Guam CEDDERS Newsletter

March 30, 2023

Volume 25, Issue 2 

FSM Provides Autism Training and Support 

In this issue:

FSM Provides Autism Training..................1-2

Palau Partnership ASD Awareness...........3-5

GDOE Special Education...............................6

GDOE SSIP Scale-up Schools........................7

GDOE Facilitates Sessions.......................8-10

GDOE Supports RR Teachers......................11

GSAT and GEHDI Public Awareness...........12

GSAT Outreach..............................................13

PDG B-5 Gives Children a JumpStart..14-15

CEDDERS Continues VPT Evaluations.......16

EHDI Shares Quarterly Highlights.............17

EHDI 1-3-6 Mini-Conference.......................18

EHDI Conversations......................................19

Ready Rosie...................................................20


UNIVERSITY OF GUAM

 Center for Excellence in

Developmental Disabilities

Education, Research, and Service


On January 12, Dr. Quebles facilitates a parent meeting in Pohnpei. Parents share smiles during the 
break.

From January 9 - 13, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) National 
Department of Education (NDOE) in partnership with Guam CEDDERS 
provided on-site autism training and support to parents, teachers, 
and service providers in Pohnpei. The training and support was 
facilitated by Dr. Irina Quebles a psychologist from the Children’s 
Hospital of Los Angeles who is also a Guam CEDDERS consultant.

On January 10 and 11, Dr. Quebles visited schools and homes to conduct 
observations of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in their 
natural settings. The observations led to consultations with teachers 
and parents in the implementation of evidence-based strategies 
for children with ASD based on the unique needs of each child.

On January 12, Dr. Quebles facilitated a parent meeting attended 
by over 40 parents and community members. In the meeting, Dr. 
Quebles provided an overview of ASD to include the causes and 
risk factors for autism, evidence-based treatment options, and how 
to manage feeding, sleeping, routines, and behavior. Parents were 
engaged and shared their experiences as well as their concerns.

On January 13, Dr. Quebles conducted a training for FSM related-service 
providers and assessment personnel. The training centered on the use of 
the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (3rd Edition), or the GARS-3, to support 
identification and educational placement of children with ASD.

The on-site visit to Pohnpei was productive and provided valuable hands 
on training and support to various stakeholders. In addition, follow-up 
virtual meetings were held to ensure next steps were being implemented 
and continued help and technical assistance was being provided.



FSM Provides Autism Training (cont.)


On January 10, Dr. Irina Quebles, psychologist, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, 
works with a student with ASD at a Pohnpei school as the teacher observes.


On January 12, Dr. Irina Quebles, psychologist, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles; Arthur Albert, Assistant Secretary Division of Special Services, FSM NDOE; and Jesse 
Solomon, Special Education Coordinator, Pohnpei State, take a moment for a photo during the parent meeting.



Palau Partnership Increases ASD Awareness


On January 18, Dr. Quebles facilitates the general session, 
“Overview of ASD,” with over 100 community members and 
leaders, MHHS personnel, MOE personnel, and PPE parent 
representatives.

Through a contract with the Republic of Palau, Ministry of Education (MOE), 
Special Education Program, Guam CEDDERS June De Leon, Interim Director, 
supported the local partnership between the MOE, Ministry of Health and 
Human Services (MHHS), and Palau Parents Empowered (PPE) in January. 
The partners hosted a series of sessions intended to increase the knowledge 
and skills of community members and leaders, parents, MHHS Family Health 
Unit personnel, and MOE personnel in the area of autism spectrum disorder 
(ASD). This partnership effort reinforced the belief that “in collaboration with 
everyone involved in a child’s life, the child can reach his/her full potential,” 
including children with ASD. Irina Quebles, Psy.D., ABPP, Guam CEDDERS 
consultant, conducted the awareness and training series, which included:

z January 18 full day general session, “Overview of ASD,” intended to 
build awareness about ASD. Dr. Quebles presented on the what, when, 
why, and how of ASD, including considerations for interventions.
z January 19 session designed for school teams comprised of 
school administrators, parents of students with ASD, MHHS 
personnel, and special education specialists and related service 
providers. The session built upon the general session held on 
January 18 focusing on the technical assistance needs of each 
school team for providing services to children with ASD.
z January 20 individual meetings in the morning with parents of 
children with ASD. These meetings were designed as a one-
on-one conversation with Dr. Quebles to discuss the individual 
needs of parents in supporting their child with ASD.



