I Tellai The Bridge March 5, 2010 Volume 12, Issue 2 Guam CEDDERS Newsletter UNIVERSITY OF GUAM Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service In This Issue: Pacific CIMAP Final Training ...........1-3 PACIFIC Project: Sharing is Caring ...4-5 Self-Advocacy Training .....................6 OCR Review of Transit Services ..........7 Stakeholders Learn About Transit .....8 Transit Operators Refresh Skills ........8 Where Are They Now? .......................9 Guam CEDDERS Earns a Webbie! ........9 Family Supports Workshops ............10 March is DD Awareness Month ........11 Loan Program Revamped ...............12 Håtsa Training Continues/NBPTS .....13 Pacific Hands & Voices ....................14 Dental Needs of DD Population .......15 Kariñu Begins Crafting SOC ...............16 New Child Care Guidelines ..............17 PBILC American Samoa ...................18 Guam CEDDERS Partners on RTI .......18 New Publications ...........................19 Upcoming Events/Proclamation ......20 Pacific CIMAP Conducts Final Regional Training Without adequate assessment, it is not unusual for well-meaning adults to assume that large print is the most effective solution for reading print when a student has low vision. However, there are many other variables besides print size that affect a student’s ability to read print materials. Factors such as contrast and clutter, for example, impact how a student follows text, graphs, photos, and other illustrations on a page. Print can be presented in a variety of ways to enhance a person’s ability to efficiently view print and other visual information. Access to instructional materials by students with visual impairments is one of the main goals of the Pacific Consortium for Instructional Materials Accessibility Project (Pacific CIMAP) and was the focus of the Regional Low Vision Training held on December 2-4, 2009 at the University of Guam. This regional event marked the ending of Pacific CIMAP, but also represented the beginning for the Pacific entities to fully utilize state-of-the-art technology for students with low vision. The three-day Regional Low Vision Training provided 40 educators, including Jurisdiction Implementation Team (JIT) members, general education teachers, and special education teachers with technical information on equipment, teaching strategies, and guided practice to increase their knowledge and skills in low vision accessible formats and technology in classroom instruction. Participants learned how to use the SmartView Versa+ and SmartView Graduate with Zoom Text software with effective instructional strategies and learned the implementation of service delivery strategies for low vision formats. The SmartView Versa+ is a lightweight handheld electronic magnifier with a LCD display. It provides magnification, different viewing modes, and has the ability to save images. The SmartView Versa+ also allows an individual to listen to music, make recordings, and watch movies. A SmartView Graduate is the perfect companion for any student. With a simple USB connection to a laptop computer, one is able to magnify things on a desk as well as across the room. The student no longer has to sit in the front of the class. Zoom-in and zoom-out capabilities are activated through the touch of buttons on the camera, or with keystrokes on the laptop. Users can flip the image, freeze the image, invoke high-contrast colors to read text, and save images where they want them. The SmartView Graduate is under the individual’s control. The SmartView Graduate has the ability to magnify handouts and papers on the student’s desk, or bring the blackboard, whiteboard, overhead presentation or speaker from across the room closer. It adapts to the student’s needs quickly and easily, and can go back and forth between desks and distances effortlessly. With Guam CEDDERS Pacific CIMAP staff, the trainers/consultants facilitated the “hands-on” learning of the SmartView tools, as well as the review of previously introduced tools such as the IVEO and other tactile graphic formats for students who are blind. The trainers and consultants were: • Donna McNear, Pacific CIMAP Lead Consultant • Dominic Gagliano, Vice President of Blindness Sales for HumanWare US • Ed Wikdall, Western Region Low Vision Sales Manager for HumanWare US At the end of the training, each of the nine island entities (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae), Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau) was given a laptop with ZoomText software, a SmartView Graduate, and a SmartView Versa+ to take home and begin training other teachers to use these devices with students with low vision. Most importantly, participants left with the knowledge that the overall goal for low vision is high quality access to the print/visual environment for learning and daily life activities which includes high quality access to both near and distance visual tasks. This will ensure students maintain curiosity for visual learning and high expectations for literacy skills. Although Pacific CIMAP formally ended in December 2009, Guam CEDDERS looks forward to another opportunity to support each entity’s efforts to improve educational services for students with print disabilities. Until then, Guam CEDDERS wishes to express a sincere appreciation to the Pacific entities for the partnership and trust in Pacific CIMAP to bring to the region the resources, training, and technology for improving the provision of timely educational materials in appropriate accessible formats for students with print disabilities. Pacific CIMAP will soon be publishing the Final Outcomes Report which will feature several students with print disabilities using the technology and tools provided through Pacific CIMAP. Highlights from the Report have been included as an insert to this I Tellai quarterly newsletter. Photos with captions on Page 1: Connie Guerrero (Standing), Pacific CIMAP Coordinator, works with Kamo Koloi, Educational Specialist from American Samoa, on the Zoom-Text software installed in the laptop. Ed Wikdall (Standing), HumanWare Trainer for Low Vision Products, facilitates the review of the Zoom-Text software. Photos with captions on Page 2: MI special education personnel (L-R) Rosehanna Sawij, Kimberly Lorennij, and Ramona Albert practice magnifying and saving images using the SmartView Versa+. Dan Colon (Right), CNMI Special Education Teacher, uses the SmartView Graduate to “bring in” Donna McNear presenting in the front of the room as a live image on his laptop. (L-R) Lee Elesha, Kosrae State Special Education Coordinator, and Meriam Waguk, Kosrae State Blind/VI Teacher, work together using various common materials to create a tactile graphic that represents their island. June De Leon (Right), Pacific CIMAP Project Director, supports the guided practice on how to use the SmartView Graduate with the Chuuk Special Education Teachers. Pictured L-R: Phillipa Bisalen, Santino Musahara, and June De Leon. Photos with captions on Page 3: Immediately following the Regional Low Vision Training, Donna McNear and June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Pacific CIMAP Director, visited with children who are blind or have low vision in Palau. One of the students with low vision, Ason Ngirmekur (left), a 9th grader at Palau High School, checks out how to use the SmartView Versa+ to see fine details, such as the map in his textbook, while listening to music. A GREAT demonstration of how the tools can be easily used by students!! (Right) After the December 2009 Regional Low Vision Training, Vincent Lisua, a high school student from Saipan, CNMI, was introduced to the SmartView Graduate for his use in geometry class. Page 4 PACIFIC Project: Sharing is Caring Photos with captions: Mike Burdge (standing), PACIFIC Project Consultant, engages in a discussion on the observation tools with RMI Team members (L-R) Rudy Lokeijak, Special Education Director, and Cheta Anien, Curriculum Specialist. Peter Tinitali, American Samoa’s Acting Assistant Director for Special Education, shares how American Samoa conducted the video calibration for the observation tools. Helen Sengebau, Palau Special Education Coordinator, discusses the implementation of the observation tools in Palau with her Cadre 2 members. Pictured from L-R: Hadleen Medalarak, Curriculum Specialist (back shown in photo); Helen Sengebau; Theofina Michael, Consulting Resource Teacher (CRT); and Esther Rengulbai, CRT. Article: The Guam CEDDERS Pacific Assessment Consortium Implementing Fully Innovative Change (PACIFIC) Project continued the island spirit of “sharing” during two February regional events on Guam. On February 10, the Project Leadership Meeting involved 21 entity leaders and liaisons from the six Pacific entities, project staff, and consultants in the review of completed project activities and plans for future activities based on the overall outcome to improve local capacity for reporting and analyzing participation. Participants also reviewed performance data of students with significant cognitive disabilities requiring an Alternate Assessment based on Alternate Achievement Standards (AA-AAS) to inform critical changes in assessment, curriculum, and instruction. Each entity was provided copies of their individual report from the National Alternate Assessment Center (NAAC) on the data and analyses of their completed 2008-2009 Learning Characteristics Inventory (LCI) with comparison analyses to their 2007-2008 data of students who required an AA-AAS. The purpose for conducting the LCI was to “investigate the true learning characteristics of students participating in the AA-AAS in order to make informed, data-based decisions about the assessment for upcoming school years.” June De Leon, PACIFIC Project Director, presented the individual reports and consortium data for several of the components, such as participation rate, response rate, disability categories, and use of augmentative communication system. The consortium showed a slight increase in participation rate from a .72% to a .73%, with two entities having a slight decrease in participation rate and one entity demonstrating a significant increase in participation rate from 2007-2008 to 2008-2009. As discussed, caution should be noted when reviewing four of the six LCI reports because of the small numbers reported for analyses. However, the individual reports were intended for each entity to review who these students are and if these students represent the 1% population of students with significant cognitive disabilities who require an AA-AAS. On February 11-13, the PACIFIC Project brought together 46 Cadre 2 members from the six entities for a follow-up session designed to continue building each entity’s “cadre” of local support for implementing with integrity the set of tools designed to investigate important questions of consequential validity regarding intended and unintended consequences of alternate academic achievement standards assessments and the provision of access to the general curriculum. Project partners Mike Burdge and Jean Clayton, from the University of Kentucky, facilitated the three-day session that focused on the implementation of the NAAC-PAC6 Student/ Program Observation Tools and the review of each entity’s calibration videos to assist entity Cadre 2 members with information and strategies they can provide as technical support to IEP team members. The provision of “access to the general curriculum” was expanded through engagement in learning “low tech” tools and strategies to share with their teachers who provide supports to students with significant cognitive disabilities. These strategies ranged from developing a vertical object schedule, using different items that represent each subject area to help keep the student focused on the