University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research & Service 2016 Annual Report July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016 System Improvement Group of people standing on stairway smiling for a picture. Page 2 Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council members (Left to Right) Josie Guerrero, Marcy Santos, Ben Servino, Maria Bontogon, Linda Rodriguez, and Carol Cabiles (representing Harold Parker) attended the June 3, 2016 Council meeting. Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council 2016 Rosanne Ada, Director Guam Developmental Disabilities Council Maria Bontogon, Self Advocate Yolanda Gabriel, Assistant Superintendent Special Education, Guam Department of Education Josephine Guerrero, Advocate 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 Leone Rohr, Advocate Vice Chairperson 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 Erlinda “Lynn” Tydingco, Self Advocate Chairperson About the Cover The USDOE Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is committed to supporting States’ efforts to develop their State Systemic Improvement Plans (SSIPs). In collaboration with OSEP-funded National Technical Assistance (TA) Centers, OSEP personnel from the Division of Monitoring and State Improvement Planning were on-site to support the December 7-11, 2015 Pacific Meeting on Guam. The purpose for the meeting was to assist entity teams from American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI), Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and Republic of Palau (ROP) develop high quality Phase II SSIPs. Page 3 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 A group of kids showing funny faces for a picture. Guam CEDDERS, through the CORE Grant support, partnered with Parents Empowering Parents (PEP), to host a workshop for brothers and sisters of children with special health and developmental needs. The Sibshop Workshop, held on June 3, 2016 at the Pacific Star Resort & Spa, drew 10 siblings of children with various disabilities. Page 4 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 Humat’sa I Tellai - Building Bridges Together The third year of the five-year cycle of the Guam CEDDERS Core grant began on July 1, 2015 and ended on June 30, 2016. 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 and 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 (Guam’s Early Childhood Comprehensive System) Strategic Management Team Guam CEDDERS staff were also members of numerous Councils, Boards, and Committees including: • Culture and Language Access Service Partners (CLASP) • Guam Advisory Panel for Students with Disabilities (GAPSD) • Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center Advisory Council • Guam Developmental Disabilities Council • Guam Early Learning Council • Guam Legal Services Corporation - Disability Law Center, Protection & Advocacy for Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council • Guam State Rehabilitation Advisory Board • Interagency Coordinating Council • Pacific Islands Microcredit Institute Board • Project Bisita I Familia Advisory Committee, Department of Public Health & Social Services (DPHSS) • Project Kariñu Community Evaluation Advisory Team, DPHSS • State Rehabilitation Council Picture of Guam CEDDERS Team Page 5 Core Functions This 2016 Annual Report features Guam CEDDERS activities conducted during the period of July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016. Aligned with the Center’s Five-Year Work Plan, the activities are reported by the Guam CEDDERS’ Core Function clusters, which include: • 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 CEDDERS’ Core Functions are also aligned with the University of Guam’s Core Commitments of: • Enhancing Academic Quality, Enrollment Growth, Retention, Institutional Visibility • Promoting the Land-Grant Mission of Community Engagement • Strengthening Institutional Efficiency and Effectiveness Guam CEDDERS Recognized for Continuing Excellence Pictured is a Certificate given to Guam CEDDERS. Guam CEDDERS received a certificate of recognition during a University of Guam Awards Ceremony on May 20, 2016. The certificate was for “Continuing Excellence in Grants Management, Community Service and for U24 Proposal to support Health Informatics Research and Data Management in Micronesia.” 