1. Vol. 1, Issue 2 September 2011
Guam Advocates
N E W S L E T T E R
An official newsletter of the Guam Legal Services Corporation - Disability Law Center
“GLSC-DLC will provide legal assistance, advocate, and promote equal rights and equal access to justice for the underserved
communities of Guam” -GLSC_DLC Mission Statement
Understanding Health Care for
Patients with Disabilities by: Carol Cabiles
Individuals with disabilities, their families and service providers listen to GLSC-DLC Executive Director, Harold Parker
present on the topic of Power of Attorneys and Legal Guardianships.
Guam Disability Heath Conference, Developmental Disabilities Council
titled “Understanding Health Care for (GDDC) in collaboration with the Guam
Patients with Disabilities” was held on Tri-Agency on Developmental Disabilities
Saturday, September 24 at the Guam partners – Guam Legal Services
Marriott, over 200 attendees participated Corporation Disability Law Center (GLSC-
in this event sponsored by the Guam DLC), and the University of Guam Center
Medical Association (GMA) and Guam See Health Care. page 6
2. Page 2
Annual Protection & Advocacy (P&A) Public
Input Session By: Carol Cabiles
As part of our continuing effort to address the issues and service needs
of individuals with disabilities, GLSC-DLC held the annual P&A Public Input
Session on Saturday, September 17. Over 75 individual with disabilities, family
members and service providers attended the session at the Guam Reef Hotel. GLSC-
DLC proposed goals and priorities for fiscal year 2012 were discussed and verbal input
was received from participants knowledgeable about our work and about the needs of
the individuals with disabilities on Guam.
GLSC-DLC Executive Director, Harold Parker receives verbal input from participants attending the P&A Public
Input session on September 17th at the Guam Reef Hotel.
Ever wanted to learn about your legal issues and Guam laws?
Then visit us at: www.lawhelp.org/gu
You will find articles, guides, community
information and more. Are you more
interested on filing your own petition for
guardianship or uncontested divorce? Then
you may want to check out our online
interactive interviews that will ask you some
simple questions and draft the documents
needed in legal format ready for printing or
download.
3. Page 3
Meet our Staff
Administration and Attorneys
Harold Parker Sheila Cruz Renita Taimanao Alisha Molyneux Matthew Wolff
Executive Director Administrative Staff Attorney Staff Attorney Staff Attorney
Director
Program Coordinators & Advocates
Carol Cabiles Eileen Jao Dador Michelle Nicole Leslie Gatan
Program Advocate Cruz Advocate
Coordinator Advocate
Leticia Piper Jennifer Vicente Nora Cadag Clyde Ulbenario
Program Advocate Advocate MIS Advocate
Coordinator
Support Staff
Vera Cruz Teo Gogo Christine Visosky Christine John Cruz
Legal Secretary Legal Secretary Accountant Camacho File Clerk
Receptionist
4. Page 4
Teen Dating Violence - Warning Signs
By: Jennifer Vicente
Violence is becoming a more common issue in relationships today. Not only
is it common amongst adults, but it is becoming more prevalent in teens. These violent and
unacceptable behaviors can either be physical, verbal, and/or emotional. The intentions of the
behavior may be overlooked at the beginning. But more often if the behavior is occurring, it is
ignored or denied. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), dating violence is a
serious problem in the United States and many teens do not report it, because they are afraid
to tell their friends or family (Centers for disease control and prevention, 2010).
With the beginning of a new school year, teens and parents need to be aware of the
issues and take part in preventing the unacceptable behaviors that occur in relationships.
Communicate with one another and assure each other that getting help is important. No one
should ever be afraid to ask for help. If you are not doing yourself a favor, do others the favor
and encourage healthy decision-making in relationship. No one should ever have to go through
a relationship fearful of what his or her partner is capable of doing.
What to look out for:
Signs you’re in a violent Signs someone you know may be
relationship in a violent relationship
Your partner…
hits, slaps, pinches, kicks, or uses any notice frequent bruising or injuries
kind of force resulting in any bruises or change in behavior
injuries has to ask partner for approval/
curses, name-calling, humiliates you in permission
front of other people withdraws from company (friends,
controls and makes decisions for you, family, co-workers)
whether you approve or not making excuse for their partner’s
threatens to harm others or behavior
themselves changes in routine, schedule (tardiness,
threatens to destroy belongings absence)
controlling is aggressive and often has
mood changes resulting in his/her
anger directed towards you
If you or someone you know maybe in a violent relationship, get help! Talk to someone you
can trust (family member, friends, teacher, counselor, or help lines) let them know the
situation before it’s too late.
5. Page 5
Legal Guardianship Over a Minor
By: Nora Cadag
As our island school children head back to school, many parents
and families are faced with issues regarding enrollment requirements of
Guam Department of Education (GDOE) for children, including the need
for legal guardianship in order to enroll. Specifically, children who are under
the care of an adult, other than their parents, are required to be under guardianship of
that adult in order for
(GDOE) to enroll that child
in that adult’s school
district. Guam Legal
Services Corporation-
Disability Law Center (GLSC
-DLC) is able to assist with
legal guardianships over
minors for parents, family
members, and individuals
authorized to care for
children who are not in the
care of a parent.