task at hand, to using the sponge from a foam hair curler to help the student grasp a crayon or pen. One of the highlights of the Cadre 2 follow-up session was the “island hopper” activity, which was similar to taking the “island hopper” flight from Guam to Honolulu with stops on each island along the way. For the activity, each entity left one team member at “home” on their island to act as the “tour guide,” while the rest of the team members went on the “island hopper” flight to visit other entities. The objective of the activity was for the “tour guide” to present their island’s student video and share a little about the student and the lesson the student was observed participating in, while team members who were “island hopping” asked questions and offered possible suggestions and strategies to implement with the student. In the end, the individual entity teams regrouped and shared information they gained during their journey. “Sharing is caring.” The February PACIFIC Project regional events provided an opportunity for each team to learn additional strategies from Project consultants, as well as from each other, by reviewing and sharing entity-specific data and information, with the goal to increase their knowledge and skills for providing local technical support in their respective entity. For more information regarding each entity’s individual Learning Characteristics Inventory Report, please contact the entity’s special education director/coordinator. Photos with captions on Page 5: With February 14th right around the corner, the Leadership Assessment Team and Cadre 2 members from the six Pacific entities take a photo break with PACIFIC Project staff and consultants to wish ALL a “Happy Valentine’s Day”!! Vangie Iglesias (right, pointing), Finegayan Elementary School Principal, Guam Leadership Team Member, and Guam’s “tour guide” during the “island hopper activity,” shares Guam’s student video with FSM and CNMI Team members. (L-R, front): FSM’s Arthur Albert, Special Services Division Chief, and CNMI’s Laura Brown, Assistant Special Education Coordinator, and Suzanne Lizama, Acting Special Education Coordinator. In the background were other tours being conducted by the Marshall Islands, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap. Page 6 Consumers Take Lead in Self-Advocacy Training A third round of Self-Advocacy Training kicked off on February 6, one day after a noontime radio talk show, “Women in Business,” brought trainer Erlinda “Lynn” Tydingco and Ginger Porter together to tout the benefits derived by others from self-advocacy projects of earlier trainings. New to the training team are Ms. Tydingco and Marlon Molinos, self-advocates taking on a leadership role by recruiting and training other self-advocates. Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS Consumer Leadership and Systems Change Initiative Area Coordinator, coached the two through the training curriculum and mentoring of the 10 individuals who participated. Hot topics of self-advocacy focused on employment and self-employment supports through vocational rehabilitation services, social security back pay, ebook accommodations, workplace issues, and the lack of timely action by agencies whose mission is to support individuals with disabilities. In particular, participants liked learning about laws and putting the information to work in a self-advocacy project. They also noted greater awareness of resources to assist them and increased confidence in speaking up. As one participant put it, “In reality, it taught me so much on how to pick up my head and how to become a self-advocate (for) my rights….and advocate (for) the community.” After concluding the training sessions on February 20, participants agreed to network with other self advocates at the Annual Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) Assistive Technology conference on March 6 to keep one another updated on their activities and efforts. All self-advocacy participants remain under the mentorship of trainers and fellow self-advocates for support in future actions. The next training sessions are scheduled for May. Photos with captions: Ginger Porter (L), Guam CEDDERS Consumer Leadership & Systems Change Initiative Area Coordinator and Lynn Tydingco (R), discuss the importance of Self-Advocacy and “speaking up” for one’s self. The third cohort of the Self-Advocacy training included: (L-R) Gina Arca; Marlon Molinos, trainer; Tavita Faasuamalie; Lisa Ogo; Ginger Porter, CLSC Initiative Area Coordinator; Alan Salas; Evelyn Duenas; Erlinda Tydingco, trainer; Noel Lazaga; and Hikie Lujan. Ad: Would You Like to Learn More About Self-Advocacy? Guam CEDDERS invites you to learn more about self-advocacy and practice the skills to become a good self-advocate. This just might be a life changing event! Three Sessions:Saturdays, May 8, 15, & 29 2010 8 am - 12 NoonGSAT, House 19, Dean Circle, University of GuamFor more information, contact Ginger Porter at 735-2478 or email at ginger.porter@guamcedders.org. Page 9 Former Trainees: Where Are They Now? Trainees who complete programs facilitated by University Centers on Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) are asked to complete follow-up surveys one year, five years, and ten years after the completion of their respective programs. This information is in turn submitted to the National Information Reporting System (NIRS), as required by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. To fulfill this mandate, Guam CEDDERS recently connected with two graduates of the 2000 Master’s Degree in Special Education for selected students from the Federated States of Micronesia. Question: What kind of impact are the graduates of the University of Guam CEDDERS 2000 graduate program in Special Education having on students with disabilities in the region? Answer: A significant impact. One graduate, Arthur Albert, has served as