows: ¥ Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation; Continuing Education; Community Services: Training ¥ Community Services: Technical Assistance, Model Services, Demonstration Services ¥ Research/Evaluation; Information Dissemination Activities and projects under the Guam CEDDERSÕ Core Functions are also aligned with the University of GuamÕs Core Commitments of Enhancing Academic Quality, Enrollment Growth, Retention, and Institutional Visibility; Promoting the Land-Grant Mission and Community Engagement; and Strengthening Institutional Efficiency and Effectiveness. Photo of mother and son, a wheelchair user, with the quote: ÒIt is best to try all possibilities, than not to try at all. Possibilities are endless.Ó - Lourdes Bascon Mendiola, Parent Advocate & son, David Page 6 Header: Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation; Continuing Education; Community Services: Training Full page photo of four adults, two women and two men in a small boat smiling at the photographer in the oceanÕs clear water with the caption: Pacific VIP Chuuk State Scholars, with their UMass Boston Faculty, prepare to visit students with visual impairments in the lagoon islands of Chuuk State, FSM. Page 7-8 Activities under the Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation; Continuing Education; Community Services: Training Core Functions provided a variety of training and technical assistance opportunities that promote the increase of meaningful community involvement of individuals with disabilities and their families. Local and regional activities under these areas focus on improving education, early intervention, transition, and assistive technology supports and services for individuals with disabilities across the lifespan. The first of these opportunities that occurred during this reporting period included the Pacific Vision Instruction Project (Pacific VIP). Guam CEDDERS is very pleased to report that 18 scholars in the Pacific VIP program are on target to complete their program requirements by the end of this calendar year. Funded by an Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Personnel Preparation grant, and supported by a collaborative partnership with the University of Massachusetts Ð Boston, program graduates will earn a MasterÕs Degree in Teaching the Visual Impairment (TVI). The scholars were also enrolled in courses to work towards obtaining certification as Orientation and Mobility (O&M) teachers for the blind. The anticipated date for the scholars to complete all requirements is Spring 2015. In the area of interdisciplinary studies, Guam CEDDERS completed the updating of the Disability Studies courses that include three sections: 1) Historical Perspectives and Contemporary Issues of Disability; 2) Disabilities Policy, Advocacy, & the Law; and 3) Disability and Self-Advocacy. These courses are structured to be taught as three separate 15-contact hour continuing education courses with plans to combine them into a three-credit hour undergraduate class. Half page photo of a female in a graduation black cap and gown clasping a blue book with paperwork with the caption: Diane Artero, Pacific VIP Scholar, received the prestigious Book Award for Academic Excellence from the University of Massachusetts Boston Vision Studies/School for Global Inclusion and Social Development. Second photo of a group of graduates and dignitaries with the caption: Eight Pacific Vision Instruction Project (Pacific VIP) scholars attended the graduation ceremonies held on May 30 on the campus of the University of Massachusetts-Boston. Efforts continued to work with the university system to promote the adoption of the college course as an elective to fulfill General Education degree requirements. In addition, Guam CEDDERS recruited a cohort of three long-term trainees who completed the year-long Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disorders (LEND) Program through a partnership with the University of Hawaii John Burns School of Medicine. The LEND program prepares health and allied professionals as well as family members for leadership roles to improve services and supports for children with special health care needs, children with disabilities, or those at risk for neurodevelopmental delays. After years of targeting primarily the adult population, the Self-Advocacy Workshop was brought to secondary students at one of the local public schools that served as a pilot site. The goal of the workshop is to help students with disabilities develop their self-advocacy skills that will enable them to use their voices as they increase their independence and enter the adult world after high school. An off-shoot of this workshop was the development of a ÒSelf-Advocate Portrait Series,Ó which featured 10 empowered individuals with various disabilities, some including their families. This series was exhibited at three outreach events this past year. Feedback on these portraits has been very positive, especially given that the images reflect the empowerment and positive perspectives of individuals with disabilities and their families. The Center continued to provide key technical assistance and training for the Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education programs in the areas of vision impairment, deaf/hard of hearing, autism spectrum disorders, and positive behavioral intervention supports. Technical support was also provided