I Tellai, The Bridge Guam CEDDERS Newsletter Volume 14, Issue 3 June 8, 2012 Pages 1-2 In this issue: Team Guam Rocks Honolulu!.................................1-2 SA Workshop Addresses Youth and Social Issues........3 Tri-Agency Finalizes Two-Year Work Plan..................4 First Guam LEND Cohort Completes Program.............5 VI Consultant Continues Work on Guam....................6 Guam CEDDERS Staff Present at NASW Conference.....6 Boys Town Consultants Conduct Site Visit.................7 Workshop Focuses on Authentic Assessment ............8 Summit Revs Up EC Systems Development................9 SAC Offers Free Early Childhood Courses..................10 GEIS Campaign Aims to Increase Awareness...........11 Regional Educators Explore SOLO Software.............12 FSM SpEd Complete Follow-up Training..................13 Children & Families "Get" the Power of Play ...........14 Power of Play Photo Highlights.............................15 SpEd Process Series Well Attended by Parents.........16 Inclusive Comm. Hosts Stakeholder Input...............16 Alliance Begins Study of Migrant Learners .............17 Guam Team Attends the NGA Meeting....................18 Family Support Staff Attend Final TA Institute........18 Transit Drivers Practice Emergency Procedures.......19 Calendar of Upcoming Events................................20 Tri-Agency Meets with ADD Commissioner & Staff...20 2012 Nene Directory Now Available!......................20 Team Guam Rocks Honolulu! by Lynn Tydingco A group of Guam self-advocates recently had a very special opportunity. At the invitation of Commissioner Sharon Lewis, Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, they represented Guam at the ADD Self-Advocacy Summit held in Honolulu, Hawaii on March 28 - 29. The Self-Advocates included Lynn Tydingco, Co-Lead, Andrew Tydingco, Clinton Mesa, Molliann Campos, Maria Bontogon, Jacob Cruz, and Elisa Cruz. In addition, several professionals from disability-related agencies and three personal care attendants accompanied the Self-Advocates. This included Ginger Porter, Co-Lead, from Guam CEDDERS, Hank Parker and Carol Cabiles from Guam Legal Services Corporation - Disability Law Center, Marie Libria from the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council, Lou Mesa, Lynn Bontogon, and Jerriann Cruz. Beginning in January 2012, the Guam team started preparations for their travel arrangements. A powerpoint presentation was developed, and native costumes were sewn. A poster display was also developed so that attendees from the other Pacific jurisdictions could get a visual sense of the work Team Guam has accomplished. Collaborative efforts and support from the Self-Advocates, the Tri-Agency representatives, and other disability network partners ensured the success of the event. Team Guam "rocked" the summit with their presentation and networked with other Self-Advocacy teams, representatives from other agencies, and most importantly with the Commissioner Lewis. After the presentations, all of the state teams worked on their state plans and national recommendations. Team Guam's state plan consisted of the following: * To establish SinA as Guam's State Self-Advocacy organization. * To establish SinA Youth Chapters. * To network with the CNMI. National recommendations were: * For the ADD Commissioner to host a nationally-led discussion to remove the label "consumer" when addressing Individuals with Disabilities. For federal funding support for state self-advocacy organizations. Guam Self-Advocates are guided by the motto, "Nothing about us without us," and SinA's work has just begun. Guam's Self-Advocacy movement is keeping its momentum going by planning future collaboration with the other island teams "to spread the Self-Advocacy fire!" After just a few days in March, Guam has gained recognition in the local and national Self-Advocacy world. Lynn Tydingco is a member of the Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council. The original article appeared in the May 2012 issue of I LinaÕlŒ-ta. Four (4) Photos with caption: 1. Guam Self-Advocates proudly represented the island at the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) Self-Advocacy Summit held in Honolulu, Hawaii. Front Row (L-R): Erlinda Tydingco, Clinton Mesa, Elisa Cruz, Ginger Porter, Maria Bontogon, Sharon Lewis, Commissioner, ADD, Molliann Campos, Cheryl Matheny, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), Andrew Tydingco. Back Row (L-R): Hank Parker, Carol Cabiles, Tia Nellis, Self-Advocates Being Empowered (SABE). 2. Guam's table presentation provided good representation of self-advocacy activities, team spirit, and identity of the SinA name, an acronym and symbol of the strength of self-advocacy. 3. The entire team of self-advocates backed presenters Elisa Cruz and Lynn Tydingco in telling Guam's Self-Advocacy story. 