On January 18, over 100 community members and leaders, MHHS and MOE personnel, and PPE parent representatives attend the full day session conducted by Dr. Irina 
Quebles.



z January 18-20 afternoon sessions, 
“Identifying Children with ASD,” with 
MOE special education specialists 
and MHHS Bureau of Public Health 
Services screeners. The purpose 
of these afternoon sessions was 
to build knowledge and skills 
in the administration, scoring 
interpretation, and reporting of the 
Gilliam Autism Rating Scale, 3rd 
Edition (GARS-3). Participants also 
drafted Palauan translations of the 
instructions and scoring rubric to 
ensure the GARS-3 administrators 
have a better understanding of the 
items being reviewed and scored.


Overwhelmingly, participant feedback 
at the end of each session indicated the 
session was relevant and useful, with 
an expressed interest in continuing the 
awareness and training sessions to increase 
understanding and supports for children 
with ASD and their families in Palau.

Palau Partnership (cont.)


On January 19, MOE and MHHS personnel practice the GARS-3 scoring process. Pictured L-R: Lyli 
Madris, Special Education Specialist (SES), MOE; Sarah Rubrio, SES, MOE; Sasha Takada, Community 
Behavioral Health Worker, MHHS; and Gwen Rengiil, SES, MOE.


On January 20, MOE and MHHS personnel share their scoring interpretation during the guided 
practice activity. Pictured L-R: Dilsiich D. Maui, Behavioral Health Intern, MHHS; Mailie Rechirei, 
Program Manager, Behavioral Health Youth Center, MHHS; Amanda Shiro, Health Counselor, Family 
Health Unit (School Health Office), MHHS; Vallin Uchob Kloulchad, Patient Health Educator, Family 
Health Unit, MHHS; Priska Ngiracheliong, Patient Care Advisor, Behavioral Health, MHHS; Adeline 
Franz, Behavioral Health Nurse, MHHS; Joyce Ramarui, Special Education Specialist, MOE; and Esther 
Subris, Special Education Specialist, MOE.


At the end of the January 19 session, Dr. Quebles (pictured second row, far right, with the face mask). poses with the School Team.



Palau Partnership (cont.)


On January 19, Guam CEDDERS June De Leon, Interim Director, and Dr. Quebles, Consultant, present an appreciation “goodie” bag to each of the Palau key planning 
partners. Pictured L-R: Vallin Uchob Kloulchad, Patient Care Educator, Family Health Unit, MHHS; Summer Rros Saunders, Maternal & Child Health Project Coordinator, 
MHHS; June De Leon; Lucia Tabelual, Chief of Training, MOE; Francesca Morei-Misech, Director, PPE; Dr. Quebles; and Ida Kilcullen, Director, Bureau of Curriculum and 
Instruction, MOE.



GDOE Special Education Receives Training

On January 17, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE), 
Division of Special Education, in collaboration with Guam 
CEDDERS, facilitated training and support sessions with assessment 
personnel conducted by Dr. Irina Quebles, psychologist and 
consultant from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Quebles met 
with four separate groups, which includes the first three Autism 
Diagnostic Observation ScheduleTM, Second Edition (ADOS-2) 
cohorts, current and 4th ADOS-2 cohort, psycho-educational and 
academic evaluators, and early intervention personnel from the 4th 
ADOS-2 cohort. The sessions focused on discussions and ongoing 
practice with the ADOS-2 assessment, including analysis of real-life 
cases, to identify students with autism. The psycho-educational 
and academic evaluators received continued support in the 
Wechsler Individual Achievement Test Fourth Edition (WIAT-4), a 
test that assesses oral language, reading, writing, and mathematics 
for students referred to receive special education services. 


Dr. Irina Quebles (head of table) presents a training video to the ADOS-2 current 
cohort as they practice scoring the assessment to determine identification for 
autism spectrum disorder. 

ADOS-2 Cohort 4 members, Brandon Cobb and Christina Noket (L-R), from the 
Guam Department of Education’s Guam Early Intervention System review protocols 
for the Toddler Module as they practice administration and scoring. 



GDOE SSIP Scale-Up Schools’ Improvement Journey

The Guam Department of Education, in collaboration 
with Guam CEDDERS, supported SSIP Scale-Up schools 
with grade level (K-3) continuous improvement sessions 
at the four school sites: DL Perez Elementary School, 
Merizo Martyrs Memorial School, Finegayan Elementary 
School, and Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School.

