I Tellai, The BRIDGE Guam CEDDERS Newsletter March 17, 2015 Volume 17, Issue 2 Pages 1-2 Article title: Guam Early Learning Council Policy Summit Updates Plan Photo of a group shot in an activity underneath article title with caption: Stakeholders map out indicators to be included in the ÒEarly Childhood Strategic Plan Update.Ó (L-R): Evelyn Claros, Pauline Camacho, Elaine Eclavea, Jeff Pinaula, Joyce Flores, and Richard Brown. Article: The Guam Early Learning Council (ELC) and Project Tinituhon, GuamÕs Early Childhood Comprehensive System, held a two-day ÒEarly Childhood Policy Summit Ð Setting the Early Childhood Course for 2015Ó on December 9, 2014 and January 20, 2015. A wide range of stakeholders, including ELC members, policy leaders for education and health, administrators and program directors from GuamÕs Early Childhood Programs, and parents attended the Summit. The Summit provided an opportunity for members of the ELC and Project Tinituhon Strategic Management Teams to update the councilÕs five key areas Ð Health, Social Emotional/Mental Health, Early Care and Education, and Parent Education and Family Support, and Sustainability. During the Summit, members began aligning the five goals and creating new objectives to improve the outcomes of young children and families. The five key area group teams created new indicators to meet the new objectives. Team members agreed and prioritized the goals and objectives for GuamÕs Early Childhood Policy Agenda. Additionally, members began the process of an early childhood collaborative environmental scan that will be used for the Department of Public Health & Social Services, Project LAUNCH and Maternal Child Health NeedsÕ Assessment, and the Department of Education, Part C State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP). The early childhood collaborative environmental scan was facilitated by Bonnie Brandt, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate and Evaluator for Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in ChildrenÕs Health), a 5 year initiative funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that promotes the wellness of young children, birth Ð 8 years old, so they can thrive in safe, supportive environments and enter school ready to learn. In this issue: Guam ELC Policy Summit Updates Plan.............1-2 Parent CafŽ Provides Process for Improvements ..3 Addressing Disparities through CLC..................4-5 Bringing the Prot. Factors Framework to Life.......6 Plans to Launch an EC Public Awareness Camp.....7 Reps Present Behav. Health In Micronesia Conf....7 LEND Trainees Focus on Supports for Teen Moms..8 CEDDERS Reaches Out at Community Fairs ..........8 Addressing Transition Supports for D/HH Youth....8 NCSC Continues Support on Guam and in CNMI.....9 GSAT Assistive Technology Fair.....................10-11 DOE Stakeholders Gather at PBIS Summit .........12 Drivers Receive Training on Customer Service ....13 Planning for ÒNo Wrong DoorÓ System..........14-15 FSM Finalizes IDEA Part B SPP/APR....................16 TA to Project Bisita I Familia Home Visitors........16 Students Put Law and Advocacy to Practice.......17 Proclamation for DD Awareness Month.............18 New Products Available on CEDDERS Website.....18 Families Share in ÒFace of AutismÓ Series...........19 Guam EHDI 2014 Training and Activities............19 CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS.......................20 Photo at the bottom of the page of two women standing in front of a projector screen presenting. Caption: (L-R): Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Consultant, and Janice Sablan, representing the Office of the First Lady, provided opening remarks during the Early Childhood Policy Summit held on December 9, 2014 and January 20, 2015. Stakeholders from all early childhood serving agencies as well as parent representatives participated during the 2-day Summit. Page 2 Half page photos with captions: Top photo of a woman holding a microphone and presenting with participants in the background. Caption: Cathy Schroeder, Director of the Guam Head Start Program, presented input from her work group during the Early Childhood Policy Summit. Bottom photo of a woman holding a microphone standing next to a projector screen with an image. Caption: Bonnie Brandt, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate and Lead Evaluator for Project Kari–u and LAUNCH, facilitated a discussion on the early childhood collaborative environmental scan. Page 3 Article title: Parent CafŽ Provides Process for Improvements Photo underneath the article title of a groupshot of people with a Project Karinu banner next to them. Caption: Parents and key staff from Project Kari–u, Project Bisita, and I FamaguÕon-ta posing outside the Guam Systems for Assistive Technology Building after the Project Kari–u Parent Cafe on February 13, 2015. Article: Project Kari–u , in collaboration with Guam CEDDERS, facilitated a Parent CafŽ on February 13 at the Guam Systems for Assistive Technology (GSAT) Center . The theme for this meeting was Ò Building Relationships with Your Children Ò and focused on all five protective factors: Parent Resilience, Social Connections, Concrete Support in Times of Need, Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development, and ChildrenÕs Social Emotional Development. Twenty-seven participants attended the event. For the past four years, GuamÕs Positive Parents Together, Head Start, Project Kari–u, Project Bisita, and Project Tinituhon have been facilitating Parent CafŽs on a regular basis, under the Strengthening Families Guam Initiative. The Parent CafŽ is a conversation process that gets participants talking about the protective factors and what they do in their lives and with their families to build the protective factors. Various parent comments about the parent cafŽs include, ÒThis was an outstanding experience for me as a single mother. To be able to strengthen me in all areas of my life.Ó ÒThis is an amazing experience. It was very helpful and made me feel better knowing that there are people you can reach out to for help...,Ó and ÒI was surprised at how everyone got a chance to listen, speak, and meet new people. Keep us parents strong and open.