in the areas of compliance, monitoring, and systems planning. In addition, these supports were provided to regional Departments of Education in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (National and State DOEs), and the Republic of Palau. Guam CEDDERS devoted considerable efforts in facilitating major systems development in the areas of early childhood health, education, and mental health services and supports. As part of these efforts under Project Tinituhon (Òthe BeginningÓ), GuamÕs State Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (SECCS) grant, Guam CEDDERS served as the lead facilitator of the Guam Early Learning Council which fosters collaboration among all of the islandÕs early childhood-serving agencies. The relationships and networks maintained by Guam CEDDERS through this Council also played a very important role in the promotion of data collection systems development. Guam CEDDERS served as a technical assistance provider to Project Kari–u, the islandÕs infant and young child mental health program; Project Bisita I Familia, the home visiting program; and the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) programs. Technical assistance and training was provided to the Guam Early Intervention System, GuamÕs Part C program under the Department of Education as well. This included the production of a series of 30-second public awareness announcements promoting developmental screening; early intervention services; brochures on these topics in English and three other languages; and other resources relating to early childhood growth and development. Photo located at the bottom right of the page of three women posing for a group shot with the caption: The 2013-2014 Guam Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disorders (LEND) trainees included (left to right): Zenaida Okada, family representative, Michelle Cruz, an advocate with Guam Legal Services Corporation - Disability Law Center, and Lavina Camacho, a wrap coordinator with DPHSS Project Kari–u. Page 9 Technical assistance and training was also provided to the early childhood and early intervention programs in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and early childhood programs in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of Palau (ROP). Guam CEDDERS also facilitated the updating and revisions for Guam and the CNMI Early Learning Guidelines for Infant and Toddlers and for Preschoolers. Guam CEDDERS provided mentoring support to Si–A (Self-Advocates in Action), the newly Governor appointed State Self-Advocacy Organization, and is involved in the Guam Statewide Independent Living Council. Significant effort was invested through the membership of a Guam CEDDERS representative on the Guam Regional Transit Authority Board. With transportation being tied for the second place ranking on the ÒUpdated Territorial Agenda on Disabilities,Ó this investment of resources is significant as the systems development needs in this area are great. Photo located at the top of the page with female presenter facilitating a group of seven individuals, two men and five women. Half page of a couple standing with the quote: ÒYou know, I have problems now, but little by little you get your problems fixed...Go ahead and do it and be positive.Ó - Noel & Hikie Lazaga, Owners 4N Yard & Maintenance Page 10 Other activities facilitated by Guam CEDDERS included the provision of training in the areas of disability awareness, customer service, wheelchair securement, and emergency evacuation procedures to bus drivers and related transit workers from the public transit and special education transportation systems. Half page photo of a father sitting and toddler son standing in between fatherÕs legs with the quote: ÒTogether We Stand, in Unity We Can.Ó - Vince Guerrero, Parent Advocate Photo located at the bottom of the page of a large group of people with the caption: Guam early childhood service providers pose with Robert Corso, Ph.D., consultant for the Center on the Social & Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) in March 2014. Page 11 Top photo of two adults and students walking down at sidewalk with hand rails with the caption: Participants in the Youth Self-Advocacy Workshop held at Simon Sanchez High School embarked on a field trip on April 11 to Guam Community College where they learned more about college and the programs and services offered to students with disabilities. Photo located at the bottom left of the page of two men, one being a wheelchair user and the other squatting to adjust an aluminum ramp with the caption: CNMI Bus drivers, conductors, and system supervisors attended training facilitated by Guam CEDDERS staff, on October 15. Topics covered included emergency considerations, proper securement, and providing input to the IEP process when appropriate. Text with a bullet list in a color box located at the bottom right of the page. Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation; Continuing Education; Community Services: Training * Guam CEDDERS Core Grant * Disabilities Studies Courses * Department of Education Part B & C * Pacific Vision Instruction Project (Pacific VIP) * Department of Education Driver Training * Hawaii MCH LEND Program * Self-Advocacy Workshops * Transit Training * Transportation Advocacy * CNMI PSS IDEA Part C & Training * CNMI Early Learning Guidelines - CCDF * GDOE Part C GEIS Year 4 * Palau Part B (2013 & 2014) * CNMI PSS IDEA Part B & Training * FSM Project Realize, Empower, and Apply Locally (REAL) (III & IV) * Guam DOE Character Education Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) * GDOE Part B SPP/APR Yr4 * Project Tinituhon - All Eyes on Five MCH-SECCS Grant Yr3 * Project Tinituhon Phase III MCH-SECCS/Building Health thru Integration Page 12 Header: Community Services: Technical Assistance, Model Services, Demonstration Services Full page photo of two boys, one wearing a plaid shirt and denim shorts, smiling at someone; the other boy in the background holding red cups stacked in his hand, both with red plastic cups on a colored rubber mat. Page 13 The Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) continued full force in fulfilling its mission Òto enhance the independence, productivity and quality of life for all residents of Guam, through increased access and acquisition of Assistive Technology (AT) devices and services.Ó The GSAT Demonstration and Resource Center allows community members to visit, learn, and make an informed decision in selecting the best AT to meet their needs through AT device demonstrations and equipment displays. GSAT services included: Assistive Technology Device Lending Library. Which provided the community with the opportunity to try out any device available at the center for a period of 30-days or less, free of charge, to assist them in making a decision about assistive technology. This allowed individuals and families to try certain types of equipment to ensure their practicality and appropriateness before making significant investments to purchase a device. Assistive Technology Recycling & Exchange Program, a service that helped get Òpreviously ownedÓ AT devices into the hands of people with disabilities that need them, usually at a lower price than buying new. Alternative Funding Programs provided the community a means to purchase AT or pursue homebased employment with low-interest loans. These programs included: Guam Options for Alternative Loans Ð Assistive Technology (GOAL-AT), a federally funded island-wide program available to individuals with disabilities that provided affordable financial loans for the purchase of assistive technology devices and services. Get Guam Teleworking (GGT) Loan Program, also a federally funded program administered by GSAT whose mission is to offer affordable financial loans to help individuals with disabilities purchase equipment in order to telework. Telework is defined as paid employment that is regularly performed at a place other than the employerÕs office or place of business, such as the workerÕs home or a telework center. Annual Assistive Technology (AT) Conference celebrated the Assistive Technology CenterÕs 20th anniversary and featured a physical therapist and RESNA certified assistive technology professional and seating mobility specialist as the keynote speaker through video conferencing. The Annual AT Fair was also held and was attended by approximately 250 Guam residents. The Seating and Wheeled Mobility Clinic, was held for the first time on island. Guam CEDDERS facilitated this on-site clinic attended by 53 service providers, including physical and occupational therapists from the hospital, public and department of defense schools, private clinics and nursing services, durable medical equipment suppliers, home health care providers, and family members. Workshop evaluations highlighted the appreciation and importance of holding this workshop, especially since obtaining an appropriate assessment and prescription for customized wheelchairs is a challenge for residents of Guam and the region. The Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) Project, first established in 2002, is still going strong through a federal grant by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). The project facilitated the universal newborn hearing screening program with the goals of conducting hearing screenings for all newborn children before discharge from the hospital or birthing site; diagnostic audiological evaluation before 3 months of age; and early intervention services before 6 months of age. Data for Fiscal Year 2014 showed that 99% of all newborns born in civilian facilities on Guam underwent a hearing screening. In conjunction with Project Rikohi (Òto collectÓ in the Chamorro language), worked hard to ensure that in addition to facilitating improvements to the island-wide data tracking system, no children are lost to follow up screening and evaluation and ultimately referral to appropriate services and supports if a hearing loss is determined. Small photo of a small girl smiling in a vertical wheelchair next to a boy wearing a red shirt and jeans with adults in the background with the caption: Residents of all ages attended the 2014 Assistive Technology Fair held at the Micronesia Mall. Page 15 Half page photo located on the top of the page of four adults, one male and three females sitting on a stage in front of an audience with a projector screen in the background with the caption: Guam CEDDERS facilitated a panel presentation of parents with children with hearing impairment who shared their experiences, challenges and successes during the Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference in August. Bottom photo of a large group of participants focused on an activity with the caption: Child care providers take notes during a workshop on using