I Tellai The BRIDGE Guam CEDDERS Newsletter Volume 18, Issue 4 September 23, 2016 In this issue: Building an Early Childhood System............................1-2 Guam LAUNCH July 14th Cultural Conversations Café.......3 Program-Wide Implementation of the Pyramid Model....4 Guam CEDDERS Facilitates Annual Power of Play.............4 Guam CEDDERS Delivers Toolkits/Books/GELGs................5 Guam EHDI Program Highlights.....................................6 Guam EHDI Staff Promote Awareness.............................7 Guam EHDI Initial Screening QI Team Meeting................7 VI Program Consultation Webinar with Donna McNear....8 VI Consultant On-Site Visit.............................................8 Boys Town Webinar for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program ...9 Tinituhon Conducts ASQ Training for Head Start Staff......9 Our Continuous Improvement Road Map..................10-11 TA Focuses on Related Service Delivery.........................12 Guam Celebrates 26th Anniversary of ADA....................12 GDOE Special Education Division Holds Orientation.......13 Palau Teachers Utilize UDL Strategies...........................13 Pacific VIP Shares Lessons Learned...............................14 GOAL-AT: Providing Technology Supports......................15 GCC and Non-profit Explore AT......................................15 June De Leon Shares Next Steps at SWIFT Conference....16 Understanding Early Childhood Outcomes....................16 Guam CEDDERS Presents Books to SRCHC......................17 DISID Emergency On-Line Registry...............................17 CEDDERS Resumes Filming for “Ta Fan Acomprendi.......18 SiñA Members Screen Ta Fan Acomprendi.....................19 Guam CEDDERS & EHDI Annual Reports.........................19 CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS..................................20 University of Guam CEDDERS logo UNIVERSITY OF GUAM Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service Building an Early Childhood System: From Charting Our Course to Reflecting on the Journey Members of the Project Tinituhon Strategic Management Team pose for a group photo during a break at the June 22 meeting at the Westin Resort. On July 28, members of the Project Tinituhon Strategic Management Teams (SMTs) came together at the Guam Hilton Resort and Spa to discuss the journey of Guam’s Early Childhood Comprehensive System (ECCS) over the years as well as solidifying the Collective Impact Process for the islandwide Developmental and Behavioral Screening System (iDBSS). This meeting was a follow-up to the June 22 SMT meeting. Participants were given an overview of how Guam’s ECCS was developed and how it has grown over the years. In 2002, as part of President George Bush’s early childhood initiative, “Good Start, Grow Smart,” an executive order signed by then Governor Felix Camacho established the Guam Early Care and Education Committee. The committee developed the “Guam Comprehensive Plan for the Care and Education of Young Children Birth to 5 Years” and provided the foundation for Project Tinituhon, Guam’s Early Childhood Comprehensive System. Since then, several key early childhood initiatives have been developed and implemented to serve the needs of Guam’s children birth to eight years and their families, including The Guam Early Learning Council, Project Kariñu, Guam’s Early Childhood Mental Health Initiative; Project Bisita I Familia, Guam’s Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program; Public Law 31-73, which updated the rules and regulations for licensed child care centers and group care homes; Public Law 32-030, which established the Council on Child Death Review and Prevention; and Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions to Unmet Needs in Children’s Health; also known as Guam LAUNCH). Participants were given the opportunity to add to the timeline of initiatives as well as discuss the challenges/barriers to implementation. In collaboration with Project Tinituhon, Project Kariñu Evaluation Team co-sponsored and facilitated the July 28 SMTs meeting at the Guam Hilton Resort and Continued on page 2 Building an Early Childhood System (cont. from page 1) Spa. This full day event opened with an interactive activity in which SMT members reflected on the evolution of Guam’s early childhood system of care, identifying key achievements and challenges over the past 16 years. Participants were asked to note the year of each achievement and updated Guam’s early childhood comprehensive system timeline. Participants also engaged in creating individual “stories of change.” Using an adaptation of the Most Significant Change evaluation method, each participant described the most significant change that has occurred in Guam’s early childhood system over the past 10 years. These stories were then shared among participants at their tables who selected one story of change to share with the large group. Project Tinituhon staff is in the process of winding down its activities and transitioning its initiatives to other programs for sustainability. Initiatives were grouped by focus area—Early Promotion and Identification, Social Emotional Wellness, Early Learning, Parent Engagement and Support, and Sustainability. Participants chose the focus areas that pertained to their respective grants and have agreed to continue working on these initiatives that benefit Guam’s young children and families. Participants also provided