ICC Quarterly Meeting Productive

The Guam ICC ended its last quarterly meeting of the year on December 16, 2013 at the Guam Marriott Resort with much success.  Suggestions of new members were explored, and the commitment of every member was highlighted.  Recommendations will be forthcoming.  The revised ICC's By-Laws were previously passed, and the group was reminded of its importance.  The Evaluation of Part C, GEIS and in particular the development of the scope of work was discussed.  Cathy Tydingco will provide additional details in the next quarterly meeting.  She will also forward the Memorandum of Agreement for the agencies that service our children.  Moreover, final input on the Part C APR, which is due to OSEP February 3, 2014 was also made.  Thank you for making this happen!

Members of our focus groups also shared great news of various activities, including outreach to families, Boystown Research Hospital visit for the hearing impaired, PBIS, teacher training, Shriners/Genetics visit, etc.  Budgets regarding the different focus group activities will be further discussed in our next quarterly meeting.  Kudos to all!

Tydingo shared her Report Out for Part C and Part B.  She discussed the FFY 2014 grant application, state plan components, public hearing, stakeholders presentation on the Preschool Indicators, as well as the Annual IDEA Part C Report to the Public 2011-2012.

Lastly, we are pleased to announce that a new Executive Committee was formed.  Karla Borja was elected as the new Guam ICC Chairperson.  Elaine Eclavea was elected as the Vice Chairperson.  Cathy Tydingco will remain as the Part C Coordinator and the two Members at Large include Dr. Nieves Flores and Cathy Schroeder.  Borja will replace Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera as the new Chairperson.  Thank you Dr. Rivera for your service, and congratulations to our new Executive Committee!

The next proposed ICC Quarterly meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 10, 2013, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  The location will be announced later.  Please join us then!

IDEA and Section 504 Presentation

Please mark your calendars for an informative IDEA evening session with Gail ImObersteg, Esq. on Wednesday, September 11, 2013, 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. at Rm. 129, School of Business and Public Administration Building, University of Guam. Focus will be on Understanding Your Child's Rights under IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Confirm your attendance with Laura Taisipic no later than September 9, 2013 via e-mail at sped@gdoe.net or call 300-1322.

Guam EDHI Conference Instrumental

Thank you to all who made the first Guam EHDI Conference held Aug. 29 & 30, 2013 a success!  Presentations on teleaudiology, universal newborn hearing screening, assistive technology, cultural and linguistic competence, family/parent panels, quality assurance, and so much more were explored!  Si Yu'os Ma'ase'!

Guam Early Childhood Parent Conference a Success!

I want to extend a BIG thank you to all parents and guardians of children ages birth to five, as well as every conference participant, along with representatives from the Department of Education (Guam Early Intervention Services-GEIS, Special Education Preschool Program, Head Start), Department of Public Health and Social Services (Project Karinu, Project Bisita), CEDDERS (Guam Early Hearing Detection Intervention-GEHDI), DPW, Synergy Studios, Erica's House, VARO, GPPT, my fellow Interagency Coordinating Council members, and everyone who made our conference a success!  We were instrumental in empowering our families with the wealth of knowledge that was shared.

As the Chairperson and parent representative of the Guam Interagency Coordinating Council (GICC), let me take a moment to share with you who we are and what we do.  We are advocates for the rights of children with disabilities and the parents who care for them.  GICC is a federally mandated statewide interagency group that advises and assists agencies providing early intervention services to young children birth to 5 years old, with or at risk for disabilities and their families. GICC further advises and assists the lead agency in the development and implementation of policies constituting the island-wide system of coordinated services, participating public and private agencies who are involved with early intervention services for children, birth through five years old and their families.

In any event, we were pleased to help sponsor this valuable early childhood conference.  Our participants had the opportunity to learn of the various services they can avail of, early childhood education, tips on raising happy kids, promoting language, use of assistive technology, nutrition and physical activity, parent-centered planning, social emotional development, dealing with challenging behavior, and more.  There were also exhibits and resources available.

The committee worked very hard to put together an amazing early childhood parent conference, so that our parents can get the support that they need in parenting their ways through the early years.  

Above all, let us remember that TOGETHER, we must build STRONG ROOTS TODAY, so that we can have HEALTHY BRANCHES TOMORROW!

THANK YOU!  SI YU’OS MA’ASE’! 

Parent Cafe - June 25, 2013

Learn ideas that can help you take care of yourself and your family, so that you can raise strong, happy children.  Join us 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at the Sheraton Laguna Resort.  We hope to see you there!

Early Childhood Parent Conference - June 22

Parent Cafe - June 1, 2013

Head Start is hosting a Parent Cafe on Saturday, June 1st from 8:00am - 11:00am at the Holiday Resort. The theme is "Building Strong Relationships with Your Children". Focus will be on all 5 protective factors.