the newly updated CNMI Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers held on April 26 at the San Antonio Parish Social Hall, Saipan. Quarter size photo located at the top page with a male holding the shoulders of another male sitting on a table and female squatting and holding the maleÕs right foot with the caption: Clinicians try their hand at a wheelchair seating mat assessment during the ÒSeating and Wheeled Mobility ClinicÓ in April. Half page photo of a panoramic view of participants at a mall with the caption: The 20th Annual Assistive Technology Fair was held at the Micronesia Mall on March 2. Page 16 Header: Research/Evaluation; Information Dissemination Full page photo of three women standing in front of notes taped on wall with the caption: Self-Advocates and family members discuss input generated during discussions at the Ò2014 Update of the Guam Territorial Agenda on Disabilities.Ó Page 17-18 The top activity facilitated by Guam CEDDERS under these Core Functions was the Ò2014 Update of the Guam Territorial Agenda on DisabilitiesÓ held in May. This event drew 39 individuals with disabilities and their families together to discuss the current state of services and supports available to people with disabilities and their families. In addition to reviewing the Ò2003 Guam Territorial Agenda on Disabilities,Ó the last version of the Agenda, stakeholders shared their thoughts on what was working and what needed to improve. After their evaluation on the state of affairs, areas of concern were prioritized by level of critical need. Employment emerged as being the top area of concern, followed by housing and transportation which tied for second place. The new agenda will be presented to policymakers in Fall 2014 and will be used to guide policy development, systems improvement, and quality assurance efforts. Guam CEDDERS facilitated the development and implementation activities of the evaluation component of Project Kari–u, GuamÕs Early Childhood Mental Health System of Care Project under the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services. These activities were designed to (1) determine the extent to which the project achieves the goal of developing, implementing, and sustaining a family driven, culturally competent early childhood system of care; and (2) ensure successful implementation of the mandated National Evaluation. Activities included collecting input from the families of children who utilized the services of the program in addition to obtaining information from staff members to help inform program policies, procedures, and delivery of services. Findings were summarized in the Project Kari–u Evaluation ReportÓ published in August 2014. Guam CEDDERS had the primary responsibility for the coordination of the Cultural and Linguistic Competence (CLC) component as specified in the approved Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services Early Childhood Mental Health System of Care ÒProject Kari–uÓ to help ensure that federal requirements for cultural and linguistic competence of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families are met. Guam CEDDERS worked jointly with Project Kari–u staff and stakeholders to develop and implement the CLC Plan, policies and procedures that orient and train all stakeholders on system of care values and principles to include the rationale and purpose for promoting cultural and linguistic competence. Policies and procedures were developed and implemented to: a) guide culturally and linguistically competent service planning and service delivery; b) promote ethnic and cultural diversity and participation in all levels of decision making in GuamÕs system of care; and c) promote ethnic and linguistic diversity in the workforce and management of Project Kari–u and with affiliated organizations and service providers as well as promote a workforce experienced in working with individuals from diverse ethnic and cultural groups. Combined with workforce development, evaluation and continuous quality improvement activities, implementation of the CLC Plan helped to address disparities in mental health services for young children and their families. In collaboration with the Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning (McRel) Pacific organization, Guam CEDDERS provided guidance and support across analytic needs assessment, research alliances, research and evaluation and dissemination activities. Guam CEDDERS developed and disseminated several products to increase public awareness on topics related to early childhood through the State Advisory Council Grant. These products included: * Guam School Readiness Plan - 2013 * Guam Early Childhood State Plan - 2013 * Parent Activity Tips for Children Birth to 8 Years * ÒRespectÓ book Through a contract with the Guam Early Intervention System, Division of Special Education, Guam Department of Education, Guam CEDDERS facilitated the production of the following documents and videos during this reporting period: * Everyday Learning Opportunities: Activities for young children up to 36 months to help them grow, learn, and thriveÓÕ * ÒWhat Parents Are Saying About GEIS,Ó a five-minute video * ÒThe Importance of Early Intervention,Ó a five-minute video Other products developed and disseminated during this period included the: * Guam CEDDERS 2013 Annual Report * Guam Assistive Technology & Alternative Financing Programs Five-Year impact