The initial SSIP professional development session, 
entitled, “Our Continuous Improvement Road Map for 
Improving Reading Achievement, “ was conducted on 
August 9, 2022. Subsequent sessions were conducted 
during the months of October through December. 

During these grade level professional learning community 
(PLC) times, teachers, administrators, and instructional coaches 
reflected on survey results from the initial session held in 
August, reviewed the Science of Reading and Continuous 
Improvement Process, and used the Fishbone diagram to 
consider factors and identify the causes of low reading 
proficiency at their individual school sites. Additionally, the 
continuous improvement model, Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) 
was reviewed with participants and three data analysis 
activities shared. These data activities walked teachers through 
the process of downloading various aimswebPlus reports, 
taking a closer look at these screening reports, and creating the 
Plan and Do components of their PDSA cycle. The four Scale-
Up schools will continue with sessions throughout the school 
year, next up looking at their Winter data and the implementing 
of a PDSA cycle. Being intentional and reflective in the 
continuous improvement process gives teachers the necessary 
resources to inform their instruction and support students 
where they are and move them to where they need to be.


SSIP Scale-up Continuous Improvement session, sitting (standing), Nieves Flores, 
Ed.D, Guam CEDDERS, consultant and seated, the faculty of Maria A. Ulloa 
Elementary School.

SSIP Scale-up Continuous Improvement session, pictured sitting to the left, Erica 
Cepeda, Merizo Martyrs Memorial School, Principal, along with the grade 2 faculty 
and staff. Sitting at the right, Frances Balajadia, Merizo Martyrs Memorial School, 
Instructional coach.



GDOE Facilitates Sessions on Paraeducator Procedures

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) Division of Special 
Education, in partnership with Guam CEDDERS, held a series 
of sessions during the week of January 30 – February 3, 2023 
facilitated by Mary Schillinger, a nationally recognized expert 
on severe disabilities. Participants in the sessions included 
Special Education coaches, Early Childhood Special Education 
Preschool teachers, Head Start representatives, Elementary 
Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) coordinators, parents of 
children transitioning into kindergarten, school administrators, 
and division leadership members. The purpose of the week-
long session was to provide guidance and support regarding 
the implementation of the Division’s new paraeducator 
procedures and fading plan within the IEP process, centering 
on building the capacity of special education coaches to 
assist district schools, informing parents and early childhood 
staff about paraeducator considerations during transition to 
elementary school, and helping school administrators and 
division leadership better understand the procedures for 
requesting paraeducator services for students with disabilities. 

Currently, the percentage of GDOE students receiving 
special education services with paraeducators is one of the 
highest across the nation. Although there are varying factors 
that may have contributed to GDOE’s high percentage 
of paraeducators, continuous reliance on adult support 
negatively impacts the fostering of independent living skills 
and social interaction with peers. Thus, the GDOE Special 
Education Division recognizes the need for an improved 
process of determining paraeducator services for students 
with disabilities. Additionally, the fading plan, which will now 
be included in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) of each 
student receiving paraeducator services, will outline strategies 
aimed to fade out full time paraeducator support over time. 

The on-site sessions were held at the GDOE Tiyan Headquarters 
and Westin Resort Guam for school administrators.


On January 31, Mary Schillinger interacts with participants during paraeducator procedures with the Special Education coaches at the GDOE Tiyan Headquarters.



GDOE Facilitates Sessions on Paraeducator Procedures (cont.)


On January 30, Early Childhood Special Education Preschool staff, Head Start representatives, and Elementary IEP coordinators receive information about paraeducator 
considerations and procedures during transition to kindergarten at the GDOE Tiyan Headquarters.


On February 2, A group of special education coaches work together to develop a 
sample student profile to use as a training activity for school administrators. 

On January 30, Special Education coaches learn more about paraeducator 
procedures and fading plan from consultant Mary Schillinger. 



GDOE Facilitates Sessions on Paraeducator Procedures (cont.)


Mary Schillinger (middle with neck scarf) poses with participants during the workshop at the Westin Resort Guam. 



 GDOE Supports Resource Room Teachers

The Guam Department of Education, along with Guam 
CEDDERS, supported State Systemic Improvement Project 
(SSIP) Target School resource room teachers (RRTs) at Chief 
Brodie, MU Lujan, Capt. HB Price, and JM Guerrero Elementary 
schools with additional support in their implementation of 
Direct Instruction.

