Langston University Consultants Meet Acting Governor Tenorio

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Developmental Disabilities
February 27, 2019: Acting Governor Joshua F. Tenorio met Langston University consultants after the proclamation signing and resolution presentation at the Guam Congress Building in Hagatna. Pictured left to right: Edward Manyibe, Capacity-Building Director and Research Associate Professor, Langston University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (LU-RRTC); Andre Washington, Co-Principal Investigator/Technical Assistant Coordinator, LU-RRTC; Acting Governor Joshua F. Tenorio; Corey Moore, Principal Investigator and Research Director, LU-RRTC.

March Proclaimed Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Developmental Disabilities
February 27, 2019: Acting Governor Joshua F. Tenorio signed a proclamation declaring March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month at the Guam Congress Building in Hagatna. Senator and Legislative Speaker Tina Muna-Barnes presented a resolution to the tri-agency representatives for their continued work in the field of disabilties. Joseph Mendiola, CEDDERS Interoperability Data Manager and DDC Council member, received a copy of the resolution on behalf of CEDDERS.

First PBILC Meeting in 9 Years Held in Guam

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Community Services: Technical Assistance
February 28, 2019: Representatives from the American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Guam met to discuss common issues relating to disabilities on our islands and the potential on re-establishing the Pacific Basin Interagency Leadership Consortium to work collaboratively in addressing common concerns.
Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola, Director of the American Samoa University Center on Developmental Disabilities (ASUCEDD) spearheaded regrouping efforts and facilitated the meeting with support from Guam CEDDERS.

Langston University RERC Meets with UOG Administration

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Community Services: Technical Assistance
On February 28, 2019, representatives from the Langston University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (LU-RRTC) met with University of Guam (UOG) officials to discuss opportunities for the territory to conduct research in the field of disability and rehabilitation. Langston University will work in collaboration with UOG to provide technical assistance in grant writing, conducting research, data analysis, and research publication.
Sitting from L-R: LU-RRTC Representatives: Dr. Courtney Ward-Sutton, Post-Doctoral Fellow; Dr. Renee Starr-Howard, Post-Doctoral Fellow; Dr. Corey L. Moore, Principal Investigator and Research Director; Dr. Edward O. Manyibe, Research Associate & Capacity Building Director; Dr. Andre L. Washington, Research Assistant Professor & Technical Assistance Coordinator.
Standing L-R: UOG Staff: Dr. Troy McVey, Interim Assistant Vice President, Director of Graduate Studies; Dr. Anita B. Enriquez, Senior Vice President; Dr. Heidi San Nicolas, CEDDERS Director; Dr. Josephine Cruz, CEDDERS Training Associate; and Peter Barcinas, Institutional Review Board Chair.

Langston University Consultants Meet Senators

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE
February 27, 2019: Langston University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center representatives pose in the main foyer of the Guam Congress Building after a meeting with senators. Left to Right: Jermaine Alerta, Executive Director, Guam Developmental Disabilties Council; Josephine Cruz, CEDDERS Training Associate; Senator Regine B. Lee, Committee on Federal and Foreign Affairs, Telecommunications, Technology, and Labor; Edward Manyibe, Capacity-Building Director and Research Associate Professor, Langston University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (LU-RRTC); Corey Moore, Principal Investigator and Research Director, LU-RRTC; Vera Blaz, CEDDERS Training Associate; Andre ashington, Co-Principal Investigator/Technical Assistant Coordinator, LU-RRTC; Senator Amanda Shelton, Committee on Higher Education and the Advancement of Women, Youth, and Senior Citizens; and Jocelyn De Guia, Office of Senator Terlaje.
February 27, 2019: Representatives from the Langston University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center met with Senator Regine B. Lee, Committee on Federal and Foreign Affairs, Telecommunications, Technology, and Labor; Senator Amanda Shelton, Committee on Higher Education and the Advancement of Women, Youth, and Senior Citizens; and a representative from Senator Therese Terlaje’s office to discuss research opportunities for Guam in the area of disabilities. Pictured (l to r): Josephine Cruz, CEDDERS Training Associate; Senator Amanda Shelton; Evelyn Claros, Office of Senator Shelton; Senator Regine Lee; Corey Moore, Principal Investigator and Research Director, Langston University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (LU-RRTC); Edward Manyibe, Capacity-Building Director and Research Associate Professor, LU-RRTC; and Andre Washington, Co-Principal Investigator/Technical Assistant Coordinator, LU-RRTC. Not pictured: Jocelyn De Guia, Office of Senator Terlaje; Vera Blaz, CEDDERS Training Associate, and Jermaine Alerta, Executive Director, Guam Developmental Disabilities Council.

