CNMI PSS Special Education Program Project Higai Hosts 2026 IEP Module Training in Partnership with DCCA Department of Youth Services

​Over 80 parents, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs (DCCA) Department of Youth Services (DYS) staff, and Special Education (SPED) professionals gathered at the Pacific Islands Club on September 18 for the CNMI PSS Special Education Program Project Higai "2026 IEP Module Training." Held in close partnership with the DCCA Department of Youth Services—marking the fourth year of their collaborative inter-agency initiative—the event focused on strengthening family-school partnerships by introducing interactive digital modules designed to help parents confidently participate in shaping their children's Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

​Highlighting the enduring alliance between education and youth social services, DYS Director Vivian Sablan likened the diverse gathering of providers, educators, and families to a unified "fruit salad" of critical partners. Sablan emphasized that supporting students with disabilities requires an island-wide network committed to looking beyond the classroom to provide continuous, coordinated care across the community.

"When we get together like this, we are looking at the holistic approach," Sablan noted. "We look at the student's strengths, the challenges, the disability-related needs, and the required support. We rely on this information to see the full picture of a child functioning at school and tailoring to the interventions that are needed."

​State Director of Special Education Donna Flores underscored that every learner's primary identity begins in general education, asserting that meaningful parental collaboration drives successful student outcomes. Flores reiterated that parents are essential decision-makers whose daily insights guide personalized instructional strategies.
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"Our kids are always general education kids first... they don't come in as a SPED kid, they come in as a student," Flores stated. "Who knows a child best but a parent? We want to take in all information we can, all input from parents on how to align home activities into school to help build a child's learning program so that it's consistent."

The workshop brought together regional specialists and local educational leaders who guided attendees through the newly developed training curriculum. Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (Guam CEDDERS) Director June De Leon shared critical regional expertise and evidence-based frameworks, while PSS SPED State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) Project Higai Coordinator Jerry Diaz facilitated the interactive walkthrough and group discussion. Providing technical direction, PSS Instructional Technology and Distance Education (ITDE) Instructional Technology Coach Dr. Riya Nathrani and PSS Accountability, Research, and Evaluation (ARE) Data Specialist Louie Bautista guided participants on utilizing digital tools, navigating the localized web platform, and accessing data-driven support resources.
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​Supported by a multi-year US Department of Education grant, Project Higai developed the modules with direct review and voice narration from local CNMI classroom educators and parent advocates to ensure local relevance. Attendees actively practiced navigating the platform throughout the session using personal devices and borrowed tablets. The training concluded with an online comprehension quiz to reinforce key concepts, after which personalized certificates of completion were emailed directly to each participating parent.

To ensure long-term community access, DCCA DYS youth centers will remain available after hours so families without reliable home hardware or internet can continue utilizing the training modules and seeking guidance.