2016 EHDI Website of the Year Finalists Guam Idaho Illinois Nebraska Iowa GuamEHDI.org has consistently placed among the top five Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) websites nationally over the last three years. This year’s finalists included the states of Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and Guam. Iowa was selected as the winner of the 2016 EHDI Website of the Year Award. Pictured is Guam EHDI’s Website as the Year Finalists. Page 6 Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation; Continuing Education; Community Services: Training Picture of participants listening during a training session. On February 22-24, 2016, Gloria Weddington, Ph.D., CCC-SLP conducted a “Clinical Supervision Boot Camp” for Speech Pathologists to provide an update on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) practice policy. During her visit, Dr. Weddington also met with representatives from the Guam Department of Education, Guam Memorial Hospital Authority, and Guam Regional Medical City and an audiologist in private practice to begin the process of coordinating practicum sites for the eight Guam-based EPICS scholars who are pursuing a graduate degree in Speech Language Pathology. Page 7 Pacific Vision Instruction Project (Pacific VIP) Guam CEDDERS is pleased to report that the closing of Pacific VIP in September resulted in a significant increase in the pool of fully credentialed, effective personnel in educating children who are blind or have visual impairments in the Pacific. A personnel preparation project funded by the USDOE Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), Pacific VIP was awarded to Guam CEDDERS in 2010, in partnership with the Northeast Regional Center for Vision Education (NERCVE) at the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston), School for Global Inclusion and Social Development, a sister-University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disability (UCEDD). Eighteen (18) Pacific VIP scholars from American Samoa, CNMI, FSM (Chuuk State, Kosrae State, and Pohnpei State), and Guam earned their Master’s degree in Vision Studies with credentials as a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI), representing a 95% (18/19) program completion rate. What makes the Pacific VIP outcomes even more significant is that previous to the training program, there were only two certified TVI in the Pacific region. Today, because of Pacific VIP, the pool of fully credentialed, effective TVI available to the Pacific region has increased from two in 2010 to 19 in 2016. Two additional achievements of Pacific VIP include: (1) of the 18 Pacific VIP completers, 78% (14/18) earned their credentials in Orientation and Mobility (O&M), and (2) a sustainable partnership with UMass Boston has developed to address the ongoing personnel development demands for fully credentialed, effective TVI in each Pacific island community. In 2016, two personnel from the Pacific, one from CNMI and one from Pohnpei State, FSM, enrolled in UMass Boston’s Masters degree on-line training program in TVI. GDOE School aides who currently serve as Educational Interpreters include: front row: Marda Palsis, Cathy Santos, Fe Gillins, and Frances Rivera. Second row: Darlene Castro, Jeannie Hollis, Connie Estes, and Taake Sam. Back row: Evangelis Babauta. Guam CEDDERS was involved in the long-term effort to establish the Educational Interpreter position, which was approved in Spring 2016. USDOE OSEP staff and OSEP-funded National Center consultants took time to converse with the Governor of Guam, Honorable Eddie Calvo and Guam Senator Nerissa Underwood during the December 9, 2015 evening reception hosted by the Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education at the Government House. Pictured L-R: Charles Kniseley, OSEP; Luis Romero, IDC; Evelyn Shaw, ECTA; Jane Nell Luster, CIID; Genee Norbert, OSEP; Kristin Reedy, NCSI; Senator Nerissa Underwood; Governor Eddie Calvo; Yolanda Gabriel, Guam DOE, Division of Special Education; Taletha Derrington, NCSI/DaSy; Bill Huennekens, CIID; Anthea Brady, CIID; and Cesar D’Agord, NCSI. Page 8 Pictured of from left to right: Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director; Silugia Fa’atau, Pacific VIP Scholar; Paulo Salavea, American Samoa Interim Assistant Director for Special Education; Amy Epati, Pacific VIP Scholar, and June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, met on August 5, 2015 to finalize steps for completion activities of the Pacific Vision Instruction Project (Pacific VIP). American Samoa Scholars not shown: Sigalu Espensa, Loretta Luta, Tailua Apaisa. Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech Language Pathology (EPICS) The partnership with San Jose State University (SJSU) continued with Project EPICS, a USDOE OSEP personnel preparation grant awarded to SJSU in 2015 to train 20 regional scholars to become Speech Language Pathologists. Recruitment efforts for Project EPICS, facilitated by Guam CEDDERS, immediately began in the summer of 2015 with the first course offered in August 2015. Leadership Education in Neuro-developmental & Related Disabilities (LEND) Completing the last year of a five-year cycle, Guam CEDDERS facilitated activities with LEND fellows which included a field trip to attend the 2016 Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) Conference in Washington, D.C. Prior to the conference, the LEND fellows met with representatives of Family Voices and the Autism Society of America. Follow up activities included developing and implementing a public awareness plan, based on Guam’s Maternal Child Health (MCH) State Plan, focusing on the importance of pre-natal care and developmental screening. Core – Disabilities Studies Efforts continued in facilitating the process for the adoption of a “Disabilities Studies” course to be included as an option to meet general education requirements at the University of Guam. The proposal was formally submitted for consideration as a three-credit course, using a newly implemented university review process. Guam CEDDERS also served as a practicum site this year for a senior majoring in communications. Guam Department of Education (GDOE) Guam CEDDERS continued to provide technical assistance and training to GDOE in support of their efforts to improve educational programs and services. During this period, there were four priorities for program improvement: • State Systemic Improvement Project: Through GDOE’s Consolidated Grant, Guam CEDDERS initiated the development and implementation of the continuous improvement framework in four selected elementary schools with a focus on improving reading skills in the early grades. The first full-day training session was held on February 8 at the (continue on page 9) Page 9 Pacific Star Hotel. With close to 150 administrators, teachers, and related service personnel from the four selected elementary schools and district personnel from the Curriculum and Special Education Divisions, the session included an introduction to the continuous improvement principles, with an emphasis on “seeing the system” and evidence-based practices in reading development. • Positive Behavioral Intervention & Supports (PBIS): Through GDOE’s Consolidated Grant, Guam CEDDERS continued providing technical support through a beginning of the school year training on August 24-26 for school climate cadre (SCC) team members from 26 elementary schools, eight middle schools, one high school, and representatives from the Department of Youth Affairs correctional and educational program. • Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) Part B & Part C: Through GDOE’s IDEA Part B grant, Guam CEDDERS facilitated training and technical assistance activities to support the Division of Special Education’s preschool and school-age educational services for children and youth with disabilities. In addition, training and technical assistance activities and supports were provided to the Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and their families through GDOE’s IDEA Part C grant. Guam CEDDERS also provided support to GDOE in meeting the annual reporting requirements related to the IDEA Part B & Part C State Performance Plan (SPP), Annual Performance Report (APR), and State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP). A group completing an activity during a workshop. Guam CEDDERS facilitated a workshop attended by teams from various schools to sustain the Positive Behavioral Intervention & Supports (PBIS) initiative in Guam Department of Education schools on August 26, 2015. Shown here are the PBIS teams from Adacao Elementary completing their PBIS Histomap. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System (CNMI PSS) Guam CEDDERS continued to provide technical assistance and training to the CNMI PSS in their efforts to improve functional outcomes and educational results for children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21. Support included facilitation of stakeholder sessions involving PSS administrators, teachers, the Special Education State Advisory Panel (continue of page 10) Page 10 (SESAP), and/or the Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC), for the development of CNMI’s IDEA Part B and Part C FFY 2014 Annual Performance Report (APR) and State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) Phase II. Facilitation of these sessions included data reviews and compilation of stakeholder input. In addition, in support of program improvement efforts, Guam CEDDERS provided consultation on the Individualized Education Program (IEP) development and the transition from implementation of the National Center and State Collaborative, Alternate Assessment based on Alternate Achievement Standards (NCSC-AA-AAS) on-line system to the Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA) administered in Spring 2016. GDOE Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) cohort engaged in the April 18-22, 2016 training conducted by Irina Zamora, Psy.D., Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) trainer from University of Southern California, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (USC-CHLA). Pictured L-R: Tom Babauta, Special Education Licensed Clinical Social Worker; Nicole Duenas, Speech Language Pathologist; Jessica Atoigue, Autism Technical Assistance Provider; Dr. Zamora; Gajee Parsons, Early Intervention Provider; Marita Gogue, School Psychologist; Tricia Taitague, Emotional Disabilities Program Coordinator; and Paula Ulloa, School Program Consultant. Guam-based EPICS (Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech Pathology) Scholars pose with Dr. Gloria Weddington on February 24, 2016. Pictured from left to right are: Jasmin Advani, Gabrielle Duenas, John Payne, Cassandra Dimla, Dr. Weddington, Lisa Eclavea, Arthur Agbadu, and Diane Supido. Palau Special Education Part B Guam CEDDERS continued to provide technical assistance and training to the Republic of Palau (ROP) Special Education Program based on the priorities for improving programs and services for children and youth with disabilities under IDEA Part B. In addition to consultation provided for the development of ROP’s IDEA Part B FFY 2014 APR and SSIP Phase II, on-site (continue on page 11) Page 11 consultation specific to physical therapy services was provided by Renato Ranola, BS-PT, on February 22-25 and June 21-24, 2016. Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Special Education Program Guam CEDDERS has provided technical assistance and training to the FSM Special Education Program for ten years. This year was no different as these supports continued. Consultation was provided for the development of FSM’s IDEA Part B FFY 2014 Annual Performance Report and State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) Phase II. This included stakeholder input sessions. Guam CEDDERS also facilitated on-site training and consultation activities in the areas of SSIP evaluation plan development and assessment for eligibility determination. Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation; Continuing Education; Community Services: Training • CNMI PSS IDEA Part B & C • FSM Project Realize, Empower, and Apply Locally (REAL) V • Guam CEDDERS Core Grant • Guam DOE Character Education Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) • Guam DOE Part B & C • Guam DOE State Systemic Improvement Project (SSIP) • Pacific Vision Instruction Project (Pacific VIP) • Palau Part B • Project EPICS: Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech-Language Pathology • Project Tinituhon Phase III MCH-SECCS/Building Health Through Integration (Standing at right) Helen Sengebau, ROP Special Education Coordinator, sharing lessons learned from ROP’s SSIP Phase I and Phase II development during the OSEP Pacific Meeting on December 7, 2015. Page 12 Community Services: Technical Assistance, Model Services, Demonstration Services Andrew and Rosalind Arceo happily pose with their new accessible van on April 1, 2016. This purchase was made possible through the Guam Options for Alternative Loans for Assistive Technology (GOAL-AT), a project under Akudi, an affordable loan program, which targets supports for people with disabilities seeking to acquire assistive technology. Page 13 Marie Bautista, a certified occupational therapist assistant with the Guam Department of Education’s Special Education Division, provides guidance to Vadin Guerrero as he uses some assistive technology tools during the Annual Assistive Technology Fair held on March 19, 2016. Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) GSAT hosted the 22nd Annual Assistive Technology (AT) Conference on March 4, 2016 and AT Fair on March 19, 2016. This year’s conference, with the theme of “Making the Move” and promoting successful transitions for youth with disabilities, was attended by 163 participants who engaged in presentations from a local Department of Labor official on workforce development, an attorney on “Preparing for the Age of Majority,” directors from the transit authority and vocational rehabilitation, a parent sharing on person-centered-planning, and AT specialists. The GSAT Center is a key community resource for information on AT. The Demonstration Center, which was re-dedicated after moving into a new facility, was visited by over 200 island residents looking for information on assistive technology during this reporting period. Visitors included individuals with disabilities, family members, and other