JANUARY 10, 2019: UOG CEDDERS, through a sub-award from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), is currently facilitating the second cohort of the California Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (CA-LEND) Health Professional Support Program for Children with Congenital Zika Virus (ZIKV) Infection in American Samoa and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Basin. Pictured (l to r): Jenesse Quan and Isabella Fagota, Social Workers, Karinu, Department of Public Health and Social Services; Tanya Simer, Hearing Screening Paraprofessional, Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) Project; Josephine Cruz, CEDDERS Training Associate; and EDLynn Beyond, CEDDERS Student Office Assistant and currently a student in the University of Guam Master of Public Administration Program. Not pictured: Vera Blaz, CEDDERS Training Associate and CA-LEND ZIKV Training Coordinator.
December 30, 2018: Guam’s Positive Parents Together, Inc. (GPPT)/Project Fitme held their 2nd Family Social Event at the Onward Beach Resort Guam Water Park. The purpose of the Family Social Events is to promote social interaction between families who have young children with hearing loss and who are involved with the D/HH Family Support Group. Pictured front row from left to right: Evelyn Topasna; Gatbo Topasna; Caleb Suzuki; Liam Cruz. Back row: Susan Dugan (GPPT Staff); Ashley Babauta (GPPT Staff); Nathan Manibusan (ASL Community Interpreter) and Ivan Babauta (ASL Community Interpreter); Trisha Suzuki; Jay-Lynn Mendiola and John Mabayag.Pictured are Parents Jay-Lynn Mendiola and John Mabayag with Liam Cruz.Pictured are the Topasna family enjoying the river walk. From left to right: Evelyn Topasna; Tasa Topasna; Tinina Topasna; Inina Topasna; Javier Castro and Gatbo Topasna.
GPPT/Project Fitme family and friends gather for a group picture at our 1st Family Social Event held at Chuck E. Cheese’s. Families had the opportunity to meet and socialize during the event. (Seated L-R) Susan Dugan, Project FitMe Co-Ordinator; Julia Flores, Richard Flores, Joyce Tejeresas, Evelyn Topasna, and Jay-Lynn Mendiola. (Middle Row L-R) Mike Romero, Joseph Flores, Xavier De Jesus, Shane O’mallan, Caleb Suzuki, Trisha Suzuki, Jacob Suzuki, Wil Topasna, John Mabayag, Javier Castro, Inina Topasna, and Ashley Babauta; Project FitMe Staff. (Top Row L-R) William Tejerasas, Keoni Smau-Pescle, Gatbo Topasnas, Liam Mendiola, and Jase Almandres.Father and son, Wil and Gatbo Topasna, enjoy playing air hockey at the 1st GPPT/Project Fitme Family Social Event at Chuck E. Cheese’s.Caleb Suzuki and Xavier DeJesus play a video game during the 1st GPPT/Project Fitme Family Social Event at Chuck E. Cheese’s.
December 21, 2018: Guam CEDDERS expressed their appreciation to GMHA OB Ward and Nursery staff for continued collaboration throughout the year. Pictured from left to right: Ma Victoria (Marivic) Guaio, GMHA OB Ward Nursing Supervisor, and Tanya Simer, Guam CEDDERS. Not pictured: Marie Wusstig, Guam CEDDERS.Pictured from Left to right: Tanya Simer, Guam CEDDERS; Nursery staff; Avelina (Bing) Opena, GMHA NICU Supervisor; Elena Mariano, Nursing Staff; JennyLyn Pascual, GMHA Staff; and Marie Wusstig, Guam CEDDERS.
December 19, 2018: Camille Onglao Gonzales, EPICS Scholar, picked up a hard copy of “Cognitive Communication Disorders,” by Michael L. Kimbarow in preparation for the EDSP 265: “Cognitive Disorders” class which starts on January 7, 2019. Camille is accompanied by Mavi, her two-month old daughter. Both mother and child are clearly excited about the start of the new class. Happy New Year!!!
December 13, 2018: Sibyl Crisostomo, CCC-SLP, (right) clinical supervisor at Guam Regional Medical City, explains bolus flow to Joseph Mendiola, during a bedside swallow assessment, as part of his practicum activities. Joseph is a graduate student under the “Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech Pathology” (EPICS) Project, a collaborative project facilitated by San Jose State University and Guam CEDDERS.
December 5, 2018: Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) staff received ten Diagnostic Audiological Evaluation (DAE) Toolkits for infants referred for a DAE from Guam EHDI staff. Toolkits include materials to assist families to prepare for the infant’s diagnostic audiological evaluation. Pictured Left to Right: Barbara Leon Guerrero, GEIS Data Clerk; Tanya Simer, Guam EHDI Hearing Screening Paraprofessional; Therese Sanchez, GEIS Service Coordinator. Not shown: Jenika Ballesta, Guam CEDDERS, Research Associate.
November 16, 2018: Thomas Krise, Ph.D was given the presidential medallion during his investiture ceremony as the 11th President of the University of Guam at the Calvo Field House. The ceremony was attended by former and current university regents, students, and staff, and island dignitaries. The medallion, presidential hood, and mace will be used by President Krise at official university events.
November 29, 2018: Vera Blaz, CEDDERS Training Associate/Project Bisita I Familia Training and TA Coordinator, poses with Project Bisita home visiting staff at the conclusion of the “Working with Young Children” course. The course focused on child development, positive guidance and discipline, social emotional wellness, special needs, and other topics related to working with children birth to eight years. Pictured left to right: Vera Blaz, CEDDERS Training Associate/Project Bisita I Familia Training and TA Coordinator; Ma. Gwen Yanesa, Veronica Santos, Iris Sablan, and Nicole Loren, DPHSS Project Bisita I Familia Home Visitors. Not pictured: Emraleen Roque, Project Bisita Data Clerk, and Maria Bontogon, CEDDERS Psychology Practicum student.
November 17, 2018: Susan Dugan, GPPT/Project Fitme Coordinator, facilitated a Parent Leadership Training on Self-Advocacy for parents and family members at the Hagatna Library. The training focused on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Guam Legal Services Corporation-Disability Law Center (GLSC-DLC) and other resources parents can access to ensure their child receives Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Additional information on how Parent Mentors can offer additional support as parents navigate resources for their children’s needs. (Pictured from left to right) John Mabayag, Jay-Lynn Mendiola, Trisha Suzuki, Caleb Suzuki, Susan R. Dugan, Program Coordinator; Evelyn Topasna, and Ashley Babauta.