Ó When the parent cafŽs and protective factors are put together it promotes family strengths which leads to optimal child development. Middle photo of a woman standing next to a flip chart stand with participants sitting in front of her. Caption: Bonnie Brandt (standing), Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, gathers input from families on how to improve GuamÕs early childhood system. Bottom photo of a group of five adults sitting around a table. Caption: Parent CafŽ participants share their experiences about the strengths and challenges of GuamÕs programs and services for young children. Page 4 Article title: Addressing Disparities through Cultural & Linguistic Competence Group photo underneath the article title of four women standing and posing for a group shot. Caption: Guam CEDDERS staff provided technical support during the ÒAddressing Disparities through Organizational Cultural and Linguistic Competence ConferenceÓ and work sessions conducted by Tawara Goode and Vivian Jackson from January 26-28, 2015. (L-R) Vivian Jackson, Bonnie Brandt, Tawara Goode, and Mariles Benavente. Article: On January 26-28, Tawara Goode, M.A., Assistant Professor, Associate Director, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Center for Child and Human Development, Georgetown University Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, and Director, National Center for Cultural Competence, and Vivian Jackson, MSW, from the National Center for Cultural Competence and Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development, conducted three presentations on ÒAddressing Disparities through Organizational Cultural and Linguistic Competence (CLC).Ó Day 1 of the three-day activity included a presentation on ÒA Cultural Competence Framework for Developing A CLC Vision and Action PlanÓ with 65 participants from public and private organizations in attendance. The second day consisted of two sessions held at the University of Guam campus. The morning session covered the topic ÒLinguistic Competence Beyond Language Access: Addressing Health Literacy, Literacy, & Communication with Individuals who have Disabilities; and Developing Language Access Plans according to Title VI Guidance and Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards.Ó Students from Guam Community CollegeÕs American Sign Language II class were part of the 56 participants in attendance for this presentation. The afternoon session covered the topic, ÒCLC: Essential Knowledge & Skills within the University Environment training.Ó Students from UOGÕs Social Work program, faculty from UOGÕs Nursing Department, and Department of Education staff attended this presentation. Ms. Goode and Ms. Jackson concluded their visit with a final presentation on January 28 at the Guam System for Assistive Technology Conference Room at House 19, DeanÕs Circle. This training, titled ÒFramework to Address Disparities in ChildrenÕs Behavioral Health,Ó included participants from Guam CEDDERS, Project Kari–u, icareguam, and I FamaguÕon-ta. Collaborators and sponsors of these activities included: National Center for Cultural Competence and Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development; Guam CEDDERS; Department of Public Health & Social Services, Project Kari–u, Guam Office of Minority Health, Live Healthy Guam; Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center, I FamaguÕon-ta, icareguam. More photos on Page 5. Page 5 Article title: Addressing DisparitiesÉcontinued Collage of five photos (Counter clock-wise) Photo 1: Half page size of a panoramic side view of participants doing an activity. Caption: Rowena Morada from icareguam jots down responses during the ÒFish BoneÓ activity. The activity was part of the ÒFramework to Address Disparities in ChildrenÕs Behavioral HealthÓ work session facilitated by Vivian Jackson and Tawara Goode on January 28, 2015 in the GSAT Conference Room. Photo 2: Group consisting of one male and three women sitting at a round table. Caption: Guam Police Department Chief Fred Bordallo (left), participates in a group discussion during the ÒAddressing Disparities Through Organizational Cultural and Linguistic Competence ConferenceÓ held on January 26th at the Hyatt. Photo 3: Group shot of five adults (Male standing in the middle and two women on each of his side) posing for a group shot. Caption: Guam CEDDERS staff provided technical support during the ÒAddressing Disparities through Organizational Cultural and Linguistic Competence ConferenceÓ and work sessions that were conducted by Tawara Goode and Vivian Jackson from January 26-28, 2015. (L-R) Bernadette Shisler, Vivian Jackson, Keith Villaluna, Tawara Goode, and Marie Wusstig. Photo 4: Two women posing for a photo. Caption: Vivian Jackson and Bertha Diamond chat during the ÒAddressing Disparities Through Organizational Cultural and Linguistic Competence ConferenceÓ held on January 26th at the Hyatt. Photo 5: Group shot of 10 individuals posing for a group shot. Caption: UOG Social Work students are all smiles during the ÒAddressing Disparities through Organizational Cultural and Linguistic Competence (CLC): Essential Knowledge & Skills within the University EnvironmentÓ training conducted by Tawara Goode and Vivian Jackson on January 27th at the UOG Eugenia & Jesus Leon Guerrero Building. Page 5 Article title: Bringing the Protective Factors Framework to Life in Your Work Collage of four photos under the article title: Top left photo: Panoramic view of 20+ participants standing around in a circle. Caption: Early childhood professionals participate in a group activity utilizing an Òenergy stick,Ó which helped professionals understand the importance of social connections for families. Bottom left photo: Panoramic view of training room with four tables. Participants engage in role playing and discussion on linking families to services effectively. Top right photo: Photo of a woman sitting in a chair with balloons on her lap and another woman standing and holding a yellow balloon as a presenter observes. Caption: Vera Blaz (left), Project Tinituhon, and Bertha Diamond (standing right), Project Kari–u participate in the ÒBalls in the AirÓ activity that reminds professionals that sometimes they canÕt see the parents for all of the problems and stressors they are balancing, and the importance of making sure families