EISS works on improving its services

Are you concerned about your child’s development? Did you know that the CNMI Early Intervention Service System, or EISS, provides free supports and services for identifying, referring, evaluating, and providing early intervention services for infants and toddlers (birth to age three) with developmental delays/disabilities and their families?

For more information, stop by the Children’s Developmental Assistance Center (C*DAC) or call (670) 664-4830.

EISS, administered through the Public School System, in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, provides early intervention services to eligible infants and toddlers and their families. EISS provides a wide variety of family-centered services to assist families enhance their child’s development, such as service coordination, health services, special instruction, speech language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, nutritional services, social work services, assistive technology devices and services, transportation, and other related services depending upon the unique needs of the eligible child and their family.

On Feb. 21 and 22, 2006, EISS personnel from PSS and Public Health engaged in a two-day professional development event facilitated by the University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (Guam CEDDERS). The purpose of the two-day event was to review critical data and information for improving early intervention services.

Some of the discussion areas included: the number of children served, where children receive services, how a system to gather feedback from families receiving services would be implemented, how child outcomes would be measured, and how monitoring procedural requirements would require evidence of clear documentation. Consultants from the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia, were also available on the first day to share information on the identification and early intervention service needs of young children with hearing loss and their families.

A wealth of information shared and discussed led to an understanding of how each service coordinator and provider contributes to the growth of the young children and families served, as well as to the program data collected, compiled, and reported on an annual basis. For example, on Dec. 1, 2005, 57 infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families were served, which represented approximately 1.58 percent of the Census population for that age group. Although the percentage was below the U.S. National average, the percentage represented an increase from 1.3 percent reported on Dec. 1, 2004. The data sparked conversations that focused on strategies for increasing the number of young children served.

A highlight of the two-day event was the tremendous support received from first lady Josie Fital and Margaret Keene during the EISS presentation facilitated by Suzanne Lizama, the EISS coordinator.

The luncheon presentation held on the first day included an introduction to the EISS staff and consultants from Guam CEDDERS and CDC, and closed with inspirational remarks from Commissioner Rita Inos, who recognized the program’s successes, yet challenged each person to continue to improve services because, as emphasized, PSS, in collaboration with Public Health, serves infants and toddlers with developmental delays/disabilities and their families. (PR)

Photo Caption: First lady Josie Fital, sitting second from left, and Margaret Keene, wife of the Lt. Governor, sitting third from left, take time to be with the CNMI Early Intervention Service System staff and University of Guam CEDDERS technical assistance providers during the first day of the two-day EISS professional development activities on February 21 & 22, 2006. Standing left to right, are June De Leon, Consultant, Guam CEDDERS; Lydia Santos, Social Worker, Public Health (PH); Margaret Blaz, Speech Pathologist, Public School System (PSS); Robin Palacios, Early Interventionist, PSS; Viola Kaipat, Service Coordinator, PH; Michelle Huet, Occupational Therapist, PSS; Nancy Rushmer, Consultant, PH; Angie Mister, Audiologist, PSS; Anthonia Erlet, Early Interventionist, PSS; Elaine Eclavea, Consultant, Guam CEDDERS; Julie Lieto, Service Coordinator, PH; and Naomi Diaz, Early Interventionist/Data Specialist, PSS. Sitting left to right, are Margaret Aldan, Maternal & Child Health Coordinator, PH; Fital; Keene; Suzanne Lizama, EISS Coordinator, PSS; and Esther Fleming, Special Administrative Assistant to the Governor. Not shown are Erica Frink, Early Interventionist, PSS; and Doris Itibus, Service Coordinator, PH. (Contributed Photo)