island residents and regional guests. Students from Guam Community College and the University of Guam, attending classes in education, early childhood education, business, and nursing were provided with an orientation to AT. Government employees serving as equal opportunity specialists attended various lectures on improving accessibility in the work place. Military veterans and parents of children with disabilities were also well-represented as information seekers and visitors to the Center. Akudi: Assistive Technology (AT) Loan Programs The two AT loan programs were re-branded this year. Formally referred to as the Guam Options for Alternative Loans for Assistive Technology (GOAL-AT), and Get Guam Teleworking (GGT), these two programs were combined and were re-branded as the “Akudi” (the Chamorro word for “assist”) Program. In addition to a new name, a new logo and informational products were disseminated this year. With these new marketing efforts, eight loans were approved. Akudi We Exist To Assist logo. GSAT by the Numbers: 2015-2016 # of Akudi Loans (Former GOAL-AT & GGT) 8 # of Short-Term Device Loans 61 # of AT Device Demonstrations 78 # of Information Assistance provided 201 Estimated # of individuals reached through Public Awareness Activities 62,974 Department of Public Health & Social Services (DPHSS) Guam CEDDERS continued to provide technical assistance and training to DPHSS in support of their efforts to improve early childhood education and health programs and services. Guam CEDDERS also provided facilitation services for one adult program. Projects included: (see next page) Page 14 • No Wrong Door: Guam CEDDERS completed work with the DPHSS Senior Citizens Division on the development of the “No Wrong Door” Plan. Efforts focused on the development of a three-year plan to improve long-term services and supports in Guam’s community. • Project Kariñu – Cultural & Linguistic Competency & Training and Technical Assistance: Promoting language access is a major activity under the Cultural and Linguistic Competency contract between Project Kariñu under the DPHSS and Guam CEDDERS. Project Kariñu is an early childhood mental health program that serves children birth through five years of age. “Cultural Conversations,” input sessions addressing best practices took place this year. In addition to a “Language Access” Poster designed to promote public awareness of consumer rights to free interpreter services when accessing public services, “Beyond Mandates,” a white paper summarizing policies relating to language access, was published. In development is a glossary of Chamorro words used to describe concepts within the mental health arena. Activities under the Project Kariñu Training and Technical Assistance agreement included training related to developmental screening, the Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Children developed by the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) that promotes the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age five. • Bisita I Familia: Also through partnership with DPHSS, Guam CEDDERS provided technical assistance and training supports to Project Bisita I Familia, Guam’s Home Visiting Program supported through Maternal & Child Health. The mission of this project is to improve the well-being of Guam’s children, birth to 8 years of age, and their families, through evidence-based home visiting services. Guam CEDDERS facilitated project operating procedures and staff training activities. Project Tinituhon Project Tinituhon (“the Beginning”), Guam CEDDERS’ Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Grant from Maternal Child Health (MCH), the “Guam Early Learning Guidelines, Birth to Three” was updated. Training on the Guidelines was also provided to child care center personnel and other early childhood educators. Implementing regular developmental screening at child care centers and medical homes was supported through Tinituhon. Representatives from the Pacific Rim Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Projects met on March 12, 2016, before the Annual EHDI Conference, to provide updates and share information. Islands represented included American Samoa, Saipan, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Palau, Majuro, Oahu, and Guam. Also attending the Pacific Rim Meeting were representatives from the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) The Guam EHDI Projects facilitate universal newborn hearing screening. Mandated by Guam Public Law 27-150, Guam EHDI ensures that all infants are screened for hearing before they leave the facility of their birth. Guam is proud to share that 99% of all infants born at civilian birthing sites have had their hearing