have access to the services they need. Bottom right photo: Photo of two women standing while participants sitting at tables listen. Caption: Martha Reeder (standing left) and Pat Stanislaski (standing right) consultants from the National Alliance of ChildrenÕs Trust and Prevention Funds facilitate discussion during the three-day training. Article: On February 24-26, the National Alliance of ChildrenÕs Trust and Prevention Funds facilitated the ÒBringing the Protective Factors Framework to Life in Your WorkÓ training of trainers event at the Pacific Star Hotel. With support from the Guam Early Learning Council and the Rigalu Foundation and in collaboration with the Guam Early Intervention System, Head Start, Bureau of Social Services Administration, Project Kari–u, Project Bisita I Familia, I FamaguÕon-ta, Project Tinituhon, and Guam Identifies Families Terrific Strengths, 20 participants were trained to build capacity and to support the implementation of the Strengthening Familiesª Protective Factors Framework in multiple settings on Guam. The training of trainers (TOT) event provides an excellent foundation for providers to train on the protective factors framework and gives those who work with children the tools they need to promote the protective factors in families. The TOT is based on the free online curriculum that can be accessed at http://ctfalliance.org/onlinetraining.htm and that has over 6,000 registered users since going live in April 2012. The TOT launched in September 2012 and has certified and licensed 200 trainees. With 20 participants trained on Guam, Guam is ready to bring the protective factors framework to agencies, child care centers, schools, and the community in general. The protective factors is a framework and approach that is easy to implement with small but significant changes using everyday actions, such as helping families develop the skills and tools they need to identify their needs and concrete supports; honor each familyÕs race, language, culture, history and approach to parenting; and helping children develop a positive cultural identity. These simple everyday actions build on the protective factors which research says results in strengthened families, optimal child development, and reduced likelihood of child abuse and neglect. If you would like more information about the Protective Factors or the Bringing the Protective Factors Framework to Life in Your Work training, please contact Guam CEDDERS at 735-2466. Page 7 Article title: Plans Underway to Launch an Early Childhood Public Awareness Campaign for Guam Article: The Guam Early Learning Council (ELC) reconvened its Public Awareness Campaign Workgroup with early childhood programs and the Office of the First Lady of Guam last November. The goal of the workgroup is to continue to raise the importance of a childÕs first years of life by creating a collaborative and comprehensive campaign for Guam. Raising public awareness is not the same as telling the public what to do Ð it is explaining issues and providing knowledge to the community so they make personal decisions. One of the main tasks for the group is researching and brainstorming the Òbig messageÓ for the campaign. During the last meeting, the social marketers agreed to conduct short phone and outreach surveys to determine what the public knows about early childhood and GuamÕs programs for young children. The short surveys would provide the workgroup a baseline data prior to the launch of the campaign. There are many early childhood parent informational products in the community; however, there is no data to determine the impact in the community. The Early Childhood Campaign is anticipated to be launched during the Week of the Young Child on April 13 Ð 18. Article title: Guam CEDDERS Presents at First Behavioral Health in Micronesia Conf. Two photos of women standing and holding a microphone at a podium. Caption: Elaine Eclavea (top photo), Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Consultant and Bonnie Brandt (bottom photo), Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, presented at the first Behavioral Health in Micronesia Conference on December 5, 2014. Their presentation entitled ÒHow Well Are the Children?Ó was a summary of data gathered from various early childhood projects on Guam as well as the current national research in the field. Advertisement with dark blue background. SAVE THE DATE 8th Annual Autism Awareness Fair ÒEmbracing DiversityÓ Saturday, April 4, 2015 Agana Shopping Center 10am-2pm Featuring: ¥ Children and Adults Exhibits ¥ Live performances ¥ Community Resources and ¥ Information on Disability Related Services For more information please call: Louisa Wesling 727-8400. 2015 AAF Chairwoman Page 8 Article title: LEND Trainees Project to Focus on Supports for Teen Moms Photo of three women working on laptops. Caption: ÒInvestigating Housing Options for Teen Moms on GuamÓ is the title of the research project chosen by this yearÕs Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disorders (LEND) trainees. After receiving the requisite approval from the University of Guam Institutional Review Board, the trainees will be contacting pregnant teens in high school to complete the survey. The survey will also be available online. Trainees include (L-R): Suzanne McManus, Ph.D., Leone Rohr, and Renee Koffend, AuD. Article title: Guam CEDDERS Reaches Out at Community Fairs Photo of a couple standing at a display table with people standing in the background. Caption: Andrew Gumataotao (left), GSAT Student Office Assistant and Leah Abelon, GSAT AT Center Assistant, pose at the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) display during the College Access and Community Resources Fair at the Micronesia Mall. Article: In the ongoing effort to share information and provide demonstrations on available assistive technology devices, the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) participated in the College Access Challenge and Community Resources Fair on February 28. On February 21, Guam CEDDERS Project Tinituhon and Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention project also participated in the annual Head Start ChildrenÕs Fitness Fair at the Guam Sports Complex Gym in Dededo. The ChildrenÕs Fitness Fair is a free event that