the Executive Director of Special Education for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) National Government for the past three years. Currently, the Chief of Speech Services Division, he oversees Special Education services for 1,680 students with disabilities nation-wide. Another graduate, Ansina Kony, serves as the Chuuk State Special Education Coordinator, supervising services for over 600 students. Congratulations to Arthur and Ansina for your hard work and dedication on behalf of students with disabilities in the FSM! Photo with caption: Arthur Albert and Ansina Kony pose for a picture during the PACIFIC Project Leadership Meeting in February, 2010. Guam CEDDERS Earns a Webbie! Guam CEDDERS was pleasantly surprised when it received this certificate from the Pass It On Center, the National AT Reuse Center based in Atlanta, Georgia. In her congratulatory letter, Trish Redmon, Consulting Editor and Educator at the Center, noted that “we identified your program as having an example of a specific use that we could recommend to other reuse programs. We want to recognize your good design with the enclosed “Webbie” and thank you for your continuing efforts to promote AT reuse.” Page 10 Family Supports Begins Workshop Series To help meet the needs of our service families, the Family Support 360° for Military Families with Children with Disabilities Project has begun conducting a series of interactive parent workshops in the new Military Families One Stop Center. The center, currently located in House 22, Dean’s Circle at the University of Guam campus, offers a relaxing and family friendly environment to parents while they attend a series of trainings with topics ranging from “Parenting Tips for the Angry and Frustrated Child” to “Understanding the Oppositional Child.” The interactive workshops, held at convenient times to accommodate the schedules of the working military member, are led by Dr. Mary Katherine Fegurgur, Assistant Professor of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, University of Guam and Principal Investigator of the project. During the workshops, participants share their struggles and joys of living a military lifestyle in an overseas duty station. Active duty, veterans, reservist, and retirees alike, provided “lessons learned” in navigating and negotiating the military systems on behalf of their child. Community family members provided “off base” resources and family friendly activities as military families experienced the “Hafa Adai” spirit. Mental health workers, special education teachers, University of Guam students, and medical professionals have also been present during the workshops. Participants rated the series of workshops as “The best..,” “relaxing,” and “I was able to ask questions and felt comfortable in sharing my parenting struggles.” In addition to the workshops, military parents are invited to join the weekly support group meetings that are being held at Andersen Air Force base on Saturday afternoons. Children are welcomed. For information on the Andersen Air Force Base meetings, please contact Hope Pangelinan or Carrie Duncan at the Guam Family Support One Stop Center, House 22 Dean’s Circle, phone 735-2560. The Guam Family Support 360° presentations and handouts can be made available by submitting a request to Dr. Fegurgur at mary.fegurgur@guamcedders.org. Text in colored box: Military Parent Support Group Self-Esteem: The Bottom Line Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 10:00am - 2:00pm Andersen Spouse House, 1959B Guadalcanal, AAFB ADD/ADHD/ODD: Behavioral and Teaching Strategies Saturday, March 20, 2010, 6:00pm - 8:00pm Andersen Spouse House, 1959B Guadalcanal, AAFB Bipolar Disorder in Children Tuesday, April 6, 2010, 10:00am - 2:00pm Andersen Spouse House, 1959B Guadalcanal, AAFB Classroom Strategies for Children with ADHD and LD Saturday, April 17, 2010, 6:00pm - 8:00pm Andersen Spouse House, 1959B Guadalcanal, AAFB Helping Children Cope with Disaster... What you can do Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 10:00am - 12:00pm Andersen Spouse House, 1959B Guadalcanal, AAFB Photo with caption: Dr. Mary Fegurgur (center) shares tips during an interactive parent workshop in February. Page 12 Alternative Loan Program Revamped Individuals with disabilities on Guam who dream of owning their own business have one opportunity for funding they can call their own - The Get Guam Teleworking Loan Program, referred to as the GGT Program. The GGT program was created through a grant awarded to Guam CEDDERS in 2003. Initially, the grant provided funds to help individuals with disabilities buy equipment that would enable them to telework. Telework, simply means paid employment, either full-time or part-time, that is regularly performed, in whole or in part, at a location other than the employer’s customary office or place of business. It includes work on the road, at the worker’s home, or a telework center, and enables the individual to engage in telework as an employee, contractor, or as an entrepreneur. Sounds fabulous, huh? It is. Allowing individuals to work from home means barriers to employment, such as inadequate transportation, fatigue, inaccessible work environments, and the need for personal assistance can be reduced or eliminated. The same can be said for being in charge of your employment and owning your own business. It was soon realized that the intent of the grant would serve a very small population. The federal government decided to expand the parameters of what is allowable under the grant to include the purchase of supplies and inventory, which is a big part of start-up costs for opening a business. The goal of the grant shifted to helping individuals with disabilities become self-employed through micro-enterprise. The GGT Program offers qualifying Guam residents with disabilities loan guarantees to help secure the assistive technology