Report * Project Kari–u Evaluation Report * ÒIndividuals with Disabilities Poster Series,Ó featuring people with disabilities from a range of ages, some with their families, including an inspiring quote * ÒBernadette,Ó a 10-minute video featuring Bernadette Colet Quarterly issues of * I Tellai, the Guam CEDDERS Quarterly Newsletter * I LinaÕla-ta, a Tri-Agency-sponsored quarterly newsletter for people with disabilities and their family members * I MandikikiÕ, a quarterly newsletter for parents and caregivers of young children Development and maintenance of the following websites * Guam CEDDERS * Guam Early Learning Council * Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention * Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) Page 17 photos: Image of Project KarinuÕs Evaluation Report cover of a female toddler standing and smiling with her hands behind her back. Quarter size photo of three adults, one male and two females; one reading in front of a microphone with the caption: Guam CEDDERS facilitated the translation and audio recording of the ÒGuam Special Education Procedural SafeguardsÓ in the Chamorro language. Page 18 Small photo of two women smiling with the caption: Maria Elena Garcia (left), McREL Managing Consultant and Nieves Flores (right), Ed.D, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, collaborated on education-related research projects. Text with bullet list in colored box on the bottom right of the page: Research/Evaluation Information Dissemination * ¥ Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) Pacific * ¥ Project Kari–u - Cultural & Linguistic Competency * ¥ Project Kari–u Ð Evaluation * ¥ Project Kari–u - Technical Assistance & Training * ¥ State Advisory Council Grant * ¥ GDOE Part C Public Awareness Campaign Services Year 2 Page 19 Collage of various images of CEDDERS Developed Products Guam CEDDERS developed 62 products and disseminated 6,525 copies of those products. 11,505 of products developed from previous years were disseminated during the current Fiscal Year. A total of 18,030 products were disseminated this year. These developed products and more are available for download at the Guam CEDDERS website: www.guamcedders.org Page 20 Header: Collaborating Partners * Georgetown University, Center for Child and Human Development, National Technical Assistance Center for ChildrenÕs Mental Health * Guam Community College * John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions * San Diego State University, Interwork Institute * University of Hawaii Center on Disability Studies; Maternal & Child * Health Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities * University of Massachusetts Boston Northeast Regional Center for Vision Education * University of Minnesota National Center on Educational Outcomes Collaborating Universities & Colleges * University of Oregon Western Regional Resource Center * University of South Florida, Department of Child and Family Studies * Utah State UniversityÐNational Center on Hearing Assessment & Management * Vanderbilt University Center on Social Emotional Development & Early Learning Half page photo of a projector screen with information on the Seven Levels of Communicative Competence and a female presenter standing in front of an audience with the caption: In collaboration with the National Center and State Collaborative (NCSC) Project out of University of MinnesotaÕs National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) and the CNMI Public School System, a one-day session was held with CNMI School Teams on the curriculum, instruction, and assessment considerations for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Page 21 Guam Collaborating Partners Agency for Human Resources Development Alee Shelter Catholic Social Services Center for Independent Living Council Department of Defense Educational Activity Educational Developmental Intervention Services, U.S. Naval Hospital, Guam Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center Guam Child Care Development Association Guam Community College Guam Department of Education Guam Department of Homeland Security - Office of Civil Defense Guam Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities - Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Guam Department of Labor Guam Department of Public Health & Social Services Guam Department of Public Works Guam Department of Youth Affairs Guam Developmental Disabilities Council Guam Early Learning Council Guam EHDI Family Support Group Guam Housing & Urban Renewal Authority Guam Identifies FamiliesÕ Terrific Strengths Guam Interagency Coordinating Council Guam Legal Services Corporation - Disability Law Center Guam Legislature Guam Medical Society Guam Memorial Hospital Authority Guam Office of Minority Health Guam Positive Parents Together Guam Regional Transit Authority Guam Salvation Army Guam Veterans Affairs Office Head Start MayorsÕ Council Office of the First Lady Office of the Governor Office of the Lieutenant Governor Office of the Public Guardian Parents Empowering Parents of Children with Disabilities (PEP) Supreme Court of Guam Sagua Ma–agu Birthing Center Si–A: Self-Advocates in Action Small Business Development Center State Vocational Rehab Council Victim Advocates Reaching Out Photo located at the top of the page of four women smiling (three sitting; one standing and looking at the paper work) with the caption: Established in early 2013, Parents Empowering Parents of children with Disabilities (PEP), is a Guam CEDDERS collaborating partner. Photo of a male standing and smiling with the quote: ÒNever judge a book by its cover. You never know what a person with a disability can do.