provides activities for children from ages 2 to 10 and is a collaboration with early childhood programs, child care centers, and various community partners. Article title: Addressing Transition Supports for D/HH Youth Woman sitting at her desk looking at her monitor with five individuals on her screen. Caption: Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, (foreground) is shown here on a ÒGo To MeetingÓ call with representatives from PEPNet 2, a national technical assistance center whose mission is to promote best practices in transition supports and services for young adults who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH). Efforts are currently underway for Guam CEDDERS to partner with PEPNet 2 to facilitate a meeting of regional representatives to address the wide range of challenges in this area in the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Rim entities. Attending the meeting are: (small squares clockwise): Marcia Kolvitz, Center Associate in Indianapolis, Indiana; Terrie Fejarang; Mary Morrison, PEPNet 2 Assistant Director, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana; and Cathy McLeod, Center Director, California State University, Northridge, California. Person in large square (at left) is the sign language interpreter. Page 9 Article title: NCSC Continues Support on Guam and in CNMI Photo of a group of 13 adults posing for a picture. Caption: Guam CEDDERS provided support to the Guam Department of Education (GDOE), Division of Special EducationÕs working session with GDOE special education teachers and CRT-TAÕs , to identify and prioritize standards in Math and English Language Arts for students who participate in the AA-AAS in grades 1, 2, 9, 10 and 12. (February 12, 2015) Front row (L-R): Gabby Fejeran, Wendie Flores, Terese Crisostomo, Luella Orlando. Standing: Patty Castro, June Quitugua, Mary Artero, Norrine Guzman, Ronald Gogo, Christine Hernandez, Janice Almoguera, Helene Cruz, and Vivian Leon Guerrero. Article: Through the National Center and State Collaborative (NCSC), Guam CEDDERS continues to provide technical assistance and training for the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) and CNMI Public school System on the system of supports for the development and implementation of the NCSC Alternate Assessment based on Alternate Achievement Standards (AA-AAS) for students with significant cognitive disabilities in Grades 3-8 and 11. The NCSC AA-AAS development included participation in two pilot tests: Pilot 1 in Spring 2014 and Pilot 2 in Fall 2014. Data collected from these pilot tests provided information on the construction of test items, administration procedures, and training for the Spring 2015 NCSC AA-AAS on-line testing system that will provide the individual student performance scores for this yearÕs accountability reporting. As part of the NCSC system of supports, training sessions were held in November 2014 and January 2015 for GDOE elementary and secondary teachers and related service providers on the various NCSC Curriculum and Instructional resources. Participants were provided with the opportunity to walk-though selected resources to develop lesson plans for their students with significant cognitive disabilities requiring an AA-AAS. The training series continued on February 24, 2015 for GDOE elementary special education teachers and February 26, 2015 for GDOE secondary special education teachers. Janice Almoguera, Christine Hernandez and Terese Crisostomo, from the GDOE Division of Special Education, presented on the prioritized GDOE standards for the AA-AAS for grades 1, 2, 9, 10 and 12 and the SY2014-2015 AA-AAS portfolio system requirements. Guam CEDDERS staff then presented on lessons learned from participating in the pilot tests and how the results have strengthened the Spring 2015 NCSC AA-AAS on-line system. The February 2015 GDOE sessions also included utilizing the NCSC Instructional Resource Guide to provide teachers with hands-on practice with several scripted instructional strategies. The training ended with a video from Keystone Assessment and our good friend Michael Burdge on, ÒWhat does a Standards-Based IEP really look like,Ó which led to further discussion on future training sessions. In March 2015, Guam CEDDERS will facilitate small group sessions for GDOE teachers and a session on Saipan for CNMI teachers on the administration requirements for the Spring 2015 NCSC AA-AAS on-line system. The sessions will provide NCSC AA-AAS system updates in preparation for the March 30 to May 15, 2015 test window for administering the NCSC AA-AAS for grades 3-8 and 11. Photo of a group of three women working on an activity. One holding up an index/flash card while the other two glance at the card. Caption: Mary Artero (left), Special Education Teacher, Guam Tiyan High, engages her colleagues in a practice activity using one of the NCSC instructional strategies. Page 10 Article title: 21st Annual GSAT AT Fair Highlights Article: The Guam System for Assistive Technology is celebrating 21 years of improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and their families through a mission to increase access and acquisition of assistive technology (AT) and improve the overall provision of AT services on island. At its largest annual public awareness event, GSAT hosted over 50 table displays at its AT Fair held on March 7, at the Micronesia MallÕs center court. The fair created opportunities for the island community to learn about AT and valuable services offered to individuals with disabilities and their families. Collage of six photos of participants at the GSAT Fair. Top left photo of two women and a male talking at a table with various printed material. Caption: Guam Early Intervention staff provide early childhood information to an Assistive Technology (AT) Fair attendee. Middle, left photo of two senior citizens being assisted by woman reaching for printed materials. Caption: AT Fair attendees browse information at the Division of Senior Citizens display. Bottom left photo of a woman talking to fair attendees. Caption: Diane Artero, Special Education teacher, talks with AT Fair attendees about assistive technology. Top right photo of a couple with a baby and stroller looking at posters on stands. Caption: A family takes time out