feedback on the collective impact process for the islandwide Developmental and Behavioral Screening System (iDBSS). Early childhood programs such as the Department of Education Guam Early Intervention System, Early Childhood Special Education Preschool, Head Start, and Pilot Preschool; and Department of Public Health and Social Services Project Bisita I Familia, Project Kariñu, and Guam LAUNCH all conduct developmental and behavioral screenings using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires-Third Edition (ASQ-3) and the Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Social Emotional (ASQ: SE). The collective impact process has enabled the programs to agree on a common agenda and shared measures for data collection. The common agenda is “Guam will have deliberate and planned facilitation of islandwide policies, procedures, and practices for the implementation and maintenance of a cross-collaborative system for ensuring that all young children birth to 8 years of age receive routine developmental and behavioral screening. Shared measurement will focus on: • Number of people trained on screening tools; • Number of programs implementing iDBSS; • Number of children screened by program; • Number of children referred for further assessment; • Number of children below cut off scores, number of children monitored, and number of children above cut off scores; and • Policy changes in early childhood programs or other organizations, new investments, and government policy changes. Programs agreed to report data quarterly following the calendar year on the above data points. The July meeting focused on the process for identifying mutually reinforcing activities and agreement on how communication will flow within and between programs/ agencies. The committee provided input on the iDBSS operating procedures to include additional information in support of Guam’s Learn the Signs Act Early initiative. The next SMT meeting to review the changes and continue the collective impact process is tentatively scheduled for October. (Standing L-R) Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Consultant, and Vera Blaz, Project Tinituhon Project Coordinator, facilitate mapping of early childhood initiatives under Project Tinituhon with Strategic Management Team members on Wednesday, June 22 at the Westin Resort. (L-R) Pauline Camacho and Lizzy Calvo, Kariñu; Pat Mantanona, Guam Early Intervention System; Cathy Tydingco, Part B Preschool; and Jolene Dagame, Parent, talk about successes and challenges in early childhood over the last 10 years during the Project Tinituhon Strategic Management Team Meeting on July 28. 3 Guam LAUNCH Hosts July 14th Cultural Conversations Café In February and March, Guam CEDDERS facilitated two Cultural Conversation Cafés for Guam LAUNCH to gather information about cultural values, strengths, and practices that might influence families’ participation in Guam LAUNCH services and evaluation activities. Using the World Café process, a small group conversation strategy, cultural representatives from Guam’s Chamorro and Chuukese communities engaged in a series of “table conversations” around specific questions. They openly discussed their cultural perspectives and the Cafés resulted in a wealth of information. From April – June, Guam CEDDERS worked to analyze the results of the Café and synthesize participants’ input into data summaries. As an important next step, a follow-up Café was conducted on July 14th. This was an opportunity for the cultural representatives to review the data summaries, validate their accuracy, and to provide further clarification of their input. Participants’ responses to the data summaries was very positive and they provided even more information that will be useful for Guam LAUNCH and other service providers. Further data analysis is currently underway. Once the final report is completed, it is anticipated that the information will be made available to service providers in the form of “tip sheets.” Photo: On July 14, participants from the previous Guam LAUNCH Cultural Conversations Café gathered to validate data collected at the prior Cafés. Representatives from the Chamorro and Chuukese communities as well as Guam CEDDERS and Guam LAUNCH staff posed for a group photo during the Café. Photo: Bonnie Brandt (standing), Guam CEDDERS LAUNCH Evaluator, provides a recap from the previous Cafés held in February and March during the Guam LAUNCH Cultural Conversations Café event held on July 14 at the Guam Hilton Resort & Spa. Photo: Bonnie Brandt (2nd from right), Guam CEDDERS LAUNCH Evaluator, explains procedures during a table activity with Chuukese Cultural Representatives during the Guam LAUNCH Cultural Conversations Café held on July 14 at the Guam Hilton Resort & Spa. 4 Program-Wide Implementation of Pyramid Model On August 22 and 23, Dr. Robert Corso, executive director of The Pyramid Model Consortium, returned to Guam to facilitate training on Program-Wide Implementation of the Pyramid Model. Representatives from the Department of Education Early Childhood Special Education Preschool Program, Pilot Preschool, Head Start Program, Student Support Services Division, and school-wide Positive Behavior and Intervention Support; and Guam CEDDERS staff attended the two-day training. Program-wide implementation of the Pyramid Model or Program-Wide Positive Behavior and Intervention Support (PBIS) refers to a systemic effort within a program to implement the Pyramid