Cover Photo of young boy and his sister. Boy is holding the world.

University of Guam CEDDERS logo
UNIVERSITY OF GUAM

Center for Excellence in 
Developmental Disabilities Education, 
Research, & Service

Manhihita Humat'sa I Tellai 
Building Bridges Together

A member of the national network of 
University Centers for Excellence in 
Developmental Disabilities 
Photo of mother and daughter reading braille.
Photo of first Tele-Audiology baby
Photo of Assistive Technology demonstration at GSAT AT Fair

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.

History

Guam CEDDERS serves as a training and technical 
assistance provider in the Pacific Basin region. 
From its inception in 1993, Guam CEDDERS has 
evolved into a dynamic organization that aims to 
build bridges with partners for creating stronger 
linkages, programs, services, and supports to 
positively impact the quality of life of individuals 
with developmental disabilities and their families. 

Past and current collaborative efforts include 
working with government agencies and non-profit 
organizations in American Samoa, the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated 
States of Micronesia, Guam, the Republic of the 
Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

Core Functions

As mandated by the Developmental Disabilities 
Assistance and Bill of Rights Act Amendments of 
2000, Guam CEDDERS, one of 67 National Centers, 
is committed to the implementation of core functions 
that includes interdisciplinary training, technical 
assistance, clinical services, research and dissemination 
activities that reflect cultural relevance and sensitivity.

Initiative Areas

Leadership & Systems Change

This Initiative Area is tasked with facilitating on-
going systems change and program development 
efforts within the community that reflect and respond 
to emerging and persistent needs affecting the lives of 
individuals with disabilities and their families. Projects 
under this Initiative Area focus on training and technical 
assistance to councils, boards, and commissions whose 
missions relate to improving services to individuals with 
disabilities. Promoting the concept of ÒIndividualized 
BudgetingÓ and facilitating systems change related to 
transportation are also activities under this 
Initiative Area.

Health, Wellness, & Prevention

The Health, Wellness, & Prevention Initiative 
Area seeks to facilitate technical assistance and 
training efforts that specifically address early 
intervention and health care issues affecting persons 
with disabilities throughout their lifespan.

Current projects under this Initiative Area focus 
on enhancing early childhood and educational 
systems of service, building local capacity in child 
caregiver training, newborn hearing screening, and 
supporting a ground breaking childrenÕs mental health 
project through evaluating program effectiveness.

Inclusive Communities

The Inclusive Communities Initiative Area is charged 
with facilitating activities that provide a variety of 
training and technical assistance opportunities which 
promote the increase of meaningful community 
involvement of individuals with disabilities and 
their families.

Included in this Initiative Area is the federally 
funded Guam System for Assistive Technology 
(GSAT) Project. GSAT provides a continuum of 
technology and rehabilitation research, training, 
and community-based services that promote 
increased experience and knowledge of assistive and 
adaptive devices for individuals with disabilities. 

Local and regional activities under this Initiative Area 
focus on improving transition, employment, education, 
and assistive technology supports and services for 
individuals with disabilities across the lifespan.

Photo of Noel & Hikie Lazaga
Photo of Dr. Yev and Lynn & Andrew Tydingco at the SuperFriends radio show.
Photo of Pacifiv VIP students practicing Orientation & Mobility training.

Developed Products

Guam CEDDERS produces a variety of materials 
as part of its mission. Below is a sampling of 
various products developed to help disseminate 
information to the populations we serve.

Photo of Hugando book cover
Photo of 2012 Nene Directory
Photo of Self-Advocacy Participant Manual
Photo of Pripara Hao Emergency Preparedness Manual
Photo of I Linalata newsletter
These and many other 
products are available 
for download at:www.guamcedders.org

University of Guam CEDDERS logo
Guam CEDDERS

Office of Academic & Student Affairs

University of Guam

UOG Station

Mangilao, Guam 96923

Ph: (671) 735-2480/1

Fax: 734-5709

TTY: 734-6531

Email: heidi.sannicolas@guamcedders.org

Website: www.guamcedders.org

This brochure was produced with supports from the U.S. Department of Health and 
Human Services, Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 
Grant# 90DD064701.

Updated: 03/07/13