During School Year 2022-2023, four new RRTs were trained in 
using the Direct Instruction (DI) program with their students 
with disabilities. The RRTs were given an opportunity to learn 
the basic principles of DI where reading is taught explicitly 
using clearly presented learning tasks that include repetition 
and guided practice for all students. 

Across the four SSIP Target Schools, monthly DI implementation 
observations are conducted and feedback shared. Based 
on these observations, SSIP RRTs are provided support and 
technical assistance. If the RRTs are in need of additional 
support such as 1:1 coaching or guidance in scoring placement 
tests or other assessments, this is also provided based on the 
RRT's needs. 

This is the goal of a collaborative effort to support RRTs in 
providing evidence-based instruction to yield higher outcomes 
in reading. Through evidence-based programs such as DI, 
SSIP Target School RRTs are equipped with the necessary 
instructional materials that are proven to be successful in 
teaching all students to read, but most especially those 
students with disabilities.

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GSAT and GEHDI Public Awareness 

On February 11, CEDDERS staff participated in the Freedom Park Swap Meet to disseminate information about the Guam System 
for Assistive Technology (GSAT) and Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (GEHDI) Project. Public awareness activities 
are essential for the Guam System for Assistive Technology to communicate information on services provided by GSAT to promote 
change, inclusion, and build capacity. These activities aim to educate the public about assistive technology, increase access and 
acquisition of assistive technology (AT) devices and services. The CEDDERS Team demonstrated assistive technology devices 
for vision, hearing, learning, mobility, and leisure. The staff distributed over 300 GSAT and Guam Preschool Development Grant 
(PDG) Birth-Five bags containing GSAT, Akudi Loan, GEHDI, and Guam Developmental Disabilities Council (GDDC) brochures; 
informational brochures on Cytomegalovirus, iCanconnect flyers for combined vision & hearing loss, 311 flyers, pens, catalogs, and 
books for children 1-3 years old. 


Pictured L-R: Patricia Perez, Assistive Technology Center Assistant; Yeon Sook Park, UOG Social Work Intern; Leah Abelon (standing), Guam CEDDERS Project Coordinator; 
and Tanya Simer, Research Associate.



GSAT Outreach at the Astumbo Senior Center


On February 15, the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) conducts 
outreach at the Astumbo Senior Center. Amarah Santos, UOG Social Work Intern, 
stands by to offer assistance to two clients as they test out the UPwalker.

On February 15, the Guam System for Assistive Technology 
(GSAT) conducted outreach at the Astumbo Senior Center. 
This event provided a chance for senior citizens to connect 
and interact with staff from GSAT to try some of the assistive 
technology devices. The staff demonstrated how to use 
devices such as the UPwalker and Pocket Talker. An UPwalker 
is a mobility aid designed to assist those with mobility issues 
in walking or standing, providing individuals the opportunity 
to move around with confidence and independence. The 
Pocketalker is a hearing device that amplifies sound for people 
with mild to moderate hearing loss. Other assistive technology 
devices for vision, daily living, mobility, and recreation were also 
demonstrated.

Guam CEDDERS Project Coordinator Leah Abelon shows a Senior Center client how 
to use the Pocketalker.



PDG B-5 Gives Children a JumpStart

Over the course of several months, Guam CEDDERS conducted 
event evaluation of the JumpStart to Kindergarten Family 
Engagement Series: Preparing Young Children for Kindergarten, 
facilitated by Eloise Sanchez, Guam PDG B-5 Transition 
Consultant, and held in two villages across the island:

• December 12, 2022 - Pagachao, Agat (5 participants)
• December 29, 2022 – Dededo Sports Complex (19 
participants)


Mrs. Sanchez provided hands-on activities focusing on the 
overall development of young children with emphasis on the 
following: Social (interaction), Physical (movement), Emotional 
(feelings), and Intellect (knowledge and skills). 

The evaluation included both quantitative and qualitative 
questions. Quantitative questions included a rubric scale from 1 
(Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). A few of the questions 
asked participants if the session was easy to understand, the 
presentations will help get children ready for kindergarten, and 
the overall value of the their experience. Participants ratings 
throughout each evaluation item were overall very positive 
with mean scores ranging from 4.5 to 4.8. 