devices and services, or employment related equipment, supplies, and inventory they need. “Equipment” is defined as mechanical or electronic devices or apparatus, software, or telecommunication systems necessary to perform telework, as well as the cost of training needed to use the equipment properly, maintenance agreements and extended warranties for the equipment, and maintenance and repair expenses for the equipment. Equipment may include, but is not limited to: computers, printers and related peripherals, software, fax machines, scanners, office machines, telecommunication devices, telecommunication system installation charges (e.g., telephone, DSL, high speed and internet hookup fees), office furniture, home modifications for accessibility and/or to create home offices, motor vehicles, and assistive technology (i.e., any device or item that enables an individual with a disability to live and work more independently or productively with an improved quality of life). Access to the loan program is given to individuals with disabilities regardless of the type of disability, income level, or location. Borrowers must be eighteen (18) years of age or older. The current interest rate on these loans is a low 2.25%. More information about this program can be obtained by contacting Carla Torres at the Guam System for Assistive Technology, House 19, Dean’s Circle, on the UOG campus, via telephone at 735-2490, or via email at carla.torres@guamcedders.org. Photo with caption: Joey Wallace from the Virginia AFP/ Telework Programs was on Guam in January to work with the Pacific Islands Microcredit Institute (PIMI) board of directors and sub-board loan committee on strategic planning, marketing, policy review for the Guam Opportunities for Alternative Loans and Assistive Technology (GOAL-AT) and Get Guam Teleworking (GGT) Loan Programs. L-R: Dr. Ann Ames, Pacific Islands Microcredit Institute (PIMI) board member; Casey Jeszenka, PIMI board member; Ginger Porter, PIMI Vice President; Carla Torres, GOAL-AT/GGT Program Coordinator and PIMI board member; Joey Wallace, Virginia AFP/Telework Programs Executive Director; Marie E. Mesa, PIMI President; Dr. Todd Ames, PIMI board member; Art Mesa, PIMI Secretary (not shown). Page 13 Håtsa Training Continues By Region Project Håtsa, Guam Department of Education’s Teacher Enhancement grant, sponsored a district-wide professional development workshop attended by approximately 140 teachers on January 30 at the Marriott Hotel. The training event, facilitated by Dr. Nieves Flores, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate and Håtsa Project Director, provided the opportunity for teachers, who recently attended the National Staff Development Conference in Boston, Massachusetts and the Learning Communities Institutes held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to share the information they learned. The workshop format, determined through teacher input during their monthly in-school professional development meetings, consisted of three-hour breakout sessions. Photo with caption: Educators from across the island take some time between sessions to pose for the camera. Håtsa January 30 Workshop Sessions The teachers below conducted presentations based on topics addressed during the National Staff Development Conference held in Boston, Massachusetts and the Learning Communities Institute held in Albuquerque, New Mexico: Learning Communities – Presenters: Marie Benito (Tamuning Elementary); Evelyn Topasna (H.S. Truman Elementary); Bernie Gumataotao (Untalan Middle); and Dexter Fullo (Untalan Middle). Formative Assessment - Presenters: Roberta Abaday (JFK High) Differentiated Instruction - Presenters: Vicky Cruz and Maria Louisa Felipe (Astumbo Elementary) Comprehension for English Language Learners - Presenters: Marcia Martir and Heather Waltz (Untalan Middle) Middle School Teacher Earns NBPTS Certification Administrators and Project Håtsa staff joined together in January to honor and congratulate Aileen Canos, F. B. Leon Guerrero Middle School Science Teacher, for earning teacher certification from the National Board of Professional Teacher Standards (NBPTS). The rigorous application process included submitting hours of video tapes of Ms. Canos engaging with students in the teaching process, written documentation, plus traveling to Honolulu to sit for a written examination. Photo with caption: (L-R) Marc Ulric, Principal; Patrick Egrubay, Assistant Principal, Dr. Aline Yamashita, Project Håtsa Coordinator; Aileen Canos; Dr. Gayle Hendricks Project Håtsa Coordinator; Colette Beausole, Project Håtsa Evaluator; and Dr. Nieves Flores, Project Håtsa Director celebrate Ms. Canos’ achievement. Page 14 Pacific Hands & Voices Share Advocacy Strategies On the rainy and windy morning of February 10, in a small room at the Marriott Hotel, a group of Guam and CNMI parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and service professionals in the field, met to listen to two courageous women: Janet DesGeorges and Vickie Thompson, who are from the Colorado Families for Hands & Voices. Hands & Voices is a parent driven advocacy organization that provides guidance to families who have children who are deaf or hard of hearing. These wonderful women had arrived the Tuesday before and were energized and ready for us. Their mission was to help the families from the islands in the Pacific understand Hands & Voices so that we can make an educated decision whether we wanted to start a Hands & Voices Chapter to service our families. Of course, like any other training, meeting, conference, etc., we started by introducing ourselves. After introductions, I noticed how the woman who initially sat next to me moved and sat next to the professionals from the CNMI. I thought it rather strange initially, but quickly understood as I looked around the room and noticed how we were all grouped by where we lived, with the