I Tellai, The Bridge Guam CEDDERS Newsletter Volume 14, Issue 1 December 9, 2011 In this Issue: UH/UOG LEND Program Commences......................1-2 1 Billion People with Disabilities Worldwide.............3 White Cane Day Events............................................4 Self-Advocacy Workshops Engage Participants..........5 Albert on NASDSE Bd.; SpEd Dir. Visit Software Co......6 Guam CEDDERS and FSM NDOE provide TA.................7 Monitoring Team Visit Kayangel..............................8 Entities Submit Data; Guam SpEd Leader Series........9 PACIFIC Project Conducts Site Visits........................10 Class for Child Caregivers; Parent Leadership Trng...11 SDSU Grant Writing Wkshp; Transition Wkshp.........12 Guam PBIS; RTI Trng.; Parent Workshops................13 Guam EHDI Launches Teleaudiology Project............14 Boys Town Hearing Loss 101 Video Conference........15 Vision Prgm. TA; Project Kariñu ESL Presentation....16 Int’l. Day of PWD; Self-Advocacy Summits..............17 FREE Library Services in the Pacific.........................18 Guam CEDDERS & GRTA Collaboration Pays Off.........19 Calendar of Upcoming Events................................20 Pages 1-2 UH/UOG LEND Program Commences An on-going topic of concern among many University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) programs is how do we ensure continuity in leadership within the field? How do we develop a “succession plan?” Who will take over when the current leadership retires or moves on to other endeavors? One obvious strategy is to “grow our own.” But how do we do that? How do we design a program that guides and nurtures the development of leadership skills in professionals from a wide variety of disciplines? How do we bring together individuals who are actual and potential leaders in their field to focus on the “disability agenda?” How do we carve out a significant amount of time from their busy schedules and provide adequate technical assistance, training, and funding support to make this all happen? The short answer: Engage in partnerships to promote and nurture homegrown leadership. An even shorter answer: Establish a “LEND Program!” To help address this need, the University of Guam CEDDERS has entered into a new partnership with the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine with the launch of the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Program in August. Guam now has an excellent opportunity to help “grow” the next generation of leaders to guide the development of services, supports, and systems change within the disabilities arena for Guam and the Pacific region. The goal of this special partnership is to train current and future leaders in the field of developmental disabilities, focusing on interdisciplinary strategies for improving services and supports for children and youth with special health care needs and their families. Through an application and interview process, two graduate students from the University of Guam Master’s in Clinical Psychology program and three community trainees, including a nurse and social worker from the Department of Public Health and Social Services and the assistive technology specialist from Guam CEDDERS, were selected to be members of the first cohort of LEND trainees. To start off the program, University of Hawaii (UH) faculty came to Guam in September to conduct the introductory segment of the program which consists of 300 hours. UH faculty Louise Iwaishi, M.D., project director, UH LEND faculty, Ron Matayoshi, MSW, and Aileen Hiramitsu, MBA, conducted the initial program orientation and class meetings for the five Guam LEND trainees on September 9-11 at the GSAT Center. Subsequent meetings have been held on Fridays with on-site facilitation support by Guam CEDDERS staff Terrie Fejarang, Elaine Eclavea, and Ginger Porter. The Guam trainees also join the Honolulu-based LEND trainees on Saturdays, via video conferencing, to access presentations and engage in related discussions and activities led by UH faculty and staff. The current cohort will continue their training into the Spring semester, during which the Guam trainees will travel twice to Honolulu to participate in program activities that will take place at Shriners’ Hospital and other clinics in Oahu and on the Big Island of Hawaii. The LEND project is supported by a grant from the Maternal Health Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and will involve a new cohort annually during the five years of project funding. Stay tuned for quarterly updates about this exciting program! Photos with caption: University of Hawaii and University of Guam Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Program faculty pose with Guam trainees during the orientation phase of instruction. (L-R): Aileen Hiramitsu, MBA, UH Faculty, Terrie Fejarang, Guam Site Facilitator, Trainees Lynn Okada, Emma Gatewood, Carla Torres, Dina Fegurgur, Cindy Malanum, Louise Iwaishi, M.D., UH LEND Project Director, and Ron Matayoshi, MSW, UH Faculty. LEND trainees went on a “Scavenger Hunt” to help familiarize themselves with community resources. One of the stops required them to visit Brian Que, M.D., a developmental pediatrician, and a former UH LEND trainee, at the Department of Public Health & Social Services Northern Health Clinic in Dededo. Trainee Emma Gatewood, navigates a ramp using a wheelchair while her colleagues, (L-R): Cindy Malanum, Carla Torres, and Lynn Okada scout out the Catholic Social Services “Habilitation Day Program” for adults with developmental disabilities building. Senator Aline Yamashita, Ph.D., conducted a presentation on “The Guam Legislative Process” during the first weekend of the LEND training. Attending the presentation were (L-R): Aileen Hiramitsu, UH LEND faculty, Trainees Dina Fegurgur, Emma Gatewood, Carla Torres, Guam Senator Yamashita, Trainees Cindy Malanum and Lynn Okada, and Ron Matayoshi, UH LEND faculty. Text in color box: 2011-12 Guam LEND Trainees Trainee & Discipline Dina Fegurgur, Clinical Psychology Emma Gatewood, Clinical Psychology Maria Cindy Malanum, Social Work Lynn Okada, Nursing Carla Torres, Special Education; Assistive Technolog Page 3 WHO Reports 1 Billion People with Disabilities Worldwide The first ever World Report on Disability, produced jointly by World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank, suggests that more than a billion people in the world today experience disability. The report summarizes the best available scientific evidence on disability and makes recommendations for action in support of the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The product of a multi-year effort by over 300 contributors from all parts of the world, the World Report provides documented evidence of the social and economic status of persons with disabilities, the state of disability services, the problems and good practices, as well as recommendations for needed research and development. It also includes the first update of WHO’s global disability prevalence estimates in more than 30 years. For the topics discussed, it represents one of the best single sources of knowledge on disability at the global scale. People with disabilities have generally poorer health, lower education achievements, fewer economic opportunities and higher rates of poverty than people without disabilities. This is largely due to the lack