4. Team Guam bonded at a family style meal at Buca di Beppo after taking the opportunity to get there by transit. What a great start for the forthcoming days of the Summit! Left side: Lynn Tydingco, Ginger Porter, Rowena Tydingco, Jerriann Cruz, Carol Cabiles, Lou Mesa, & Clinton Mesa (partially hidden). Right side: Elisa Cruz, Jacob Cruz, Andrew Tydingco, Molliann Campos, Paula Bontogon, Lynn Bontogon (partially hidden). (Not shown: Maria Bontogon) Page 3 Self-Advocacy Workshop Addresses Youth and Social Issues A highly motivated and enthusiastic group of new self-advocates emerged from the most recent Self-Advocacy Workshop series held April 14, 21, and May 5. Under the mentorship of Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS Initiative Area Coordinator, facilitators Lynn and Andrew Tydingco, of SinA: Self-Advocates in Action, took on the lead training roles for 14 participants. Rudy Ignacio, was brought on board to get his facilitation feet wet and Jacob Cruz assisted during two of the three weekend meetings. With five teenage participants, the training took on the flavor of youthful exuberance, with several personal projects focusing on meaningful self-advocacy for transition into their young adult years. Armed with new self-confidence, the young people requested teacher changes, re-directed aide behavior, and made requests to teachers and parents for greater independence and choice. Participants were also treated to a compelling presentation on domestic violence and sexual abuse delivered by guest participant, Jacob Perez, from the Public Defender's Office. Mr. Perez provided superb inspiration for saying "no" and reporting inappropriate and hurtful behaviors. As part of tradition, former trainees Lisa Ogo and Roy Rosario joined the closing day to report their progress of putting self-advocacy into action. All participants are expected to take a first step in a self-advocacy project but not all projects have a short time frame to accomplish an outcome. Participants are mentored and encouraged through the process by seasoned self-advocates or facilitators. Completers are recognized when they report back on an outcome of their project. The final training day marked the end of a year long series of training supported by Guam CEDDERS and the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities. Photo with caption: Activity facilitators pose with the latest group of Self-Advocacy Workshop completers on May 5. Front Row: Jessica Manglona. Second Row (L-R): Lynn Tydingco, SinA facilitator, Rebecca Eclavea, Rudy Ignacio, Molliann Campos, Megan Boswell, Maria Bontogon, Paula Bontogon, and Norma Boswell. Back Row (L-R): Frank Reyes, Alan Legaspi, Noa Jackson, Toni Jackson, Jacob Perez, Lynn Bontogon, Andrew Tydingco, SinA facilitator, and Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS Initiative Area Coordinator. Advertisement: Learn More About Self-Advocacy A series of three sessions: Saturdays, September 15, 22, and October 6 For more information and reservations, contact Ginger Porter at 735-2478 or email at ginger.porter@guamcedders.org. Page 4 Guam ADD Tri-Agency Finalizes Two-Year Work Plan The Guam Developmental Disabilities Council, Guam Legal Services Corporation - Disability Law Center, and Guam CEDDERS form what is referred to as the "Administration on Developmental Disabilities Tri-Agency." While each agency is a separate and independent entity with a particular focus, they are also known as "sister agencies" as all three were established through the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 and aim to improve services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The Tri-Agency meet at least on a quarterly basis to maximize resources through collaborative activities. To help guide these efforts, the group has developed the "Guam Tri-Agency Work Plan for 2012-2014" which focuses on community supports and quality assurance; education; self-advocacy; assistive technology; and cross cutting areas of emphasis. For the past decade, the Tri-Agency Work Plan has been updated covering two year time periods. Specific activities are provided in the box below. (See photo on page 20.) Guam Tri-Agency Work Plan 2012-2014 For 2012-2014, the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council, Guam Legal Services Corporation - Disability Law Center, and Guam CEDDERS will focus collaborative efforts on the following eight activities that fall under the following four areas: Community Supports and Quality Assurance 1. Update regularly, and disseminate electronically, a "Tri-Agency Resource Guide/Directory to Services and Organizations" to expand usability. Communicate availability of this resource through flyers and ads in I LinaÕlŒ-ta. 2. Continue to produce and disseminate the quarterly Guam's Tri-Agency Newsletter, I LinaÕlŒ-ta (Our Lives), which focuses on consumer news and information. 3. Develop a Facebook page for the Guam Tri-Agency to enhance communication and to post I LinaÕlŒ-ta newsletters and other Tri-Agency news and events, and to enhance outreach to younger individuals with disabilities who prefer Facebook as a primary information and interactive communication source. Education 1. Continue to provide Tri-Agency sponsored parent and youth focused events and training sessions and an annual conference for individuals with disabilities. 2. Sponsor Tri-Agency Developmental Disabilities Awareness events during March each year in recognition of DD Awareness Month. Self-Advocacy 1. Provide ongoing supports to self-advocacy groups to build capacity and sustainability, and continue to serve as a resource for Guam's Self-Advocacy Movement following the Summit in Hawaii in March 2012. Assistive Technology and Cross Cutting Areas 1. Continue Tri-Agency support and collaboration in fostering an awareness of and access to assistive technology devices and services through support to the Guam System for Assistive Technology and AT related initiatives on island. 