I Tellai The Bridge Guam CEDDERS Newsletter Volume 13, Issue 3 June 3, 2011 In this issue: GSAT Hosts 17th Annual Conference and Fair..........1-2 A Day in the Life Series/SA Workshop 5th Cycle..........3 Guam Transportation Forum/ Autism Fair.................4 Guam CEDDERS & UH LEND Meet/ Pac Rim Conf..........5 “Access Is the Key” for D/HH Students....................6-7 D/HH TA/EIPA Prep Continues...................................7 Early Childhood Bills Become Law/SAC Meeting........8 Power of Play Interactive Parent Conference............9 Incredible Years Training/ASQ Training...................10 Children’s Healthy Development Fair......................11 SpEd Parent Training/Dr. Ed O’Leary’s visit..............12 RTI: Thinking Outside the Box/RTI Lab School Visit..13 PBIS in the Middle Schools/Pacific VIP.....................14 PACIFIC Project Leadership Meeting/PAC6 NCSC.......15 Monitoring in Ulithi..............................................16 Ulithi photos/GAPSD TA.........................................17 FS360 Outreach Activity/New Staff.........................18 SBDC Accessible Workstation.................................18 Products Released During March - May Quarter.......19 Upcoming Events..................................................20 Page 1-2 GSAT Hosts Annual Conference and Fair With unemployment and accessibility for individuals with disabilities continuing to be major issues on Guam, the 17th Annual Assistive Technology Conference focused on these areas with the theme “Assistive Technology: Making It Work for Business – A Focus on Employment and Accessibility.” The conference, held on March 18 at the Guam Hilton Resort & Spa, was followed by the Assistive Technology (AT) Fair the next day at the Micronesia Mall. The conference opened with the keynote address by Benito Servino, the new director of the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID). He gave statistical information regarding the prevalence of disabilities in our community and schools. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation counselor Rose Mafnas followed with a presentation titled, “Employees with Disabilities=Good Business Sense.” She debunked several myths employers might have about employing individuals with disabilities such as “providing accommodations for people with disabilities is expensive.” Based on research she demonstrated that “56% of these cost less than $600, with many of these costing nothing at all.” Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) AT Specialist Carla Torres provided the audience with an overview of AT. She spoke of the expectations and limitations of AT, individual considerations in selecting AT, and showed real-life case study examples. The examples illustrated the use of AT and environmental restructuring to provide workplace accommodations. Moreover, she shared the various resources available to employers and employees to assist with funding. The morning set of presentations ended with the Department of Labor sharing the resources available on their website to employers and individuals seeking jobs, such as their job bank and interest inventory. They also spoke about various programs offered by the department such as job training and the comprehensive list of services offered through their One Stop Career Center. While folks enjoyed the delectable lunch buffet prepared by the Hilton staff, a new Guam CEDDERS video product debuted. Mike Soliday, A Self-Advocate Profile played on the big screen. In this 30-minute video, Mike shares his story as an individual who became deaf as a toddler. He tells how his mother treated him no differently than his siblings, mainstreamed him with peers without disabilities, and how many didn’t know he was even deaf. Mike is a successful teacher with a son he adopted from Guam who is also deaf. The afternoon set of presentations kicked off with Guam Legal Services Corporation Disability Law Center staff attorneys Alisha Molyneux and Matthew Wolff. They spoke on the American with Disabilities Act and reasonable accommodations in the workplace. Jason Denena, a compliance officer at the U.S. Department of Labor, continued the presentation, focusing on Section 503 and employer responsibilities. His presentation was geared for those engaged in federal contracts. A highlight of the conference came when SiñA, a self-advocacy group formed as a result of the Self-Advocacy Workshop taught by Guam CEDDERS Ginger Porter, presented the “Gold Star Awards.” These awards were given to businesses that have shown great accessibility in their facility and services. To wrap up the day, participants had the opportunity to experience technology in a real-time feedback session. Using little hand-held devices by Renaissance called “responders,” participants entered their answers to the evaluation questions with their answers tabulated in real-time and projected on the big screen for everyone to reflect on. Many comments were made about how much fun and cool this was. To keep the thunder rolling, GSAT took its message to Micronesia Mall the very next day with the AT Fair. The fair offered mall goers and information seekers access to over 30 table displays about AT and anything disability-related such as information regarding programs and services available to help increase, maintain, or improve the quality of life of individuals with disabilities. Moreover, Atkins Kroll Toyota brought out their accessible van for display. Unique to fairs from previous years, this year’s fair featured successful small business owners Noel and Haiki Lazaga, and Clinton Mesa, displayed his talents in creating graphic designs. Every year, the community can look forward to the Annual Assistive Technology Conference and Fair. GSAT is committed to bringing forth the current trends in assistive technology, disability practice, and the most innovative tools to help individuals and their families lead quality lives. Photos with caption: Left Photo: Newly self-employed Noel Lazaga (right) proudly markets his lawn care maintenance business at the Assistive Technology Conference. Right photo: SiñA (Self-Advocates in Action), a Self-Advocacy group, presented Gold Star Awards to 10 different island businesses that strive to make their services exemplary and accessible to individuals with disabilities. Evelyn Duenas (left), SiñA member, presents a Gold Star Award to Kathy Sgro (right) of