from their day at the mall to enjoy the Self-Advocate Portrait Gallery. Middle right photo of a woman holding a device and showing it to a couple. Caption: Carla Torres, AT and Special Projects Program Coordinator, demonstrates an AT device. Bottom right photo of a woman standing and holding a microphone. Caption: Erlinda Tydingco, President of Si–A: Self-Advocates in Action addresses the crowd at the AT Fair on March 7. Page 11 Article title: 21st Annual GSAT AT Fair Highlights Collage of five photos taken during the Fair. Top photo of a group of adults on stage. Caption: Members of the Guam Community College American Sign Language (ASL) class perform songs in ASL for the crowd at the AT Fair. Second photo on the left of woman standing and holding a device to a female wheelchair user's left ear. Caption: Renee Koffend, AuD., demonstrates an audiology instrument that allows Evelyn Duenas to view her inner ear. Bottom left photo of a woman standing and holding her right hand in the air while her left hand is on her chest. Caption: Jeannie Hollis, ASL Interpreter, signs the lyrics to a very emotional song. Second photo on the right of men performing while audience watches them. Caption: Children laugh excitedly as the Guam Community College American Sign Language (ASL) class performs popular children's cartoon themes in a very animated and entertaining form of ASL during ChildrenÕs ASL Story Hour at this years AT Fair. Bottom right photo of a male showing an item. Caption: Andrew Gumataotao, GSAT Student Office Assistant, provides a demonstration of an assistive technology device that reads text out loud. Page 12 Article title: Guam DOE Stakeholders Gather at the Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) Summit Half page size photo of a panoramic view of a male presenter standing in the middle of his audience with a projector screen in the background hanging from the ceiling. Caption: Dr. Scott Ross, Utah State University, provides the basics of Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) to Guam Department of Education (GDOE) school representatives that included administrators, teachers, parents, and students. Approximately 209 individuals attended the session from 8:00am - 3:00pm on February 20. Bottom left photo of a male holding a microphone while presenter listens. Caption: Luke Bukikosa (standing right), a middle school student from Agueda, provides input on expectations and reinforcement system while Dr. Scott Ross listens to his response. Bottom right photo of a male looking observing a table of participants in a discussion. Caption: GDOE Superintendent Fernandez (standing) observes Department of Youth Affairs and Liheng FamaguÕon (DYA educational program) discuss the components of PBIS. Page 13 Article title: Transit Drivers Receive Training on Customer Service for Individuals with Disabilities Half page size photo of four men posing for a group shot. Caption: (Left to right): George William, Peter Elatico, Manny Calip, and Anthony Manibusan take time out between shifts at MHI/Sanko to receive recognition for annual refresher training and completion of CTAA Passenger Service and Safety certification. Article: Forget about the customer always being right. No one is always right! ÒThe customer wants to be heard.Ó That message from successful restaurateur Danny Meyer resonated in the recent refresher training for twenty-seven transit personnel having direct contact with their passengers. Guam CEDDERS provided a series of four-hour trainings on ÒImproving Customer ServiceÓ for operators, schedulers, dispatchers, and supervisors on January 24 and 31. After training 63 transit personnel for last yearÕs annual requirements, the cycle began anew in 2015, with more training to come in April and later months. The advice of Mr. Meyer, a noted icon of customer service, was a thread of consciousness for a round of techniques to manage difficult passenger situations, most of which arose from local samples of passenger complaints within the last year. Participants became aware of the effects of body language and attitude on communication and customer service. They also had the opportunity to identify problem actions in situations of customer dissatisfaction and provide alternative responses for improved service. Through role-play, problem solving the Ôhit listÕ of the past year, and analyzing a fully loaded paratransit driver manifest, participants had the experience of sometimes seeing themselves, unraveling the situations, and discovering better choices. The customer service perspective served as a framework for practical information and application strategies relating to information provided on the Americans with Disabilities Act Lift Guides, Seizure Disorder Awareness for Transportation Operators & Customers, Transit Rules and Regulations, Basic Accessibility Requirements of Fixed Route Transportation Providers, and Customer Management Techniques. Page 14-15 Article title: Guam Begins Planning for ÒNo Wrong DoorÓ System Half page photo underneath the article title of a group of adults posing for a group shot. Caption: The Guam ÒNo Wrong DoorÓ team met with members of the Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services Ð Elder Care staff at the Gulick Elder Center in the heart of residential Kalihi. (L-R) seated: Janet Cruz, Medicaid; Ben Servino, DISID; Arthur San Agustin, DSC; and Melvin Cruz, DSC. Standing (L-R): Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS; two Gulick staff members (standing); Nanay Padua; staff member; and Merlita Compton, MPH, Program Director. Article: Guam CEDDERS has joined the Division of Senior Citizens (DSC), Department of Public Health and Social Services in their one-year ÒNo Wrong DoorÓ planning grant to develop a Three-Year Plan to improve access to information for long term services and supports (LTSS) for all persons and all payers. On November 25, 2014, DSC and Guam CEDDERS kicked off an Orientation Meeting to ÒNo Wrong DoorÓ at the GovernorÕs Main Conference Room that was attended by 27 individuals representing various partners and stakeholders. That activity was followed by an exploratory site visit on January 14-17, 2015 by the partnership team of the DSC, Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID), Medicaid, and Guam CEDDERS. The