In general, if a
guardianship is needed, plan to submit an application at least 6 months in advance.
Another tip to consider is if you plan to register your child at another school, please
inquire with the receiving school if a guardianship is needed. This is important if you
intend to have your child live with a relative who may not be living in your designated
school district. Upon submission of your application to GLSC-DLC for services, you will
be required to submit the following documents on the day of your intake appointment:
birth certificate(s) of the minor child/ren, proof of household income, and information
on the proposed guardian(s) as well as the biological parents of the child/ren.
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6. Page 6
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Upon review of GDOE’s Student Procedural Assistance Manual (SPAM) and
under the Registration Procedures and Documents section, enrollment requirements
are set forth for three (3) specific situations:
1. For children whose parents/guardians are on-island
2. For children whose parents/guardians are off-island
3. Registration by adults who are not guardians
We, at GLSC-DLC, recommend that parents, guardians, and individuals authorized to
care for children familiarize themselves with GDOE’s policies and procedures regarding
its registration procedures by visiting their respective school(s) prior to withdrawing
the child and when seeking to give guardianship over a minor. For more information
regarding enrollment requirements, please visit GDOE’s website at https://
sites.google.com/a/gdoe.net/gdoe/. *[SPAM - #2011-001.pdf].
For more information about our services contact GLSC-DLC @ 477-9811/2 or
visit our website @ http://www.lawhelp.org/GU/.
Health Care
(Continued from page 1)
for Excellence in Developmental
Disabilities Education, Research, &
Services – Guam System for
Assistive Technology (UOG
CEDDERS GSAT). The conference
gave participants an opportunity to
learn about various emotional and
intellectual disorders, American
Sign Language (ASL), physical
therapy for patients, Powers of
Attorney and Guardianships, and
accessibility in medical offices and
clinics.
7. Page 7
Effective Advocacy Tips for Individualized
Education Program (IEP) Meetings By: Leslie Gatan
“Marketing and selling the way you present things can turn things
around”-Peter Wright, Esq.
As the first few weeks of school had past, meetings have probably been
scheduled for your child’s IEP. To prepare for these meetings, here are some effective
advocacy tips for parent advocates.
Know your rights!
Be familiar with the law as you can use them to your advantage when deciding and
promoting what is appropriate for your child’s success in their education. When
making requests or inquiries to what your child is entitled to, you can reference the
Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act (IDEA) of 2004. The information in IDEA will
help you find answers to your questions regarding laws, regulations and provide you
guidance to justify your requests.
Try your best to have a “Mrs. Manners and Mr. Right” demeanor.
How you present an issue or concern to the team and how you mark it is what makes
or breaks your possibility of cooperation. Having a frustrating experience with your IEP
team can get the best of us, but try your best to balance the good natured “Mrs.
Manners” with the aggressiveness of “Mr. Right”. To get a point across, be cordial but
to the point, and well prepared with legal reference or ‘hard evidence’ to back up your
request.
As difficult as it may be, try not to speak with anger. Promote Teamwork, do not build
a wall. Using your parent rights as a reference would be key. One example is
determining when and where an IEP meeting is scheduled. The IEP meeting location,
date and time should be mutually agreed upon by the school and the parent. Parents
also have a right to call an IEP meeting at an earlier date if they feel that a specific issue
needs to be addressed. Another example is if the school does not agree with your
recommendations, you as a parent must be given prior written notice. If this does not
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8. Page 8
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happen, you can request for mediation and/or due process hearing.
Request supporting IEP documents before the scheduled meeting.
Teachers Reports and Evaluations should be readily available to you at least a week
before a scheduled meeting. Request for these documents to give yourself time to
process all of what the team is planning for your child. Note down questions and get
your references ready.
Get actively involved during the IEP Meeting
Take Notes, ask Questions, and make suggestions. Remember that you are an essential
part of the team and that you are the person who knows your child best.
Goals and Objectives are S.M.A.R.T.
Specific: Goals should not be broad. They should be concise and descriptive.
Measurable: Goals are measured by the objectives. Objectives should have a solid
description on how they will be assessed.
Action words: Action words should be incorporated into the objectives. How will the
child execute these objectives?
Realistic: Goals and objectives should be tailored to what the child is able to do. They
should be challenging, but realistic enough for the child to achieve.
Time Specific: IEP Goals and objectives should specify a time period they will be
conducted. (ex. Child will be tested every week for spelling).
Remember the Rules of Negotiating:
1) Know what you want but always keep in mind what your child needs.
2) Understand the position of the other side.
3) Have two interests:
a. Solve the problem
b. Protect the Parent-School Relationship
4) Keep emotions under control as much as possible. Emotions usually have a negative
impact on creative problem solving.
5) Seek Win-Win Solutions
9. Page 9
When you negotiate, you put yourself in the shoes of those people on
the other side.
Ask the 5 W’s + H+E: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How…and Explain.