Ó - Diamond Iriarte Page 22 Other Collaborators American Academy of Pediatrics American Samoa Department of Education Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs Bill Daniels Center for ChildrenÕs Hearing, ChildrenÕs Hospital - Colorado Bookshare.org, The Benetech Initiative Boystown Center for Deafness Center for Applied Special Technology Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System Community Transportation Association of America Council for Chief State School Officers Federated States of Micronesia Department of Education HawaiiÕs Early Childhood Comprehensive Project ICF Macro Interstate New Teacher Assessment & Support Consortium Keystone Alternate Assessment Design Mid-Continent Research for Education & Learning (McREL) National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA) National Association for the Education of Young Children National Association of Social Workers, Guam Chapter National Center and State Collaborative NCSEAM National Child Care Information & Technical Assistance Center National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center National Federation of Families for ChildrenÕs Mental Health National GovernorÕs Association National Infant & Toddler Child Care Initiative @ Zero to Three National Information System for Assistive Technology (NISAT) National Instruction Materials Accessibility Center National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standards, TA Center Pacific Resources for Education & Learning Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Education Republic of Palau Ministry of Education Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health U.S. Department of Defense WestEd (Doing What Works) Photo located at the top of the page of a group of individuals posing with the caption: Over 20 CNMI stakeholders, representing CNMIÕs early childhood policy makers, practitioners, and families of young children, contributed to the development of the CNMI Early Learning Guidelines. Page 23 The Guam CEDDERS Team Teaching, Research, Outreach, & Administrative Staff Heidi San Nicolas, PhD, Director & Professor Maria Luisa D. Benavente, ACSW, Project Kari–u CLC Coordinator Margaret G. Blaz, PhD, Guam EHDI Follow-Up Coordinator Vera Ann G. Blaz, MA, Training Associate Bonnie Brandt, MA, Training Associate Julie Celeste, MBA, Administrative Manager June De Leon, Med, Associate Director for Program Development, Technical Assistance, & Outreach Elaine Eclavea, Med, Health, Wellness, & Prevention, Initiative Area Coordinator Terrie Fejarang, Med, Associate Director for Interdisciplinary Training, Operations, & Data/Dissemination Nieves Flores, EdD, Associate Professor, Training Associate Charlita Harper, Med, Training Associate Sean Lizama, BA, Disability Media Specialist Joseph Mendiola, BA, Data Coordinator Teresita Naputi, BA, Research Associate Jeffrey Pinaula, BA, Research Associate Ginger Porter, Med, Instructor, Disability Studies, Interdisciplinary Evaluation & Research June Quitugua, Med, Inclusive Communities Initiative Area Coordinator Victoria Ritter, BA, Guam EHDI Hearing Screening Technician Velma Sablan, PhD, Professor, Guam EHDI Evaluator Mary Spencer, PhD, Emerita Dean University of Guam, McREL Principal Investigator Carla Torres, MEd, ATP, Assistive Technology & Special Projects Program Coordinator Keith Villaluna, BBA, Data Coordinator Support Staff Leah Grace Abelon, BA, AT Center Assistant Lesley Abonales, Student Research Assistant LeeAna Acfalle, Student Office Assistant Lucy Aponik, Student Office Assistant Jenika Ballesta, Student Office Assistant John P. Camacho, Jr., BA, Grant Assistant I Jessica Chaco, Follow up Parent Mentor Dolores Cruz, Grant Budget Specialist III Coleen V. Dela Cruz, Grant Assistant I Justine Denusta, Student Office Assistant Richard Duenas, Student Office Assistant Charlayne Espinosa, Student Office Assistant Tamara Flores, Office Technician Sherolyn Guerrero, BIT, Grant Assistant I Margaret Johnson, AS, Data & Developed Products Assistant Ruth Leon Guerrero, Office Technician Jef Limtiaco, Grant Assistant III Julia Muya, BA, Family Interviewer Cecile Olandez, Center Specialist Dolores Palomo, AT Grant Assistant Thilani Pereda, Office Technician Camarin Sablan, Student Office Assistant Lance Santos, Student Office Assistant Tanya Santos, AS, Grant Assistant I Bernadette Shisler, Family Interviewer June Timpe, Grant Budget Specialist I Vittoria Umagat, Student Office Assistant Marie Wusstig, Med, Family Interviewer Funding Pie chart July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014: $7,877,573 Federal: 40%, $3.1 Million Local: 33%, $2.6 Million State: 8%, $636,913 Other: 19%, $1.4 Million Back cover with abstract teal background with the University of Guam and Guam CEDDERS logos This report was produced with 100% funding support from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Grant No. 90DD0014-01-00 and facilitated by the University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (Guam CEDDERS). This report is also available online and in alternate formats at www.guamcedders.org The University of Guam is an equal opportunity provider and employer.