Qualitative questions included what participants liked about 
the series, what could be done to make the series better, 
and other comments. The narrative responses were overall 
positive. The following are a few responses made about what 
participants liked about the session

• The games, activities, information, materials
• Gave me ideas on how to teach my son how to socialize 
and help him with dealing with his feelings 
• Its fun and my son learned more about this program
• Very well organized and presented
• I liked the various topics. I liked that the kids were involved


Participants commented that the following could make the 
series better: 

• More learning activities and games
• Change time from PM to AM (conflicted with nap time)


Other comments included:

• More engagement events for families 
• Keep up the good work



On December 10, Eloise Sanchez, PDG B-5 Early Childhood Consultant (pictured 
left), talks to children who are participating in the school readiness activities at the 
Guam Sports Complex in Dededo.

Parents and children try out school readiness activities during the JumpStart to 
Kindergarten Event at the Guam Sports Complex in Dededo.



PDG B-5 Gives Children a JumpStart (cont.)

Excerpt from the Guam JumpStart to Kindergarten Guidelines

The Guam Early Learning Council in partnership with the Department of Public Health and Social Services has 
been overseeing the implementation of the Guam Preschool Development Grant (PDG) Birth to Five Years. The 
grant is designed to promote the developmental needs of children ages 0 to 5 and to target children from lower 
income families (See Appendix “A”). On Guam, with approximately 14,000 children representing the ages of birth 
to age 5, it is essential that Early Childhood Education services be offered to support families and their children. 
One of these services includes helping families prepare their children for kindergarten readiness. These efforts 
are prioritized by the Guam Early Learning Council, whose goal is to help lay down the foundations for learning, 
health, and behavior for all children on Guam. 

This program will address families’ concerns that their children may not be adequately prepared to enter 
kindergarten ready to learn. It aims to prepare preschool aged children for kindergarten readiness through the 
implementation of a two-week long summer program that will introduce developmentally appropriate lessons 
to participating children to enhance their developmental growth in the area of social and emotional growth; 
intellectual growth; and mathematics and literacy. The target audience of this program will serve at-risk children 
and families who are in challenging home environments such as being homeless, coming from foster homes, 
are qualified from public assistance and have been identified by a service provider as having special needs. The 
priority of the program will be preschool children who have not been in any type of formal educational setting 
during the School Year 2022-2023. 


On December 10, parents and children pose for a photo after the JumpStart to Kinder activities with Eloise Sanchez, PDG B-5 Early Childhood Consultant (pictured center), 
at Pagachao Community Center in Agat.



CEDDERS Continues VPT Evaluations

Over the course of several months, Guam CEDDERS conducted 
evaluation activities for Round 3 of the Village Play Time 
(VPT) activities led by the Guam Preschool Development 
Grant Birth to Five, under the Department of Public Health 
and Social Services (DPHSS), Division of Children’s Wellness; 
Early Childhood partners within Guam’s Early Childhood 
Care and Education (ECCE) System representing programs 
from DPHSS, Guam Department of Education, and the 
Mayor’s Council of Guam came together to provide fun, 
educational, and developmentally enriching activities 
for young children ages birth to 5 years old and their 
families. Activities promoted, “Math Right from the Start 
through Play,” and participants were provided resources 
from Teaching Strategies® The Creative Curriculum®. 

Events were held at the following:

z February 10 – Hemlani Apartments, Harmon
z March 10 – Yigo Gym


A total of 35 participants including parents, grandparents, 
and other caregivers attended the sessions with 60 children 
ranging in ages from 0-2 months old to 9+ years old. 
Participants completed an evaluation form at the end of the 
event. The evaluation included a series of quantitative and 
qualitative questions. The quantitative responses included a 
rubric from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Some 
of the evaluation items included statements such 
as, “The purpose of today’s event was clear, The 
activities were fun, and helped my child’s physical, 
social, and emotional development; I learned 
something new that will help me as a parent.” 
Mean scores for these items ranged from 4.17 to 
4.88, indicating that participants strongly agreed 
that the event provided activities that helped their 
child’s development and their parenting skills. 
The qualitative responses were overwhelmingly 
positive. Participants were asked what they liked 
about the event. Responses included that their kids 
learned and they liked everything about the event, 
the staff was nice and the kids enjoyed the event, 
information was helpful, kids enjoyed interactive 
with other kids, and meeting new people and 
learning new things. Participants were also asked 
what could make the event better. Responses included more 
activities and provide objects for free play such as balls. 
Lastly, participants were asked if there was anything else they 
would like to share. Responses included, “Aside from my shy 
children I appreciate all that all of you do for the community 
and I had fun,” and “Loved today’s activities. Thank you.” 