Model with fidelity. In program-wide adoption, a leadership team guides the implementation process and develops the support and infrastructure needed to ensure that adoption of the Pyramid Model can occur within the classrooms and services provided to children and their families. The Leadership team is focused on the ongoing process of implementing the Pyramid Model and using data-based decision-making to guide implementation efforts and monitor outcomes. The program-wide adoption model ensures that classrooms and programs are attending to both the adoption of evidence-based practices (i.e., Pyramid Model practices) and the development of the infrastructure to support the durable implementation of those practices. Programs that have adopted this model have reported the following outcomes: • Reductions in child challenging behavior • Increases in children’s social skills • Increased satisfaction of program staff and families • Reduced turnover in the program • Increases in teachers’ competence & confidence in their ability to support children An additional focus of this training included strategies to integrate the program-wide approaches holistically into the School-Wide PBIS efforts that are already in place. Photo: Participants of the “Pyramid Model Program-Wide Implementation” training pose for a photo with Dr. Robert Corso. Participants from the Department of Education Head Start Program, Early Childhood Special Education Preschool Program, Pilot Preschool Program, Student Support Services Division and School-Wide Positive Behavior and Intervention Support attended the training. Guam CEDDERS Facilitates Annual Power of Play Events Photo: Gajee Parsons (left), Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) Social Worker, listens to stories read by children during the Power of Play held at Gill Baza, Yigo on June 16. Photo: Vera Blaz (Right), Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, takes a picture of a child for her Power of Play Passport on June 16 at Gill Baza, Yigo. 5 Guam CEDDERS Delivers Resources to Community Programs Photo: On August 8, Ruth Leon Guerrero (left), Guam CEDDERS staff, delivered 15 Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) “DAE Toolkits” to Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS). The Toolkits contain resources and information for families who have a child being referred for a Diagnostic Audiological Evaluation (DAE). Receiving the Toolkits is R-Leen Mario, GEIS staff (right). Photo: On August 8, Ruth Leon Guerrero (right), Guam CEDDERS staff, presented 50 copies of the Hugåndo (Play) Book to Lee Meadows, M.D., physician at the Northern Region Community Health Center (NRCHC) in Dededo. The Hugåndo book provides suggestions for parents and child caregivers on ways to promote learning with young children. This resource is available in English, Tagalog, and Chuukese languages and will be passed out to patients who visit the NRCHC. Photo: On August 4, Guam CEDDERS provided 400 copies of the Guam Early Learning Guidelines (GELGs), Three to Five Years to the Guam Head Start Program. Receiving the GELGs were (left to right): Ruthie Ann Lancero and Rowena Dela Cruz, Head Start staff and Cindy Respicio, Head Start Assistant Director. Also present were Vera Blaz and Marie Wusstig, Guam CEDDERS Training Associates. 6 Guam EHDI Program Highlights Photo: Renee L.G. Koffend, AuD., CCC-A, Guam CEDDERS/ Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Audiology consultant (standing at right),spoke before a captive audience of service providers from the Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) on August 17 at the GSAT Center. Dr. Koffend’s presentation focused on “Hearing Loss Identification & Rehabilitation. Photo: Guam CEDDERS personnel were interviewed on K57’s Travis Coffman “GMH Healthcare Heroes Series” radio show on August 16 during the late afternoon drive home time segment. The focus of the interview was on the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) Project. Pictured from left to right are June Perez, Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) Program Coordinator and Co-Host of GMHA HEALTHCARE HEROES SERIES; Joseph John Mendiola, Guam CEDDERS/EHDI, Interoperability Data Manager; Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS/EHDI Project Coordinator; Travis Coffman, K57 Talk Show Radio Host; and Renee L.G. Koffend, AuD., CCC-A, Guam CEDDERS/EHDI Audiology Consultant. Photo: Renee Koffend, AuD., CCC-A, Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (GEHDI) Audiology consultant, conducted hearing screening on infants using an AABR device, during the Outpatient Hearing Clinic on August 26 held at Guam EHDI, House 21, Dean’s Circle, UOG. 7 Guam EHDI Staff Promote Awareness Photo: Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (GEHDI)/Tinituhon staff members pose with Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, Guam’s representative in the U.S. House of Representatives. Congresswoman Bordallo delivered remarks applauding the community outreach efforts promoting various health-related services and supports available during the Breastfeeding Awareness event held at the Micronesia Mall on August 20. Photo: Fathers obtain information on early hearing and development during the Breastfeeding Awareness event held at the Micronesia Mall on August 20. Photo: Senator Frank Aguon, Jr., member of the 33rd Guam Legislature, visited the Guam EHDI/Tinituhon table during the Breastfeeding