Previous Story
STaRPO, PSS to open parent center
|
Posted on Apr 19 2002
Members of the Saipan, Tinian and Rota parents organization for children with developmental disabilities (STaRPO) signed an agreement with the Special Education Program of the Public School System “to provide a place and an opportunity to receive training and create materials that will support the educational needs of individual students.”
Since April 1, the volunteer staff of STaRPO, led by its president, Frank D. Cabrera, and its executive director, Jaime R. Vergara, began occupying the former Headstart building in Chalan Kanoa.
Through the assistance of inmates from the Department of Public Safety, volunteers from the Marianas Resource Center of the Methodist Church, and STaRPO parents, extensive repairs were done to the roof, electrical system and yard work of the facility. The sewage, plumbing and water systems still require some attention.
During the organization’s regular meeting Sunday afternoon, which was attended by SPED coordinator Ann Quick, and Josephine Fejeren of the University Center for Excellence at the Northern Marianas College, the group decided to formally open the center on May 20.
The group is planning to invite Gov. Juan N. Babauta, Bishop Thomas Camacho, Saipan Mayor Juan Tudela, PSS officials and selected school children for the opening ceremonies.
A parent organization that had taken the initiative to advocate for their own children, STaRPO evolved from the Parents Association for Children with Autism, which led a series of group meetings last year to bring public awareness to autism.
The support of SPED for the PACA and its encouragement to the group to expand its organization to include all families with children qualified for Special Education led to the formation of STaRPO.
Concerted efforts this year to organize groups in Tinian and Rota began with STARPO participating in training events sponsored by the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Fueled primarily by volunteer efforts and local resources, STARPO is poised to collaborate with all the CNMI agencies involved in the care and support of persons with disabilities. STaRPO may be reached at 234 3575.