of services available to them and the many obstacles they face in their everyday lives. The report provides the best available evidence about what works to overcome barriers to health care, rehabilitation, education, employment, and support services, and to create the environments which will enable people with disabilities to flourish. The report ends with a concrete set of recommended actions for governments and their partners. This pioneering World report on disability will make a significant contribution to the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. At the intersection of public health, human rights and development, the report is set to become a “must have” resource for policymakers, service providers, professionals, and advocates for people with disabilities and their families. The Center for International Rehabilitation Research Information and Exchange (CIRRIE) conducted a two-day symposium, on September 12 - 13, 2011, on the World report on disability, which was released by the WHO and the World Bank on June 9 of this year. This USA launch event was conducted in cooperation with WHO, the Pan American Health Organization, the World Bank, the Interagency Committee on Disability Research, and the United States International Council on Disabilities. The objective of the September meeting was to introduce the report to U.S. audiences. WHO has encouraged member states to conduct national events to disseminate the report to key stakeholders in each country, especially policymakers and practitioners. The U.S. launch was aimed at moving the report’s recommendation forward through U.S. policy, practice, and advocacy. The symposium also examined the implications of the World Report for the U.S. domestically and internationally. Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, Guam CEDDERS Director, attended the U.S. launch and has a hard copy of the report available. The report is also available online at: http://www.who.int/ disabilities/world_report/2011/en/index.html Information for this article was taken directly from: http://www.who.int/disabilities/world_report/2011/en/ index.html; http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/conferences/2011/ Image of World Report on Disability with caption: The World Report on Disability is available online at: http://www.who.int/disabilities/world_report/2011/en/index.html Page 4 White Cane Day Events Build Awareness It’s official! Guam was first in the nation to declare White Cane Safety Day in 2011 with a proclamation signing held on October 14. In the presence of members of SiñA: Self- Advocates in Action, New Vision Guam!, the Guam Marianas Lions Club and the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID), Department of Labor, Guam Developmental Disabilities Council, Guam CEDDERS, and other friends, Acting Governor Ray Tenorio, penned his signature onto a proclamation declaring “White Cane Safety Day”. The Acting Governor took real steps to emulate those with vision loss by placing a sleepshade over his eyes and using a signature guide to affix his name to the Proclamation. Reacting to his success in using the signature guide, the acting Governor exclaimed, “Wow, I actually did it!” to which SiñA President Lynn Tydingco retorted, “Now you really have to put on your sleep shade and join us for the relay and walk with the white cane.” “I’ll be there!” he replied. \ Guam Marianas Lions Club President, Joe Besagar then presented SiñA: Self-Advocates in Action with 20 white canes which were used during the first ever “White Cane Relay and Power Walk” held on October 30 at the Paseo Sports Complex in Hagatña. With the much appreciated support of the Guam Marianas Lions Club, the Guam Running Club, and Guam CEDDERS, the event was a success in fulfilling the mission to increase awareness of individuals with vision loss. Photos with caption: Lynn Tydingco (left), SiñA President and Cecilia “Lee” Cruz (right), New Vision Guam! President, are all smiles as Benito Servino, DISID Director (standing), assists Acting Governor Ray Tenorio, who is wearing a sleepshade, in using a signature guide to sign the Proclamation declaring “White Cane Safety” Day on October 14. White Cane Relay race winners who participated in the various categories of the 5k Power Walk pose with SiñA board members. The event took place at the Paseo Sports Complex on October 30. Onania Snively, member of the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID) team, takes the lead at the start of the White Cane Relay event. Trailing closely behind are Chris Wolke (left), from RIM Architects and Keith Villaluna (right), from the University of Guam CEDDERS. The DISID team took first place in the relay. Page 5 Self-Advocacy Workshops Engage More Participants Newly trained Self-Advocates reported major progress on Self-Advocate Workshop personal projects at the close of the September 2011 training. Changes occurred in access to services at the Government of Guam Retirement Center and UOG personnel received written personal thanks for making student accommodations readily available. The crowning glory of accomplishments was achieved by an individual, who was awaiting the court’s determination on an employer discrimination case, and who later got word that he had prevailed. Knowing your rights and knowing who to access for assistance was key to his success. Not all projects get completed in the one-month time frame that spans the training, but everyone started their projects and that is what is important. Ongoing projects target the education of young students to get rid of the “H” word, advocating for new bus stops, and certifying a disability to gain assistive technology. Facilitators Lynn Tydingco, Leah Rassier, and Jean Quitugua did a great job of facilitating the content and also brought four UOG Social Work students into the real world of people and disabilities. The facilitators look forward to the November training and the opportunity to collaborate with secondary educators in bringing their self-advocacy facilitator to high school students in the near future. Photos with caption: Participants in the September Self-Advocacy Workshop included: Front Row, (L- R): Facilitator Leah Rassier, Jane Borden, Brigida Quinata (Personal Care Assistant), Odelia Jaime, Facilitator Erlinda Tydingco, and Guam CEDDERS Mentor Ginger Porter. Middle Row, (L-R): UOG Student Julian Sakisat, Council on Independent Living Director Dawn Maka, Shannon Leon Guerrero, Rudy Ignacio, Roy Rosario, Facilitator Jean Quitugua, and UOG students Crystal Bannister, Doris Quinto, and Ruby Catotocan. Back Row, (L-R): Tahjare Darlow, Jacob Cruz, and Gabriel Lau. (L-R): Participants Jacob Cruz and Jane Borden engage in a group activity with Crystal Bannister, UOG Social Work student mentor. Doris Quinto, UOG Social Work student mentor (center), discusses a point with Tahjare Darlow (left) and Gabriel Lau (right), self-advocates, during the workshop. Page 6 Arthur Albert Inducted as NASDSE Board Member June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, joins the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) in congratulating Arthur Albert, FSM National Special Education Director, on his October 18th inauguration as a two-year term NASDSE Board Member. Director Albert is the first Pacific State Director voted into this prestigious position by his fellow State Directors. The