Awareness event held at the Micronesia Mall on August 20. Guam EHDI Initial Screening Quality Improvement Team Meeting Photo: GUAM EHDI staff facilitated an Initial Screening Quality Improvement Team Meeting with representatives from the Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) and Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) at the GMHA Boardroom on August 25. Modifications were made to the initial screening processing protocol during the meeting. Participating in the meeting were (L-R): Pat Mantanona, GEIS Program Coordinator; Melinda Treltas, RN, GEIS Nurse; Maravic Guiao, RN, GMHA OB Ward Nurse Supervisor; JJ Mendiola, Guam CEDDERS Data Interoperability Manager; and Marie Wusstig, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate. Also attending the meeting was Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director. 8 VI Consultant Provides On-Line and On-Site TA Photo:On August 3, Guam CEDDERS facilitated a webinar presented by Donna McNear, Vision Instruction Consultant (shown on screen) for Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS), Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education Part C. Attending the webinar from left to right, clockwise, were Liz Blas, Joanie Manibusan, Gajee Parsons, Cookie Treltas, and Rosie Tkaczuk. Photo:Guam CEDDERS facilitated a meeting with Donna McNear, Vision Instruction Consultant for the Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education’s Vision Instruction (VI) Program. Ms. McNear was on-island conducting an on-site technical assistance visit on August 29 - September 2. Pictured from left to right, clockwise: Paula Ulloa, VI School Program Consultant; Donna McNear, Vision Instruction Consultant; Diane Artero, VI Teacher; and Darlene Taimanglo, VI Teacher. 9 Boys Town Webinar for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program Staff Photo:On August 11, Guam CEDDERS facilitated a webinar for GDOE Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH) staff with Cathy Carotta, Ed.D., CCC-SLP, Boys Town National Hospital (on screen), to discuss the draft D/HH Program Manual. Pictured sitting left to right: Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS; Camille Gonzales, Itinerant Services Teacher, D/HH Program; and Paula Ulloa, GDOE D/HH Program Coordinator. Project Tinituhon Conducts ASQ Training for Head Start Staff On August 19, 56 staff from the Guam Head Start Program and 10 staff from the Early Childhood Special Education Program were trained on the Ages and Stages Questionnaires Third Edition (ASQ-3) and Early Childhood Outcomes by Vera Blaz, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, and Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Consultant. Head Start recently adopted the ASQ-3 as their developmental screening tool. Previous to this, they used the Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning (DIAL-3). Head Start now joins the other Guam early childhood serving programs in using this research-based tool for screening infants and young children for developmental delays during the crucial first five years of life. Participants were given an overview of the ASQ-3, which included the domains of child development as well as the types of assessments used for evaluating young children and the possible reasons for conducting certain assessments. Participants were also given reasons why screening should be conducted, which include monitoring development, decreasing the high incidence of late detection of developmental delays and disabilities, and increasing the number of children who receive early intervention services. All participants were oriented on the features of the ASQ-3—how the questions are set up, the information needed for determining the appropriate age interval for screening a child, how to score a questionnaire, how to fill out the information summary sheet, and how to communicate the results of the screening with families. Participants were also trained in Early Childhood Outcomes and given orientation to the Child Outcomes Summary (COS) process and its key features. They were given the three global outcomes for children, which include: • Children have positive social-emotional skills (including social relationships); • Children acquire and use knowledge and skills (including early language/communication and early literacy); and • Children use appropriate behaviors to meet their needs. Participants learned about how to accurately identify COS ratings for children using the 7-point scale. The 7-point scale documents the child’s status at a given point in time, describes the child’s status compared to age-expected functioning, and uses specific criteria to differentiate each of the 7 points. Participants were given the opportunity to complete small group activities that helped to solidify knowledge learned about the COS as well as the 7-point scale. 