screened. If a hearing loss is found, a referral is made to the Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) to ensure that appropriate services are provided to the identified infant and their family as it is (continue of page 15) Page 15 important that early intervention is accessed as early as possible. Guam ChildLink-EHDI, also facilitated by Guam CEDDERS, is the database which assists in the tracking and surveillance of newborns to ensure that no child is lost to follow-up. AMCHP/Act Early Learn the Signs Project Under this project, Guam CEDDERS began targeted efforts to promote increased public awareness of the importance of early identification of children with autism. In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Association of Maternal Child Health Programs (AMCHP), activities under this initiative include promotion of developmental screening and learning the signs commonly associated with autism spectrum disorders. CORE: Sibshop In collaboration with Parents Empowering Parents (PEP), a parent-driven non-profit organization, Guam CEDDERS sponsored the first in a series of Sibshop Workshops. These workshops are held specifically for siblings of children with special needs to help them recognize and address their unique circumstance, challenges, and celebrations. Community Services: Technical Assistance, Model Services, Demonstration Services • AMCHP/Act Early. Learn the Signs Project • CORE: Sibshop • Guam’s Early Childhood Home Visiting Program: Project Bisita I Familia • Guam Options for Alternative Loans – Assistive Technology (GOAL-AT) and GGT – now called Akudi • Guam System for Assistive Technology • Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (GEHDI) • No Wrong Door • Project Kariñu – Cultural & Linguistic Competency • Project Kariñu – Technical Assistance & Training Renee Koffend, AuD., CCC-AuD, Guam CEDDERS consultant, conducted hearing screening training on the AuDx device with nurses at the Guam Memorial Hospital Obstetrics Ward on January 22, 2016. Participants include (L-R) Rosemary Bustamante, May Caligua, Emily Bejado, and Dr. Koffend. Page 16 Research/Evaluation; Information Dissemination Project Karinu: Loving Our Babies logo Making a Difference for Guam’s Young Children and Families The Guam CEDDERS Evaluation Team for Project Kariñu developed an eight-page supplement included in the May 27, 2016 issue of the Pacific Daily News. The supplement was also given to senators during the Project Kariñu Legislative Round table meeting on June 8, 2016. Family portrait. Page17 Senator Dennis Rodriguez, Jr. hosted a legislative Round table meeting on June 8, 2016 to support local funding for Project Kariñu as federal funding for the program will end on September 30, 2016. The Guam CEDDERS Evaluation Team for Project Kariñu developed the Project Kariñu Evaluation Reports and the Pacific Daily News Supplement on Project Kariñu which were disseminated during the meeting to Senators: Dennis Rodriguez, Jr., Frank Blas Aguon, Jr., Mary Camacho Torres, and Thomas Morrison as well as community stakeholders and families involved with Project Kariñu. ChildLink (EHDI, Bisita, Kariñu, LAUNCH) Guam CEDDERS continued work on the enhancements to Guam ChildLink – EHDI, the database used for the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Tracking and Surveillance Project. Supported through funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Guam ChildLink-EHDI has evolved into a robust data system that continues to be improved. Implementation of the Interoperability Plan with the Electronic Health Record (EHR) at the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS), in collaboration with the DPHSS and the University of Hawaii, Telecommunications and Social Informatics (TASI) Research Program, was facilitated by Guam CEDDERS. Over the past 12 years, the Guam ChildLInk Data system has experienced exponential growth. What started out as a stand-alone data system with two users inputting data from the same workstation, has expanded to four separate but integrated web-based data systems. ChildLink – EHDI, Bisita, Kariñu, and LAUNCH share a level of electronic connection to almost all Government of Guam early childhood providers. Guam ChildLink continues to evolve, and serve as a model for early childhood data systems and early childhood data exchange. Project Kariñu Evaluation The Project Kariñu Evaluation Cooperative Agreement is nearing the end of its 6th Year. During the past six years, the Guam CEDDERS Evaluation Team for Project Kariñu Team has provided guidance to the program through regular Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) meetings and monthly Community Evaluation Advisory Team (CEAT) meetings. The