exception of a couple of professionals who may have felt they were not even part of the Guam group because they may have just been meeting the Guam parents for the first time. Our first morning started with the stories of who Janet and Vickie were and the role they play in Hands & Voices. Hearing their story made my heart sink and made me wish that I was as strong a mother as Janet and wish I had the support of a professional like Vickie. At the end of Day One, Janet asked for comments about Hands & Voices. My comment was that I would need to go back to our Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention parents and find out if they are interested in starting a chapter. Another parent commented that she was ready to start the chapter. I had wished I had her courage and motivation. The following day, I still was not sure, but by the end of the training, I was sure. Janet and Vickie helped me realize that I can be a strong and powerful advocate for my child, and I can have the support of professionals like Vickie because that is what Hands & Voices can do for our families and professionals. What also made it more clear to me was that the group from the CNMI were wonderful people, and I was anxious to work with them on bringing such a wonderful program to our part of the world. So at the end of the two-day training, Guam and the CNMI Parents and Professionals decided that we wanted the help of Hands & Voices, and that we would start to come together to make it happen. Now we know it may be a rather difficult task for reasons like, we have different governments, we don’t all have easy access to communication and a really big reason… we have water between us, but we made a decision to do this and so off we are! We scheduled our first conference call and signed up to be in charge of different tasks. This is a courageous group of parents and professionals that I am blessed to have met. We are motivated and ready to bring to our families a Hands & Voices Chapter! Ann Marie Cruz Parent Photos with captions: Participants from Guam and the CNMI pose with the consultants from Hands & Voices. After conducting the Guam workshop, Janet DesGeorges and Vickie Thompson headed to Saipan to conduct a similar workshop. Janet DesGeorges, Executive Director of the Colorado Families for Hands & Voices, shares some thoughts during the opening session of the workshop. Page 15 Guam Conference Addresses Dental Needs of DD Population Healthy Teeth, Healthy Guam! This theme attracted a group of 102 people to the Guam Marriott on January 11. Dentists, dental technicians, nurses, social workers, a pediatrician, teachers, public health servants, mental health servants, public education coordinators, and community members gathered to hear the latest research and best practices in dentistry for young children. Sponsored by the Guam Community Health Centers, the Pacific Island Primary Care Association, Department of Public Health & Social Services, Guam Department of Education – Head Start and Guam Early Intervention System, and Guam CEDDERS, three days were dedicated to reviewing how to work with young children from diverse cultures, and with diverse abilities. Dr. Ohmar Tut, President of the Pacific Basin Dental Association, and Dr. Peter Milgrom, Professor of Dental Public Health Science at the University of Washington, were the key presenters. After spending the first day addressing the group, they went into the community to “walk the talk.” With interested conference participants, Dr. Tut and Dr. Milgrom spoke with families at a well baby clinic. From there, they visited Head Start classrooms where they spoke with pre-schoolers and families. Finally, they spent time speaking with families of the Gill Baza, Hemlani, and Santa Ana Subdivisions. Toothpaste, tooth brushes, crayons, and coloring books about dental care in different languages were distributed throughout the subdivisions. Got Teeth? Dedicated to the cause of ensuring our children grow up healthy and happy, Project Tinituhon’s Strategic Management Team for Medical & Dental Homes and Health Insurance and their chairperson Linda Denorcey-Unpingco believe these critical steps will make great strides in our children’s health and well-being.A dental technician teaches proper toothbrushing methods during a visit to the Gill Baza Subdivision.Dental professionals, para-professionals, and related service providers worked with Dr. Ohmar Tut, President of the Pacific Basin Dental Association and Dr. Peter Milgrom, Professor of Dental Public Health Science at the University of Washington, to increase the island’s “Dental I.Q.” Announcement Ad: Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention has a new website! www.guamehdi.org Page 16 Kariñu Begins Crafting System of Care for Young Children Guam was one of 20 communities recently awarded a U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration grant to develop a system of care for mental health for young children birth to age 5.While all 20 community groups weren’t sure if or when they would arrive at D.C.’s Marriott at Metro Center in time for the Child Mental Health Initiative New Community Training, most did. Blizzard conditions were a backdrop to meetings throughout the conference, held from February 8–11. Getting there was a challenge. Leaving there was even more challenging.Between the arrival and departure points, big group sessions covered the following topics: Context Setting and Non-Negotiable Characteristics of System of Care Processes and Structures—Leadership, Family Partnership, Youth Partnership, Cultural and Linguistic Competence, and Cross-System Partnership. For each topic, smaller group sessions in early developmental stages and later developmental stages were facilitated by panel members experienced in Systems of Care. Conversations about sustainability were also held. Each day, there was time dedicated to community