Pay-Less Supermarkets. Ben Servino, Director of the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities, delivers the keynote address during the AT Conference. Conference participants listen intently as information regarding accommodations on the job are addressed. Page 3 “A Day in the Life Video Series” featured by KUAM Employment and accessibility were two of the issues prioritized by this year’s Assistive Technology Conference and Fair Committee as needing more exposure and increased public awareness in the community at large. So to address this need, the committee organized a “Day-In-The-Life Video Series” that was featured on the local prime time six o’clock news to do just that. Committee members connected with KUAM to film four different series that aired in the days leading up to the conference. Two of the segments focused on accessibility and two focused on the use of assistive technology in the workplace to overcome the challenges faced by individuals with particular disabilities. In all of the segments, key community members who participated experienced having a specific disability. The series was well-received and the folks who participated expressed that the experience has really opened their minds and hearts to the issues. In one of the segments, Senator Sam Mabini was given the opportunity to experience shopping with a visual disability. As a proponent of the workforce development on island, she expressed that the experience made her realize how employers need to train their employees on how to provide appropriate services to individuals with disabilities. These segments may be viewed on the Guam CEDDERS website at www.guamcedders.org and clicking on the banner. Photos with captions: Jason Salas (left), Kuam News Extra host, interviews Lee Cruz (center), Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Member, and Francis Dadulfaza (right) about their use of assistive technology as persons with disabilities. Senator Tom Ada and Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS Initiative Area Coordinator, discuss the state of public transportation as the Senator takes a ride on a fixed public transit route in Hagåtña. Self-Advocacy Workshop Completes 5th Cycle New faces for Self-Advocacy. Six of eight individuals completed the 5th cycle of the revised Self-Advocacy training on May 7. Shown on the final day of training are: (L to R) DD Council Program Coordinator Marie Libria, Lourdes Bascon Mendiola, John Peredo, Jean Quitugua, Barbara Johnson, Co-facilitator Lynn Tydingco, Guam CEDDERS Mentor Ginger Porter, Keith Rabago, Co-facilitator Rodney Calimlim, Mentor Evelyn Duenas, Interpreter Jeannie Hollis and Co-facilitator Andrew Tydingco. The 5th cycle also marks the development of a seventh facilitator to lead future trainings. Participants not shown: Peter Blas and Marie Taitague. Page 4 Self-Advocates Voice Frustrations With Transportation During Forum Thirty-one individuals took the opportunity to speak up about their experiences with the public transportation system at the 2011 Transportation Forum, held on the University of Guam Campus on May 27. The forum, facilitated by Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS professional, closed the six-year gap of comment and discussion of public transportation in an open arena by individuals with disabilities and their families. Although progress was noted since initial Task Force recommendations were released in June 2005, many common elements of need are still present. Bus stop signage, frequency of fixed route stops, electronic fare systems, interior visual stop signs, and high capacity buses were high on the list for fixed route improvements. Paratransit service comments reflected a need for continued attention to interpersonal relations skills for operators and others interfacing with the public rider. Given the testimonies provided by attendees, which were underscored by intense emotions ranging from anger to frustration, it was clear that the temporary reduction of service, though yielding more fixed routes and paratransit buses, is creating problems of access for riders, particularly in the northern island region. Riders had the opportunity to gain more information about their rights, responsibilities, and how to file an effective complaint. They were reminded that well documented problems are those which receive attention and eventual resolution. A brief survey of interest established a list of persons willing to serve on an Advisory Committee to the Guam Regional Transit Authority (GRTA) Board. The survey also documented desired topics for future educational activities on public transportation services. Interestingly, nearly all paratransit survey responders wanted to know more about fixed route services, indicating an increasing interest of Americans with Disabilities Act eligible riders to use both systems. This is an important step for advancing individual independence of persons with disability. The proceedings of the forum will be compiled into a report along with recommendations for the Guam Regional Transit Authority and local policy makers. Photos with captions: Left photo: (Left to right) Josie Cortez takes notes while Lisa Ogo voices her concerns about Guam’s transit system. Right photo: (Left to right) Tom Manglona shares his experiences with the transit system while Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS Initiative Area Coordinator, and forum facilitator looks on. GSAT Participates in Autism Fair The Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) hosted a table displaying assistive technology devices at the 2011 Autism Fair, which was held at the Agana Shopping Center on April 9. The fair kicked off with an on-site proclamation signing by Governor Eddie Baza Calvo and a resolution presentation by Senator Aline Yamashita. It was a day filled with much excitement as several people with autism showed off their skills. One child had culinary talents and made his special fried rice for the crowd. Another displayed his graphic design skills, which he used to design flyers and brochures for local businesses. Another rocked out on an electrical guitar and belted heavy metal tunes. Page 5 Photos with captions: Guam CEDDERS & UH LEND Program Meet Guam CEDDERS staffers meet with University of Hawaii Leadership in Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (UH LEND) during the PacRim Conference. L-R: June De Leon; Daylen Koga; Leolinda Parlin; Terrie Fejarang; Louise Iwashi, M.D.; Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D.; Elaine Eclavea; and June Quitugua. Pacific Rim 2011 Sharing is caring! (L-R) Guam CEDDERS June Quitugua, FSM Pohnpei State Special Education Coordinator Karlina Henry, and Guam CEDDERS June De Leon are all smiles after conducting a presentation during the concurrent sessions at the Pacific Rim Conference. Text in colored box: Guam CEDDERS Staff and Entity Partner Presentations 2011 Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities Honolulu, Hawaii on April 18-19 “Guam Early Learning Guidelines: A Toolkit for Parents of Young Children” Elaine Eclavea & Terrie Fejarang “The PAC6 Journey” June Quitugua, June De Leon, Karlina Henry “Increasing Awareness on Issues Relating to Early Intervention in the Pacific” Terrie Fejarang “Avyllia’s Hope: Effective Partnerships for Possibilities in Pacific Island Communities” Karlina Henry, June De Leon “Did Juan Take An Alternate Assessment Based on Alternate Achievement Standards (AA-AAS)?” June De Leon & June Quitugua Page 6 “Access Is the Key” for Students Who Are Deaf/HH Access, access, access was a key point stressed during a two-day introductory workshop entitled, “Deaf/Hard of Hearing: Understanding Leads to Success” held on April 4-5 at the Guam Marriott Hotel. Facilitated by Guam CEDDERS, 62 participants, including regional representatives from American Samoa, CNMI, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau attended the workshop conducted by Cathy McLeod, Director, PEPNet-West, based at the California State University, Northridge, and Mary Morrison, PEPNet-West Associate Director, based at the University of Montana. Participants from the region included Special Education coordinators, administrators, and teachers. Guam attendees included a parent, service coordinators and teachers in the Guam Early Intervention System and Preschool Program, occupational, physical, and speech therapists, and Special Education program coordinators. Workshop topics included: causes of hearing loss; demographics; differentiation between deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH); importance of language development and language acquisition for children who are deaf/hard of hearing; current issues pertaining to D/HH; and assistive technology available. Also providing information on various resources and training was Judy Coryell, Ph.D., Director of the Gallaudet Outreach Center, Kapiolani Community College, Honolulu, Hawaii. Next steps are being planned to continue the development of services and supports for students who are deaf/hard of hearing. Photos with captions: Sixty-two participants completed a two-day training entitled, “Deaf/Hard of Hearing: Understanding Leads to Success.” Left to right: Consultants Cathy McLeod and Mary Morrison provide information to Tricia Suzuki, parent. Visiting consultants Cathy McLeod, Mary Morrison, and Dr. Judy Coryell paid a visit to the Deaf Community Church to learn about Guam’s adult deaf community. Page 7 “Access Training“ photos continued Standing in background: Cathy McCleod, Director, PEPNet-West, addresses participants during the opening session. Seated left to right: Likiaksa Elesha, SpEd Coordinator from Kosrae, Ansina Kony, SpEd Coordinator from Chuuk, and Arthur Albert, Chief of Special Services Division, FSM National Government, participate in the group reporting process during the PEPNet workshop. Left to right: Tim Bigelow, D/HH Teacher from Yap State and Karlina Henry, Special Education Coordinator from Pohnpei State, facilitate discussion on program challenges. D/HH Program Technical Assistance Judy Coryell, Ph.D., Director of the Gallaudet University Regional Center of the Pacific, based at Kapi’olani Community College in Honolulu, conducted an on-site visit to provide technical assistance and training to the Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education’s Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program on March 28-April 1. The visit, which was facilitated by Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, through a Memorandum of Agreement with Guam DOE, is the first in a series of consultative visits to assist in program development. Left to Right: Mia Barrientos, John Russell, Judy Coryell, Ph.D., Michael Castro, & Erica Acfalle. EIPA Prep Continues American Sign Language interpreters from Guam and the CNMI recently completed a three-day workshop on “Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) Preparation” held April 18-20 at the University of Guam CEDDERS GSAT Center. The workshop is the second in a two-part series aimed to prepare participants to take this assessment, which is used to determine the skill level of sign language interpreters in K-12 settings, and was conducted by CM Hall, Project Coordinator from the Western Region Interpreter Education Center (WRIEC), in collaboration with the Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education, and Guam CEDDERS. The first part of the series was held December 27-29, 2010 at the Guam CEDDERS GSAT Center. Left to Right: Monica Duenas, Christine Chargualaf, Fe Gillins, Darlene Castro, Frances Rivera, Geraldine Songao, CM Hall, Ed.M., NIC Advanced, EIPA Ed K:12, Project Coordinator, Marilou Ang, Besse Illustre, Cathy Santos, Connie Estes, Connie Olaitiman, & Jeannie Hollis. Childcare Licensure & Guam ELC Bills Become Law Public Law 31-73, which establishes the administrative rules and regulations of the Department of Public Health & Social Services relative to child care centers and group child care homes, was signed into law on June 2. The bill provides updates to the rules and processes that govern child care licensure that have not been changed since 1978. These updates that have been in the process of development for the last seven years (yes, seven years!) are the result of the hard work and perseverance of child care directors, caregivers, families, and agency representatives. One of the more controversial parts of the bill has to do with child to staff ratios. Other issues of concern were the space and playground requirements. The need to update the regulations was largely driven by recent findings of scientific research about how critical the birth to age five period is in the development and growth of young children. Also signed into law was Public Law 