2. Through the Tri-Agency Facebook page for Guam, serve as a vehicle for information dissemination regarding upcoming bills, oversight hearings, public law and policies impacting individuals with disabilities and their families. Page 5 First Guam LEND Cohort Completes Program It is hard to believe that an academic year has gone by! After two semesters of intensive coursework and community activities, the first cohort of Guam LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental & Related Disabilities) Trainees completed their last assignments and officially met for the last time with their Hawaii counterparts via video conferencing on April 28. Through this collaborative project between the University of Hawaii Medical School and Guam CEDDERS, trainees were exposed to research in the area of developmental disabilities and were also provided an array of tools to develop, nurture, and practice their leadership skills in a classroom environment and in actual policy development, community engagement, and research. One major project completed by the trainees involved assisting Senator Aline Yamashita in the facilitation of input sessions with key stakeholders on strategies to assist first responders as they interact with persons with disabilities and from diverse cultures. A second major project was the surveying of a sampling of fourth graders attending Guam public schools to help determine the number of children with special health care needs on the island. The outcome of this research is critical as Guam applies for federal funding to support key programs for this very special population. Carla Torres, Guam CEDDERS Assistive Technology Specialist and LEND Trainee, feels that the experience was a very positive one. She said, "I am so grateful to have been a part of the LEND program this year. It has helped me to expand my professional network, have a greater understanding of programs that serve families, and increased my competence to be a leader." Emma Gatewood, a University of Guam graduate student in clinical psychology shared that "the interdisciplinary approach fostered by the program provided us with a very rich foundation from which we will be able to draw from throughout our careers. Thank you, LEND!" Efforts are currently underway to recruit a new Guam LEND cohort for the new academic year. Four (4) photos with captions: 1. Lynn Okada, RN, Guam LEND Trainee, makes headway in the weeding process and overall care of a taro patch, one of the LEND enrichment activities. 2. The Guam and Hawaii LEND trainees, along with a visiting trainee from the Utah LEND (bottom left), bonded during the taro patch maintenance activity. 3. Guam LEND Trainees received certificates of completion during the last class session held on April 28. Shown above is Terrie Fejarang (left), Guam LEND faculty, presenting Carla Torres (right), trainee and Guam CEDDERS AT Specialist, with her certificate. 4. For their research project, the Guam LEND trainees conducted a survey to help determine the number of children with special health care needs. The findings of the survey will play a significant role in the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services' Maternal Child Health Grant application due for submittal later this summer. Trainees are shown here presenting the final report to Margarita Gay, R.N., MCH Program Administrator and James Gillan, Director. Page 6 VI Consultant Continues Work with Guam DOE & Pacific VIP Over the last 12 years, Donna McNear, an independent educational consultant who specializes in the area of teaching children with visual impairments (VI), has come to the Pacific Basin region to work with the departments of education staff to improve services and supports to this population. With funding support from Guam Department of Education (DOE), Ms. McNear continued her visits to Guam during the week of May 19-24 to work with the Division of Special Education's Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) and the Part B (Pre- School to 12th Grade) programs. Topics addressed during the Part B sessions focused on orientation and mobility, the use of assistive technology, accessible instructional materials, and management of student case load. Work with the GEIS focused on an overview of vision screening, preferential looking tests, symbol identification tests, and practice in the use of LEA Gratings, a preferential looking test for young children, and the LEA Symbols for near and distance viewing. An integral part of the work with the birth to three population were six home visits conducted with GEIS staff. Ms. McNear's visit to the region included a second leg to visit scholars in the Pacific Vision Instruction Project (Pacific VIP), a personnel preparation program to train graduate level students in the areas of orientation and mobility and teaching students with visual impairments. In her role as the practicum coordinator, Ms. McNear visited the scholars who live and teach in Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and American Samoa. Ms. McNear's next visit is scheduled for the end of June, when she will return to Guam to provide technical assistance, and also meet with the Pacific VIP scholars. The scholars will be on Guam along with faculty from the University of Massachusetts for continuation of on-site coursework. Two (2) photos with captions: 1. Sherry Cruz, (left) a teacher with the Guam Early Intervention System, is guided through a vision screening process by Donna McNear (right), Visual Impairment Consultant. 