NASDSE membership of Special Education Directors and staff are committed to a performance-based educational system responsive to the needs of all children and youth, including those with disabilities. Guided by the Board of Directors and Members, NASDSE operates for the purpose of providing services to state agencies to facilitate their efforts to maximize educational outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Director Albert, a graduate of the Master’s degree program in Special Education facilitated by the University of Guam CEDDERS, will bring greater visibility to the needs of the Pacific as members of the national community through initiatives set forth by NASDSE. For more information regarding NASDSE, visit www.nasdse.org Photos with caption: Pictured at the NASDSE Induction Ceremony in Chicago held on October 18 are: Front Row (L-R): Suzanne Lizama, CNMI Special Education (SpEd) Director; June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director; Helen Sengebau, ROP SpEd Director; Miyai Keller, FSM National SpEd Data/Assessment Coordinator. Back Row (L-R): Steve Spencer, SDSU Interwork Consultant; Bill East, NASDSE Executive Director; Ruthiran Lokeijak, RMI SpEd Director; Arthur Albert, FSM National SpEd Director; and Richard Henderson, Idaho SpEd Director and newly installed NASDSE Board Members. Pacific SpEd Directors Meet Solo Software Developers Guam CEDDERS supported the coordination of the October 14 Leader Summit sponsored by the Don Johnston, Inc., a collaborative partner of Guam CEDDERS since the implementation of Pacific CIMAP, an OSEP-funded grant that supported the six Pacific entities with enhancing their systems for providing timely accessible instructional materials for children with print disabilities. Don Johnston, Inc. team members pictured with Pacific Special Education Directors (L-R) Ruth Ziolkowski, President; Mary Krenz, Director of Professional Services; Helen Sengebau, Palau; Yolanda Gabriel, Guam; Ruthiran Lokeijak, Marshall Islands; Suzanne Lizama, CNMI; Heidi Diskin, Educational Support Specialist; and Jason Burke, Educational Support Specialist. Page 7 Guam CEDDERS and FSM NDOE provide TA in Ulithi With funding support from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) National Department of Education (NDOE), June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, and Ethel James, FSM NDOE Monitor, assisted the Yap State Monitoring Team during the September 28-30 on-site follow-up technical assistance visit to Falalop Ulithi Elementary School (FUES) and Outer Island High School (OIHS) on Falalop Island, Ulithi, Yap State. The visit included student IEP file verification, a workshop with administrators and teachers on the special education process, and a parent session on the IEP development process. Photos with caption: On September 29 & 30, June De Leon facilitated a workshop with 35 administrators, Consulting Resource Teachers (CRT), and classroom teachers from Outer Island High School and Falalop Ulithi Elementary School, and CRTs and teachers from Asor, Mogmog, and Fedraey islands in Ulithi. The workshop included information on the special education process, with an emphasis on the Child Find and LRE provisions. Accommodations, modifications, and universal design for learning were also reviewed as strategies to use with students with IEPs. Ethel James (standing left), facilitates the parent orientation session on special education with Juan Hagilmwaal (standing right), Yap State Special Education Neighboring Island Monitor/Support, assisting with the translation of the presentation and conversations. The parent session focused on the IEP development process, including how parents can prepare for their child’s IEP meeting and what to do during their child’s IEP meeting. June De Leon (standing) facilitates a “checking for understanding” true or false response from the workshop participants. Page 8 Monitoring Team Visit Kayangel State, Republic of Palau On November 17 & 18, June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, joined the Palau Special Education Monitoring Team, comprised of Helen Sengebau, Special Education Coordinator; Nora Renguul, Special Education Local Monitor; and Theofina Michael, Consulting Resource Teacher (CRT), to conduct a school monitoring visit to JFK Elementary on Kayangel island. Travel to and from the northernmost island was by motor boat, which took three hours from Koror to the island and two hours to return. Kayangel (Ngcheangel) is the northernmost state of the Republic of Palau; 15 miles north of Koror. Its land area is about .54 sqaure miles, with a population reported at 138 from Census 2000. Today, most of their residents are living off-island, while a little over 80 residents continue to live in Kayangel State. JFK Elementary, named after U.S. President John F. Kennedy, has an enrollment of 12 students in grades 1-6 and 8. The visit to the school was a required component of the Ministry of Education’s general supervision system of integrated monitoring activities to assess the compliance and improved performance of special education and related services provided for children with disabilities. The last on-site monitoring visit to JFK Elementary was in April 2009. At that time, there were two students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) receiving special education services. Today, those two students have completed their elementary education and are now attending Palau High School in Koror. During the visit, it was evident that the Special Education Child Find provisions were understood by the principal and all teachers. Since April 2009, on-site awareness activities for faculty, parents, and community members have occurred to ensure that all children suspected of having a disability are identified, located, and evaluated. There is one student in the “focus of concern” process of support, which might result in a referral to special education. Mesulang (Thank You), Principal Miriam Watts, for the opportunity to visit your school. It is evident that you and your faculty are ensuring that the educational needs are met for all children of Kayangel State! Photo with caption: The Monitoring Team takes a team photo with the JFK Elementary School administrator, faculty, and students. Page 9 Pacific Entities Submit Data to EDFacts The six U.S. affiliated Pacific entities successfully transmitted the required special education personnel data through the EDFacts Data System during the “EdFacts Data Submission Follow-Up for Pacific Entities” session held at the University of Guam on October 21. EDFacts is a U. S. Department of Education initiative designed to collect and place state-reported K-12 education performance data at the center of policy, management, and budget decisions for all K-12 educational programs. The vehicle used to collect this data is the Education Data Exchange Network (EDEN). Guam Department of Education, Guam CEDDERS, Data Accountability Center (DAC), and the EDFacts Partner Support Center (PSC) continued the partnership established in October 2010 to support the Pacific entities in addressing the IDEA 618 data submission to EdFacts. June De Leon from Guam CEDDERS and Jane Nell Luster from DAC were on-site, while Zach Arnold and Joe Murphy from PSC and Danielle Crain from DAC supported the session via teleconference providing immediate feedback