31-62, a bill introduced by former Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, Senator Aline Yamashita, Ph.D., that legislatively establishes the Guam Early Learning Council (ELC). Photo with caption: Childcare stakeholders (standing) joined (seated left to right) Senator Aline Yamashita, Senator Dennis Rodriguez, Governor Eddie Baza Calvo, and First Lady Christine Calvo at the signing ceremony for Public Law 31-73, which updates the rules & regulations for childcare facilities licensure. Guam Reps Attend National State Advisory Council Meeting Guam CEDDERS staff members Elaine Eclavea, Health, Wellness, & Prevention Initiative Area Coordinator, and Terrie Fejarang, Associate Director, attended the Early Childhood State Advisory Council (SAC) Grantee Meeting held on April 27-28 in Crystal City, Virginia. A wide-range of topics were addressed during the meeting including updates on the latest early childhood initiatives taking place at the Federal level; strategies for overcoming challenges in SAC governance, operation, and implementation; community-level approaches to building early childhood systems to improve school readiness; and improvements in the Quality Rating Improvement System and workforce development. Photo with caption: Shown above (L-R): Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS; Ngozi Onunaku, Senior Policy Analyst, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary and Inter-Departmental Liaison for Early Childhood Development, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS. Page 9 Guam CEDDERS Hosts “Power of Play Interactive Parent Conference” Collage of photos: Guam CEDDERS recently hosted the 2011 Power of Play Interactive Parent Conference for parents of young children birth to 5 years old, held on May 7 at the Guam Sports Complex in Dededo. This conference was an inter-agency collaboration with the Guam Department of Education, Head Start, Early Childhood Special Education Program, Guam Early Intervention System, Guam Parent Information Resource Center, Child Care Centers, and Guam CEDDERS. A total of 60 parents and 104 children participated in various activities that highlighted fine and gross motor development; early literacy; nutrition; early hearing detection and intervention; and a range of other activities that promote positive and healthy development in children ages birth to 5 years. Page 10 Project Kariñu Hosts Incredible Years Training The Department of Public Health & Social Services Project Kariñu and Guam CEDDERS were proud to sponsor The Incredible Years Parent Leadership Training and The Incredible Years Infant/Toddler Training from May 23-27, held at the Fiesta Resort. The Incredible Years is a research-based, proven effective program for reducing children’s aggression and behavior problems and increasing social competence at home and at school. Incredible Years has been shown to be successful with diverse communities and is recognized as a Model Program by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. The workshop was conducted by trainer Julie Anderson, whose extensive knowledge and enthusiasm proved to be highly motivating to the 27 participants. Participation at the training was truly a collaborative effort as there were representatives from Project Kariñu, Guam Parent Information Resource Center, Guam Headstart, Guam Early Intervention, Guam Part B Preschool, Palau Part B Preschool Program, and CNMI’s Early Intervention and Early Childhood Program. The participants engaged in interactive role playing as parents and as leaders. They practiced running a parent group session, introducing video clips, and discussing problem solving. Photo with caption: Participants from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, and Guam completed the Incredible Years Infant Toddler Training conducted by Julie Anderson, Incredible Years Certified Trainer (front row center with flowers). Ages & Stages Questionnaire Social Emotional Screening Tool Training On April 23, Guam CEDDERS hosted Part Two of the “Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)” training with 12 participants from various child care agencies attending. The Ages and Stages Social Emotional edition focused on social emotional behaviors, questions, and scoring. The participants were also given a set of their own ASQ-SE Kit and provided access to the Ages and Stages online system. The child care providers were also taught how to navigate the online system; the aggregated reports that could be generated from the system and the privilege of having families access the questionnaires on their own time and pace. On-going training for the online Ages and Stages system will be held every first Friday of the month at Guam CEDDERS House 22. Page 11 Children’s Healthy Development Fair Draws Families May was declared Children’s Mental Health month and to spread awareness, Guam CEDDERS, in partnership with Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) Project Kariñu, marked the celebration by hosting Guam’s first Children’s Healthy Development Fair on May 28, at the University of Guam Humanities and Social Science building. The fair featured displays and presentations from over 20 agencies from the Guam Department of Education (GDOE), Head Start, Early Childhood Special Education Program, Guam Early Intervention System, Early Detection Intervention Services, Guam Parent Information Resource Center, DPHSS, I Famagu’on-ta, and Guam CEDDERS. GDOE, Division of Special Education also hosted their “Check Me Out” screenings at this event providing developmental screenings. The Guam EDHI and GDOE Hearing Unit provided hearing screenings to over 20 children, DPHSS Immunization served 62 families administering over 209 shots. Department of Public Works provided car seat inspections, giving families advice and tips on proper car seat installation. Families were also given the opportunity to attend presentations on Down Syndrome by Helen Middlebrooke, Kariñu’s Children’s mental health disparities by Dr. Lilli Perez and Mariles Benavente, Internet Safety and Cyberbullying by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Entertainment included performances by St. Anthony’s Ukulele Club and the “Just Say No” Dance Crew. Overall, families were thankful to be able to access a wide-range of services for their young children in one convenient location. Photos with captions: Baby Lilya undergoes