team visited the Hawaii State Office on Aging to observe models of effective service and learn from the experiences of others. Hawaii, in the midst of a Five-Year Implementation Systems Change Initiative that addresses their Aging and Disability Resource Center, Community Living Program, and Person-centered Hospital Discharge Planning Initiatives, provided the Guam Team with lessons learned from their systems change process. Guam garnered information of their three initiatives and obtained policy strategies for procurement and retention of systems to manage the connectivity of information regardless of which intake door an individual might access. The following day, the team was able to observe the robust nature of software capabilities as applied to home visitations and phone interviews that were triggered by changes in clientsÕ life events and the subsequent planning update for services. An afternoon was allocated for the opportunity to observe the Kokua-Kalihi Comprehensive Family Services Elder Care center in the heart of the Kalihi residential community. In this community, seventy-eight percent of the residents are Asian or Pacific Islanders, 35% being foreign-born, and approximately twenty languages and dialects are spoken. The ÔfamiliaÕ style facility and staff provide culturally comfortable access to aging information and professional health screening services in the neighborhood, a model that would be beneficial to Guam residents. Client volunteers provide their time to the maintenance of the facility and grounds, which are also used for recreational activities that promote health and wellness among older residents. The Kalihi project success is a prime example of dedicated staff with an attitude that arose from a history in which great flexibility and a sense of Òmaking-do with what we hadÓ was the norm. It also exemplifies the benefits of grass roots involvement and the growth and expansion of services through community connections with Kalihi residents and the University of Hawaii and other colleges. Prior to departure, the Guam team delved into transportation service delivery within Maui County as a connection to long term services and supports. In addition, they met again with the Hawaii Agency on Aging to discuss the positive impact of marrying disability expertise from the Center for Independent Living with the expertise of the Office of Aging. Upon their return to Guam, the team was ready for February action. Guam CEDDERS professional, Ginger Porter, facilitated the focus groups for the partners of Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC), DISID, the DSC, and Medicaid as they met in February to assess their structures for intake and referral and to further identify what structural change would make the processes more effective. These processes are being mapped for identification and reduction of overlapping roles and responsibilities and to provide guidance for the development of the Three-Year Implementation Plan. This process, along with the identification of community resource referrals, will lead into the next sectors of grant planning: preliminary operations plan and financing plan to achieve sustainability, conducting gaps analysis, documenting outreach strategies, and drafting a marketing plan. Collage of four photos of different group settings. Top left photo of six adults posing for a group shot outside. Caption: After an active morning of orientation to the in-home and follow-up assessment services of Maui County Office of Aging, the Guam team (L-R) of Ginger Porter, Mel Cruz, Ben Servino, Arthur San Agustin, and Janet Cruz gather for a photo with Debra Stone-Walls, County Executive on Aging. Bottom left photo a group shot of five adults. Caption: On February 20, 2015, DISID and GBHWC refined the mapping process, partially shown in the background, of Intake and Referral for both agencies. Top right photo of nine individuals posing for a group shot outside a building. Caption: The Gulick Elder Center staff and the Guam ÒNo Wrong DoorÓ team bid adios in front of the Family Services Center, where elder clients groom and maintain the welcoming atmosphere of the center. Bottom right photo of a panoramic view of a group meeting. Caption: Sixteen NWD partners, community-based organizations, and DSC members met on Friday, February 27, 2015 to begin mapping out the intake and referral processes for senior citizens. With their input, participants were able to recommend adjustments for problem solving of issues occurring across the network. Page 16 Article title: FSM Finalizes IDEA Part B SPP/APR Two photos of underneath the article title of groups working on an activity. Top left photo: One female listening to a colleague while another writes on a sheet of paper. Caption: Pohnpei State Team members review state-level data for setting targets for Pohnpei StateÕs LPP indicators. Top right photo of seven men (two standing, five sitting at a table) in an activity. Caption: Yap State Team members (pictured in front) confer during state team time on setting state-level targets and developing improvement strategies. Arthur Albert (standing in middle of photo), FSM NDOE Chief of Special Services Division, responds to a question from the Kosrae State Team members. Article: During the week of January 12th, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Leadership Team, comprised of FSM National and State general education and special education representatives and members of the FSM State Special Education Advisory Councils, convened in Pohnpei, FSM for final stakeholder input on the results indicator targets and descriptions for FSMÕs Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B State Performance Plan (SPP) and Annual Performance Report (APR). In addition, the alignment of each FSM State Local Performance Plan (LPP) to the FSM SPP was discussed with the development of state-level targets and improvement strategies for prioritized SPP results indicators. Through a contract with FSM National Department of Education (NDOE), Guam CEDDERSÕ June De Leon and Elaine Eclavea provided on-site technical support during the week-long Leadership Team meeting and off-site follow-up consultation to support FSMÕs February 2nd timely submission of its required IDEA Part B SPP/APR through the newly