on the individual entity transmissions of the required special education personnel data. Photo with caption: Pacific entity representatives in attendance at the October 21 session include: Sitting (L-R): Angie Taitague, Guam; Suzanne Lizama, CNMI; Helen Sengebau, Palau; June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS. Standing (L-R): Jonathan Liwag, CNMI; Gerald Reyes, CNMI; Probio Cabrera, CNMI; Terese Crisostomo, Guam; Jane Nell Luster, DAC; Nora Pangelinan, CNMI; Miyai Keller, FSM; Lyliza Madris, Palau; Nora Renguul, Palau; Muasau Vaouli, American Samoa; Frank Horiuchi, Marshall Islands; Stanley Heine, Marshall Islands. Guam Special Education Engage in Leader Series Beginning October 31, the Guam Division of Special Education School Program Consultants and Unit Supervisors have committed to a series of focused working sessions. The Leader Series are designed to increase the Division’s capability to initiate and respond to student, parent, school, and Department technical assistance and training needs for supporting improved educational results for children and youth with disabilities. Facilitated by Guam CEDDERS Associate Director June De Leon, the Leader Series are structured, facilitated working sessions scheduled at least once a month to address immediate and long-term technical assistance delivery system development needs. Photo with caption: During the November 28 session, June De Leon (left) engages the leaders in a discussion regarding the feedback received from the training session held with related service personnel on November 18. (Seated front row – L-R) Judy Roberto, Marie Babauta, and Cathy Tydingco. (Seated back row – L-R) Laura Taisipic, Jovita Fe Monforte, and Tom Babauta. Page 10 Photos with caption: PACIFIC Project Conducts Site Visits Throughout Pacific Region Students in Mrs. Wilma David-Hofscheider’s 7th grade language arts class at Hopwood Jr. High school in Saipan, answer questions about the characters in the story “Inkheart”. Poleen Masaharu is assisted by one of her teammates with answering the question. Through the PACIFIC Project, Guam CEDDERS provided Chuuk Department of Education with several communication devices for use with their students requiring an Alternate Assessment on Alternate Achievement Standards (AA-AAS). Joseph Gabriel, 16, is given a BIGmack communicator to try out during the on-site TA visit to Chuuk. In this photo, left to right: Ansina Kony, Chuuk Special Education Coordinator, Joseph, Mrs. Gabriel, Joseph’s mother, and Praxedes Akilino, Data Technician. Fifth graders, at Rita Elementary School (Majuro), demonstrate their understanding about land formation, climate, and life in different parts of North America by answering questions presented by their teacher Mrs. Herbiana Lakbel. Kidd Luii William, 8th grade, is assisted by his Special Education Teacher, Mrs. Glenda Bai, in solving his algebra problem at Airai Elementary School in Palau. Kindergartners at Ajeltake Elementary School in Majuro, show off their skills with identifying basic colors from the color chart with Ms. Martha Mike, RMI Special education teacher and Mr. Carleton Leban, Vice Principal, looking on. Dirangas Edeaoch, 10th grade, listens attentively as members of her group discuss the role each played in a short skit, “making good choices,” which they presented in their Career Development Class at Palau High School. Connie Guerrero (standing) and Katsumi Ngirchokebai (SpEd teacher) look on. Page 11 SAC Project Sponsors Courses for Child Caregivers The Guam State Advisory Council (SAC) Grant provided an opportunity for foster parents and child caregivers to broaden their knowledge base of young children by offering a class entitled, “Working with Young Children-Part A” in October and November. Four sections of this 15-contact hour class, taught by Vera Blaz, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, and Lagrimas Underwood and Maggie Huffer, child care center directors, accommodated 89 course completers. Topics included ethics, child development, caring, and diversity. Photo with caption: Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, Vera Blaz, reviews course requirements with participants during the first session of “Working With Young Children Part-A” on Saturday, October 8. Three additional sections of the course were offered in November. Part B of this course will be offered in January and February 2012. Consultant Provides Parent Leadership Training To support Parent Leadership opportunities, Guam CEDDERS, in collaboration with Parent Training & Information Centers (PTIs), Guam’s Positive Parents Together, Inc. (GPPT) & Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) sponsored a three-day Parent Leadership training entitled: “Understanding the IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) & Changing the Future for Children: A Parent Leadership Opportunity” on September 27-29. The training was facilitated by Kathleen Lowrance, M.Ed., a training consultant with the Parent Training and Information Centers and the current Executive Director of Rowell Family Empowerment in Redding, California. A total of 23 parents attended the training to promote empowerment and advocacy at a social level and to help parents become effective leaders in the lives of their children and in their community. Photo with caption: Kathleen Lowrance, facilitator (center with baby) poses with Parent Leadership Training participants and Guam CEDDERS Staff. Announcement: Parent Outreach Training January 7, 2012, 9am-11am Astumbo Dededo Gym For more information, contact Terry Naputi at 735-2363 or email at terry.naputi@guamcedders.org Come and learn more about increasing your children’s learning abilities! Goody bags will be given to parents who attend the sessions. Page 12 SDSU Delivers “Nuts N’ Bolts of Grant Writing” San Diego State University’s (SDSU) Interwork Institute, in collaboration with Guam CEDDERS, sponsored a two-day workshop on grant writing and management on September 22-23. Bobbi Atkins, Ph.D. and Mari Guillermo, Ed.D., faculty from SDSU, facilitated the workshop held at the Guam Hilton Resort and Spa. Twenty-eight participants from the University of Guam, Guam Community College, the Northern Marianas College, Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities, Department of Labor, Department of Public Health & Social Services, Catholic Social Services, and the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council completed the workshop which provided guided practice in the crafting of grant applications and tips for implementation. Photo with caption: (Seated L-R) Dr. Mari Guillermo and Dr. Bobbi Atkins from San Diego State University’s Interwork Institute pose with workshop participants. Tri-Agency Hosts Transition Workshops Parents, students, and family members listened intently to Lauretta Sotto as she talked about the events that led up to the decision to become legal guardian to her adult daughter, Sheryl. Her story was just one compelling piece of information at the Transition Training session held at the Mangilao Senior Citizen’s Center on October 8. Complimenting her presentation, Matthew Wolff, Staff Attorney with Guam Legal Services Corporation and Disability Law Center (GLSC-DLC), discussed parental rights with the attendees. These presentations were part of a series of trainings prepared by the Guam Tri-Agency on