Webinar with Donna McNear, Vision Instruction Consultant

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training

On February 22, Guam CEDDERS facilitated a webinar presented by Donna McNear, Vision Instruction Consultant (shown on screen) on the “Assistive Technology for Young Children with Visual Impairments”. Attendees included staff from Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) (Part C) and the Vision Instruction Program (Part B), along with staff from the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) Center.

GSAT Conference and Fair Planning Committee Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Systems for Assistive Technology

The GSAT Conference and Fair Planning Committee met on February 16. In attendance were, (right, counterclockwise) Mary Kidd, GSAT Consultant; Dawn Maka, Member at Large; Evangelis Babauta, ASL Interpreter; Jeffery Warfield, DISID Representative; Raymond Sayas, GDDC Representative; Evelyn Duenas, Member; Josephine Cortez, Member at Large, and Jack Larimer, GDOE Representative. Also in attendance were Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator and Barbara Johnson, Vice Chairperson. (not in the photo).

Guam CEDDERS Provides Information at the Head Start Fitness Fair

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Systems for Assistive Technology Tinituhon

John Guiao, GSAT Grant Support Assistant (left), provided information on GSAT and Akudi Loan Program to a visitor during the Head Start Fitness Fair at the Guam Sports Complex on February 11.

Vera Blaz, Guam CEDDERS and Project Tinituhon Training Associate (left), and John Guiao, GSAT Grant Support Assistant (right), pass out project information during the Head Start Fitness Fair held at the Guam Sports Complex on February 11.

Vera Blaz, Guam CEDDERS and Project Tinituhon Training Associate (sitting) and Jenika Ballesta, Guam CEDDERS Research Associate (standing), pass out information on Project Tinituhon and Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) to visitors during the Head Start Fitness Fair at the Guam Sports Complex on February 11.

Prenatal Presentation by Guam EHDI

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention

Marie Wusstig, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate and Guam EHDI Hearing Screening Facilitator (standing), talked about the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) project and the services provided during the Prenatal Presentation held at the Mangilao Public Health on February 10.

CNMI Early Intervention Team Visits Guam

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Community Services: Training

Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Consultant, provided technical assistance to the CNMI Early Intervention Team related to their State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) on February 8 & 9, 2017. Pictured (L-R): Doris Itibus, Janelle Cepeda, Jonisa Sanchez, Clare Summers, Robin Palacios, Elaine Eclavea, and Peter Mendiola.

Infant of Prague Child Care Center Complete ASQ-3 Training

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training

On January 21, Vera Blaz, Guam CEDDERS and Project Tinituhon Training Associate, facilitated training for 18 caregivers at Infant of Prague Nursery and Kindergarten School on the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3), a developmental screening tool used to celebrate milestones and identify delays. Also attending the training session was Joe Mantague, Program Coordinator for the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) Program at the Department of Public Health and Social Services.

Vera Blaz, Guam CEDDERS and Project Tinituhon Training Associate, is pictured with Virginia Quioc a staff from Dominican Catholic School. Ms. Blaz provided follow up technical assistance on January 27th on implementing the use of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3), a developmental screening tool, as a standard procedure at the school.

Ages and Stages Questionnaires Chuukese Translation Nears Completion

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Model Services Community Services: Technical Assistance

Guam CEDDERS is facilitating the translation of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) into the Chuukese language with support from Project Tinituhon, Guam’s Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Services Resource Administration. The focus of Project Tinituhon is the promotion of developmental screening at child care centers and medical clinics. Jenika Ballesta, Guam CEDDERS Research Associate (left) is pictured with R-Leen Mario, Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) Child Find/Public Awareness Manager (right), who verified the current draft Chuukese translation of the ASQ, a developmental screening tool.

GCC American Sign Language Class Visits GSAT

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Systems for Assistive Technology

Guam System For Assistive Technology (GSAT) AT Coordinator, Leah Abelon, demonstrated the use of various AT devices on January 18-19, 2017 for students enrolled in Guam Community College's American Sign Language classes. Eighty-two students attended the demonstrations which took place in AT Model Home located at House 20 Deans Circle, on the University of Guam campus. — Guam System For Assistive Technology (GSAT) AT Coordinator, Leah Abelon, demonstrated the use of various AT devices on January 18-19, 2017 for students enrolled in Guam Community College’s American Sign Language classes. Eighty-two students attended the demonstrations which took place in AT Model Home located at House 20 Deans Circle, on the University of Guam campus.

EPICS Scholars Meet with Dr. Wendy Quach, CCC-SLP

by Guam CEDDERS EPICS

Attending the meeting were (L-R) Front Row: Megan Merfalen, Tatiana Perez, John Payne, Lisa Eclavea, Gabrielle Duenas, and Meagan Terlaje. Back Row: Joseph Mendiola, Christina Coles, Camille Gonzales, Dr. Quach, Bobbie Obillo, Lillian Reyes, Dianne Sapida, Cassandra Dimla, Jasmin Avani, Lanni Cruz, and Aileen Serrano. — Guam-based EPICS scholars met for the first time face to face with Dr. Wendy Quach, CCC-SLP, Co-Director on January 16 at the GSAT Center. The EPICS Project provides scholarships and access to San Jose State University’s Graduate Program in Speech Language Pathology. Attending the meeting were (L-R) Front Row: Megan Merfalen, Tatiana Perez, John Payne, Lisa Eclavea, Gabrielle Duenas, and Meagan Terlaje. Back Row: Joseph Mendiola, Christina Coles, Camille Gonzales, Dr. Quach, Bobbie Obillo, Lillian Reyes, Dianne Sapida, Cassandra Dimla, Jasmin Avani, Lanni Cruz, and Aileen Serrano.

Dr. Quach met with the Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education, Speech Language Pathologists on January 17 to discuss scholar observations and practica supervision.

Dr. Quach met with Yolanda Gabriel, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education, Guam Department of Education, on January 17, to discuss Project EPICS activities and timelines, and facilitating supports for the Guam-based EPICS Scholars.

Dr. Quach also travelled to Saipan on January 19 and met with CNMI EPICS Scholars. Pictured above are Dr. Quach and Tricia Taitano, EPICS Scholar, meeting at Oleai Elementary School.

Dr. Quach met with Ignacio Dela Cruz, EPICS Scholar, at William Reyes Elementary School.

Dr. Quach also met with Cathy Ruszala, EPICS Scholar.

Dr. Quach met with Suzanne Lizama, CNMI Special Education Director, on January 19, to discuss Project EPICS activities and timelines, and facilitating supports for the CNMI EPICS Scholars. Also attending this meeting was Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Liaison for Project EPICS.

Project Tinituhon & Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (Guam EHDI) Participated in the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Fair

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Tinituhon

Christina Jung, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate (seated), shares information with parents on the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program during the DPHSS Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Fair, at the Micronesia Mall on January 7.

Vera Blaz, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, shares information about Project Tinituhon and the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) at Department of Public Health & Social Services (DPHSS) Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Fair held at the Micronesia Mall on January 7. ASQ is a developmental screening tool used to learn more about a child’s development.