2. Donna McNear, (right), discusses her observations and recommendations with family members during a home visit with Janet Green (left, back to camera), a teacher with the Guam Early Intervention System. Photo with caption: Guam CEDDERS Staff Present at NASW Conference Bonnie Brandt, Guam CEDDERS Lead Evaluator for Project Karinu, Guam's Early Childhood System of Care, provided a general overview of the importance of Early Childhood Systems Change during the recent Social Work Conference held on March 28. Page 7 Boys Town Consultants Conduct Site Visit with Deaf/HH Programs One of the many positive outcomes of attending conferences and meetings on the mainland is the opportunity to meet professionals and experts from a variety of disciplines to "network" and develop relationships. A prime example of this is in the area of early hearing detection and intervention. Over the past ten years, Guam CEDDERS staff members have attended annual meetings of the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) project and have established connections with many of the professionals in this highly specialized area. One key connection has resulted in consultants providing technical assistance via video conferencing and onsite assistance to Guam in the areas of audiology and educating children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Guam CEDDERS, in collaboration with the Department of Education, Division of Special Education, Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS), Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), and the Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) project, facilitated a five-day, professional development training on April 23 -- 27 with the Center for Deafness from Boys Town National Research Hospital based in Wisconsin. The onsite visit was preceded by online webinars. For this training, Cathy Carotta, Ed.D., CCC-SLP, and her colleagues Katie Brennan, MS, CCC-SLP, and Jeffrey Simmons, MA, CCC-A provided onsite technical assistance and audiological testing for early childhood and K-12 program staff from the Department of Education. The focus of the first three days was to provide additional training for Early Intervention & Preschool providers on strategies to support families with young children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH). Dr. Carotta and Ms. Brennan were also able to provide training based on observations during home visits, school visits, and speech-language assessments of two children with severe to profound hearing loss, who are served by GEIS and Preschool. Jeffrey Simmons, an audiologist with Boys Town National Research Hospital also provided diagnostic and evaluation services for 16 children served by GEIS and the Preschool program. Twenty-three early childhood service providers attended the training. The final two days of technical assistance and training targeted 12 speech-language pathologists and two D/ HH teachers serving school-age children. Their overview consisted of orientation to the Auditory Consultant Resource Network (ACRN) and various strategies and resources provided by Boys Town National Research Hospital for providers serving school-age children. Part of the overview and strategies consisted of an orientation on the ACRN manual, Auditory Development Strategies, and Educational Practices and Considerations. Training was also provided based on a speech-language assessment of a middle school student. As a result of this training and overview, a strategic plan will be developed with Guam DOE D/HH Program based on the needs assessment conducted by the Boys Town consultants that will address steps towards improving the overall program for children with hearing impairment or deafness. Continued training will be provided by Boys Town over the next year including another webinar and a second onsite visit in 2013. Two (2) photos with captions: 1. Guam Part B personnel pose with Boys Town consultants Katie Brennan, Jeffrey Simmons, and Cathy Carotta at the conclusion of their workshop. 2. Jeffrey Simmons (left), MA, CCC-A, consultant, conducts an audiological evaluation with a toddler, with assistance from her dad and GEIS teacher. Page 8 Younggren Workshop Focuses on Authentic Assessment To support professional development training for Early Childhood providers, Guam CEDDERS in collaboration with Guam Department of Education (DOE) - Early Intervention & Early Childhood Special Education, facilitated a five-day follow up training workshop on "Authentic Assessment, Functional Goal Development, and Strategies to Support Young Children Birth to Age 5 with Disabilities and their Families" on April 16 - 20. Dr. Naomi Younggren, one of the foremost experts in these areas, was brought to the island to conduct this workshop. In addition to the Guam Early Intervention System staff, personnel from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System, and Educational and Developmental Intervention Services, US Naval Hospital Guam, attended the training. The focus for the training was: To expand and apply the knowledge and skills of early intervention providers in their use of authentic assessment to understand children's functional development, Foundations of early intervention (family-centered/ relationship-based practices, natural environments) & building a family alliance, and Key principles and practices of early intervention in natural environments. The last day of training focused on Individualized Education Program (IEP) & Early Childhood Outcomes Integration for Early Childhood Special Education Teachers. This training provided early childhood teachers with a review on Early Childhood Outcomes and Authentic Assessment, as well as in-depth