Developmental Disabilities, in partnership with the Department of Education, Division of Special Education, for parents/guardians and students in middle and high school, who receive special education services. Four sessions were conducted in October and November, taking place at various locations throughout the island. The goal of these sessions is to prepare students receiving special education services for a seamless transition into life after high school and to present opportunities for parents/guardians to learn more about the Individualized Education Plan process in relation to transition services, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, self-advocacy and the transfer of rights. For more information on the content of these sessions, contact 477-9811 or email carol.cabiles@guamlsc.org Photo with caption: (Standing) Lauretta Sotto addresses parents at the Tri-Agency sponsored Transition Workshops Page 13 Guam Shares PBIS Story Nieves Flores, Ed.D., Guam CEDDERS Training Associate joined Dr. George Sugai at the annual Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) Leadership Forum on October 27 to present Guam’s story related to the implementation of the PBIS approach in three of the eight Guam public middle schools as an example of the integration of culture and PBIS. For Guam, this was definitely an honor to present alongside Dr. George Sugai, the “guru” and originator of PBIS in schools. The presentation focused on PBIS and culture, with the Guam story highlighted as an example of how PBIS is applicable and adaptable in a multi-cultural environment. Dr. Nieves Flores represented Guam on behalf of the Department of Education. Photo with caption: (L-R): Dr. George Sugai, Co-Director of the PBIS National Center, Dr. Nieves Flores, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, and Ms. Celeste Dickey, PBIS/SWIS Coordinator shared Guam’s PBIS story at the National PBIS Leadership Forum. Moving Forward with RTI Through funding provided by Guam DOE Special Education, with facilitation by Guam CEDDERS, eight Guam public schools have embarked on a school improvement process to increase the academic performance in math computation of all students to include students with disabilities through implementation of the Response to Intervention (RTI) framework. To date, seven of the eight schools have completed the universal screenings for the grade levels at their schools that will be participating in the initiative. Through technical assistance provided by Nieves Flores, Ed.D., Guam CEDDERS Training Associate and Dr. Amanda VanDerHeyden, an external RTI Math expert, decision rules were established to determine the next step after the screenings have been completed. The purpose of the screening was to identify those in need of targeted and/ or intensive supports, and also to determine the strength of the core instruction. If the core instruction (Tier 1) is not meeting the needs of at least 80% of the students in the class, the decision is made to provide class-wide interventions prior to establishing Tier 2 and 3 interventions. At this time, screening results reflect the need for class-wide interventions, with each of the classes focusing on one skill at a time from the skill sequence for the grade level provided by the RTI consultant. Acceptable norms, benchmarks, and protocols were also provided. If each of the school’s class median falls within the established criteria, the school will proceed with the implementation of Tier 2 and 3 interventions. Special Education Parent Leadership Training Series Wraps Up Guam CEDDERS, through a subcontract with Guam DOE, Division of Special Education, conducted the sixth and final session of the Special Education Parent Leadership Training Series on September 3. The training focused on evaluating Individualized Education Plans for compliance and results. The first session of the series was held in March and follow-up sessions were held monthly with the exception of August. The invitation to attend the follow-up sessions were only extended to those parents who attended the overview session in March. The outcome was to build the capacity of the parents to mentor other parents in advocating at their child’s special education meetings. A total of 18 hours of training was provided to parents related to the Special Education process. Photo with caption: Nieves Flores, Ed.D., Guam CEDDERS Training Associate (standing), assists parents in understanding the components of the IEP. Page 14 Guam EHDI Project Launches Pilot Teleaudiology Project In an historic occasion, the first-ever diagnostic testing for hearing loss via teleaudiology was performed on an infant just under three months old at the University of Guam on October 19. Beta testing of the teleaudiology system began in June 2011 and “went live” with the first actual diagnostic test on an infant being conducted in October. The pilot teleaudiology project is an 18-month partnership between the Bill Daniels Center for Children’s Hearing at the Children’s Hospital-Colorado and Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (Guam EHDI) at the University of Guam CEDDERS, with support from the Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education. Through specialized equipment and software, and a dedicated broadband connection, audiologists at the Children’s Hospital-Colorado operate the Guam-based audiological equipment remotely from Colorado to diagnose patients for a hearing loss. An audiometrist on Guam prepares the parent and infant for the tests and assists the audiologists as they conduct the evaluations via web conferencing software. Currently two audiologists from the Children’s Hospital-Colorado, Dr. Susan Dreith and Dr. Ericka Schicke, are licensed to practice audiology in Guam. Dr. Dreith was on-site for the intial testing of the system. The pilot teleaudiology project addresses the critical need for pediatric audiological services in the Pacific. Because of the project, infants on Guam, who do not pass their newborn hearing screening, can now be evaluated for a hearing loss before three months of age. This allows early intervention services to be initiated, if needed, by the time the infant reaches six months of age, providing the infant and family the greatest opportunity for the child to develop speech and language in a timely manner for life-long success. Families will no longer have to travel off-island to obtain diagnostic audiological evaluations for their infants. Photo with caption: Venerannda Leon Guerrero (right) holds her infant prior to undergoing teleaudiology testing to determine whether or not her infant has a hearing loss. Technology enabled Dr. Erica Schicke (on computer screen upper left) at Children’s Hospital-Colorado to operate the diagnostic audiological equipment remotely from Colorado, after Bobbie Maguadog (center), audiometrist, Department of Education and Dr. Susan Dreith (left), audiologist, Children’s Hospital-Colorado prepared the parent and infant for testing on Guam. Page 15 Boys Town Conducts Hearing Loss 101 Video Conference Guam CEDDERS, in collaboration with Department of Education Special Education - Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) and the Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (Guam EHDI), sponsored a three-day professional development training with the Center for Deafness from Boys Town National