4 Rules of Conduct:
1) Listen more than you talk; 2) Tell your story; 3) Ask Questions (5ws + H+E); 4) Always
treat the other side with respect.
If you do not agree with it, do not Sign it!
Request a copy of the original (drafted) document at the day of the actual meeting.
You can request that you sign the FINAL Document once it’s ready. (This is so that you
can assure that everything that was discussed in the meeting is accurately
documented.)
Post-Meeting Suggestions
Record impressions of the meeting and review your notes. Send ‘thank you’ notes to
the school administrator, Certified Resource Teacher (CRT) or Individualized Education
Program Coordinator (IEPC) and all the IEP team members. The ‘Thank you note’
should have a recap of what was discussed and agreed upon, requests for any
unresolved issues, information/reference that supports your request and if issues are
unresolved, request another meeting. (ex. “Thank you for your efforts for trying to fix
(issue). I look forward to see what progress you have made in the next few days.”)
At GLSC-DLC, our Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental
Disabilities (PADD) program provides advocacy, technical assistance and services in
assisting students with disabilities with Special Education issues. For more resources,
please visit our website: www.lawhelp.org/GU, or call our office at 477-9811.
These tips were compiled and summarized from a training provided by Wrightslaw founders Peter
Wright, Esq. and Pam Wright, titled, “Special Education Law and Advocacy Boot Camp” (November 2009)
in Long Island, NY. For more information, visit www.wrightslaw.com.
10. Page 10
Assistive Technology in Education
By: Michelle Nicole Cruz
According to the United States on your child to see if they could benefit
Department of Education website, from AT. They can also make sure you,
Assistive Technology (AT) is “any item, your child, and any individual working
piece of equipment, or product system … with your child at school is trained in the
that is used to increase, maintain, or type of AT that best suits their needs. Be
improve functional capabilities” of an sure to ask your school if an AT evaluation
individual with a disability. Those items has been conducted on your child
can be “low-tech” like pencil grips, recently – if not, make sure you request
highlighters, or hand-held magnifiers, or one. These devices can range from “low”
“high-tech” like computer software, to “high tech.” Some AT devices include:
Braille Readers, or power wheelchairs/ handheld magnifiers, large print text,
scooters. The Individuals with Disabilities using paper and pen to communicate,
Education Act (IDEA) is a law that ensures canes/walkers, color coding, pen/pencil
eligible children with grips, electronic organizers, amplifiers,
disabilities receive audio books, alternate keyboards, power
appropriate early wheelchairs/scooters, Braille Readers,
intervention, special digital hearing aids, computer software,
education, and related communication devices, Apps, digital
services – including AT!! books, and much, much more! Check out
www.cttechact.com for more information
When a child is deemed eligible for
on these devices.
Special Education services, their
educational team – including PARENTS or At GLSC-DLC, our PAAT (Protection and
GUARDIANS – will create an Advocacy for Assistive Technology)
Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The Program provides advocacy, technical
team MUST consider “whether the child assistance, and legal services to
requires assistive technology devices and individuals with disabilities who require
services” (Guam Department of technology-related assistance. To learn
Education Special Education Handbook, more about AT contact me, Michelle Cruz,
SY 2006-2007). Guam DOE has an AT PAAT Advocate at 477-9811 or visit our
Program that can conduct an evaluation website at www.lawhelp.org/GU
11. Page 11
New PAIMI Advisory Council (PAC) Members for
Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 By Eileen Jao Dador
For FY 2012, the PAC nominated and voted in
seven individuals to fill the positions of council
members.
Voting took place July 15-22, 2011. We are pleased to
welcome the following individuals as our new Protection &
Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Advisory
Council members for the FY 2012:
Esther “Gina” Arca
Hikie Lazaga
Rose Babauta
Hyenan Hwang
Mary-Therese Edgerle
Dr. Edward Santos Pictured above, is Ms. Paulina Torres, who
Marcelene Santos has completed her term in the PAC. Not
shown are Chairperson Jackie Martinez,
GLSC-DLC is looking forward to working with its Advisory Vincent Chase, and Attorney Suzanne
Council and mental health communities, agencies, and Horrigan, who have also completed their 4-
organizations of those that will serve the PAC as council year term as PAC members.
members.
PAIMI Advisory Council Highlights By Eileen Jao Dador
GLSC-DLC is pleased to announce community by individuals with psychiatric
that Lourdes Toves and Paulina histories, who have been deprived and not
Torres will be attending the 2011 accepted by a society that discriminates
Alternatives Annual Conference against them. This marks the 4th year that
that will be held on October 26-30, GLSC-DLC sponsors members of the PAC to
2011 at the Caribe Royale All-Suite attend the Alternatives Conference.
Hotel & Convention Center in
Orlando, Florida. For inquiries regarding the PAIMI Advisory
The event is the national mental health Council or for information on becoming an
conference organized by and for mental Advisory Council member, please contact
health consumers/survivors. This year’s PAIMI Advocate Eileen Jao Dador at 671-922-
conference theme is Coming Home: Creating 4571/2 or email at
Our Own Communities of Wellness & eileen.dador@guamlsc.org.
Recovery, reflecting the desire for