University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research & Service
2015 Annual Report
July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015

ÒIndividual smiling after bagging groceriesÓ

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ÒGuam CEDDERS Advisory Council 2015Ó

Lynn Tydingco was re-elected as Chairperson and Leone Rohr was elected as Vice Chairperson of the Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council during the June 5 quarterly meeting. Seated left to right are Ms. Tydingco, Mrs. Rohr, and Hank Parker. Standing left to right are Josie Guerrero, Maria Bontogon, Evie Manibusan and Linda Rodriquez.

Self-Advocates & Family Representatives 

Maria Bontogon

Bill Fuppul 

Josephine Guerrero

Gian Magana

Tom Manglona

Leone Rohr

Erlinda ÒLynnÓ Tydingco


Agency & Organization Representatives

Rosanne Ada, Director 
Guam Developmental Disabilities Council

Elaine Faculo-Gogue, 
UOG Student Support Services & EEO

Yolanda Gabriel, Assistant Superintendent, 
Special Education, Guam Department of Education

Linda Rodriguez, Human Services Program Administrator 
Bureau of Social Services Administration (BOSSA), 
Department of Public Health & Social Services

Harold Parker, J.D., Director
Guam Legal Services Corporation - Disability Law Center

Marcelene Santos, J.D., Public Guardian,
Office of the Public Guardian - Supreme Court of Guam

Ben Servino, Director
Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities


About the Cover
To help commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Guam CEDDERS produced a 10-poster series featuring successful individuals with disabilities. Shown on the cover is Gian Magana, Self-advocate, and Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Member. To view the full set, please visit the Guam CEDDERS website at www.guamcedders.org.



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Table of Contents

 2 | Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council

 4 | About Guam CEDDERS

 6 | Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation; Continuing Education; 
Community Services: Training

12 | Community Services: Technical Assistance, Model Services, 
Demonstration Services

16 | Research/Evaluation; Information Dissemination

20 | Collaborating Partners

23 | The Guam CEDDERS Team

23 | Funding


Erlinda ÒLynnÓ Tydingco, Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Chairperson, 
facilitated the ÒUpdates from Advocates on GuamÕs Disability Agenda ForumÓ 
held at the Jesus and Eugenia Leon Guerrero Building at the University of 
Guam on December 3, 2014. GuamÕs Disability Agenda is a key source used in 
Tri-Agency Work Plans, as well as Guam CEDDERSÕ Core Grant planning.

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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

The second year of a five-year cycle of the Guam CEDDERS Core grant began on July 1, 2014 and ended on June 30, 2015. The Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council, which meets quarterly to ensure that the Core goals and objectives are addressed, provides input on emerging issues, trends, and concerns faced by individuals with disabilities and their families. Other Councils that fall within the Guam CEDDERS framework that play an integral 
role in determining the path taken by various projects in the organization include the:

¥ Guam System for Assistive Technology Advisory Board
¥ Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Council
¥ Project Tinituhon (GuamÕs Early Childhood Comprehensive System) Strategic Management Team


Guam CEDDERS staff were also members of numerous Councils, Boards, and Committees including:

¥ Guam Early Learning Council
¥ Interagency Coordinating Council
¥ Project Bisita I Familia Advisory Committee, 
Department of Public Health & Social Services 
(DPHSS)
¥ Guam Developmental Disabilities Council
¥ Pacific Islands Microcredit Institute Board
¥ State Rehabilitation Council
¥ Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center 
Advisory Council
¥ Guam Advisory Panel for Students with 
Disabilities (GAPSD)
¥ Guam State Rehabilitation Advisory Board
¥ Guam Legal Services Corporation - Disability Law 
Center, Protection & Advocacy for Developmental 
Disabilities Advisory Council
¥ Project Kari–u Community Evaluation Advisory 
Team, DPHSS 


ÒGuam CEDDERS TeamÓ


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Core Functions

This 2015 Annual Report features Guam CEDDERS activities conducted during the period of July 1, 2014 Ð June 30, 2015. 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, Institutional Visibility
¥ Promoting the Land-Grant Mission Community Engagement
¥ Strengthening Institutional Efficiency and Effectiveness


Trish Billen, Guam CEDDERS Social Work Practicum student, was honored during the University of Guam Social Work Pinning Ceremony held on May 21, 2015 at the University of Guam College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Lecture Hall. In attendance were (L-R): Bonnie Brandt, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate; Trish Billen, Practicum Student; Florina Anson, TrishÕs mother; Yuleen Nanpei Perman, TrishÕs cousin; Bernadette Shisler, Guam CEDDERS Family Interviewer; and Mariles Benavente, Guam CEDDERS Cultural & Linguistic Competence Consultant.

