20 years of serving the Tinian community

In expressing its gratitude to Tinian residents, the Early Intervention Program of the Public School System has reaffirmed its dedication to carrying on its free early detection services to infants, toddlers, and their families which they have been providing for the last 20 years.

“Early intervention has always collaborated with Tinian Public Health through the Immunization Program for the last 20 years. We thank you for being our outreach on the island of Tinian to get our kids in (to our services). When kids get referred, they are evaluated, and eventually are provided with all necessary support services to ensure they are able to receive uninterrupted learning opportunities from the Public School System,” Early Intervention Program director Robin Palacios said in her recent meeting with her Tinian partners.

The Early Intervention Program provides for free early detection services for infants and toddlers with development delays. Its services form part of the federal statute, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which in 1986, was amended to include said program for infants and toddlers and their families. It was known as Part C of IDEA.

Palacios was joined by Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho during its Oct. 16 meeting with Tinian partners, which was followed by outreach to parents and families.

The PSS EI Program has been providing monthly services to infants and toddlers, in particular, assisting the developmental needs at no cost to families. These include infants and toddlers with Down syndrome, deafness, autism, and other developmental disabilities.

“We thank you for opening your doors to us to serve our children through our EI Program,” said Camacho in expressing his appreciation for Tinian Public Health.

Ecosystem of support

Camacho and Palacios met with Gizelle Ablan, acting resident Tinian health director, Tessa Diaz of the Tinian immunization program, and Tinian nurse Rejean Nuyda. Also joining them were EI Program specialists Peter Mendiola and Nace Soalabai.

The education chief described the partnership between PSS, through various programs like the EI Program, with government agencies and programs as an “ecosystem of support.”

“This program is very important for everybody in our community, not just for PSS. It is about preparing our child for the new life that she or he is going to have. Our Early Intervention Program services are there during the critical early learning years of every child and at an age level that our schools are ready to welcome them as learners,” Camacho told the program’s Tinian partners.

“It is hard for us at PSS to make it possible without your support. Beyond that, I am also grateful to all of our health centers who focus on our children, by supporting and partnering with our EI Program, to help them with their healthcare and development care needs,” Camacho added.

“What we have been doing for the past 20 years is part of the ecosystem of support: our government partners who assist us in taking care of our children’s health and wellbeing for them to be able to come to our schools to learn,” Camacho added.

Outreach, parent session

Camacho, Palacios, and the EI Program specialists also held home visitations and outreach, reinforcing the program’s “Child Find and Public Awareness” activities. This was to ensure that parents, including new parents, are aware that there are programs provided for free for early detection and for development care of infants and toddlers.

This was followed by a parent input session on Oct. 17. Participants were provided with information on 8 Evidence Based Practices or EBPs to help young children increase language and literacy skills. The EBPs are strategies that are implemented with all children who receive early intervention services.

The Tinian outreach was able to sign up 28 participants, including parents, childcare providers, and community members. This is yet again the largest participation for Tinian stakeholders. The event was facilitated by early intervention providers, along with technical assistance from Guam CEDDERS. The team also met with community partners such as DYS, Team Koka, the Library, and Tinian Health Center.

‘Thank you’

Ablan, the acting Tinian resident health director, said PSS’ Early Intervention Program has been a partner for their outreach work.

“Thank you for being a strong partner in our outreach work,” Ablan said.

She has also asked Camacho on the possibility of expanding this partnership by allowing the Tinian Public Health Program to conduct outreach to middle and high school students.

“One of the gaps we are trying to fill is the aspect of the (family life and life skills) program. We have our own program, and our target population is from the middle to high school level,” Ablan said.

Camacho said PSS will support Tinian Health Center’s program: “I welcome you to our campus to help promote your program which supports our students’ education.” (PR)