10 GDOE Schools Develop Continuous Improvement Road Map for Improving Reading Achievement Photo: State Systemic Improvement Project (SSIP) School participants connected with their Quadrant Partners to share their ideas with teachers they don’t usually interact with so they can gain different perspectives. Photo: Christine Hernandez and Ronald Ogo, Consulting Resource Teachers-Technical Assistance (CRT-TA), categorize items on the Affinity Diagram that were identified through brainstorming activities. Through a contract with the Guam Department of Education (GDOE), Guam CEDDERS in collaboration with the Wisconsin School District of Menomonee Falls (SDMF) provided a two-day professional development (PD) session for the four GDOE State Systemic Improvement Project (SSIP) participating elementary schools on August 15-16. Close to 150 faculty and administrators from Chief Brodie Memorial Elementary School, Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School, M.U. Lujan Elementary School and Capt. H.B. Price Elementary School, and key personnel from the Division of Special Education, the Teacher & Administrator Effectiveness Project, and Curriculum and Instruction, attended the full day sessions on the implementation of district and school-level coherent improvement strategies for improving reading achievement in grades kindergarten to third. This was the second of a series of PD sessions and a continuation of the “Our Continuous Improvement Road Map for Improving Reading Achievement” session held on February 8, where participants identified the root cause for low reading performance in Grades K-3 at the four SSIP elementary schools; identified infrastructure development needs at the district and school levels for improving reading achievement for Grades K-3 at the four participating elementary schools; and identified next steps for the Department’s Continuous Improvement Road Map for improving Grades K-3 reading achievement in the four participating elementary schools. The two-day session began with Nieves Flores, Ed.D., Guam CEDDERS Consultant, providing a review of the outcomes from the February session and giving participants time to reflect and share on the evaluation and survey results. Participants then worked in school teams assessing current reading practices using “the Fishbone diagram” and the “5 Whys” to identify the root causes or the primary barriers to student success and create a plan to remove the impediments to student learning. The Wisconsin SDMF Team of Cassie Martin, Elementary School Principal; Sarah Doerr, District Literacy Coaching Coordinator; and Sue Lee, District Curriculum/Training Specialist set the stage for their presentation on “Building Steps for Continuous Improvement” with an activity that helped the participants understand the system through improving communication and collaboration among team members to meet set goals and expectations. The Barbell Factory Activity provided participants with the opportunity to create a system that works, when the system in place wasn’t working for them. By making changes to the process and openly communicating and collaborating, the work then met the different needs of the individual workers, they were less stressed and thus worked faster. This activity introduced the participants to the Plan, Do, (cont. from page 10) Study, Act (PDSA) Cycle, that is a systematic series of steps for gaining valuable learning and knowledge for the continual improvement of the process. Throughout the two-day session, participants were guided through the PDSA cycle through grade-level hands on activities that teachers can take back and implement in their classrooms. As with the Barbell Factory Activity, PDSA allows for quick adjustments to teaching and learning strategies to ensure all students are learning. Sarah Doerr also provided participants with a presentation on “Instructional Strategies Supporting the 5 Components of Literacy.” The two-day session ended with a commitment by participants to “just start” the process in their classrooms, with support from Division of Special Education, the Teacher & Administrator Effectiveness Project, and Curriculum and Instruction. Guam CEDDERS and the SDMF Team will also provide follow-up activities throughout the school year to support the schools with their continuous improvement process. Photo: Administrators from the four participating SSIP elementary schools share a smile with Cassie Martin, Wisconsin SDMF Elementary Principal, during the Jobs Alike working lunch. Pictured Left-Right: Elias Taisipic, Assistant Principal, MU Lujan Elementary; Marites Garcia, Assistant Principal, JM Guerrero Elementary; Melissa Limo, Principal, JM Guerrero Elementary; Cassie Martin; Darlene Castro, Principal, Chief Brodie Elementary; Natasha Dela Cruz, Principal, MU Lujan Elementary; Germaine Castro, Principal, Price Elementary; and Lily Delos Santos, Assistant Principal, Price Elementary. Photo: Wisconsin SDMF’s Sue Lee (left) facilitating the Barbell Factory Activity with two groups. Photo:(L-R) Dr. Nieves Flores, Guam CEDDERS consultant, and Dr. Josephine Cruz, Price Elementary Instructional Coach, work together to complete the Peg activity. 12 TA Focuses on Related Service Delivery Determination Photo: Verna Chinen, M.A., CCC-SLP (standing) responds to a question during the two-day session for related service personnel conducted on August 15 & 16. As prioritized by Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education, Guam CEDDERS facilitated a two-day professional development opportunity for 50 related service personnel to explore the relationship between related services and the classroom for students with disabilities. Verna Chinen, M.A., CCC-SLP, Hawaii State Coordinator for Related Services, conducted the two-day session on August 15 & 16. Overall, related service personnel increased understanding of: • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 2004 requirements pertaining to accessing and improving performance in the general education curriculum; • Using assessments to determine