training on how to integrate Early Childhood Outcomes into the IEP and how to involve families in the Child Outcome Survey rating process. Photo with caption: The Guam Early Intervention System staff, along with the Educational and Developmental Intervention Services from the U.S. Naval Hospital, Guam, attended a workshop titled, "Authentic Assessment, Functional Goal Development, and Strategies to Support Young Children Birth to Age 5 with Disabilities and their Families," on April 16-20. Page 9 Summit Revs Up Momentum on EC Systems Development Strengthening existing early childhood serving systems and programs is one of the main goals addressed under the Guam CEDDERS Health, Wellness, and Prevention Initiative Area. To accomplish this, collaboration with representatives from child serving agencies and organizations is of the utmost importance. The Guam Early Learning Council (GELC), which is facilitated by Guam CEDDERS with support from the State Advisory Council Grant, is the leading mechanism to ensure that this collaboration takes place. Two exemplary events that model this process recently took place. The GELC, in collaboration with the First Lady of Guam's Rigålu Foundation, facilitated and sponsored two major events: the 2012 Early Childhood Planning Sessions, which occurred on April 10-11, and the 2012 Early Childhood Summit held on April 12. Through the generous support of the Rigålu Foundation, Elliot Regenstein, J.D., a nationally recognized leader in early childhood systems development, policy, strategic planning and advocacy services to governments, foundations, and not-for-profit organizations, was contracted to take the lead in the on-site facilitation of processes to design a draft framework to improve services for our young children. During the first two-day planning sessions, a wide range of child-serving agencies and parent representatives came together to work on laying the initial foundation for Guam's State Plan. Areas addressed included learning standards and assessment, workforce preparation and professional development, and data collection. Tying the elements together were work groups on a quality rating and improvement system, benchmarks, governance, and funding. The resulting framework, developed during the first two days, was then presented to a broader representation of stakeholders assembled during the Early Childhood Summit. Christine Calvo, First Lady of Guam and Co-Chair of the ELC, provided opening remarks to kick off the event. The Honorable Eddie B. Calvo, Governor of Guam, delivered the keynote address for the Summit, which stressed the importance of strong families and supports for young children, which set the stage for the Summit. Nearly 100 participants, including members from the Early Learning Council, early childhood agencies, service providers, policy makers, and childcare center owners and directors participated in the Summit and provided excellent feedback for the next steps in completing the Strategic Plan for Guam's young children. Three (3) photos with captions: 1. The Guam Early Learning Council, in collaboration with Rigålu, the First Lady's Foundation, sponsored the Early Childhood Strategic Planning Sessions on April 10-11 and the Early Childhood Summit on April 12 at the Westin Resort. Shown above are the members of the Guam Early Learning Council. Front Row L-R: June Perez, Taling Taitano, Estella Gapas, Lina McDonald, Janice Sablan Ada, First Lady Christine Calvo, Lydia Tenorio, Annie Unpingco, Ruth Leon Guerrero, and Diana Calvo. Back Row L-R: Cathy Tydingco, Elaine Eclavea, Elliot Regenstein, J.D., from Educational Consultants, James Gillan, Evelyn Claros, Ann Marie Cruz, and Ross White. 2. Christine Calvo, First Lady of Guam, and Co-Chair of the Guam Early Learning Council, delivered welcoming remarks during the Early Childhood Summit. 3. The Honorable Eddie Baza Calvo, Governor of Guam, delivered the keynote address during the Early Childhood Summit on April 12. Page 10 SAC Offers Free Early Childhood Courses If you have not heard already, Guam CEDDERS is offering free early childhood courses for continuing education units (CEU) to foster parents, early childhood caregivers, and other service providers interested in learning more about young children. Guam CEDDERS, through the State Advisory Council (SAC) grant, will be offering courses every month, via regular face-to-face classes at the University of Guam and online, through UOG's Moodle platform. Each course is offered over a three-week period lasting 15 contact hours. Students who complete each course earn 1.5 CEUs. A total of eight courses have already been offered and have had over 150 completers. The classes currently offered are "Working With Young Children - Part C" and "Child Guidance & Discipline - Part B," which will run from May 14 - June 30. Please check out the Guam CEDDERS calendar at www.guamcedders. org or contact Terry Naputi at 735-2363 or terry.naputi@ guamcedders.org for more information. Three (3) photos with captions: 1. Thirty-three (33) childcare providers completed "Child Guidance & Discipline - Part A" in April. This course focused on the adults' roles & responsibilities in providing guidance to children, especially with preparing a guiding environment, and with using and developing pro-social & communication skills. 2. As one of the group activities, students presented their persona dolls and stories in the "Child Guidance & Discipline - Part A" class. 