a quick developmental screening with staff from the Guam Early Intervention System. Parents check out vendors and various programs during the Children’s Healthy Development Fair. Families have child car seat securement systems inspected and evaluated by Department of Public Works experts. Page 12 Helping Parents Help their Children In order for parents to become effective advocates for their children with disabilities in educational settings, it is necessary that they establish a knowledge base about special education from both a legal and practical standpoint. To assist in this endeavor, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) Special Education Division prioritized the development and implementation of a parent leadership training series. In collaboration with GDOE, Guam Positive Parents Together (GPPT), the Parent Information Resource Center, Guam Legal Services Corporation Disability Law Center, and the Developmental Disabilities Council, Guam CEDDERS facilitated the kick-off to the Special Education Parent Leadership Training Series on March 26. This training was held from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Guam Marriott Hotel and was attended by 165 parents. In addition, 15 vendors participated by displaying their programs, services, and/or products to those in attendance. The morning session of the training focused on an overview of the Special Education process. Each parent in attendance was provided a binder that includes the IDEA regulations, frequently asked questions and answers, and forms used for each step of the process. The resource section of the binder includes terminology, a list of acronyms, local special education law, least restrictive environment, special education board policy, and information on discipline. The afternoon session was facilitated by GPPT and focused on the creation of an “I’m All in Here” notebook during which parents were provided with a binder to organize and maintain documents related to their child with a disability. The parents were also given an overview of the GPPT mission and activities conducted by the organization. The anticipated outcome of the Special Education Parent Leadership Training Series is two-fold: (1) Increase parents’ knowledge of special education programs and services; and (2) Develop a cadre of parents who are proficient in the special education process who will then be available to serve as advocates/mentors for other parents of children with disabilities receiving special education services. To build their competency in each step of the special education process, parents participating in the series will be provided follow-up sessions that will cover more in-depth information. To date, two two-hour follow-up sessions have been conducted on April 17 and May 18, with the first follow-up session focusing on understanding evaluation reports and the second session focusing on eligibility determination. The next session of the series will be held on June 18 and will focus on the development, review, and revision of the IEP as well as placement in the least restrictive environment. For the follow-up sessions, invitations were extended only to parents who attended the initial session in March. Photo with caption: A parent asks a question during the Special Education Parent Leadership Training Series Workshop held on March 26. A total of 165 parents attended the workshop. Dr. O’Leary Addresses Transition Guam CEDDERS facilitated a follow-up visit by Dr. Ed O’Leary, a national expert on secondary transition programs and services. The visit took place from April 27-29. In addition to a one-day training, the visit included consultation time with each of the five high schools. The one-day training focused on building the proficiency of high school secondary transition teams in meeting Guam’s State Performance Plan Indicator 13 relative to transition. This included developing IEPs that address the postsecondary goals of high school students with disabilities. The training was attended by representatives from each of the five high schools as well as GDOE district personnel and representatives from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Photo with caption: Dr. Ed O’Leary, a national expert on secondary transition programs, conducted high school site visits and a follow-up training on April 27-29. Left to Right: Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS Initiative Area Coordinator, Judy Roberto, GDOE Special Education Program Coordinator, Dr. Nieves Flores, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, Dr. Ed O’Leary, and Jane O’Leary. Page 13 Response To Intervention: Thinking Outside the Box In collaboration with the Western Regional Resource Center (WRRC), with support from the Guam Department of Education Special Education ARRA funding, Guam CEDDERS facilitated a training session on April 29 by Dr. W. David Tilly on Integrated Service Delivery: New Ways of Thinking about Instruction, Assessment, and Intervention to selected representatives from several elementary and middle schools. The training focused on the Response to Intervention (RTI) framework. Dr. Tilly provided the school teams with a “Problem Solving Process” to address learning problems on a school-wide, class-wide, and individual-child basis. The process involves defining the problem, developing and implementing a plan to solve the problem, and evaluating its effectiveness. The message was about “all kids” and having the assumption that all kids can be successful. He indicated that if we assume all kids can be successful, then we must have a system to ensure the success of all kids. As he stated, “we have to be more systematic about how we deliver instruction and we need to be more data-based.” Data should be driving the decisions we make about changes in the instruction. As a result of this session, schools have increased their understanding of RTI and the phases for effective implementation that include: Consensus building (commitment), Infrastructure Development, and Implementation. Participants at this session were provided several consensus building tools and formulas for success. Dr. Tilly is a national expert on the implementation of the RTI framework. He is currently the Director of Innovation and Accountability for Heartland AE11 in Iowa. He is the co-lead author of the “Response to Intervention Blueprints: School Building Level