Research Hospital. The training was conducted via a Polycom Video Teleconferencing system. Cathy Carotta, Ph.D, and her colleagues at Boys Town National Research Hospital were the lead trainers for this Webinar series entitled Hearing Loss 101. Participants included staff from GEIS and Early Childhood Special Education. The training focused on the different areas of hearing loss, testing & assessment, and the different technologies available to deaf or hard-of-hearing children. Participants also learned different communication approaches and educational settings, auditory learning strategies, and a routine-based intervention that was centered on family outcomes for their child or children. The training took place from September 7-9, at the University of Guam Science Building. Photos with caption: Katie Brennan (on screen), speech-language pathologist with the Center for Childhood Deafness at Boys Town National Research Hospital, presents to staff from Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS), Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Pre-School, & Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI). Boys Town instructors (on the screen in background), GEIS, and Guam CEDDERS participants pose for a group photo to commemorate the completion of the three-day professional development workshop. Page 16 VI Consultant Continues TA Process (Seated L-R): Yolanda Gabriel, Associate Superintendent of Special Education and Acting Deputy Superintendent of Schools, and Donna McNear, Vision Impairment Consultant, met with parents of students with vision impairment along with other Special Education staff and faculty during the Parents Meeting held on September 22 at the GSAT Center. Donna McNear, MA, COM, was on Guam from September 11-22 to continue providing technical assistance to the Guam Early Intervention Services (GEIS)-Part C and Vision Impairment (VI) Program-Part B of the Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education. For the younger children, Ms. McNear’s services involved three days of visiting children with vision impairments under three years old in their homes with family members, followed by content delivery for two days with GEIS faculty and staff. For the older children, visits were made to observe their academic and Orientation and Mobility instruction in the schools during the morning hours, followed by afternoon training with VI faculty and staff. Additional technical assistance was provided to program administrators, including Jovita Fe Monforte, School Program Consultant, and Yolanda Gabriel, Associate Superintendent for Special Education. On the last day of her visit, Ms. McNear facilitated a “Parents Night” during which she shared key resources available online and answered questions posed by parents. A follow-up site visit is tentatively scheduled for January 2012, with monthly video conferencing sessions and correspondence as needed. VI Consultant Continues TA Process (Seated L-R): Yolanda Gabriel, Associate Superintendent of Special Education and Acting Deputy Superintendent of Schools, and Donna McNear, Vision Impairment Consultant, met with parents of students with vision impairment along with other Special Education staff and faculty during the Parents Meeting held on September 22 at the GSAT Center. Donna McNear, MA, COM, was on Guam from September 11-22 to continue providing technical assistance to the Guam Early Intervention Services (GEIS)-Part C and Vision Impairment (VI) Program-Part B of the Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education. For the younger children, Ms. McNear’s services involved three days of visiting children with vision impairments under three years old in their homes with family members, followed by content delivery for two days with GEIS faculty and staff. For the older children, visits were made to observe their academic and Orientation and Mobility instruction in the schools during the morning hours, followed by afternoon training with VI faculty and staff. Additional technical assistance was provided to program administrators, including Jovita Fe Monforte, School Program Consultant, and Yolanda Gabriel, Associate Superintendent for Special Education. On the last day of her visit, Ms. McNear facilitated a “Parents Night” during which she shared key resources available online and answered questions posed by parents. A follow-up site visit is tentatively scheduled for January 2012, with monthly video conferencing sessions and correspondence as needed. Project Kariñu Reaches Out to Parents and Teachers Florence Blas, Project Kariñu director and Mariles Benavente, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate who serves as the Cultural and Linguistic Competence Coordinator for Project Kariñu, conducted presentations on the importance of addressing emotional and behavioral problems in a child’s early years during the “The English Learners’ Stakeholders Conference” held on August 27 at the Guam Holiday Resort & Spa in Tumon. The event, attended by over 80 parents and teachers of students in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program, was co-sponsored by the Guam Department of Education’s ESL Program and the University of Guam’s Division of Professional Development. The purpose of the Conference was to provide “comprehensive information” about school processes and services to facilitate success in the school environment for the “English Language Learner.” Presenters from a variety of GDOE’s programs included Special Education, Student Support Services, Early Intervention, and programs from the Department of Public Health and Social Services. Project Kariñu was introduced to participants as an early childhood mental health response to the need for prevention, early detection and intervention for young children and their families. Mary Therese Edgerle, Director of G.I.F.T.S., a non-profit parent organization, assisted in the presentation, providing a family’s perspective on the critical service needs of the child and family and the supportive role that parent organizations play in helping children and their families. Bertha Diamond, a Chuukese language interpreter, assisted the presenters by providing interpreter services as a number of participants were parents from the Chuukese community. Page 17 UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3rd Persons with disabilities make up an estimated 15% of the world’s population. Almost one-fifth of the estimated global total of persons living with disabilities, or between 110- 190 million, encounter significant difficulties. Furthermore, a quarter of the global population is directly affected by a disability, as caregivers or family members. Persons with disabilities encounter many disadvantages in their societies and are often subjected to stigma and discrimination. They remain largely marginalized, disproportionately poorer, frequently unemployed and have higher rates of mortality. Furthermore, they are largely excluded from civil and political processes and are overwhelmingly voiceless in matters that affect them and their society. Experience shows that when persons with disabilities are empowered to participate and lead the process of development, their entire community benefits, as their involvement creates opportunities for everyone – with or without a disability. Including persons with disabilities and their communities in developmental efforts is important to advance the development agenda. Thus it is imperative that development efforts around the world include disability issues when determining policies, programs, as well as allocating funds for developmental programs and projects. Mainstreaming disability in development is a strategy for achieving equality for persons with disabilities. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which is both a human rights treaty and a development tool, provides an opportunity to strengthen developmental policies related to the implementation of internationally agreed development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), thereby contributing to the realization of a “society for all” in the twenty-first century. Biba! International Day of Persons with Disabilities! Information for this article was taken directly from: http:// www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1561 Envisioning the Future Allies in Self-Advocacy Summits Update Sharon Lewis, Commissioner of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities(ADD), has shared that self-advocacy has been a cornerstone of the Developmental Disabilities movement in the United States, starting over 35 years ago with the original People First organizing efforts. The Developmental Disabilities Act makes clear the importance of the voice, influence, and power of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and expects that the network that it authorizes – the State Developmental Disabilities Councils (SDDCs), the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), and the Protection and Advocacy Agencies (P&As) – will encourage and support the involvement of self-advocates. Throughout the country, thousands of self-advocates are working at the local, state, and national level to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Collectively, we have accomplished a great deal, but we still have much further to go to strengthen and enhance self-advocacy efforts in our states and nationally. The ADD Commissioner has asked the ADD Network to work with Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE), State Developmental Disabilities Services Agencies and other state partners to hold a series of regional self-advocacy summits. The purpose of the summits is four-fold: To assess what is currently happening in the states in self-advocacy – the support structures, activities, accomplishments and challenges; To plan steps we can take to strengthen and enhance current efforts at the state level; To develop recommendations for actions that we can take at the national level; and To develop policy recommendations that can lead to a stronger, more effective, and long lasting self-advocacy movement across the country. Our hope is that these summits will bring together the leadership of the developmental disabilities field to energize and guide our efforts to support the self-advocacy movement at both a state and national level. The Pacific Envisioning the Futures Self-Advocacy Summit will be held in conjunction with the Pacific RIM conference in Honolulu, Hawaii in April 2012. More information about those who will be chosen to represent Guam and other Pacific jurisdictions will be forthcoming. For more information about the Envisioning the Future Allies in Self-Advocacy Summits log onto: http:// alliesinselfadvocacy.org/ Page 18 Learning More about FREE Library Services in the Pacific On October 11, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director June De Leon, along with Helen Sengebau, Republic of Palau Special Education Coordinator, and Miles Kawatachi, Consultant, visited with Sue Sugimura, Librarian for the Hawaii Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH). The LBPH serves as the regional library and machine lending agency for individuals who are unable to read or use regular print materials due to a visual or physical disability throughout the state of Hawaii and the outlying U.S. Pacific Islands in cooperation with the Library of Congress and the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. LBPH service recipients must be certified by a “Competent Authority” as eligible for the service. (http:// www.librarieshawaii.org/locations/oahu/lbph.htm). The visit provided information on services available to the Pacific Islands, which was introduced to the Guam CEDDERS Pacific Vision Instruction Project (Pacific VIP) scholars during a visit to the Guam Public Library in June 2011. Coordinated by the UMass Boston faculty, the Pacific VIP scholars toured the Guam Public Library in Hagatna to learn about FREE services provided through the Hawaii LBPH in cooperation with the National Library Service. The Hawaii LBPH established the Guam Subregional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (Guam LBPH) Talking Book Program at the Guam Public Library to serve the people of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Talking Book Program was established by an act of Congress in 1931 to serve adults who are blind. It was expanded in 1952 to include children. In 1962, it provided music materials, and in 1966, it included services for individuals with other physical impairments that prevent the reading of standard print. The Guam LBPH Talking Book Program is a totally FREE library service providing audio books and special equipment to play the audio books, digital talking books, talking book tapes, and computer access to individuals who are unable to read or use regular print materials due to a visual or physical disability. Braille materials are provided through coordination with the Hawaii LBPH. The Guam LBPH provides home delivery services of all materials to the homes of Guam patrons from preschoolers to adults. Their collection consists of best sellers, romance, biographies, and classics including other genres for all selective readers. When a patron signs up, he/she will receive talking book topics or Braille book reviews bi-monthly to learn about new editions so that they can easily make their choices and requests with the library. For more information regarding the Hawaii LBPH and its support to the Pacific islands, please contact Sue Sugimura, Hawaii LBPH Librarian, at sue.sugimura@librarieshawaii.org. For more information regarding the Guam LBPH Talking Book Program, please contact Rodney Taitague, Guam Librarian Technician, at (671) 475-4751 or visit: http//gpls.guam.gov. Photo with caption: (L-R): Miles Kawatachi, consultant, Sue Sugimura, Librarian (LBPH), Helen Sengebau, Special Education Coordinator for the Republic of Palau, and June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director pose for a photo in front of the vast collection at the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH) in Hawaii. Page 19 Guam CEDDERS & GRTA Collaboration Pays Off The collaborative effort of Guam CEDDERS and the Guam Regional Transit Authority (GRTA) is paying off in federal dollars to initiate coordinated transportation services. Under the Veteran’s Transportation and Community Livability Initiative, the Federal Transit Authority approved Guam’s proposal for $1.3 million in support of a One-Call, One-Click Center to coordinate and improve transportation options for veterans, military families, and the broader Guam community. The idea of coordinating transportation services originated in 2006, when a 4-member