planning. During this time, the nine Guam representatives: Interim Project Director Lydia Tenorio, Department of Health & Human Services Director J. Peter Roberto, Department of Administration Director Lourdes Perez, Developmental Pediatrician Brian Que, Bureau of Budget & Management Research Analyst Bill Taitingfong, Guam CEDDERS Initiative Area Coordinator Elaine Eclavea, and Guam CEDDERS Training Associates Mariles Benavente, Bonnie Brandt, and Aline Yamashita, discussed the status of the Guam Community, where it needs to be, and possible ways to get there. The Guam Core Leadership Team left Washington, DC with an Action Plan describing next steps. They welcome input from all stakeholder groups and will be announcing opportunities to help craft Guam’s System of Care entitled “Project Kariñu, Loving Our Babies.” Photo with caption: The Guam Kariñu Team included (Seated L-R): Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Initiative Area Coordinator; Lydia Tenorio, Project Kariñu Interim Director; Dr. Aline Yamashita, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate; Lourdes Perez, Director, Dept. of Administration. (Standing L-R) J. Peter Roberto, Director, Dept. of Public Health & Social Services; Bill Taitingfong, Bureau of Budget Management Research; and Dr. Brian Que, Developmental Pediatrician. Not shown: Bonnie Brandt, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate; and Mariles Benavente, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate. Page 17 Public Health Meets on New Monitoring Guidelines After several focus group meetings, presentations, off-island consultation, community outreach, and response to public comments on the proposed Rules and Regulations for Licensed Child Care Centers, three divisions of the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) converged on February 23, at the Guam System for Assistive Technology conference room to review the current status of the proposal, and its movement towards promotion of a Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) for early care and education/child care. Ten supervisors and staff from the Division of Public Welfare, Child Care and Development Fund Program, the Bureau of Social Services Administration, and the Division of Environmental Health were given an overview of research on quality in child care, citing a summary of presentations delivered in the past three years by Abby Cohen, Technical Specialist, Region IX of the National Child Care Information Center (NCCIC), Child Care Bureau. The focus on quality was then connected to a revision of the Model Child Care Program with an emphasis not only on full compliance of the DPHSS Rules and Regulations for Licensed Child Care Facilities, but towards a direction leading to a higher level of child care services to be measured by the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R). The ECERS-R tool has seven different subscales with ratings ranging from a level one of poor and inadequate to the highest rating of seven indicating a level of excellence. An overview of the ECERS-R was Public Health Meets on New Monitoring Guidelinespresented by Mary Kidd, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate and included a sample video demonstrating the importance of maintaining basic safety and sanitary practices before any other areas are considered in the ratings.Linked to the implementation of the ECERS-R was a presentation by Dr. Aline Yamashita, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate and Project Tinituhon Coordinator, on the Monitoring Guidelines for Child Care Licensing, Professional Growth and Development. The new document represents updated Licensure and Standards for Child Care Facilities with specific amended standards on child-staff ratios, playground equipment, and professional development. Amendments to the standards were facilitated by the staff of Guam’s Early Childhood Comprehensive System’s grant, Project Tinituhon, and with support from the DPHSS Child Care and Development Fund, a licensure subcommittee composed of child care directors, child caregivers, and representatives from the Guam Community College, the University of Guam, DPHSS-Bureau of Social Services Administration (BOSSA), along with consultation from Abby Cohen. The guidelines will serve to describe the monitoring processes agreed upon by the licensure subcommittee that will best serve the quality of care for Guam’s young children Photo with caption: Representatives from three divisions within the Department of Public Health and Social Services attended an orientation to New Monitoring Guidlines for Child Care Centers (L-R) Dr. Aline Yamashita, Carmelita Babauta, Elaine Eclavea, James Quichocho, Teresita Catahay, Rosanna Rabago, Sarah Senior, Lydia Tenorio, Cindy Chugrad, Mary Kidd, Christine San Nicolas, Ben Portin, Elsa Perez, Abraham Mora, and Liz Borja. Page 18 Guam CEDDERS Presents Workshop at PBILC Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, Guam CEDDERS Director, and Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, conducted two sessions on “Increasing Disability Awareness Through Locally Produced Videos,” during the Pacific Basin Interagency Leadership Consortium (PBILC) Conference held on January 11 in American Samoa. Hosted by the American Samoa University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities headed by Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola, the conference offered a variety of workshop topics related to developmental disabilities. Photos with captions: (L-R) Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola, American Samoa UCEDD Director and Conference Chairperson, and Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, Guam CEDDERS Director, meet during a break at the PBILC Conference. (Right) Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, describes process that may be used when producing informational