Evaluation Team has also produced a variety of Project Kariñu Evaluation Reports. Project LAUNCH In late September 2014, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) was awarded a five-year cooperative agreement from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for Guam LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health). Through systems change activities and the provision of direct services, Guam LAUNCH is working to promote the wellness of young children birth – 8 years of age. Guam CEDDERS provides evaluation services for Guam LAUNCH and recently conducted two Cultural Conversation Cafés to collect information that will be used to finalize the project’s strategic and evaluation plans. Page 18 Developed Products Development of products and information dissemination are core functions 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. Pictures of different brochures and pamphlets Guam CEDDERS has produced. Guam CEDDERS developed 23 new products this fiscal year. A total of 24,607 products were disseminated during this Fiscal Year. Guam CEDDERS products are available for download at www.guamcedders.org. Research/Evaluation Information Dissemination • CDC: Guam EHDI – IS Guam Child Link • Core – Down Syndrome; PEP; State Council for Independent Living • Project Kariñu – Evaluation • Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health) • Advocacy TV Commercials for Parent Organizations Guam CEDDERS presented 600 copies of the 2016 Neni Directory to the Guam Homeless Coalition on January 27, 2016. Receiving the directory on behalf of the Coalition were representatives from Sanctuary Incorporated. Pictured from left to right, Sherry Guerrero, Guam CEDDERS; Tiffany Paulino, Sanctuary Incorporated; Eugene Anderson, Sanctuary Incorporated; and Ruth Leon Guerrero, Guam CEDDERS. Page 19 Guam CEDDERS provided technical assistance to Parents Empowering Parents (PEP) and The Down Syndrome Association of Guam in the development of these parent driven, non-profit organizations’ 30-second TV public awareness spots. Front covers of I Lina’la-ta, I Tellai, I Mandikiki’ newsletters, the Guam Early Learning Guidelines Birth to 36 months, the Neni Directory, and Project Karinu Evaluation Report. Page 20 Collaborating partners Collaborating Universities & Colleges California State University, Northridge Post- Secondary Education Program Network for Students & Adults Who Are Deaf/Hard of Hearing Georgetown University, Center for Child and Human Development, National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health Guam Community College San Diego State University Interwork Institute San Jose State University University of Hawaii, College of Education Telecommunication and Social Informatics (TASI) Research Program 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 University of Southern California Utah State University–National Center on Hearing Assessment & Management Vanderbilt University Center on Social Emotional Development & Early Learning On January 26, 2016, Consultant Mike Burdge delivers a presentation to Guam elementary special education teachers on the origination of universal design and how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines reduce or remove barriers to learning. Page 21 CNMI Team members take a “shaka” photo with the Honorable Eddie Calvo, Governor of Guam during the Pacific meeting event on December 9, 2015. L-R: Suzanne Lizama, CNMI Special Education Director; Robin Palacios, CNMI Early Intervention Coordinator; Guam Governor Eddie Calvo; Nora Pangelinan, CNMI Data Manager; and Peter Mendiola, CNMI Early Intervention Provider. Guam Collaborating Partners Agency for Human Resources Development Alee Shelter Autism Communities Together Catholic Social Services Center for Independent Living Council Culture and Language Access Service Partners Department of Defense Educational Activity Department of Youth Affairs Educational Developmental Intervention Services, U.S. Naval Hospital, Guam Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center Guam Child Care Development Association Guam Coalition Against Sexual Assault & Family Violence 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 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 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 Medical City Guam Regional Transit Authority Guam Salvation Army Guam Surgicenter Guam Veterans Affairs Office Head Start Judiciary of Guam Mayors’ Council of Guam Office of the Attorney General of Guam Office of the First Lady of Guam Office of the Governor of Guam Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Guam Office of the Public Guardian Parents Empowering Parents Supreme Court of Guam Sagua