Edition” developed for the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE). Photo with caption: Dr. W. David Tilly, a national expert on “Response to Intervention,” expounds on strategies during the “Integrated Service Delivery: New Ways of Thinking about Instruction, Assessment, and Intervention” workshop on April 29. Text in colored box: Core Principles of RTI: • Intervene early. Use a multi-tiered model of service. • Use a problem-solving method (PSM) to make decisions at each of the three tiers. • Use research-based, scientifically validated interventions/instruction to the extent available. • Monitor student progress to inform instruction. • Use data to make decisions. Big Ideas for RTI framework to be effective: (1) Use instructionally relevant and efficient resource deployment system; (2) Use scientifically research-based practice to extent available; (3) Match instruction to individual student needs; (4) Make sure instruction is sufficiently explicit and sufficiently intense; (5) Monitor implementation fidelity; and, (6) Monitor student response and change instruction as necessary. Guam CEDDERS and Guam DOE Staff Visit RTI Lab School On April 13 & 14, Guam CEDDERS and Guam DOE personnel participate in a Tigard Tualatin Lab School Visit in Tigard, Oregon to build consensus in the implementation of RTI. Left to Right: Geraldine Pablo, H.S. Truman Acting Principal; Terese Crisostomo, Special Education School Program Consultant for Special Projects; Dr. Nieves Flores, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate; Dr. David Putnam, Director, Oregon RTI; Christine Rivas, Oregon RTI Secretary; Dean Richards, RTI Teacher on Special Projects; Nancy Diaz, Principal, Chief Brodie; Billie Joe Marzan, Counselor, Machananao; and Joseph Sanchez, GDOE Administrator, Research, Planning & Evaluation. Page 14 Photo with caption: Project Menhålom: Sustaining PBIS Guam CEDDERS facilitated a 4-day technical assistance and training visit by Celeste Dickey for the Guam Department of Education’s middle schools from May 15-18 as part of Project Menhålom, a Character Education Program. Ms. Dickey is the Educational and Community Supports (ECS) Applications Training Coordinator, Senior Research Assistant for the Center on Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports at the University of Oregon. This is Ms. Dickey’s second consultative visit which included site visits to VA Benavente, LP Untalan, Astumbo Middle, Jose Rios, Oceanview, Agueda Johnston, and F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle Schools. Left photo: Celeste Dickey (center) consults with teachers during a workshop session. Pacific Vision Instruction Project Scholarship Recipients Named Congratulations to the 20 regional applicants selected to receive the Pacific Vision Instruction Project (Pacific VIP) scholarship to attain a University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) Master of Education degree in Vision Studies with dual credentials in Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) and Orientation and Mobility (O&M). Pacific VIP is a four-year collaborative training program facilitated by Guam CEDDERS in partnership with the Northeast Regional Center for Vision Education (NERCVE) located within the Institute for Community Inclusion that is academically affiliated with UMass Boston, Graduate College of Education. The 20 Pacific VIP scholars completed the first on-line course in May as part of the recruitment process. They have started the on-line summer coursework and will be on Guam from June 27-July 9 for the first required on-site course/lab work with UMass Boston faculty scheduled to be held at the University of Guam. Funding for the VIP Project is through a personnel preparation grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. Text in colored box: Pacific VIP Scholars Awarded Scholarship Funding American Samoa Tailua Apaisa Amy Epati Sigalu Epenesa Sulugia Fa’atau Loretta Luta CNMI Lizelle Amirez Jennifer Buniag Chuuk, FSM Chelsea Phillip Jason Reiong Mekioshy William Kosrae, FSM Aimina Talley Pohnpei, FSM Lilly Abraham Florina Esiel Jennifer Shoniber Guam Erica Acfalle Diane Artero Ordelia Pritchard Norma Santos Darlene Taimanglo Joanie La Ville Tomasiak Page 15 PACIFIC Assessment Project Plans Transition The Pacific Assessment Consortium (PAC6) Implementing Fully Innovative Change (PACIFIC) Project is in its final year of implementation. This final year represents a transition year of support from the PACIFIC Project to the National Center and State Collaborative (NCSC), a newly funded Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) consortium grant awarded to PACIFIC Project partner University of Minnesota National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO). The PAC6 is one of 19 states/entities in the NCSC consortium. The NCSC provides the continuity in technical assistance and training to ensure students with significant cognitive disabilities achieve increasingly higher academic outcomes and leave high school ready for post-secondary options. As the PAC6 begins the transition, Guam CEDDERS convened a meeting with the Special Education Directors on April 6 to review the PACIFIC Project’s accomplishments in relation to the overall PAC6 goals and objectives and specific needs of each entity, and to prioritize 2011 activities to ensure a meaningful transition of support from PACIFIC Project to NCSC. The day’s agenda included the results from each entity’s SY2009-2010 Learning Characteristics Inventory (LCI), overall summary of three years of LCI data, introduction to the Common Core State Standards-College and Career Readiness, and identifying entity priorities for students with significant cognitive disabilities. At the end of the day, the team developed follow-up tasks and next steps. One such activity is the summer 2011 Regional training to be held July 14-16 on Guam. The specifics of the activities will be finalized during the May 2011 NCSC New Orleans meeting. PAC6 Engages In NCSC Full Project Meeting The PACIFIC Project Leadership Team members traveled to New Orleans to attend the first NCSC Full Project Meeting on May 4-5 and the PAC6 “state” meeting with NCSC on May 6. The NCSC Full Project Meeting included representatives from the 19 consortium states and 5 project partners. The PAC6 was represented by Guam CEDDERS staff, the special education directors from the