established USDOE Office of Special Education ProgramsÕ GRADS 360 online submission system. Article title: Providing TA to Project Bisita I Familia Home Visitors Half page size photo of three women sitting at a table having a discussion. Caption: Vera Blaz (center), Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator for Project Bisita I Familia, provides TA to Sherill Tinio (far left) and Arleen Dela Cruz (far right), home visitors, at the Northern Regional Community Health Center on February 23, 2015. Page 17 Article title: Disability Studies Students Put Law and Advocacy to Practice Two photos underneath the article title. Top left photo is of seven females standing and posing for a group shot. Caption: (L-R): Trish Billen, Gabby Bautista, Diana Rose Cruz, Barbara Johnson, ASL Interpreter Monica Duenas, Carla Torres, Assistive Technology (AT) Specialist and Ginger Porter, M.Ed., Course Instructor took time out from an AT demonstration and review of AT law and programs to gather for a photo at GSAT. Top right is of a female smiling. Caption: Gabby Bautista, Social Worker for DPHSS, now qualifies for 1.5 CEUs towards Social Work Certification. Article: Speaking up for what you believe in can make a big difference in the world. That important concept, as related by students, was put into practice for the final advocacy assignment of the Disability Policy, Advocacy, and Law class that concluded on February 10, 2015. Students agreed that putting advocacy into practice was meaningful. Students prepared convincing arguments with supporting documentation of policy and law for addressing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements of effective communication for individuals who use sign language when they access government services or receive medical attention. They also addressed the lack of action towards legislation for accessible environments in other island entities not under the authority of the ADA but covered by national policy to identify action to promote social awareness and creation of a rights-based society for person with disabilities. Locally, they addressed the lack of accessible facilities at the Paseo Stadium and the denial of participation of a young boy with a disability on a community ball team, even though he met all the entry requirements. As an advocacy project, these issues were prepared in letter and memo form, addressed to heads of organizations, government departments, and senators. Students were mentored in language that is useful for advocacy purposes, and advised to provide recommended steps for resolution and to include a statement of their intent to follow-up on the issue. Students were also impressed by individuals with disabilities, who were directly engaged in the development of policy and law that is commonly applied today, in particular Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Action of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act and its amendments. Students received 1.5 CEUs for successful completion of the course. UOG Social Work Intern Trish Billen completed all three Disability Studies CEU courses. She not only added 4.5 CEUs toward to her professional portfolio, but she qualified for a paid Disability Studies internship with CEDDERS this semester. Congratulations Trish! Quotes from participants: ÒIÕm able to relate a personal issue and address it.Ó ÒI was amazed on their courage and enthusiasm to fight for their rights.Ó ÒI never knew that these people actually existed, made changes, and itÕs mostly because it involved themselves.Ó ÒPeople with disabilities are more ÕableÕ than what most people think/assume.Ó ÒIt allowed me to act on what I thought was important and do something about it.Ó Page 18 Article title: Governor Signs Proclamation for DD Awareness Month Half page size photo of a large group of 30+ adults posing for a group shot. Caption: Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio, Acting Governor, signed a proclamation declaring the month of March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month on Guam. Those present were the Guam Tri-Agency, comprised of the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council, Guam Legal Services Corporation - Disability Law Center and Guam CEDDERS and members of GuamÕs state recognized self-advocacy group Si–A: Self-Advocates in Action as well as agency representatives from the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Division of Support Services. Article title: New Products Available on the Guam CEDDERS Website Cover images of CEDDERS new developed products: * Update From Advocates on Guam's Disability Agenda Brochure * Guam Early Learning Guidelines for Ages Three to Five Booklet * Project Karinu, Guam's Early Childhood System of Care Family Support Activities Evaluation Report, January 2015 Go to www.guamcedders.org to download a copy! Page 19 Article title: Families Share Their Stories in ÒFaces of AutismÓ Series Left photo of three adults sitting at a glass table. Caption: Left photo: The Blas family shares stories of raising Joseph. (Left to right): Patricia Blas, grandmother, Josephine Blas, mother, David Blas, grandfather. Right photo: of a girl showing her laptop. Caption: Kira Darlow shows how she gets her school work done with the aid of assistive technology programs on her laptop. Article: Guam CEDDERS is currently in the process of editing ÒFaces of AutismÓ a new series of interviews of families with children identified as having autism. The purpose of these videos is to increase public awareness on this condition and to support training activities. Article title: Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention 2014 Training and Activities Two each 2-Column Tables. First column title: EVENT Second column title: RESULTS 1st row, 1st column: Event: Prenatal classes: Guam Memorial Hospital Authority & Sagua Ma–agu Birthing Center Second column, 1st row: 517 participants 2nd row, 1st column: Outreach activities 2nd column, 2nd row: 354 brochures/resources 3rd row, 1st column: Trainings 3rd row, 2nd column: 17 screeners trained on proper use of hearing screening equipment 4th row, 1st column: Hearing Screening at outreach events 4th row, 2nd column: 83 children/7 referred to Early Intervention & 5 referred to Preschool for follow-up Table title: 