Mañagu Birthing Center SiñA: Self-Advocates in Action Small Business Development Center State Vocational Rehabilitation Council Victim Advocates Reaching Out Page 22 On behalf of the Pacific Directors of Special Education, Arthur Albert (speaking), FSM Chief of Special Services Division, expresses appreciation on December 9, 2015, of the technical support provided by OSEP and the OSEP-funded Centers during a week-long Pacific meeting. L-R: Guam-Yolanda Gabriel; American Samoa-Paulo Salave’a; Arthur Albert; CNMI-Suzanne Lizama; RMI-Frank Horuichi; and ROP-Helen Sengebau. Other Collaborators American Academy of Pediatrics American Samoa Department of Education Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs Association of University Centers on Disabilities Bill Daniels Center for Children’s Hearing, Children’s Hospital - Los Angeles 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 Hawaii’s 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, CO National Association for the Education of Young Children National Association of Social Workers, Guam Chapter National Center and State Collaborative National Center for Special Education Accountability & Monitoring National Child Care Information & Technical Assistance Center National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health National Governor’s 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 Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health) 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 WestEd (Doing What Works) Page 23 The Guam CEDDERS Team Teaching, Research, Outreach Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D. Director & Professor Jenika Ballesta, BA Research Associate Vera Ann G. Blaz, MA Training Associate Bonnie Brandt, MA Training Associate Nancy Cueto, BA Fiscal Manager June De Leon, M.Ed. Associate Director, Program Development, Technical Assistance, & Outreach Terrie Fejarang, M.Ed. Associate Director, Interdisciplinary Training, Operations, & Data/Dissemination Sherolyn Guerrero, BIT Disability Media Specialist Sean Lizama, BA Disability Media Specialist Joseph Mendiola, BA Data Coordinator Teresita Naputi, BA Research Associate Jeffrey Pinaula, BA Research Associate Carla Torres, M.Ed., ATP Assistive Technology & Special Projects Program Coordinator Keith Villaluna, BBA Data Coordinator Administrative Support Staff Leah Grace Abelon, BA AT Center Assistant Kevin Balajadia Student Office Assistant Dolores Cruz Grant Budget Supervisor Coleen V. Dela Cruz Grant Assistant I Dawn Guerrero Grant Assistant I Andrew Gumataotao Student Office Assistant Margaret Johnson, AS Data & Developed Products Assistant Ruth Leon Guerrero Office Technician Leilani Lafaele Office Technician Jef Limtiaco Grant Specialist Dolores Palomo AT Grant Assistant Thilani Pereda Office Technician Coleen Salas Student Office Assistant Bernadette Shisler Family Interviewer June Timpe Grant Budget Specialist I Marie Wusstig, M.Ed. Family Interviewer Guam Consultants Maria Luisa D. Benavente, ACSW Project Kariñu CLC Coordinator Margaret G. Blaz, Ph.D. Guam EHDI Follow-Up Coordinator Elaine Eclavea, M.Ed. Early Childhood Consultant Nieves Flores, Ed.D. Associate Professor Training Associate Mary Kidd, M.Ed. Early Childhood Consultant Renee L.G. Koffend, Au.D., CCC-AuD Audiology Consultant Ginger Porter, M.Ed. Instructor, Disability Studies, Interdisciplinary Evaluation & Research June Quitugua, M.Ed. Inclusive Communities Consultant National Consultants Michael Burdge, M.SpEd. Inclusion Consultant Cathy Carotta, Ed.D, CCC-SLP Deaf Education Consultant Maureen Hawes, Ph.D. & Arlene Russell, SSIP Evaluation Consultants Ranilo Laygo, Ph.D. Statistical Evaluation Donna McNear, M.A. Vision Instruction Consultant Wendy Quach, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Speech Language Consultant Renato Ranola, BS-PT Physical Therapy Consultant Mike Sharpe, Ph.D. Evaluation Quansheng Song, MA Database Consultant University of Hawaii, College of Education, Telecommunication and Social Informatics (TASI) Program Database Consultant Gloria Weddington, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Speech Language Consultant Naomi Youngren, Ph.D. Early Childhood Consultant Irina Zamora, Ph.D. Autism Consultant Pie chart showing funding from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016 Other 19% $1.6 Million Federal 32% $2.6 Million Local 39% $3.2 Million State 10% $843,258 $8,478,520 Page 24 University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research & Service 2016 Annual Report July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016 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. 90DD0014-03-00 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.