3. Participants from "Working with Young Children - Part B" take a moment to pose for a group picture during the April 28 session. Led by Vera Blaz, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, this course focused on children with special needs, planning, observation, and assessment. Page 11 GEIS Campaign Aims to Increase Awareness The Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS), a program under the Division of Special Education, Guam Department of Education, in collaboration with Guam CEDDERS, recently launched a public awareness campaign to increase the number of children and families served by GEIS. Beginning in December of last year, Guam CEDDERS personnel, including Terrie Fejarang, Associate Director, Jonas Macapinlac, Disability Media Coordinator, and Sean Lizama, Disability Media Specialist, have been meeting with GEIS representatives to design products and processes to get the word out. With input from various stakeholders, including parents and GEIS staff, three brochures, two posters, and four Fact Sheets have been produced and are being disseminated at various outreach events. New 30-second TV and radio spots have also been completed and are currently being aired on various local media outlets. Currently under development are another 30-second TV and radio spot, a developmental wheel, a board book, a developmental kit with items that parents may use while interacting with their child, a new parent information packet to be given to the parents of each newborn leaving their birth facility, and other promotional items. As part of this project, 50 child caregivers and foster parents have attended a presentation on early intervention services, with similar presentations being planned for medical personnel. Dissemination of information also took place during the "Power of Play" community outreach event at the Micronesia Mall on May 26. Seven (7) images of: Recent products published for the Guam Part C Public Awareness Campaign include: Top Row (L-R): Two posters and a print ad. Bottom Row (L-R) : Three tri-fold brochures, and a 30-second TV and Radio spot. Page 12 Regional Educators Explore SOLO Literacy Software Fifty education personnel, comprised of central office, and special education, personnel, school administrators, specialists, and teachers, attended the Leader Summit facilitated by Don Johnston, Inc., a software development company, on March 19 - 20 at the University of Guam. Participants from Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau attended the two-day event that took place in collaboration with University of Guam CEDDERS. Summit goals included: * Discovering how Don Johnston solutions support national legislation and initiatives * Discussing the changing roles of Special Education and Assistive Technology * Identifying the attributes of successful implementation * Learning how to facilitate 30-minute professional development modules that promise to get your team up and running These goals were accomplished through the professional face-to-face experience that energized the thinking and proficiency of the participants on the use of assistive technology tools, such as the SOLO Literacy software. According to the Don Johnston website, "SOLO is a literacy suite of the most popular assistive technology accommodations, including a text reader, graphic organizer, talking word processor, and word prediction….The accommodations in SOLO put students in charge of their own learning." The Leader Summit was interactive and "hands-on," with all the tools needed to maximize learning on how assistive technology enhances the teaching and learning dynamics for improving educational results. Two (2) photos with captions: 1. Participants from Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau attended the Leadership Summit on March 19 & 20 at the University of Guam. 2. Mary Krenz, Don Johnston Director of Professional Development (right), works with Virginia Ngotel, General Education Elementary Teacher from Palau (left). Page 13 FSM SpEd Staff Complete Evaluation Follow-up Training With funding support from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) - National Department of Education, Special Education, Guam CEDDERS staff, Dr. Nieves Flores and June Quitugua, conducted a five-day follow-up training on administering formal and informal evaluation tools for determining eligibility for special education and related services in the FSM. Thirteen Special Education Assessment Specialists and Staff from the four FSM States of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap attended the training in Yap that provided them with a review of the IDEA special education requirements and the "know how" to administer identified assessment tools. The participants were required to apply their skills by administering the Brigance Inventory of Early Development to children ages 3-5, and the Brigance Comprehensive Inventory of Basic Skills to school-aged children. Mr. John Bugulrow, Yap Special Education Program Coordinator, arranged to have students from Colonia Middle School, as well as the staff's children, brought to the training site to be evaluated by the FSM Assessment Team. Actual hands-on practice provided the participants with the opportunity to engage with students and experience challenges that they may encounter in their role as assessment specialists in their states. Participants were provided with a review of the Conner's Rating Scale - 3rd Edition, the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, and were introduced to using the Monitoring Based