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Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation; 
Continuing Education; Community Services: Training


ÒGuam LEND trainees got in touch with nature, learned more about cultural 
values and teamwork at the University of Hawaii Ka Papa PunaluÔu LoÔi (taro 
patch) on March 22, 2015.Ó


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On October 28, 2014 John Acfalle (standing pointing to screen) , a 
student in the ÒHistorical and Contemporary Perspectives of DisabilityÓ 
class, shared his experiences of bringing two individuals, who grew up 
in an institutional setting, into his family home. His video depicts the 
advantage and normalcy of small family settings over group home 
housing. Engaged in the presentation (L-R): Leilani Lafaele, John Acfalle, 
Tia Pereda , and Sherry Guerrero.


Donna McNear, University of Massachusetts-Boston Adjunct Faculty and Pacific VIP Regional Consultant, conducted a practicum site visit with 
Guam-based Pacific VIP scholars. Pictured here at Price Elementary School are (L-R): scholars Darlene Taimanglo and Diane Artero, Professor 
Donna McNear, and scholar Erica Acfalle. The site visit took place during the week of April 27 through May 1, 2015.

Visual Impairment Training

Under the Core Function of Interdisciplinary Pre-
Service Preparation, efforts continued to finalize the 
completion of the Pacific Vision Instruction Project 
(Pacific VIP), a US Department of Education, Office 
of Special Education Programs (DOE OSEP)-funded 
personnel preparation grant to increase the pool of 
highly qualified professionals educating students 
with visual impairments. While the majority of the 19 
Pacific scholars, representing American Samoa, the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 
Guam, and the Federated States of Micronesia, 
had completed their degree requirements, several 
needed extra time and practicum supervision to 
ensure that all program requirements were met to 
not only meet their graduate program requirements 
for a MasterÕs Degree in Teacher of Students with 
Visual Impairments (TVI), but also earn credentials in 
Orientation and Mobility (O&M). Guam CEDDERS, in 
partnership with University of Massachusetts-Boston, 
the degree granting institution, continues to support 
the regional scholars in completing their program 
requirements in 2015.

Disabilities Studies Course

The Disabilities Studies course series were piloted 
and offered this year through the University of 
Guam. What was especially significant this year was the 
completion of the first internship in this discipline by a 
University of Guam senior majoring in social work. Efforts 
continue to facilitate the process to have this series be 
approved as a three-credit course for inclusion as an 
option to meet an undergraduate general education 
requirement.

Self-Advocacy Training

The Self-Advocacy Workshops, offered over the past 
six years, were again supported by Guam CEDDERS, 
in partnership with the Self Advocates in Action (Si–A) 
organization and the Guam Developmental Disabilities 


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Council. This workshop assists persons with disabilities 
to Òfind their own voicesÓ through the development 
of communication and assertive skills. One section of 
the course, held in May, focused on the development 
of skills needed for college life. In addition, a very 
important component of this workshop is the training 
of self-advocates to be the leaders in teaching this 
workshop. Guam CEDDERS is pleased to have played 
a key role in not only developing the curriculum for 
the course, but in providing the mentorship for self-
advocates who now fully lead and coordinate the 
workshops. Completers of the workshop included 
individuals with disabilities serving on community 
boards and councils.

LEND

Under the interdisciplinary training, core function, 
three trainees completed the fourth cycle of the 
Maternal Child Health Leadership Education in 
Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (MCH 
LEND) program, offered through a partnership with 
the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of 
Medicine LEND Program. Trainees from the disciplines 
of audiology, early childhood special education, and 
family partnerships completed the 300-hour program 
that honed their skills to assume leadership roles in this 
specialized area.