Langston University Reps Share Info on Research Project Supports

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
February 27, 2019: CEDDERS staff pose with Langston University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (LU-RRTC) staff and representatives from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Republic of the Marshall Islands. The Langston University team comprising of Corey Moore, Principal Investigator and Research Director; Edward Manyibe, Capacity-Building Director and Research Associate Professor; and Andre Washington, Co-Principal Investigator/Technical Assistant Coordinator, are on Guam to share opportunities for Guamanians to conduct research in the fields of disability and rehabilitation. Funded through a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services the LU-RRTC is actively recruiting participation in research opportunities in the U.S. Territories. Funding includes technical assistance in grant writing, conducting research, data analysis, and manuscript preparation and publishing.

Meeting with EPICS Scholars Focuses on Practicum Preparation

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE EPICS
February 20, 2019: Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director and EPICS Liaison met with Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Public School System Special Education staff to discuss upcoming practicum options for the Saipan-based scholars. Front Row (L-R): Terrie Fejarang; Suzanne Lizama, CNMI PSS Special Education Director. Back Row (L-R): Nora Pangelinan, Data Management and Compliance Program Manager and Donna Flores, Data Management and Compliance Program Manager.
February 20, 2019: Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director and Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) Project Fitme Project Director, met with Angie Mister, CCC-AuD, CNMI EHDI Coordinator at the CNMI Public Health Center, Saipan, to discuss upcoming events within the EHDI Projects.
February 20, 2019: Saipan-based EPICS scholars met with EPICS staff to discuss upcoming practicum activities. EPICS stands for “Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech Pathology” a personnel preparation project funded through a U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Program (OSEP) grant. The grant supports the delivery of SJSU’s graduate program in Speech Language Pathology to Pacific scholars. (L-R): Catherine Roszala, EPICS Scholar; Ignacio Dela Cruz, EPICS Scholar; Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director and EPICS On-site Liaison; and Keokia Mendiola, CCC-SLP, EPICS/San Jose State University Clinical Practicum Supervisor. Not shown: Tricia Taitano, EPICS Scholar.