Skills Progress (MBSP) and Easy CBM as additional tools to assess students. On the last day, participants were tasked to interpret the results to include into a written report based on assessment results. Photo with caption: Above photo Front row (L-R): Juan Hagilmwaal, Yap; Dr. Nieves Flores, Guam CEDDERS; Ansina Kony, Chuuk; Krystal Eria, Chuuk; and Ozimy Edward, Pohnpei. Second row: Arney Jonas, Kosrae; Dorothy En, Yap; Etsinter Elias, Pohnpei; and June Quitugua, Guam CEDDERS. Third row: Lorenzo Sartilug, Yap; Miyai Keller, FSM National DOE; Augustine Bungmai, Yap. Last Row: John Bugulrow, Yap and Benedict Saipwerik, Chuuk. Page 14 Collage of photos: Children & Families "Get" the Power of Play Guam CEDDERS, with support from the State Advisory Council Grant, Project Tinituhon, and the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) Project, and in collaboration with the Guam Early Intervention System, Head Start, Department of Public Health & Social Services, and several child care centers, facilitated the 2012 Power of Play Event held at the Micronesia Mall on May 26. The theme for this year's event was Summer Fun and highlighted various summer-themed activities that families can do with their children. Eighteen different activity stations hosted 142 children and 90 parents in a variety of activities that promoted positive growth and development in young children ages birth to five years. Page 15 Collage of photos: Power of Play Photo Highlights Children, ranging from infants through primary school age, engaged in a variety of fun tactile, gross motor, and fine motor activities during the 2012 Power of Play event held from 10am to 1pm at the Micronesia Mall on May 26. Page 16 Three (3) photos with captions: 1. Orientation to SpEd Process Series Well Attended by Parents (Left photo): Nieves Flores. Ed.D., Guam CEDDERS Training Associate (standing), facilitates the question and answer session on the IEP process during the "Overview of the Special Education Process for Parents" series on March 31 attended by over 150 families of children with disabilities. Right photo (L-R): Anna Kilroy and Evelyn Claros, parent mentors, act out a role playing scenario where a teacher and parent engage in a conversation about the evaluation process. The series of parent sessions is funded through a contract with the Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education. 2. Inclusive Communities IA Hosts Stakeholder Input Session In preparation of the development of the next Core grant application, Guam CEDDERS Inclusive Communities Initiative Area (IA) staff held an input session on May 25 with self-advocates and family members of individuals with disabilities, as well as agency representatives, to receive comments and recommendations on what needs to be addressed to improve services and supports for this population. Page 17 Research Alliance Begins Study of Migrant Learners on Guam On May 29, family, community, and key agency representatives gathered at the University of Guam to learn about the opportunity to participate in research that focuses on migrant learners on Guam. To kick off the event, Dr. Nolan Malone, director of McREL Pacific (Mid-Cities Regional Education Laboratory of the Pacific), presented information on the McREL Pacific Center. Next, Dr. Mary Spencer shared the synopsis of the proposed study to be conducted on Guam. The proposed study's main research question is, "What are the academic characteristics of the most recent cohort of migrant students in GDOE schools, and how do these characteristics relate to those of other groups of students?" Dr. Nieves Flores, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, then introduced the Research Alliance Charter, which allowed for all those present to be included as charter members and continuing Research Alliance members. A community panel of those affiliated with migrant learners shared their insight and experiences with migrant learner success. The dialogue from the community panel led into small group discussions that asked for their valuable recommendations and input concerning migrant learners and the proposed research study. The next meeting of the Research Alliance is scheduled for August 28. Three (3) photos with captions: 1. Participants and facilitators involved in the Guam CEDDERS/McRel Research Alliance for Migrant Learners on Guam gathered on the steps of the University of Guam Leon Guerrero Building for a group photo. 2. (L-R): Dr. Nolan Malone, Dr. Nieves Flores, Joe Sanchez, Dr. Mary Spencer, Dr. Felicity Grandjean, and Dr. Heidi San Nicolas plan possibilities for future research on Guam that is intended to target the success of migrant learners on Guam. 3. Twenty community and agency representatives attended the first McREL Research Alliance meeting. Page 18 Two (2) photos with captions: 1. Guam Team Attends Meeting on Kindergarten Readiness Pictured with meeting facilitators held May 10 (L-R): Joseph Sanchez, acting Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction; Terry Naputi, Guam CEDDERS Early Learning Council assistant; Amanda Szekely, Senior Policy Analyst, National Governors Association (NGA), Center for Best Practices - Education Division; Vince Leon Guerrero, Special Assistant for Education, Office of the Governor of Guam; Albert Wat, Senior Policy Analyst, NGA; Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Initiative Area Coordinator, and Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director. 