Speech Pathology Training 

An exciting new development that took place towards 
the end of this reporting period was the awarding of 
federal grant support in May for a graduate program 
to train speech-language pathologists from the Pacific 
region. A DOE OSEP personnel preparation grant was 
awarded to San Jose State University, in partnership 
with Guam CEDDERS, to support 20 scholars from the 
region to help meet the critical shortage of professionals 
in this specialized discipline. Project EPICS (Educating 
Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech-Language Pathology) 


Ò(L-R): Trish Billen, Disability Studies and Social Work intern, role play with fellow facilitator Maria Bontogon, a UOG undergraduate student and 
Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council member, and participant Zenaida Del Mundo to demonstrate the more formal interactions with post secondary 
faculty when disclosing a disability and needing to request accommodations during the ÒSelf-Advocacy WorkshopÓ held on May 5, 2015.Ó


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is a five-year graduate program, delivered through a 
combination of online and on-site classes, leading 
to a masterÕs degree that will use effective and 
scientifically-based curricula and pedagogy to prepare 
personnel who will improve outcomes for students 
with disabilities, and foster appropriate access to 
and achievement in the general education curricula. 
Recruitment efforts began as soon as the notification of 
award was received, with the offering of the first course 
slated to begin in Fall 2015.


ÒGuam LEND trainees received their Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental & Related Disabilities (LEND) Certificate of Completion on May 5, 2015. Shown here are (L-R): Carla Torres, Guam CEDDERS LEND Coordinator, Trainees Leone Rohr, Suzanne McManus, Ph.D., and Renee Koffend, Au.D., and Leolinda Parlin, University of Hawaii LEND Program Co-Director.Ó


ÒPepnet2 staff (standing L-R): Van Nguyen, Mary Morrison, and (seated) Cindy Camp, shared information relating to technology available to persons who are deaf/hard of hearing during the ÒBuilding State Capacity to Address Critical Issues in Deaf Education: Transition from Secondary Education to Postsecondary OptionsÓ conference on May 22, 2015. Guam CEDDERS assisted in the facilitation of this event.Ó


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ÒGuam Department of Education Special Education Transportation drivers & supervisors gathered to receive their certificates after completing 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration curriculum for Transporting Students with Special Needs & Emergency Evacuation on September 
5, 2014.Ó

ÒDr. Robert Corso (standing), consultant from the Center on the Social and Emotional 
Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL), talked about intervention at the top of the pyramid during training with early childhood service providers on Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation held on October 20-22, 2014.Ó

Early Childhood Training

Guam CEDDERS provided training 
for early childhood service providers 
on ÒSupporting the Social Emotional 
Development of Infants & Toddlers 
Through Family Coaching.Ó Training 
through the Center on the Social 
and Emotional Foundations for Early 
Learning centered on ÒPyramid Model 
LeadershipÓ and Developmental and 
Behavioral Screening training for 
child care providers. A ÒPhysicianÕs 
Orientation Meeting on the Island-
wide Developmental and Behavioral 
ScreeningÓ was also held, through 
Project Tinituhon, GuamÕs Early 
Childhood Comprehensive Systems 


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grant from the US Department of Health & 
Human Services, Health Resources & Services 
Administration.

Transportation Safety Training

Bus drivers from the Guam Department of 
Education and the paratransit and public transit 
systems were trained on safety and proper 
securement of wheelchairs and customer 
service with people with disabilities. The training 
offered to the bus drivers provided them with 
certificates through the Community Transportation 
Association of America.

PBIS Training

Since the establishment of the organization, 
Guam CEDDERS has partnered with the Guam 
Department of Education on numerous initiatives. 
This partnership continued with Guam CEDDERS 
providing technical assistance and training to 
promote Positive Behavioral Interventions and 
Supports (PBIS) in the public school system. A 
key component addressed during this reporting 
period is parent involvement. Parents and 
guardians participated in a training facilitated by 
Guam CEDDERS to increase their understanding 
of PBIS, increase their knowledge of the goals of 
PBIS, and provide information on applying PBIS 
parenting tools.

Regional Special Education Training

As in previous years, Guam CEDDERS continued 
providing technical assistance and training related 
to the education of students with disabilities in the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the 
Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of 
Palau.

Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation; 
Continuing Education; Community Services: Training

¥ CNMI Child Care and Development Fund Technical 
Assistance and Training
¥ CNMI PSS IDEA Part B & C Training
¥ Disabilities Studies Courses
¥ FSM Project Realize, Empower, and Apply Locally (REAL) IV
¥ Guam CEDDERS Core Grant
¥ Guam DOE Character Education Positive Behavioral 
Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
¥ Pacific Vision Instruction Project (Pacific VIP)
¥ Palau Part B 2014
¥ Project Tinituhon Phase III MCH-SECCS/Building Health 
Through Integration
¥ Self-Advocacy Workshops
¥ Transit Training
¥ University of Hawaii MCH LEND Program

ÒNieves Flores, Ed.D., Guam CEDDERS Consultant, conducted a monthly Positive Behavior Interventions & Support (PBIS) training for middle school 
personnel at GSAT. Participants were provided on-going training in using data for decision-making and writing precision problem statements.Ó


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Community Services: Technical Assistance, 
Model Services, Demonstration Services


ÒAndrew Gumataotao (right), GSAT Student Office Assistant, demonstrated 
the use of an assistive technology device that reads text out loud during 
the Annual Assistive Technology Fair on March 7, 2015.Ó 

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ÒParticipants of the ÒUpdate from Advocates on GuamÕs Disability Agenda ForumÓ held on December 3, 2014 posed for a group photo in the 
atrium of the Eugenia and Jesus Leon Guerrero School of Business and Public Administration Building, University of Guam.Ó

Disability Agenda/Policy Maker Awareness

The ÒUpdate from Advocates on GuamÕs Disability 
Agenda ForumÓ was held on December 3, 2014. 
The purpose of the forum was to keep community 
leaders abreast of concerns of great importance to 
people with disabilities and their families. Thirty-seven 
policy makers, including senators and legislative staff, 
staff from the Office of GuamÕs Washington Delegate, 
agency directors and representatives, gathered to listen 
to the concerns, expressed by self-advocates and their 
family members, on systemic, funding, and general 
challenges as well as specific examples of frustrations 
of daily living that are a result of insufficient support. 
The developed product titled: Ò2014 Updates from 
Advocates on GuamÕs Territorial Agenda Update on 
DisabilitiesÓ report, which outlined information gathered 
during the May 2014 forum, was disseminated during 
this event. 

OSEP Visit

A major activity under this Core Function of 
Community Services: Training was the hosting of 
the OSEP Pacific Meeting on August 11-15, 2014. 
Over 60 representatives from the six Pacific entities 
including American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Federated Sates of 
Micronesia (FSM), Guam, the Republic of the Marshall 
Islands (RMI), and the Republic of Palau (ROP) were in 
attendance to hear updates from Dr. Melody Musgrove, 
OSEP Director, and her colleagues. The five-day 
meeting highlighted OSEPÕs on-site State Systemic 
Improvement Plan (SSIP) implementation support 
designed to help ensure that states/entities develop 
high quality Phase 1 SSIPs submitted in April 2015.

Early Childhood Policy Summit

Guam CEDDERS facilitated a two-day ÒEarly 
Childhood Policy Summit - Setting the Early Childhood 
Course for 2015Ó on December 9, 2014 and January 
20, 2015. A wide range of stakeholders, including 
Guam Early Learning Council (GELC) members, policy 
leaders for education and health, administrators, 
and program directors from GuamÕs Early Childhood 
Programs, and parents attended this summit which 
provided an opportunity for members of GELC 
and Project Tinituhon (The Beginning) Strategic 
Management Teams to update the CouncilÕs five key 
areas. These areas include: Health, Social Emotional/
Mental Health, Early Care and Education, Parent 
Education and Family Support, and Sustainability.

Assistive Technology ÒCan DoÓ

The Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) 
hosted the Annual Assistive Technology (AT) Fair on 
March 7, 2015 & the 21st Annual AT Conference on 
March 27, 2015. The theme of this much-anticipated 
annual event, ÒMaking It Work,Ó was reflective of 
the ÒCan DoÓ spirit of the stakeholders. Over 120 


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participants attended the conference which featured 
speakers from GSAT, GuamÕs Protection & Advocacy 
Program under Guam Legal Services Corporation Ð 
Disability Law Center, the Department of Integrated 
Services for Individuals with Disabilities, and the Guam 
Department of Education, Division of Special Education. 
The Fair was held at the Micronesia Mall and was well 
attended by the community at large. 