impact on general education performance - “learning implications”; and • Using evaluation eligibility information to guide the development of the Present Level of Educational Performance (PLEP) and goals and objectives, including considerations for young children transitioning from early intervention to preschool services. Photo:Related Service Units discuss assessment practices during team time. Pictured Left to Right: Marita Gogue, School Psychologist; Joanne Kim, Academic Evaluator; and Pia Watson, School Psychologist. Guam Celebrates 26th Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Photo:On July 26, the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID), together with several public, private and non-profit organizations, gathered to witness the proclamation signing in Celebration, Recognition, and Honor of the 26th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 13 Special Education Division Holds New School Year Orientation With logistical support from Guam CEDDERS, the Guam Division of Special Education conducted their orientation session at the UOG School of Business classrooms on August 12. This first day for teachers provided an opportunity for Division personnel to come together to welcome the new school year! Right photo: Yolanda Gabriel (standing), Assistant Superintendent, Division of Special Education, reviews the federal policy changes related to children and youth with disabilities. Photo: “SPED Buster” was the theme to energize the August 12 Division of Special Education Orientation session at the UOG School of Business. Palau Teachers Utilize Universal Design for Learning Strategies Through a contract with the Republic of Palau (ROP), Special Education Program, June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director facilitated afternoon learning opportunities on August 23-26 with 25 Koror Elementary School (KES) Grades 1-3 and Special Education Teachers and Ministry of Education Specialists. KES is ROP’s State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) target school identified to prioritize infrastructure development for increasing English reading comprehension in the early grades. One of the outcomes of the afternoon sessions included identifying and incorporating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles in the classroom. Photo: June De Leon (standing left), Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, provides guidance during a group activity on August 25. KES group members sitting in the front table include: (left to right) Gwen Rengiil, Education Specialist; Katherine Hindenburg (partially hidden), Teacher Aide; Atanacia Ubedei, Special Education Teacher; Annette Siksei, 3rd Grade Teacher; and Maxima Teliu, 2nd Grade Teacher. 14 Pacific VIP Shares Lessons Learned On August 3, Guam CEDDERS with Pacific Vision Instruction Project (Pacific VIP) partners USDOE Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) School for Global Inclusion and Social Development, presented during the OSEP Project Directors’ Conference in Washington, DC. The presentation, “Training, Developing, and Sustaining Effective Personnel to Work with Children with Disabilities in Remote Areas,” offered “lessons learned” from implementing the Pacific VIP, a regional training program in low-incidence disabilities for Pacific region local scholars to become certified teachers of students with visual impairments (TVIs) with orientation and mobility (O&M) credentials to meet the needs of children with visual disabilities who live in remote island communities, which resulted in the majority of scholars completing both TVI and O&M training programs. Reflections included considerations for recruitment and retention activities when developing training programs to address rural/remote communities for ensuring applicability and sustainability. Photo: Glinda Hill (at podium), OSEP Project Officer, shares the context for the partnership between Guam CEDDERS and UMass Boston that created the Pacific VIP in 2010. Photo: Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, Principal Investigator, Pacific VIP, Director, Guam CEDDERS, and June De Leon, Project Director, Pacific VIP, Associate Director, Guam CEDDERS, facilitated a presentation with the Pacific VIP partners from USDOE OSEP and UMass Boston during the 2016 OSEP Project Directors Conference in Washington, D.C., August 1-3. Shown left to right preparing for the presentation are Robert McCully, Liaison, Pacific VIP, NERCVE Director, UMass Boston; June De Leon, Project Director, Pacific VIP, Associate Director, Guam CEDDERS; Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, Principal Investigator, Pacific VIP, Director, Guam CEDDERS; and Dr. Laura Bozeman, Project Director, Vision Studies, School of Global Inclusion and Social Development, UMass Boston; and Glinda Hill, Project Officer, Research to Practice Division, OSEP. 15 GOAL-AT: Providing Technology Supports Photo: On July 7, Frank “Koolaid” Ungacta, purchased an Apple iPhone 6s through funding from Guam Options for Alternative Loans-Assistive Technology (GOAL-AT), a financing program facilitated by the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT). Mr. Ungacta expressed how the latest version of the gadget is more convenient due to its advanced accessibility, featuring fingerprint identity sensor and SIRI’s quick response to voice commands. Photo: Dolores Camacho is a retired high school teacher who taught French and English for 36 