2. Family Support 360 Project Staff Attend Final TA Institute Folks behind the scenes that keep the grants moving along smoothly met up with Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, Principal Investigator, and Shandra Carr, Navigator from Guam's Family Support 360 Project, at the final Family Support 360 Technical Assistance Institute held in Silver Spring, Maryland from May 2-4. (L-R): Ophelia McLain, Tim Chappelle, Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, Roy Ricky Payne, Larissa Crossen, Shandra Carr, and Kim Martin. Page 19 Transit Drivers Practice Emergency Procedures Passenger Assistance Training is a routine annual requirement for transit personnel, but that doesn't mean that training has to be a drag…or does it? In April and May of 2012, 43 transit personnel participated in hands-on training for emergency procedures, which included pre-service checks and drag evacuation practice for incapacitated passengers. Drivers used randomly selected pre-service check sheets to conduct a routine practice to ensure that vehicles meet safety standards for daily transit trips. They worked in small teams to complete safety checks on buses that had already received pre-trip inspections and found they picked up safety items that had been previously missed. The exercise underscored the need to ensure that drivers are not lulled into complacency due to common daily routines and that sufficient time is needed for pre-service checks. Drivers also discovered that new practices can be a drag! Fire retardant blankets placed on buses can be used for emergency treatment of individuals in shock and are valuable aids in the emergency evacuation of incapacitated passengers. A 140-pound driver effectively removed a 300- pound "unconscious" passenger by placing him onto a blanket and dragging the passenger out of a bus entrance. The practice required a moderate amount of strain, but was quickly executed and resulted in no injury to the driver or passenger. As drivers reviewed threats and hazards as potential situations for emergency procedures, they revealed that they are an observant and quick thinking group. In a simulated threat situation, they effectively described two suspicious individuals with great detail after seeing their photos for 10 seconds. The hands-on components were well received and the exposure and practice of pre-service checks put a new light on interest in annual refresher training and the development of knowledge and skill. When it comes to safety, these drivers are now better prepared. Two (2) photos with captions: 1. Workshop participants conduct a pre-service check on a transit vehicle. 2. Jackie Aguon, transit operator, evacuates Felipe Babauta, playing the role of an incapacitated passenger, using a drag technique. 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: Vera Blaz, June De Leon, Terrie Fejarang, Nieves Flores, Ed.D., Felicity Grandjean, Ph.D., Terry Naputi, Jeff Pinaula, Ginger Porter, June Quitugua, Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D., Erlinda Tydingco, Keith Villaluna. 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) 734?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 June 2012 * June 6 Parents of Students with ASD or ID Input Session, Marriott Resort & Spa, 12pm - 2pm. * Jun 6, 13, 20, 27 - Parent Support Coffee, 9:30am. Family Support 360 Center, House 30 Dean's Circle, University of Guam. Call 735-2560 for more information. * Jun 11 "Working With Young Children" Part A (online)," ongoing June 11-30. For more information call 735-2363. * Jun 16, 23, 30 "Child Guidance & Discipline" Part B ," 8:00am - 1:00pm. For more information call 735-2363. * Jun 23, 30, July 7 "Working With Young Children" Part C," 8:00am - 1:00pm. For more information call 735-2363. * Jun 25 - Jul 7 - Pacific VIP Summer Courses: Technology and Orientation & Mobility, 8:00am - 4:00pm, UOG Public Administration and Business Building. Call 735-2490/2483 for more information. * Jun 25 - 28 Educational Interpreter Workshop by CM Hall, GSAT. For more information call 735-2489. * Jun 26 - 29 TA Visit by Donna McNear VI Consultant. For more information call 735-2489. July 2012 * July 10 GSEG PACIFIC Project Cadre Training - Alternate Assessment * July 11-13 NCSC-PAC6 Summer Regional Training * Jul 11, 18, 25 - Parent Support Coffee, 9:30am. Family Support 360 Center, House 30 Dean's Circle, University of Guam. Call 735-2560 for more information. Aug 2012 * Aug 18 Senior Citizens Transportation Wheelchair Securement Training, 9-11am, House 19 Dean's Circle, GSAT Training Center. Call 735-2478 for more information. * Aug 25 Senior Citizens Transportation Wheelchair Securement Training, 9-11am, House 19 Dean's Circle, GSAT Training Center. Call 735-2478 for more information. * Aug 28 Research Alliance on Migrant Learners Quarterly meeting. Photo with caption: Guam Tri-Agency Team Meets with ADD Commissioner & Staff Guam ADD Tri-Agency met with the Commissioner of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) during the Self-Advocacy Summit held in Honolulu, Hawaii to review the 2012-14 Tri-Agency Work Plan on March 29. Seated (L-R): Hank Parker, Brianne Burger, Ginger Porter, Lynn Tydingco, ADD Commissioner Sharon Lewis, Andrew Tydingco. Standing (L-R): Marie Libria, Carol Cabiles, Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D., Elaine Eclavea, Nieves Flores, Ed.D. Announcement: NOW AVAILABLE! The 2012 Nene Directory! Find information about service providers for children ages birth to eight years. Download a copy at www.guamcedders.org