AT Demo & Loan Programs

Keeping the community informed on emerging 
technologies is an important mission of the Guam 
System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) Center. A 
demonstration center that showcases devices, both 
low-tech and high-tech, serves as a place for Guam 
residents to obtain information on various devices, try 
and potentially borrow items before deciding to invest 
in a purchase. For persons who may have financial 
issues, GSAT, in partnership with the Pacific Island 
Microcredit Institute, through two loan programs, 
the Guam Options for Alternative Loans for Assistive 
Technology (GOAL-AT) and the Get Guam Teleworking 
(GGT) Programs, offers low-interest loans for qualified 
individuals. 

Remote Interpreting/Capturing 

To assist in community program access, GSAT 
also facilitated a live demonstration of ÒVideo Remote 
Interpreting and Captioning in Real Time CaptioningÓ 
conducted with over 50 participants. Due to GuamÕs 
remote location, the Video Conferencing technology 
has great potential in providing real-time language 
access supports, particularly for members of the deaf 
community due to a lack of locally-based sign language 
interpreters. 

Transition Supports in Deaf Ed

In collaboration with PEPNet2, Guam CEDDERS 
assisted in the facilitation of a two-day meeting on 
ÒBuilding State Capacity to Address Critical Issues in 
Deaf Education: Transition from Secondary Education 
to Postsecondary OptionsÓ held in Honolulu, Hawaii. 
This technical assistance projectÕs mission is to 
increase the education, career and lifetime choices 
available to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. 
Representatives from the Pacific entities were brought 
to Honolulu to attend this highly informative meeting. 
It was the first time for most participants to see adults 
who are deaf or hard of hearing share their stories and 
accomplishments, several with college degrees and 
employment and career successes that go far beyond 
what is typically available for deaf residents in their 
island home communities.


ÒThe Guam DOE Division of Special Education sponsored a reception for participants of the OSEP Pacific Meeting for Regional Special Education 
(SpEd) officials in the Hall of Governors at Adelup on August 11, 2014. (Left to right): Vince Leon Guerrero, Guam GovernorÕs Education Policy 
Consultant; Arthur Albert, FSM Special Services Division Chief; Helen Sengebau, ROP SpEd Coordinator; Charles Kniseley, OSEP State Contact for 
Guam; Ruthiran Lokeijak, RMI SpEd Director; Dr. Melody Musgrove, OSEP Director; Genee Norbert, OSEP State Contact for FSM and ROP; Judith 
Gregorian, OSEP MSIP Associate Division Director; Yolanda Gabriel, Guam Assistant Superintendent for SpEd; Suzanne Lizama, CNMI SpEd 
Director; Robin Palacios, CNMI Part C Coordinator; and Cathy Tydingco, Guam Part C & Early Childhood Special Ed Coordinator.Ó


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Home Visitation 

Guam CEDDERS continued to provide supports 
through technical assistance and training through 
contracts with the Guam Department of Public Health 
and Social Services (DPHSS). Project Bisita I Familia, 
a home visiting program for at risk children and their 
families, was supported through training of their 
personnel, as well as through technical assistance in 
program development and reporting. 

Infant Mental Health/Cultural & Linguistic 
Competence, and Information Access

Project Kari–u, an early childhood mental health 
program for infants and young children birth through 
eight, was provided with training and program 
development support, with an additional component 
related to ensuring cultural and linguistic access. One 
of the activities under this project was the ÒAddressing 
Disparities through Organizational Cultural and 
Linguistic CompetenceÓ Conference that featured 
Tawara Goode and Vivian Jackson from Georgetown 
UniversityÕs University Center on Developmental 
Disabilities. Also in collaboration with DPHSS, Guam 
CEDDERS was contracted to facilitate the development 
of a three-year plan ÒNo Wrong Door PlanÓ to improve 
access to information for long-term services and 
supports for all persons.

Alternate Assessment

Through the National Center and State Collaborative 
(NCSC), Guam CEDDERS provided technical 
assistance and training for the Guam Department 
of Education and CNMI Public School System on 
the system of supports for the development and 
implementation of the NCSC Alternate Assessment 
based on Alternate Achievement Standards (AA-AAS) 
for students with significant cognitive disabilities in 
Grades 3-8 and 11. A critical component of the AA-
AAS system included various NCSC curriculum and 
instructional resources to help develop lesson plans for 
students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Community Services: Technical Assistance, 
Model Services, Demonstration Services