Guam EHDI Parents & Staff Visit North Carolina D/HH Programs

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Department of Education Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Early Intervention System
February 20, 2019: Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Project, Guam Positive Parents Together, and Guam Department of Education – Guam Early Intervention System met with North Carolina Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) staff. Both EHDI Teams were able to share their experiences and the resources within their programs with one another. Front row left to right: Jenika Ballesta, Guam CEDDERS, Research Associate, Marie Wusstig, Guam EHDI, Training Associate; Beth Whitfield, NC Early Learning Sensory Support Program; Tisha Suzuki, Parent Mentor; Susan Dugan, GPPT Project Fitme Coordinator; Cathy Tydingco, GDOE-GEIS, School Program Coordinator; Ann Marie Cruz, GPPT Board President; Johnnie Sexton, CARE Project, Founder, Executive Director; NC-EHDI staffs; Evelyn Topasna, Parent Mentor; Tanya Simer, Guam EHDI, Hearing Screening Paraprofessional.
February 21, 2019: Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Project, Guam Positive Parents Together (GPPT), and Guam Department of Education (GDOE) – Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) toured the Greensboro County Deaf Education programs at Frazier Elementary School, Hunter Elementary School, Johnson Street School, and Grimsley High School. The Deaf Education program provides equal educational access for deaf and hard of hearing students. Support services are provided for different hearing loss and communication needs which consist of American Sign Language Interpreting and Assistive Technology devices. Pictured left to right: Joann Mapas, GCS Deaf Education Lead; Jenika Ballesta, Guam CEDDERS Research Associate; Tanya Simer, Guam EHDI Hearing Screening Paraprofessional; Ann Marie Cruz, GPPT Board President; Evelyn Topasna, Parent Mentor; Susan Dugan, GPPT Project Fitme Coordinator; Marie Wusstig, Guam EHDI Training Associate; Trisha Suzuki, Parent Mentor; Cathy Tydingco, School Program Coordinator, GDOE-GEIS.

Train-the-trainer Self-Advocacy Workshop Held

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Self-Advocacy
February 16, 2019: Five Self-Advocates gather with Guam CEDDERS staff following completion of a 2-day Self-Advocacy Train the Trainer Workshop, February 9 and 16, 2019 at GSAT. Front row (L-R): Self-Advocates Maria Bontogon, Barbara Johnson, and Candice Perry. Back row (L-R): Kunta Edmond, UOG Social Work Intern; Mary Kidd, CEDDERS Consultant, Esther Gina Arca and Silvestre San Nicolas, Self-Advocates; and Tanya Simer, Guam CEDDERS staff.
February 16, 2019: Self-Advocates review an activity in one of five modules of the Self-Advocacy Training Program for Individuals with Disabilities at a Train the Trainer Workshop held at GSAT. Seated clockwise are: Silvestre San Nicolas, Self-Advocate; Mary Kidd, CEDDERS Consultant; Maria Bontogon, Candice Perry, and Barbara Johnson, Self-Advocates; and Kunta Edmond, UOG Social Work Intern.
February 9, 2019: (Clockwise) Maria Bontogon, Barbara Johnson, Candice Perry and Silvestre San Nicolas participate in a Train-the-Trainer Self-Advocacy Workshop with E. Gina Arca (not shown) at GSAT. Facilitating is Mary Kidd with Evangelis Babauta, ASL interpreter.

EHDI Meets CSDHH

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Department of Education Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Early Intervention System
February 19. 2019: Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Project, Guam Positive Parents Together, and Guam Department of Education – Guam Early Intervention System met with Communication Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CSDHH) staff in Greensboro, North Carolina to discuss the programs and services CSDHH provide. CSDHH is a non-profit organization that provides services for Individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) and their families, which consists of advocacy, American Sign Language (ASL) classes, interpreting, and social activities. Pictured from left to right: Jenika Ballesta, Guam CEDDERS Research Associate; Cathy Tydingco, School Program Coordinator, Guam Department of Education; Ann Marie Cruz, GPPT Board President; Tanya Simer, Guam CEDDERS Hearing Screening Paraprofessional; Paige Sprinkle, CSDHH, Program Coordinator; Susan Dugan, GPPT Project Fitme Coordinator; Trisha Suzuki, Parent Mentor; Meredith Kaplan, CSDHH, Outreach Coordinator; Jen Dunn, NC Early Learning Sensory Support Program; Marie Wusstig, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate; Evelyn Topasna, Parent Mentor. Not pictured is Kelle Owens, MPA, Executive Director, CSDHH.
February 19, 2019: Guam Positive Parents Together are pictured from left to right: Ann Marie Cruz, GPPT Board President; Trisha Suzuki, Parent Mentor; Susan Dugan, GPPT Project Fitme Program Coordinator; Evelyn Topasna, Parent Mentor; Meredith Kaplan, CSDHH, Outreach Coordinator.