In addition, in-person and virtual staff debrief sessions were 
conducted upon completion of each event. Staff were asked 
“What Worked and What Didn’t Work/Improvement for 
Next Time.” After each event, staff consistently praised the 
great team work among the early childhood programs and 
that participants really engaged in the activities with their 
children and enjoyed the events. Responses for what could be 
improved included suggestions for increased announcement 
of the events on the various media platforms including 
radio and T.V. and for the programs to provide brainstorm 
additional strategies for getting their respective parents/
clients to attend the events and within means, Guam PDG B-5 
will assist in providing incentives to them for attendance. 

For information on how to partner with Guam PDG B-5 
and the ECCE in facilitating an activity at VPT events, or 
for upcoming events, please contact Guam PDG B-5 at 
671-922-2561 or email pauline.camacho@dphss.guam.
gov, or visit the Guam Early Learning Council’s social 
media pages @guamelc on Facebook and Instagram. 



EHDI Shares Quarterly Highlights

As we ring in the New Year with new beginnings and a fresh 
start for families and providers, we would like to start by 
extending a Dangkulu Na Si’ Yuos Ma’ ase to the Sagua Mañagu 
Birthing Center (SMBC) staff for their commitment to ensure 
babies born at the birthing center for the past 20 years received 
an initial hearing screening prior to discharge and provided 
follow-up hearing rescreens for those infants who referred. 
SMBC paused its birthing center services on December 24, 
2022. We continue our partnership with SMBC by providing 
resources regarding newborn hearing screening and resources 
that impact children’s hearing to the families they serve. 

The Guam EHDI Project ushered in the New Year with the last 
round of Guam EHDI 1-3-6 and Beyond Mini-Conferences for 
families, caregivers, and providers. The project held three mini-
conferences, one on January 14, “How to Advocate for Your 
Child,” and an in-depth review of the Individualized Education 
Plan (IEP) forms, available services, and family resources. The 
last two sessions were held on February 1 and 3 which focused 
on the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Transition 
Planning. Students from Agueda Johnston Middle School 
(AJMS) Deaf /Hard of Hearing (DHH) class and their teacher and 
American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter attended the two-
day event. Students learned the importance of participating in 
developing their IEP and Transition plan. Myra Aguon Mendiola 
shared her educational experiences. She recalled participating 
in her IEP meeting as a fifth grader. At an early age, Myra 
embraced ASL as her communication choice and articulated 
her desire to discontinue speech services. Her father supported 
her decision and ensured her decision to discontinue speech 
services was articulated and granted in the IEP meeting. She 
encouraged the students to actively participate in developing 
their IEP and transition plans. In addition, students received 
ASL books to strengthen their ASL skills at home and school. 

From January through February, the project invited parents 
of children identified with hearing loss to a three-part series 
of EHDI Conversations. Each session focused on the lived 
experiences of DHH adults as they navigated through the 
educational system from elementary to post-secondary 
school, the employment process, and access to community 
services. On January 28 and February 11, Myra Aguon Mendiola 
shared her educational and work experiences. In addition, she 
shared her experiences as a DHH child in the public school 
system. She credits her success in school to her parents, who 
advocated for her early in her academic years and continued 
supporting her in her post-secondary educational journey at 
Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. Her entry into the 
job force started during her high school years. Her transition 
planning allowed her to work in her desired field of study 
during the summer. This process allowed her to discover that 
her true passion is teaching. She currently teaches ASL at 
Guam Community College. EHDI Conversations also included 
a presentation from Guam EHDI audiologist consultant Dr. 
Renee L.G. Koffend sharing the importance of hearing health, 
properly fitted hearing devices, and the impact it has in the 
education and work environment. In addition, the Department 
of Vocational Rehabilitation Alvin Ancheta provided valuable 
information to families and consumers of the services offered 
to individuals with disabilities seeking employment.

In February, Dr. Koffend trained 21 Guam Memorial Hospital 
Authority (GMHA) nurses and nurse aides on the importance 
of following the initial newborn hearing screening protocols 
and proper techniques for conducting hearing screenings 
using the Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) and Automated 
Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) hearing screening 
tests performed on infants before discharge. Additional 
training sessions are scheduled for March to include the 
Department of Public Health and Social Services staff.