¥ California State University, Northridge Contract - PEPNet
¥ GuamÕs Early Childhood Home Visiting Program: Project 
Bisita I Familia 
¥ Guam System for Assistive Technology
¥ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (GEHDI) - 
Phase IV & V
¥ National Center & State Collaborative (NCSC) Project
¥ No Wrong Door Program (NWD)
¥ Pacific Island Microcredit Institute (PIMI) Get Guam 
Teleworking (GGT) Program
¥ Pacific Island Microcredit Institute (PIMI) Guam Options 
for Alternative Loans - Assistive Technology (GOAL-AT)
¥ Project Kari–u - Cultural & Linguistic Competency 
¥ Project Kari–u - Technical Assistance & Training 

ÒRenee Koffend (standing), AuD., demonstrated the use of a device that 
allows Evelyn Duenas to view her inner ear during the Annual Assistive 
Technology Fair on March 7, 2015.Ó


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Research/Evaluation; 
Information Dissemination

ÒMr. Jon Fernandez (standing), Guam Department of Education Superintendent, gave welcoming remarks at the REL Pacific Guam Research Alliance Parent Panel Session on Family Engagement held on May 7, 2015 at Liguan Elementary School.Ó


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ÒMr. Quansheng Song, database consultant, conducted a site visit on May 20, 2015 with Guam CEDDERS and Project Kari–u staff to further 
refine their database and begin work on generating a set of standardized reports. Clockwise (L-R): Dr. Lilli Perez, Clinical Director; Quansheng 
Song, Database Consultant; Bonnie Brandt, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate; Joseph Mendiola, Guam CEDDERS Data Coordinator; Tammy 
Bamba, Project LAUNCH Staff; Pauline Camacho, Project Kari–u Lead Family Partner; Toni Latson, Project Kari–u Wrap Coordinator; and Jobeth 
Aquino, Project Kari–u Wrap Coordinator.Ó

Pacific Research

Guam CEDDERS partnered with the Mid-continent 
Research for Education and Learning (McREL) in 
facilitating the Guam Research Alliance for Family and 
Community Engagement panel session to increase 
awareness of strategies utilized by selected schools 
to engage family; increase awareness of familiesÕ 
perception of their level of engagement in the schools; 
and to increase awareness of barriers, as perceived 
by families, preventing engagement in their childrenÕs 
education. Families were asked to share their thoughts 
on how they were involved in their childrenÕs education, 
examples of positive experiences or challenging areas, 
and ways in which schools could make parents feel 
more welcomed. McREL also provided supports on 
action planning and application of methods for 
ensuring engagement. 

Linking Evaluation to Program Improvement

Accessing information to use for project evaluation 
and to make informed decisions for program 
improvements continued to be a goal for two key 
activities facilitated by Guam CEDDERS relating to 
systems development. One is the support and further 
enhancement of the Guam ChildLink Data system 
and the other is Project Kari–u Evaluation. The Guam 
ChildLink-EHDI data system was initiated by Guam 
CEDDERS through the Guam Early Hearing Detection 
and Intervention (Guam EHDI) project 11 years ago 
to monitor the tracking and surveillance of infants 
receiving hearing screening before leaving the facility 
of their birth. Since then, the system has experienced 
tremendous growth and has expanded to include 
ChildLink Ð Bisita and ChildLink Kari–u, the web-based 
data tracking, monitoring, and reporting system for 
Project Kari–u. Although all three systems are separate 
and tailored to their specific program needs, there is a 
level of integration that is being developed for the three 
Guam ChildLink data systems. In addition, the three 
systems serve as a framework for the development 
of GuamÕs Early Childhood Integrated Data System 
(ECIDS). This is a huge accomplishment for Guam, but 
it is only the beginning of what is being planned for the 
interoperability of the systems. As technology advances 
and data needs continue to grow, there are plans for 
the continued enhancement of Guam ChildLink to 
ensure functionality and connectivity. This development, 
will in turn, provide needed support to improve overall 
development and improvements to GuamÕs Early 
Childhood Comprehensive System.


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Infant Mental Health Data

For over three years, Guam CEDDERS collected 
information about the children and families served by 
Project Kari–u, GuamÕs Early Childhood System of 
Care for young children with social, emotional, and 
behavioral challenges. Through a contract with DPHSS, 
Guam CEDDERS has served as the project evaluator 
and to date has collected descriptive information on 
over 300 children and families. The evaluation results 
demonstrate that despite numerous challenges, the 
children and families served by Project Kari–u are 
experiencing success and feeling positive about the 
services they are receiving. Results show promising 
outcomes for children and families after six months in 
the program. 

