EPICS Scholars Earn Practicum Hours

by Guam CEDDERS EPICS Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation
The EPICS Project is a personnel preparation project funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, and awarded to San José State University (SJSU) in collaboration with Guam CEDDERS. EPICS Scholars are currently focusing on earning practicum hours at various placement sites including the Guam Department of Education’s Extended School Year Program, Guam Regional Medical City, and Guam Memorial Hospital.  A group of nine scholars from Guam are currently completing an externship at various placement sites in the San José State University (SJSU) area.  The seven remaining scholars from Guam are also working on earning hours while on island this summer. 
July 8, 2019: (L-R) Kathy Ruszala, a scholar from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) who is in the Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech Pathology (EPICS) Project and Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS EPICS Consultant, met to discuss Kathy’s progress in her practicum experience.
July 8, 2019: (L-R): Ignacio dela Cruz, Tricia Taitano, and Kathy Ruszala, CNMI Scholars are currently in Guam in practicum placements at in the Summer Extended School Year Program at Guam Department of Education. They are also earning practicum hours at Guam Regional Medical Center and Guam Memorial Hospital.

AUCD Leadership Academy Shapes the Future of Disability

by Guam CEDDERS AUCD Developmental Disabilities

Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, Josephine Cruz, was one of 24 participants selected from across the nation to attend the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Leadership Academy.  The AUCD Leadership Academy was held at Georgia State University from June 28 through June 29.  The goal of the Academy was to cultivate 21st century leaders for the disability movement through a focus on strengths-based and authentic leadership that promotes collective impact.  The Courage and Renewal principles and practices were used as a framework for the training.  Participants had the opportunity to tour the National Center on Civil and Human Rights and to meet disability self-advocates who are at the forefront of the national disability movement including Liz Weintraub, You-Tube star of Tuesdays with Liz:  Disability Policy For All and Jeiri Flores, Self-Advocacy Discipline Coordinator.  In addition, participants were able to network and share leadership challenges with other leaders in the disability movement in their allied groups.  The Academy provided valuable learning experiences that will facilitate and sustain the leadership at Guam CEDDERS.

L-R: Dr. Valerie William, Director, Center for Learning and Leadership University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; Dr. Daniel Crimmins, Director, Center for Leadership in Disability; Josephine Cruz, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate; Andrew Imparto, JD, Executive Director, Association of University Centers on Disabilities.
L-R: Liz Weintraub, AUCD Senior Advocacy Specialist and You-Tube star; Josephine Cruz, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate.
AUCD faculty prepare for training. L-R: Matthew Williams, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Forum for Theological Exploration; Mark Crenshaw, MTS, Director of Interdisciplinary Training, Center for Leadership Disability.
AUCD Leadership Academy trainees, faculty, and guest speakers pose for a group photo after touring the National Center on Civil and Human Rights.

Guam State Rehabilitation Council General Membership Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Developmental Disabilities Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
June 20, 2019: The Guam State Rehabilitation Council held their quarterly General Membership meeting at the GSAT, House 19 to discuss and vote on amendments to policies, and updates from the standing committees. Former SRC Treasurer, Eddy Reyes also conducted a presentation on GovGuam Procurement Policy Regarding Employment for Individuals with Disabilities.

Vision Students Visit GSAT

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Developmental Disabilities Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
June 19, 2019: As part of the Guam Department of Education Vision Program – Extended School Year, Vision Instructor, Darlene Taimanglo and 8 students who are blind participated in a guided tour the Guam System for Assistive Technology Demonstration Center and Model Home to learn about AT for vision that provides support to daily living. The students range from 8 and 18 years.

Guam State Rehabilitation Council Swearing In Ceremony

by Guam CEDDERS Developmental Disabilities Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
June 18, 2019: GSAT’s Center Coordinator Leah Abelon was appointed and sworn in as Community Rehabilitation Program Service Provider of the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) at the Governor’s Office in Adelup, for a term of three years. The SRC’s purpose, in partnership with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), is to review, analyze, and advise regarding the DVR Program.

Assistive Technology and Accessibility Training at DISID

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Continuing Education Developmental Disabilities Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
June 10, 2019: GSAT Center Coordinator Leah Abelon conducted training on the usage of a TDD/TTY, a telecommunication device for the Deaf, and creating accessible documents. Training participants included staff from the Guam Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID) Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Division of Social Services.

Guam EHDI Delivers Resources to GEIS

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Early Intervention System Information Dissemination
June 6, 2019: Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) delivered resources to Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) for families of children recently referred for a Diagnostic Audiological Evaluation (DAE). The resources help families prepare for their child’s DAE appointment with an audiologist. (Pictured Left to Right) Tanya Simer, CEDDERS Research Associate, and Macrina Atoigue, Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) Secretary.

Project Bisita Staff Attend CQI Training

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Project Bisita I Familia
May 23, 2019: Vera Blaz, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate/Project Bisita I Familia TA and Training Coordinator (pictured second from right), and Jenika Ballesta, CEDDERS Research Associate/Project Bisita Data (not pictured), facilitated training on Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) with Project Bisita Staff using the CQI Toolkit, a resource for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program developed by James Bell Associates under the Project Design Options for Home Visiting Evaluation (DOHVE).