videos during her presentation at the PBILC conference. Guam CEDDERS Partners with WRRC and PREL on RTI Session Response to Intervention (RTI) has made its way to the Pacific through the use of a more centered, energized expression of “Really Terrific Instruction!” Yes, RTI is happening in the Pacific! On February 8 & 9, the Response to Intervention (RTI)/Integrated Service Delivery (ISD) in the Pacific: Universal Screening and Infrastructure Building session was held with 42 RTI Leadership Team members from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau. Held in conjunction with the PACIFIC Project regional events on Guam, the two-day session continued the focus of the Pacific RTI/ISD Initiative facilitated through a collaborative effort between the entities, the Western Regional Resource Center (WRRC), Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL), and Guam CEDDERS. The purpose of the 2-day session was to provide another opportunity for entity teams to review current practices in relation to best practices for implementing an effective system of tiered interventions to improve service delivery for all students in the Pacific entities. Photo with caption: Facilitators with CNMI RTI Leadership Team: (Front Row L-R) Caroline MaGee, WRRC, Caroline Moore, WRRC, Marylin Low, PREL, Gene Dydasco, PREL; (Back Row L-R) Suzanne Lizama, CNMI Team, Lizelle Armeriz, CNMI Team, Destin Penland, PREL, Jackie Quitugua, CNMI Team, June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS, Dr. Nieves Flores, Guam CEDDERS, Laura Brown, CNMI Team, and Connie Guerrero, Guam CEDDERS. Page 19 Guam CEDDERS Disseminates New Publications Guam CEDDERS is pleased to announce the availability of the 2010 Guam Directory of Services & Resources for Individuals with Disabilities; Hugåndo: A Parent Play Book for Children Ages Birth to Five; and the I Famagu’on-ta Final Evaluation Report 2002-2009. These publications are available in hard copy upon request and digitally on the Guam CEDDERS website at www.guamcedders.org. 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, & Ginger Porter Layout & Design: Sean Lizama & Margaret Johnson This issue of I Tellai was made possible by contributions from parent Ann Marie Cruz and the following Guam CEDDERS staff members: June De Leon, Mary Katherine Fegurgur, Terrie Fejarang, Connie Guerrero, Mary Kidd, Ginger Porter, June Quitugua, Carla Torres, & Aline Yamashita. Alternative formats (e.g. Braille, large print, or audiotapes) of I Tellai will be made available upon request. Please contact Margaret Johnson 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 employer and provider. Page 20 CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS MAR 10 * Mar 1-4 PACIFIC Project On-Site TA Visit, American Samoa * Mar 2 FS360 Parent Workshop, “Depression in Children & Adolescents”, 6-7 pm, House 22 Dean’s Circle * Mar 6 16th Annual Assistive Technology Conference, 8am-3:30pm, Westin Resort Guam * Mar 8-11 PACIFIC Project On-Site TA Visit, FSM Natl. * Mar 9 FS360 Parent Workshop, 6-7 pm, House 22 Dean’s Circle * Mar 9 FS360 Parent Support Group, “Self-Esteem the Bottom Line”, AAFB, Andersen Spouse House, 1959B Guadalcanal, 10am-12pm * Mar 10 PACIFIC Project On-Site TA Visit, Saipan, CNMI Mar 13 16th Annual Assistive Technology Fair, Guam Micronesia Mall, 10am-3pm * Mar 15-19 Guam Early Learning Guidelines Parent Training, 8am-12 Noon, Guam PIRC, Hagåtña * Mar 16 FS360 Parent Workshop, “Classroom Strategies for ADHD & LD”, 6-7 pm, House 22 Dean’s Circle * Mar 16-19 On-Site TA Visit, Palau * Mar 20 FS360 Parent Support Group, “ADD/ADHD/ODD: Behavioral & Teaching Strategies”, AAFB, Andersen Spouse House, 1959B Guadalcanal, 6-8pm * Mar 23 FS360 Parent Workshop, “Helping Children Cope with Disaster...What You Can Do”, 6-7 pm, House 22 Dean’s Circle * Mar 24-26 Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) Training for Child Care Directors & Department of Public Health & Social Services, Westin Resort Guam, 8am-5pm * Mar 31 Early Learning Council Meeting, 9-11am Governor’s Small Conference Room, Anigua APR-MAY10 * Apr 6 FS360 Parent Workshop, “Bipolar Disorder in Children”, AAFB, Andersen Spouse House, 1959B Guadalcanal, 10am-12 pm * Apr 17 FS360 Parent Support Group, “Classroom Strategies for ADHD & LD”, AAFB, Andersen Spouse House, 1959B Guadalcanal, 6-8pm * May 4 FS360 Parent Support Group, “Helping Children Cope with Disaster...What You Can Do”, AAFB, Andersen Spouse House, 1959B Guadalcanal, 10am-12pm * May 8 Self Advocacy Training (New Session), House 19 GSAT Training Center, 8:00-12:00 noon * May 15 Self Advocacy Training, House 19 GSAT Training Center, 8:00-12:00 noon * May 29 Self Advocacy Training, House 19 GSAT Training Center, 8:00-12:00 noon Photo with caption: DD Awareness Month Proclamation Signing The Honorable Felix P. Camacho, Governor of Guam (seated at center), signed proclamation 2010-14, on February 18, designating March as “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.” Attending the ceremony were members of the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council as well as other community members. The event, which took place at the Governor’s Conference Room at Adelup, also included the swearing in of new DD Council members. Attending the event were (seated L-R) Esther Arca, DD Council 1st Vice-Chairperson, Evelyn Duenas, DD Council Chairperson, Governor Camacho, and Josie Cortez DD Council Secretary. (second row, L-R) Ann Marie Cruz, Joyce Flores, Vangie Cepeda, Lynn Tydingco, Noel Lazaga, Claire Duenas, Cerila Rapadas, Ana Marie Kilroy, Maritess Orbong, Ligaya Magana, Tina Perez. (back row, L-R) Suzette Nelson, Jamela Santos, Matt Wolff, Leslie Gataan, Andrew Tydingco, Dan Cobb, Hikie Lujan, Manuel Cruz DD Council Executive Director, Carla Torres, Carol Cabiles, Ray Salas, Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, Greg Calvo, & Marie Libria.