Developed Products

The development of products and Information 
dissemination is a core function that received much 
attention during this reporting period. Promoting 
increased awareness of early childhood development 
and services and supports for people with disabilities 
were goals of the following products developed during 
this period:

¥ I Tellai, I LinaÕla-ta, & I MandikikiÕ Quarterly 
Newsletters
¥ Newborn Hearing At-A-Glance Progress Report
¥ ADA 25th & IDEA 40th Anniversary Poster Series
¥ Guam EHDI Poster & Family Support 
Group Brochures
¥ Project Kari–u Evaluation Reports
¥ Project Launch Environmental Scan Report
¥ Assistive Technology Tool Kits for the Guam 
Election Commission
¥ Guam Early Learning Guidelines for Children 
3 to 5 Years
¥ Ò2014 Updates from Advocates on GuamÕs 
Territorial AgendaÓ
¥ Home Visiting Program Brochures, Posers, 
TV & Radio Ads & Website
¥ Video Productions: 
..ÒFaces of AutismÓ Ð The Blas Family & 
The Darlow Family
..ÒVisitabilityÓ
..ÒTa Fan Acomprendi (Understanding Each 
Other): Tips for Communicating with 
Individuals with Disabilities

Research/Evaluation

Information Dissemination

¥ CDC: Guam EHDI - IS Guam Child Link
¥ Mid-continent Research for Education and 
Learning (McREL) Pacific
¥ Project Kari–u - Evaluation
¥ Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet 
Needs in ChildrenÕs Health)


ÒADA 25th Anniversary poster: More than Our Disability.Ó
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Faces of Autism Video Series


The Blas family (left) and Kira Darlow (right) are featured in the ÒFaces of AutismÓ video series. 


Guam CEDDERS developed 29 
new products this fiscal year. A 
total of 30,497 of all products 
developed were disseminated 
during this Fiscal Year. 


These developed products and 
more are available for download 
at the Guam CEDDERS website: 
www.guamcedders.org


ÒFront covers of I LinŒÕlŒ-ta, I Tellai, I MandikikiÕnewsletters, Gaum EHDI poster, and Guam EHDI Progress Report.Ó

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Collaborating partners

Collaborating Universities & Colleges

California State University, Northridge 
Post- Secondary Education Program 
Network for Students & Adults Who Are 
Deaf/Hard of Hearing (PEPNET 2)

Georgetown University 
Center for Child and Human Development 
National Technical Assistance Center for 
ChildrenÕs Mental Health

Guam Community College

Johns Hopkins University 
Bloomberg School of Public Health, 
Hopkins Center for Health Disparities 
Solutions

San Jose State University 
Speech Pathology Program

University of Hawaii 
John A. Burns School of Medicine
Maternal & Child Health Leadership 
Education in Neurodevelopmental and 
Related Disabilities (LEND)

University of Massachusetts - Boston 
Northeast Regional Center for Vision 
Education

University of Minnesota 
National Center on Educational Outcomes

University of South Florida 
Department of Child and Family Studies

Utah State University 
National Center on Hearing Assessment & 
Management


(L-R): Robert McCulley, Director, Northeast Regional Center for Vision Education/ Institute on Community Inclusion, School for Global Inclusion 
and Social Development, University of Massachusetts Boston, and June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director and Project Director 
for the Pacific Vision Instruction Project, deliver their part of the Guam CEDDERS workshop presentation at the 2015 Pacific Rim Conference 
on Disabilities. The presentation, titled ÒMaking Connections that Improve Lives Across the Life Span,Ó took place on May 18 in Honolulu, 
Hawaii. Seated at right is Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Consultant, who shared information on the development of GuamÕs Early Childhood 
Comprehensive System.


21
On March 3, 2015, Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio, Acting Governor, signed a proclamation declaring the month of March as Developmental Disabilities 
Awareness Month on Guam. Attending the event were representatives from the Guam Tri-Agency, comprised of the Guam Developmental 
Disabilities Council, Guam Legal Services Corporation - Disability Law Center and University of Guam CEDDERS. Also attending were members of 
GuamÕs state recognized self-advocacy group Si–A: Self-Advocates in Action, agency representatives from the Department of Integrated Services 
for Individuals with Disabilities, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Division of Support Services. 