CNMI, FSM, RMI and Palau, the Commissioner of Education from the CNMI Public School System, and special education/assessment staff from American Samoa, CNMI and Guam. The purpose of the two-day meeting was to ensure all partners discussed and contributed to the CROSS Work Group efforts for the project and the project work plan and budget. On May 6, PAC6 met with Rachel Quenemoen, NCSC Project Director and representatives from edCount, one of the project partners, to review specifics of the project and to discuss how the PAC6 can contribute to and benefit from the work. More professional development for teachers on providing instruction and assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities is in the works with consultants from the National Alternate Assessment Center and Keystone Alternate Assessment Design. The University of North Carolina will also be developing training kits for teachers to pilot in their classrooms. Stay tuned…more information to come during the Summer 2011 Regional training, July 14-16 on Guam. Page 16 Local Monitoring Team Travels to Ulithi Zone How is special education improving educational results for children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)? On the small island of Falalop, Ulithi within Yap State, school personnel, parents, and community members enthusiastically shared their thoughts about special education services at Falalop Ulithi Elementary School. FSM National Department of Education Special Education (SpEd) Program prioritized technical support to Yap State for the development and implementation of a local special education monitoring system. With this priority, Yap State established a monitoring system as an ongoing mechanism for assessing how well special education and related services are being implemented in Yap State schools and community, as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA). “How well” is determined through compliance and results measures assessed through on-site and off-site monitoring activities. On May 19-20, the Yap State monitoring team conducted an on-site monitoring visit to Falalop Ulithi Elementary. Assisting the monitoring team during the visit were FSM National SpEd Program Monitor Ethel James and Guam CEDDERS June De Leon. Aligned with the FSM National Continuous Improvement Monitoring System, the visit included a review of IEP documents at Central Office and the school, a review of actual services provided based on the IEP, observations of classroom activities, and interviews with the school principal, teachers, consulting resource teacher, and parents of children with IEPs. Through the review of documents and interviews, it was evident that school personnel and parents understood the purpose for special education. The parents shared that they felt special education has helped their child to progress academically. Also worth noting was general agreement of the need for at least quarterly training sessions conducted on Falalop, Ulithi to benefit all school personnel, parents, and the community. Photos with captions: The island-way of expressing a warm “welcome” is communicated through marmars and leis upon arrival on Falalop Island in Ulithi Zone. Monitoring team members shown L-R: Ethel James, FSM National Special Education (SpEd) Program Monitor; June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director; Carol Guchol, Yap State SpEd Monitor/Support; and Evangeline Ilawegiyango, Yap State SpEd Data Clerk. Monitoring team members not shown include Lorenzo Sartilug, Yap State Neighboring Island School Administrator (NISA); John Bugulrow, Yap State Special Education Coordinator; Juan Hagilmwaal, Neighboring Island (NI) Monitor/Support; and Roselyn Hasugulwol, Yap State Professional Development Teacher Trainer. School Principal Rita Harugdoh (standing right) also serves as Falalop Ulithi Elementary 4th grade teacher. Page 17 Ulithi Photos Photos with captions: Juan Hagilmwaal and Carol Guchol (2nd and 3rd from left), Yap State Monitor/Support, interview parents about how special education services are assisting their child learn at Falalop Ulithi Elementary. Ethel James (right), FSM National SpEd Program Monitor, with translation assistance from Evangeline Ilawegiyango (center), Yap State SpEd Data Clerk, interviews a parent of a child with an IEP about special education services at Falalop Ulithi Elementary. Monitoring activities included classroom observations SpEd Advisory Panel Meets with Consultant During the week of March 21, Dr. Jane Nell Luster, Senior Manager with the Data Accountability Center (DAC) conducted a follow-up on-site visit to Guam in support of Guam Department of Education’s concerted efforts to improve general supervision system. Dr. Luster facilitated working sessions with Division of Special Education personnel, Compliance Monitoring Office personnel, and school principals. In addition, Dr. Luster facilitated a dialogue session on March 24 with the Guam Advisory Panel for Students with Disabilities (GAPSD), the key stakeholder group for Guam’s special education program. Dr. Luster shared with GAPSD members comprised of parents of children with disabilities and agency/organization representatives, how Guam has developed and implemented the components of a general supervision system, especially in relation to monitoring for compliance and improved performance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) requirements. An effective general supervision system includes policies, procedures, and practices for administering, supervising, and monitoring programs and services that lead to improved functional outcomes and educational results for children and youth with disabilities. To be effective means being able to incorporate valid and reliable data into the decision making processes for monitoring how early intervention and special education programs improve results for children with disabilities and their families. An effective general supervision system also includes a method for tracking and encouraging continuous improvement with the involvement of all stakeholders. Dr. Luster’s ongoing technical support to Guam, facilitated by Guam CEDDERS, has provided the continuity to evolve a system where regular opportunities to work with key stakeholders are facilitated to ensure continuous improvement in special education. Page 18 Photos with captions: Family Support 360 Outreach Activity As