years. She recently acquired funding for hearing aids with the help of the Guam Options for Alternative Loans – Assistive Technology (GOAL-AT), an alternative financing program under the Guam System for Assistive Technology. Mrs. Camacho shared that she wished she knew about Assistive Technology when she was still teaching. She said, “it would have made communication with her students a lot easier.” GCC and Non-profit Organization Explore Assistive Technology to Promote Access Photo: On August 24, Leah Abelon, GSAT AT Center, demonstrated the use of Eyepal to Finia Kachita (left), a student from the Guam Community College (GCC), and Kimberly Bautista, GCC Accommodative Services (right). Eyepal is an assistive technology tool that converts printed text into speech. Photo: On August 17, Nancy Swamy, a case manager at Westcare Pacific Islands Inc., and Clarissa Wilson (right) explored various Assistive Technology options that can be used in their organization to facilitate access for their clients. 16 June De Leon Shares Next Steps at SWIFT Conference (Left photo) June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, shares her planned next steps during the closing activity at the “Better Together” Schoolwide Integrated Framework for Transformation (SWIFT) Professional Learning Institute on July 22. SWIFT is an OSEP-funded national K-8 technical assistance center that builds school capacity to provide academic and behavioral support to improve outcomes for all students through equity-based inclusion. Visit www.swiftschools.org for extensive resources on building an effective school system for all students. (Right photo) June poses with collaborator and friend, Michael McSheehan, SWIFT Center TA Coordinator, University of New Hampshire, while at the “Better Together” SWIFT Professional Learning Institute. Understanding Early Childhood Outcomes and What I can Do? Photo: Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Consultant, facilitated a parent training for Guam Part C, “Understanding Early Childhood Outcomes and What I Can Do,” on July 16 at the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) office. 17 Guam CEDDERS Presents Books to Southern Region Community Health Center Photo: Jenika Ballesta (far left), and Coleen Dela Cruz, Guam CEDDERS staff (far right), presented books to the staff of Southern Region Community Health Center on July 1 as part of the Reach Out and Read Program. DISID logo Emergency On-Line Registry for People with Special Needs This registry for persons with special needs will assist first responders such as police, fire fighters, paramedics, or emergency medical technicians, to interact appropriately and effectively respond in the event of an emergency. Download application at www.guamcedders.org or contact the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID) at 475-4646. 18 Filming Resumes for “Ta Fan Acomprendi: Communicating with People with Disabilities” In collaboration with Guam Legal Services Corporation – Disability Law Center (GLSC-DLC), Guam CEDDERS resumed filming of “Ta Fan Acomprendi: Communicating with People with Disabilities.” Ta Fan Acomprendi was originally completed in October 2015, but after receiving positive feedback from the Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council, the decision was made to expand three scenes. With assistance from PBS Guam, Tip 7 was filmed on June 8 at Ron’s Diner, Mangilao featuring Moses Puas, Self-Advocate, and Christina Cabrera, Ron’s Diner Representative. Tips 5 and 8 were filmed on July 1 at GSAT House 19, featuring Marlon Molinos, Self-Advocate; Carol Cabiles, GLSC-DLC; and Bernadette Shisler, Jenika Ballesta, Coleen Dela Cruz, Leah Abelon, and Sherry Guerrero, Guam CEDDERS. Ta Fan Acomprendi is expected to be used in future trainings to educate the local population on communicating with an individual with a disability. Photo: PBS Guam and Ron’s Diner assisted in filming scenes for “Ta Fan Acomprendi: Communicating with People with Disabilities,” on June 8. Pictured at the table from left to right: Moses Puas, Self-Advocate; Christina Cabrera, Ron’s Diner Representative; and Wansesty Yalismwar, Personal Care Attendant. Photo: Bernadette Shisler, Guam CEDDERS staff (partially hidden by camera), speaks with Marlon Molinos, Self-Advocate, during the filming of Ta Fan Acomprendi Tip 5 on July 1. Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Assistant (seated at right), participated in this scene. 19 SiñA Members Screen Ta Fan Acomprendi:Communicating with People with Disabilities Photo: Guam CEDDERS showed the latest draft of “Ta Fan Acomprendi: Communicating with People with Disabilities” to SiñA members on August 13 during their Self-Advocacy Refresher Workshop. Feedback received was very positive. Next steps include finalizing edits and adding audio description. Annual Reports Now Available To download reports, visit www.guamcedders.org. Guam Earl Hearing Detection & Intervention Project (Guam EHDI) Annual Report cover page 2016 Annual Report cover page University of Guam CEDDERS logo University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, & Service (Guam CEDDERS) Newsletter Guam CEDDERS Office of Academic & Student Affairs University of Guam, UOG Station Mangilao, Guam 96923 Phone: (671) 735.2480/1 Fax: (671) 734.5709 TTY: (671) 734.6531 Email: heidi.sannicolas@guamcedders.org I Tellai is a quarterly publication of Guam CEDDERS. Director: Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D. Editors: Terrie Fejarang, & June De Leon Layout & Design: Sherry Guerrero This issue of I Tellai was made possible by contributions from the following Guam CEDDERS staff members: Leah Abelon, Jenika Ballesta, Vera Blaz, Bonnie Brandt, June De Leon, Terrie Fejarang, Sherry Guerrero, June Quitugua, and Keith Villaluna. Alternative formats (e.g. Braille, large print, or audio tapes) of I Tellai will be made available upon request. Please contact Coleen Dela Cruz at (671) 735.2477 (v), (671) 735.6531 (TTY), or (671) 734.5709 (fax) for more information. The University of Guam is an equal opportunity provider and employer 20 Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, & Service CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS AUG 16 Aug 3 VI Program Skype Consultation Session with Donna McNear, 9:00am-10:00am Aug 12 GEIS ECO Training for GEIS Staff, 1:00pm-3:00pm, GSAT House 19, Dean Circle, UOG Aug 15-16 Our Continuous Improvement Road Map for Improving Reading Achievement Training, 8:00am-4:00pm,Guam Hilton Resort & Spa Aug 15-16 Related Service Delivery Determination, 8:00am-4:00pm, Guam Hilton Resort & Spa Aug 16 K57 Interview on the Guam EHDI Program, 4:30pm, Newstalk K57 Radio Station Aug 17 CDC EHDI Project Officer Teleconference Call, 9:30am-10:30am, Guam CEDDERS House 23, Dean Circle Aug 17 Audiology Presentation by Dr. Renee Koffend, 11:00am-12:00pm, GEIS Office Tiyan, Guam Aug 17 Interoperability Meeting with DPHSS, 4:00pm, Guam CEDDERS House 23, Dean Circle, UOG Aug 18 Bisita CQI Meeting (Bisita Staff Only), 9:00am, Guam CEDDERS House 22, Dean Circle, UOG Aug 19 CQI Training for GEIS Staff, 8:00am-5:00pm, Guam CEDDERS House 21, Dean Circle, UOG Aug 19 Head Start ASQ and ECO Training, 8:00am-5:00pm, Catholic Social Service Conference Room Aug 20 Breast-feeding Awareness Outreach, 10:00am-2:00pm, Micronesia Mall, Center Court Aug 22-23 Early Childhood Program-wide PBIS Implementation Training with Dr. Corso, 8:00am-5:00pm, Westin Resort & Spa Aug 22-24 Pyramid Model Program Wide Implementation Training, 8:00am-5:00pm, Westin Resort & Spa Aug 24 Early Childhood Leadership Training with Dr. Corso, 8:00am-11:00am, GSAT House 19, Dean Circle, UOG Aug 25 Teleconference call with Alyson Ward, EHDI TA Provider, 8:00am-9:00am, Guam CEDDERS House 23, Dean Circle, UOG Aug 25 Guam EHDI Quality Improvement Initial Screening Team Meeting, 1:00pm-2:00pm, Guam Memorial Hospital Authority Aug 26 Guam EHDI Outpatient Hearing Screening, 8:30am-3:30pm, Guam CEDDERS, House 21, Dean Circle, UOG Aug 27 Part C Parent Training, 8:00am-12:00pm, GSAT, House 19, Dean Circle Aug 29-Sept 2 Guam Site Visit by Donna McNear, VI Consultant Aug 30 SMT Sustainability Workgroup Meeting, 11:30am-1:30pm, GSAT, House 19, Dean Circle, UOG Aug 30 Bisita: ELC | ELAN Subcommittee Meeting, 3:00pm, Guam CEDDERS, Dean Circle House 30 Aug 31 GEIS Hearing Screening Clinic, 8:30am-3:30pm, Chief Brodie Elementary School, Room 4 SEPT-OCT 16 Sept 1 EHDI Staff Training on CQI PDSA, 8:00am Sept 2 Technical Assistance Workshop by Donna McNear, Vision Instruction Specialist, 1:00pm-3:00pm, GSAT, House 19, Dean Circle, UOG Sept 2 Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Meeting, 3:30pm-5:00pm, GSAT, House 19, Dean Circle, UOG Sept 7 Guam EHDI Advisory Meeting, 11:30am-1:30pm, Hilton Guam Resort & Spa Sept 8 Strengthening Families Training sponsored by PEACE, 8:00am-5:00pm, Westin Resort Guam Sept 8 GEIS Core Team Staffing, 2:00pm-5:00pm, Guam CEDDERS House 18 Sept 12-16 Guam Site Visit by Cathy Carotta, Ed.D., DHH Consultant, Boys Town Sept 12 Webinar with Cathy Pratt, 8:00am-3:00pm, GSAT, House 19, Dean Circle Sept 13 Part B IEP Training, 12:00pm-4:00pm, School of Business & Public Administration Room 129, UOG Sept 16 Guam EHDI Outpatient Hearing Screening, 8:00am-5:00pm, Guam CEDDERS House 21, Dean Circle, UOG Sept 16 Part B IEP Training, 12:00pm-4:00pm, School of Business & Public Administration Room 129, UOG Sept 17 Part C Parent Café, 9:00am-1:00pm, School of Business & Public Administration Room 129, UOG Sept 19-23 Guam Site Visit by Irina Zamora, Psy.D., ADOS-2 Trainer, USC-CHLA Sept 19-23 Guam Site Visit by Naomi Younggren, Ph.D., Part C Early Intervention Consultant Sept 21 ASQ Training for Home Visitors, 8:00am-3:30pm, GSAT, House 19, Dean Circle Sept 26-27 Early Childhood Program-wide PBIS Implementation Training with Dr. Corso, 8:00am-5:00pm, School of Business and Public Administration Room 129, University of Guam Sept 26-28 Pyramid Model Practice-Based Coaching Training, 8:00am-5:00pm, School of Business & Public Administration Sept 28 Early Childhood Program-wide PBIS Implementation Training with Dr. Corso, 8:00am-12:00pm, School of Business and Public Administration Room 129, UOG Sept 28 GEIS Hearing Screening Clinic, 8:30am-3:30pm, Chief Brodie Elementary School, Room 4 Sept 30 Project Kariñu Stakeholder Evaluation Summit, 8:00am-5:00pm, The Westin Resort Guam Oct 11 GSAT Advisory Council Executive Committee Meeting, 3:00pm-4:30pm, GSAT, House 19, Dean Circle, UOG Oct 15 Preparing your Child for Life after High School Training, 8:00am-2:00pm, TBA Oct 16 PEP Sunset 5K Run/Walk/Wheelchair, 4:00pm, Chamorro Village, Hagatna Oct 18 GSAT Advisory Council General Membership Meeting, 3:30pm-5:00pm, GSAT, House 19, Dean Circle Oct 21 CQI Training for GEIS Staff, 12:00pm-3:00pm, GSAT, House 19, Dean Circle, UOG For more information on any of these events, please call 735-2479 or visit www.guamcedders.org