Guam Collaborating Partners

Agency for Human Resources 
Development

Alee Shelter

Bank of Guam

Catholic Social Services

Center for Independent Living 
Council

Department of Defense 
Educational Activity

Department of Youth Affairs

Guam Behavioral Health and 
Wellness Center

Guam Child Care Development 
Association

Guam Coalition Against Sexual 
Assault & Family Violence

Guam Department of Education

Guam Department of Homeland 
Security - Office of Civil Defense

Guam Department of Integrated 
Services for Individuals with 
Disabilities

Guam Department of Labor

Guam Department of Public 
Health & Social Services

Guam Department of Public 
Works

Guam Department of Vocational 
Rehabilitation

Guam Department of Youth 
Affairs

Guam Developmental Disabilities 
Council

Guam Early Learning Council

Guam EHDI Family Support Group

Guam Homeless Coalition

Guam Housing & Urban Renewal 
Authority

Guam Identifies FamiliesÕ Terrific 
Strengths (GIFTS)

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 Surgicenter

Guam Veterans Affairs Office

Head Start

Judiciary of Guam

MayorsÕ Council of Guam

Office of the Attorney General 
of Guam

Office of the Governor

Office of the First Lady

Office of the Lieutenant 
Governor

Office of the Public Guardian

National Association of Social 
Workers, Guam Chapter

Pacific Islands Micro Credit 
Institute

Parents Empowering Parents, 
Inc. (PEP, Inc.)

Supreme Court of Guam

Sagua Ma–agu Birthing Center

Si–A: Self-Advocates in Action

Small Business Development 
Center

State Vocational Rehab 
Council

U.S. Naval Hospital, Guam 
Educational Developmental 
Intervention Services 

Victim Advocates Reaching 
Out 


22

On January 15, 2015, the Guam ÒNo Wrong DoorÓ team met with members of the Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services Ð Elder 
Care staff at the Gulick Elder Center in the heart of residential Kalihi. (L-R) seated: Janet Cruz, Medicaid; Ben Servino, DISID; Arthur San Agustin, 
DSC; and Melvin Cruz, DSC. Standing (L-R): Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS; two Gulick staff members (standing); Nanay Padua; staff member; 
and Merlita Compton, MPH, Program Director. 

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

ChildrenÕs Hospital Los Angeles

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

Hawaii Executive Office on Aging

ICF Macro

Interstate New Teacher Assessment & 
Support Consortium

Keystone Alternate Assessment Design 

Mid-continent Research for Education & 
Learning, Colorado

National Asian American Pacific Islander 
Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA)

National Association for the Education 
of Young Children

National Center and State Collaborative

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

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)


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

Carla Torres, MEd, ATP
Assistive Technology & 
Special Projects
Program Coordinator

Keith Villaluna, BBA
Data Coordinator

Trish Billen
Practicum Student & 
Disabilities Studies Intern

Support Staff

Leah Grace Abelon, BA
AT Center Assistant

Lesley Abonales
Student Research Assistant

Jenika Ballesta
Student Office Assistant

Jessica Chaco
Follow up Parent Mentor

Dolores Cruz
Grant Budget Specialist III

Coleen V. Dela Cruz
Grant Assistant I

Charlayne Espinosa
Student Office Assistant

Sherolyn Guerrero, BIT
Grant Assistant I

Andrew Gumataotao
Student Office Assistant

Margaret Johnson, AS
Data & Developed Products 
Assistant

Leilani Lafaele
Office Technician

Ruth Leon Guerrero
Office Technician

Jef Limtiaco
Grant Assistant III

Dolores Palomo
AT Grant Assistant

Thilani Pereda
Office Technician

Lance Santos
Student Office Assistant

Tanya Santos, AS
Grant Assistant I

Bernadette Shisler
Family Interviewer

June Timpe
Grant Budget Specialist I

Marie Wusstig, MEd
Family Interviewer


Funding 

July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015

Local

38%

$3.1 Million

Federal

41%

$3.4 Million

Other

18%

$1.5 Million

3%

State

$220,000

$8,314,699


24

University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research & Service


2015 Annual Report

July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015

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. 90DD0014-02-00 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.