The Guam EHDI Project continues to provide the much-
needed outpatient follow-up hearing rescreens for babies who 
referred (failed) the initial hearing screening test provided 
at GMHA before discharge. Guam EHDI screened 66 babies 
from December through February; of the babies screened, 61 
passed, and 5 referred. The staff provided the hearing screening 
results to assist the primary care physician (PCP) in determining 
the following steps upon the child receiving a refer result. The 
PCP plays a critical role in the timeliness of receiving DAEs. 
A referral from the PCP to the audiologist for a diagnostic 
audiological evaluation (DAE) will ensure the child gets a 
diagnosis by three months of age. In addition, the project 
connects parents to a family support group upon receiving 
consent from the parent. Guam EHDI and its partners are 
committed to achieving the Joint Committee of Infant Hearing 
(JCIH) hearing screening guidelines. To learn more about 
newborn hearing screening, visit our website at guamehdi.org.



EHDI Continues Mini Conferences 


On February 3, Myra Aguon Mendiola, a Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) advocate (standing right), shares her educational journey at the Guam EHDI 1-3-6 Mini-
Conference event at Tony Roma’s in the Royal Orchid. Families that attended received gas coupons and books.


On February 1, Ms. Rowena Morada, Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (standing), provides some information on resources available during introductions at 
the Guam EHDI 1-3-6 Mini-Conference at Tony Roma’s in the Royal Orchid.



EHDI Continues Mini Conferences (cont.)


On February 5, Dr. Renee L.G. Koffend, Guam EHDI Audiologist 
Consultant, with technical support from Keith Villaluna, 
Interoperability Data Manager, Guam CEDDERS, trains 21 Guam 
Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) nurses and nurse aides on 
the importance of following the initial newborn hearing screening 
protocols and proper techniques for conducting hearing screenings 
using the Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) and Automated Auditory 
Brainstem Response (AABR) hearing screening tests performed on 
infants before discharge. The training was held on a Sunday at the 
GMHA OB Ward floor hallway to accommodate the nurses’ busy 
schedule. 

On January 28, Dr. Renee L.G. Koffend, Guam EHDI Audiologist Consultant, demonstrates a hearing 
test on Keith Villaluna, Interoperability Data Manager, Guam CEDDERS. Dr. Koffend shared how 
hearing aids are fitted and the different types of hearing aids available. Dr. Koffend also shared 
valuable information to the deaf and hard of hearing families and other valuable guests at Guam 
EHDI’s Conversations on Education event at Tony Roma’s in the Royal Orchid. Dr. Koffend brought 
along with her several devices that guests were able to learn about.


On January 28, Marie Wusstig, Training Associate, Guam EHDI (standing left), provides introductions at the Guam EHDI Conversations on Education event at Tony Roma’s 
in the Royal Orchid while Margaret Johnson, ASL interpreter (standing right), signs for our deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) families as well as service providers. Guest 
speakers at the event were Dr. Renee L.G. Koffend, Guam EHDI Audiologist Consultant, and Myra Aguon Mendiola, DHH advocate.



I Tellai is a quarterly publication of Guam CEDDERS.

Interim Director: June De Leon

Editor-In-Chief: Vera Blaz

Editors: Michelle Aguigui & Josephine Cruz

This issue of I Tellai was made possible by contributions from the 
following Guam CEDDERS staff members: Leah Abelon, Michelle 
Aguigui, Jenika Ballesta, Elizabeth Calvo, Josephine Cruz, June 
De Leon, Rachel Duenas, Brittany Masang, Thilani Perada, Debra 
Whit, and Marie Wussttig.

Contact Information

Mailing Address: CEDDERS Service Center:

Guam CEDDERS Tel: (671) 735-2480/1

Office of Graduate Studies, Fax: (671) 734-5709
Sponsored Programs, & Research TTY: (671) 734-6531

University of Guam
303 University Drive

Mangilao, Guam 96913

For alternative formats (e.g. Braille or large print), please contact 
the Guam CEDDERS Service Center.

For more information on any of these events, 

please call 735-2479 or visit www.guamcedders.org

This newsletter was produced with 100% funding support from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration on Intellectual and Developmental 
Disabilities, Grant No. 90DDUC0064-02-01 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.