Guam Team representing transit, labor, senior citizens, and disabilities explored the possibilities at a Transportation Coordination Institute. Today’s proposal supports an update of the 2007 Guam Action Plan for the Coordination of Human Services Transportation to include a closer look at the transportation needs of the veterans and military families in our community, their awareness of transportation options, and their preferences in communication technology. This information will assist in a robust marketing and service focus for web-based management of scheduling transportation options. The implementation of a web-based software system will enable schedulers and dispatchers to integrate reservations with Bing Maps, meaning there should be fewer reasons for a driver to miss a pick up point. Driver manifests, which can be updated in real time, will be displayed on a digital tablet, which also performs as an Automatic Vehicle Locator. The tablet integration collects on-time performance, trip completions, notes for drivers, notes for dispatchers, trip billings, mileage, pre- and post-trip inspections, tracks vehicles expenses/ maintenance, and can even schedule vehicle maintenance and driver training. Dispatching screens allow for messaging to partner agencies, which allows for coordination of trips between providers in the system. These systems also record passenger information, such as residence location, contact numbers, ADA eligibility and PCA/door to door approvals, mobility devices, service time for boarding or alighting the bus, subscription service, and patterns of late cancellations and no-shows. The software systems feature semi-automated scheduling, increasing efficiencies and improving productivity. User communities have noted increased ridership and the ability to provide more trips and make the most of their limited resources. Guam anticipates achieving the same outcomes. Rider access to reservations across partnering transportation is gained through a one-number call system. These systems can also provide automated calling to remind clients of their next day trip and to alert clients when the bus is approaching the pick up location. The addition of a web portal allows customers to enter ride requests on line. Built-in report writing assists in the development of management reports for statistical and demographic reporting. What better way to find out how well we are utilizing all of the transportation resources integrated into the system: public transit and partners within senior transportation, community-based organizations, accessible van service, taxi partners and agency-based transport. Veterans will be a primary resource for personnel engaged in managing the mobility of riders. One million dollars of funding is targeted towards the development of a permanent home for a Dispatch and Scheduling Center within GRTA offices in the proposed DISID Community Resource Center, located across from JFK High School. GRTA will become a visible resource hubbed at the Community Center alongside other community resources. It’s an ambitious project for eighteen months, but it’s one that is greatly needed. The door to opportunity has been opened. Now it is time to step over the threshold and put words into action, creating coordination and a new way of managing our transportation options. Acknowledgement: 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 This issue of I Tellai was made possible by contributions from the following Guam CEDDERS staff members: Mariles Benavente, Vera Blaz, June De Leon, Terrie Fejarang, Nieves Flores, Ed.D., Jeffrey Pinaula, Ginger Porter, June Quitugua, Victoria Ritter, Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D. Alternative formats (e.g. Braille, large print, or audio tapes) 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 Dec 11 Dec 3 Self Advocacy Workshop, 9:00am-2:30pm, GSAT, House 19 Dean’s Circle, UOG. Call 735-2478 or email ginger.porter@guamcedders.org for more information. Dec 3 “Reducing Behavior Problems in the Early Childhood Classroom”, 9:30am-11:00am, Guam Marriott Resort & Spa. Call 735-2438 for more information. Dec 10 “Check Me Out Developmental Screening Fair,” 9am-12pm, Tamuning Elementary School. Call 300-1322 for more information. Dec 12-16 University of New Hamshire Person-Centered Planning, Westin Guam Resort & Spa. Call 735-2562 for more information. Dec 14 Guam EHDI 4th Quarterly Advisory Meeting, 9am-12pm, Onward Beach Resort, Le Premier Royal Room. Call 735-2466 for more information. Dec 15-16 CNMI On-site TA visit Dec 28-30 “Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) Preparation Part-3,” 8:30am-4:00pm, GSAT, House 19 Dean’s Circle, UOG. Call 735-2477 for more information. Jan-Mar 12 Jan 7 SAC Parent Training on Guam Early Learning Guidelines, 9am-11am, Astumbo Elementary School. Call 735-2363 for more information. Jan 9-13 Project Kariñu SAMHSA Site Visit. Call 735-2397 for more information. Jan 9-13 Palau On-site TA visit Jan 10 GSAT Executive Committee Meeting. Call 735-2491/0 for more information. Jan 10 Project Tinituhon Access to Health Insurance Strategic Management Team meeting, 10am, House 23 Dean’s Circle, UOG. Call 735-2418 for more information. Jan 14 “Working with Young Children Part-B,” 8am-1pm, CNAS, UOG. Call 735-2363 for more information. Jan 17 GSAT Advisory Council meeting, 3:30-5pm, House 19 Dean’s Circle. Call 735-2491/0 for more information. Jan 24-27 “Linguistic Competence in Behavioral Settings Workshop,” Venue TBA. Call 735-2497 or 635-7474 for more information. Feb 4 SAC Parent Training, 9am-11am, Venue TBD. Call 735-2363 for more information. Feb 25 GSAT Assistive Technology Fair, Venue TBD Time TBA, Micronesia Mall, Dededo. Call 735-2491/0 for more information. Mar 9 GSAT Assistive Technology Conference, 8am-3pm, Westin Guam Resort & Spa. Call 735-2491/0 for more information. Save the Dates! Linguistic Competence In Behavioral Health Settings: Training on Language Assistance Services (LAS) on Guam Featuring Cultural Discussions on Behavioral Health Linguistic Competence In Behavioral Health Settings: Training on Language Assistance Services (LAS) on Guam Featuring Cultural Discussions on Behavioral Health TRAINERS: Dr. DJ Ida, Ph.D., Executive Director of the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA) with support from Dr. Lilli Perez, Ph.D., Psychologist, Project Kariñu DATES AND TARGET AUDIENCE: January 24, 2012 Training for Agency Staff Who Use the Services of Interpreters and Translators (i.e., Health Service Providers and Managers) January 25, 26, 27, 2012 Training for Interpreters, Translators and Cultural Representatives For More Information Contact: Mariles Benavente, Guam CEDDERS at 735-2497/2397, or email mariles.benavente@guamcedders.org Alex Silverio, GOMH, DPHSS at 635-7474 (office), or 689-4480 (cell), or email alex.silverio@dphss.guam.gov Co-Sponsored by Project Karinu Loving Our Babies, Department of Public Health & Social Services, Guam Office of Minority Health, University of Guam CEDDERS. Funding for this activity is provided by the Child Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) Cooperative Agreement #1U79SM059022-01 between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)/Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) and the Guam Department of Public Health & Social Services (DPHSS) and facilitated by Guam CEDDERS.