part of the project’s regular outreach efforts, Guam’s Family Support 360° for Military Families set up a table display during the Family Carnival and Egg Hunt held on April 23 at Andersen Air Force Base. Left to right: Lisa Jensen, Senior Navigator and Crystal Bannister, Navigator man the display table. Six new staff joined the Guam CEDDERS team during the last quarter. New Guam CEDDERS Staff Top photo: (Left to right) Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Assistant; Terry Naputi, Guam Early Learning Council Assistant; Jeffrey Pinaula, Project Tinituhon Research Associate; Crystal Bannister, Family Support Navigator. Bottom photo: (Left to right) Tamara Flores, Office Technician and Johnathan Castro, Student Research Assistant. Small Business Center Installs Accessible Workstation The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) located at the University of Guam has dramatically increased accessibility for individuals with disabilities with the recent purchase of about $7000 worth of assistive technology (AT). Denise Mendiola-Hertslet from the SBDC knows all too well about access issues for people with disabilities. She knows the power of assistive technology, the opportunities it creates for folks with challenges, and was eager to provide this for their clients. Denise approached the Guam System for Assistive Technology for assistance in selecting appropriate AT to outfit their computer center so that individuals with visual impairments, physical and/or cognitive impairments could have access to necessary business tools. The devices available include a refreshable Braille display, large key keyboard, screen reader software, voice-to-text software, switches, and big trackball mouse. Lee Cruz, president of New Vision Guam, was present during the unveiling of the AT and gave the following quotes to the Pacific Daily News: “I had to stop for a moment because I started to tear because I felt highly respected as a member of society…I walk into this office and go to the computer center, and it’s not just a door, but a door that is wide open with everything that I need.” Page 19 Products Released During March - May Quarter Download these products at: www.guamcedders.org * DVD, Forum on Disability Issues for Agency Leaders * I Linala-ta, Our Life Newsletter * Guam CEDDERS 2010 Annual Report “Ideas to Action” * I Mandikiki’ Newsletter for Families with Children Birth to Eight * 2011 Nene Directory University of GuamCenter 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 This issue of I Tellai was made possible by contributions from the following Guam CEDDERS staff members: Vera Blaz, June De Leon, Cheryl De Roca, Terrie Fejarang, Nieves Flores, Ed.D., Lisa Jensen, Ginger Porter, June Quitugua, Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D., Carla Torres, Keith Villaluna. 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 JUN11 Jun 3 Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Meeting, 3:30pm - 5pm, UOG Dean’s Circle House 19 - GSAT. Jun 9 FS360 Advisory Council Subcommittee Meeting, 12pm - 2pm, UOG Dean’s Circle House 30, Call 735-2560 for more information. Jun 15 Part C Procedural Safeguards Training for Parents, 5:30pm - 7:30pm, Marriott Resort & Spa, Call 735-2466 for more information. Jun 15 -16 Chuuk, FSM TA visit.Jun 16 Newcomers Meeting, 10am-2pm, AAFB, Call 735-2560 for more information. Jun 18 Special Education Parent Leadership Training Series Follow-up #3 on IEP, 9am - 2:00pm, Marriott Hotel. Jun 18 Heartlink, 9am - 2pm, AAFB, Call 735-2560 for more information. Jun 20-22 TA Visit for Needs Assessment by Dr. Debra Hayes and Sue Dreith. Jun 22 Special Guam EHDI Advisory Meeting, 11am - 1pm, Westin Guam Resort & Spa, Call 735-2466 for more information. Jun 22 Part C Procedural Safeguards Training for Parents, 5:30pm - 7:30pm, Marriott Resort & Spa, Call 735-2466 for more information. Jun 23 FS360 Advisory Council Subcommittee Meeting, 12pm - 2pm, AAFB Hot Spot, Call 735-2560 for more information. Jun 25 Part C Procedural Safeguards Training for Parents, 10am - 12pm, Marriott Resort & Spa, Call 735-2466 for more information. Jun 29 Part C Procedural Safeguards Training for Parents, 5:30pm - 7:30pm, Marriott Resort & Spa, Call 735-2466 for more information. Jun 27 - Jul 9 Pacific VIP On-Site Course, (UMASS Boston Faculty). JUL-SEP11 Jul 5 GELG Train the Trainer for Child Care Center Directors/Staff, 8:30-12:00, UOG Dean’s Circle House 23, Contact Vera Blaz 735-2418 for more information. Jul 6 Part C Procedural Safeguards Training for Parents, 5:30pm - 7:30pm, Marriott Resort & Spa, Call 735-2466 for more information. Jul 12 GELG Train the Trainer for Child Care Center Directors/Staff, 8:30-12:00, UOG Dean’s Circle House 23, Contact Vera Blaz 735-2418 for more information. Jul 14-16 PACIFIC and NCSC Projects Regional Event, Westin Guam Resort & Spa. Jul 18-22 SOC Community Meeting, Chicago. Jul 19 GELG Train the Trainer for Child Care Center Directors/Staff, 8:30-12:00, UOG Dean’s Circle House 23, Contact Vera Blaz 735-2418 for more information. Jul 19-22 IDEA Assessment Workshop, Pohnpei, FSM. Aug 1-3 SOC Assessment Site Visit. Aug 10-12 Part C Authentic Assessment, Functional Development, UOG Dean’s Circle House 22, Call 735-2466 for more information.. Aug 27 Tri-Agency Consumer Conference, Venue TBA.Aug 29-Sep 2 SAMHSA Project Kariñu Site Visit. Sep 2 Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Meeting, 3:30pm - 5pm, UOG Dean’s Circle House 19 - GSAT. Sep 6-8 Boystown webinar training for Early Childhood service providers, Venue TBA. Sep 26 IFSP Training with Kat Lowrance, 2pm - 5pm, TBD, Call 735-2466 for more information. Sep 27 Parent Leadership Training - Part 1 with Kat Lowrance, 9am - 4pm, TBD, Call 735-2466 for more information. Sep 28 Parent Leadership Training - Part 2 with Kat Lowrance, 9am - 4pm, TBD, Call 735-2466 for more information. Ad: Learn More About Self Advocacy Guam CEDDERS invites you to learn more about self-advocacy and to practice the skills to become a good self-advocate. This just might be a life changing event. We think you’ll be happy if you choose to participate! A new series of Self-Advocate Workshops begins in September 2011 For more information and reservations, contact Ginger Porter at 735-2478 or email at ginger.porter@guamcedders.org. For the latest updates on Guam CEDDERS news & events, visit our website at: www.guamcedders.org