2014 Screening to Intervention Data (Guam Memorial Hospital Authority & Sagua Ma–agu Birthing Center) 1st row, 1st column: Total Births 1st row, 2nd column: 2,973 2nd row, 1st column: Total Screened 2nd row, 2nd column: 2,934 3rd row, 1st column: Total Referred for further evaluation 3rd row, 2nd column: 32 4th row, 1st column: Total Diagnosed with Hearing Loss 4th row, 2nd column: 8 5th row, 1st column: Total Receiving Early Intervention Services 5th row, 2nd column: 4 Acknowledgement: (Text in colored box on the bottom right of the page) 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, Bonnie Brandt, Vera Blaz, June De Leon, Terrie Fejarang, Nieves Flores, Ed.D., Joseph Mendiola, Terry Naputi, Jeff Pinaula, Ginger Porter, June Quitugua, Vicky Ritter, and 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) 735.6531 (TTY), or (671) 734.5709 (fax) for more information. The University of Guam is an equal opportunity provider and employer Page 20 Page header: CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS MAR 15 Mar 3 Proclamation Signing, 10am, GovernorÕs Office (Large Conference Room), Adelup Governors Conference Room Mar 3 DVR Program Services Orientation Presentation, 9am-10am, DVR Conference room, DNA Bldg. Mar 4 No Wrong Door Input Meeting, 1:30-2:30pm, Division of Senior Citizens Conference Room, Castle Mall, Mangilao Mar 4 Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council Meeting, 3pm-5pm, GSAT, House 19, DeanÕs Circle, UOG Mar 4 SHRM Breakfast Briefing: Hiring the Right People, 8am-10am, Lotte Hotel Emerald Room Mar 5 Project Bisita - HFA Self-Study, 10am-12pm, Guam CEDDERS House 22/23, DeanÕs Circle, UOG Mar 6 WIC Outreach, 8am-12pm, Northern Region Community Health Center, Dededo Mar 7 21st Annual GSAT Assistive Technology Fair: Making It Work, 10am-2pm, Micronesia Mall, Center Court, Dededo Mar 9 National Center & State Collaborative (NCSC) Training, 1-3pm, GSAT, House 19, Room B, DeanÕs Circle Mar 9 SRC - 2015 Transition Forum, 2:30pm-5pm, DVR Conference Room, DNA Bldg. Mar 10 Tri-Regional Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) and Early Childhood Comprehensive System (ECCS) Forum, San Francisco, CA Mar 10 CLASP Meeting, 9-10am, Attorney GeneralÕs Office, ITC Building, Tamuning Mar 11 Guam Developmental Disabilities Council General Membership Meeting, 11am-2pm, Pacific Star Resort & Spa Mar 11 Kari–u Core Team Meeting, 9am-12pm, Project Kari–u Conference Room, Terlaje Building, Hagatna Mar 11-12 Tri-Regional Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) and Early Childhood Comprehensive System (ECCS) Forum Mar 12-13 National Center & State Collaborative (NCSC) Training, 8:00am -11:30am; 1pm-3pm, GSAT, House 19, Room B, DeanÕs Circle, UOG Mar 13 Prenatal Classes for Soon-To-Be Mothers Registered for Prenatal Care, 9-10am, Central Region Community Health Center, Mangilao Mar 14 Celebrity Bagging in Celebration of DD Awareness Month, 9am-5pm, Pay-Less Micronesia Mall Mar 17-20 FSM TA on Pohnpei, FSM for FSM National SPP-SSIP Stakeholders Meeting Mar 19 Project Bisita Program Level CQI Meeting, 8:30am-9:30 am, Guam CEDDERS House 22/23 Conference Room, Dean Circle, UOG Mar 19 Project Bisita-Healthy Families of America (HFA) Self-Study, 10am-12pm, Guam CEDDERS House 22/23, DeanÕs Circle, UOG Mar 19-20 CNMI PSS Technical Assistance Mar 20 WIC Outreach, 1-5pm, Agat Community Center Mar 21 Down Syndrome ÒTrisomy 21Ó Outreach Event, 8am-4pm, Okkodo High School Track and Field during Special Olympics Event, Dededo Mar 25-27 Palau TA - State Systemic Improvement Plan Mar 25 Hearing Screening, 8am-5pm, Chief Brodie Elementary School Room 4, Tamuning Mar 25 Project Kari–u Bureau of Social Services Administration (BOSSA) Training, 8:30-10:30am, BOSSA Conf. Room, Terlaje Building, Hagatna Mar 26 Project Bisita Open Mic Call, 9-10am, Guam CEDDERS House 22/23 Conference Room, Dean Circle, UOG Mar 27 21st Annual GSAT Assistive Technology Conference: Making It Work, 8am-4pm, Pacific Star Resort Guam Mar 26-27 CNMI PSS Technical Assistance Mar 29 DD Awareness Month Family Fun Day Potluck, 8am-3pm, Sinajana Community Center (food, games, prizes, & music will be provided). APR-MAY 15 Apr 2 Project Bisita-HFA Self-Study, 10am-12pm, Guam CEDDERS House 22/23, DeanÕs Circle, UOG Apr 3 WIC Outreach, 8am-12pm, Northern Region Community Health Center, Dededo Apr 7-10 Community Transportation Association of America Passenger Service and Safety (CTAA PASS) Training, 8am-12pm, GSAT, House 19, Dean Circle Apr 10 Prenatal Classes for Soon-To-Be Mothers Registered for Prenatal Care, 9-10am, Central Region Community Health Center, Dededo Apr 11 Transit Personnel Refresher Training, 8am-12pm, GSAT, House 19, Dean Circle Apr 14 Project Tinituhon SEAM Training, 8:30am-3:30pm, Venue To be announced Apr 17 WIC Outreach, 1pm- 5pm, Yona Community Center Apr 24 Prenatal Classes for Soon-To-Be Mothers Registered for Prenatal Care, 9-10am, Central Region Community Health Center Apr 29-30 State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) Phase II Training with Palau May 1 WIC Outreach. 8am-12pm, Northern Region Community Health Center, Dededo May 2 Technical Assistance - ÒDiagnosing AutismÓ by the UH LEND Consultants, 8:30am-2:30pm, GSAT (by invitation only) May 3 ÒAutism in Early ChildhoodÓ Workshop, UH LEND Consultants, 8:00am-2:30pm, GSAT May 3 ÒAutism in Early ChildhoodÓ for Parents Young Children, 6pm-8pm, GSAT May 4 ÒAddressing the Needs of Older Children (5th to 12th grade) with Autism,Ó 8:30am-2:30pm, GSAT May 4 ÒAutism in Older ChildrenÓ for Parents of Older Children with Autism, 6pm-8pm, GSAT, May 8 Prenatal Classes for Soon-To-Be Mothers Registered for Prenatal Care, 9-10am, Central Region Community Health Center, Mangilao May 14-15 Social & Emotional Assessment Training, 8:30am-3:30pm, Venue To be announced May 15 WIC Outreach, 1-5pm, Agat Community Center May 18 PacRim Presentation, Hawaii Convention Center May 20-22 Regional Summit for Planning Transition Services for Young Adults who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Honolulu, Hawaii May 22 Prenatal Classes for Soon-To-Be Mothers Registered for Prenatal Care, 9am-10 am, Central Region Community Health Center, Mangilao For more information on any of these events, please call 735-2479 or visit www.guamcedders.org