EPICS Clinical Practicum in Guam DOE Schools to Start Soon

by Guam CEDDERS EPICS Guam Department of Education
February 6, 2019: The Guam-based scholars in the Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech Pathology (EPICS) San Jose State University graduate program in Speech Language Pathology will be starting their practicum in Guam Department of Education Schools by the third week of February. Natasha Dela Cruz, Principal at MU Lujan Elementary School in Yona, met with Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director and EPICS on site Liaison, to discuss the latest project updates in preparation for the start of practicum. Ms. Dela Cruz is shown here signing consent forms to be sent to and signed by parents to give permission to the scholars to work with their child under the supervision of the licensed speech pathologist assigned to the school.
February 6, 2019: (L-R): Amalia Badua, Guam DOE Speech Therapist assigned to Agana Heights Elementary School (AHES); Hannah Gutierrez, Principal, AHES; and Meagan Terlaje, AHES Teacher and EPICS Scholar are excited about the anticipated start of student practicum by the end of the month.
February 7, 2019: (L-R): Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director and EPICS Project On-Site Liaison, met with Nancy Diaz, Principal, P.C. Lujan Elementary School, to facilitate the beginning of student practicum for the EPICS scholars.
February 7, 2019: Evangeline Iglesias, Principal, Wettengel Elementary School, signs off on documents to facilitate the student practicum process for EPICS scholars.

UOG Social Work Faculty Visit Guam CEDDERS

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Information Dissemination
February 4: Lisa Linda Natividad, Ph.D., and Tricia Lizama, Ph.D, UOG Social Work faculty, visited Guam CEDDERS to discuss the inclusion of a breakout session entitled, “The Behavioral Health Glossary in CHamoru: A Practical Tool Towards Health Literacy and Patient-Centered Care” during the upcoming National Association of Social Workers – Guam Chapter Annual Conference scheduled for March 18-19, 2019 at the Westin Resort Guam. Mariles Benavente, LCSW, and retired Guam CEDDERS Cultural and Linguistic Competence Coordinator, the editor of the Glossary, will be the lead presenter of the session. (L-R) Dr. Natividad and Dr. Lizama are shown holding copies of the Glossary.

GPPT/Project Fitme and Guam EHDI Participate at the Lion’s Club Health Fair

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Systems for Assistive Technology Information Dissemination
February 02, 2019: The Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) Project Fitme and Guam’s Positive Parents Together (GPPT) participated in the Lion’s Club Health Fair at the Micronesia Mall Center Court. Guam EHDI and GPPT shared information about initial hearing screening for newborns and parent supports available to families of children identified with a hearing loss. Pictured at the event were (standing, L-R): Ashley Babauta, GPPT/Project Fitme Support Staff ; Jenika Ballesta, Guam CEDDERS Research Associate; and Bobbie Aflleje, GPPT/Project Fitme Support Staff.
February 02, 2019: the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) participated in the Lion’s Club Health Fair at the Micronesia Mall Center Court. Pictured at the event is Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator.

EHDI Brochures Delivered to Pediatric Clinic and DPHSS

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
Jan. 25, 2019: The Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) Project provided copies of the Guam EHDI brochures to pediatric clinics. These publications promote the importance of newborn hearing screening, early detection and intervention services. Pictured from left to right: Tanya Simer, Guam EHDI Staff, and Dr. Yolanda Carrera, Pediatrican.
Guam EHDI brochures were also provided to Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS), Bureau of Social Services Administration (BOSSA). Pictured from left to right: Tanya Simer, Guam EHDI Staff, and Mari Blas, BOSSA Social Worker.

Family Visits GSAT Model Home

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
January 24, 2019: The Riate Family visited the GSAT Model Home, which helped them learn more about assistive technology. The Riates borrowed the Weighted Shawl and Puppy Hugs assistive devices. The Weighted Shawl and Puppy Hugs are weighted sensory products that aid with sensory processing by providing deep pressure information to joints and muscles, which help individuals feel relaxed and calm. (Pictured L-R: Joseph, Asuncion, and Simon Riate)

“Introduction to Deaf and Hard of Hearing” Training Held for Parents and Family Members

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention

January 19, 2019: Renee Koffend, AuD, CCC-A, facilitated a Parent Leadership Training on “Introduction to Deaf and Hard of Hearing” for parents and family members at Guam Hearing Doctors. The training focused on the causes of hearing loss, available hearing technology and other forms of communication, the purpose and importance of the hearing booth, and how to read an audiogram which shows the type, degree, and configuration of hearing loss.
(Pictured from left to right) Front Row: Milo Roberts, Jamae Quenga, Mila Nicole Quenga. Dr. Renee Koffend, and Evelyn Topasna.
Back Row: Bobbie Aflleje, Project FitMe Staff; Ivan Babauta, ASL Community Interpreter; Nathan Manibusan, ASL Community Interpreter; Susan Dugan, Project FitMe Coordinator; Caleb and Trisha Suzuki.

 

 

CA-LEND Cohort 2 Meet

by Guam CEDDERS Department of Public Health & Social Services Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention LEND
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.

GPPT/Project Fitme Holds 2nd Family Social Event

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
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 Holds Their 1st Family Social Event

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
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.

CEDDERS Expressed Their Appreciation to GMHA Staff

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
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.