A training facility for parents and teachers dealing with special children was inaugurated yesterday.
The facility is the first of its kind in the CNMI.
The property was donated by the Municipality of Saipan while the building came from the Public School System through a memorandum of agreement with the Saipan, Tinian and Rota Parents Organization of Children with Special Needs.
Anne Quick, special education coordinator, said there are over 600 children currently enrolled in the special education program of PSS.
“Out of 10,000 students, we serve over 600 and we’re still identifying others. Others have progressed through the program. We’re trying to get all involved in regular classrooms as much as possible. I feel very positive about what is happening,” Quick told Variety.
Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos said the facility will help parents and teachers share resources and experiences about children with special needs.
“The one thing exciting about this is it was initiated by the community, most especially the parents. It’s always our dream to invite them and take part in our programs,” Inos said.
“It’s just an extension of supporting the students in the area of communication and finding the opportunity to help parents learn about the different programs and how to support the children,” she added.
Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente said the community still has much to learn about children with special needs.
“We have much to learn about how we can work with individuals with autism. We hope that the establishment of this facility would help that effort,” Benavente said.
StarPO President Frank Cabrera said the facility is their first major project. It aims to benefit children with special needs such as those with autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, among others.
Cabrera said the facility is a collaborative effort between the special education program of PSS and StarPo.
“With the encouragement of teachers, administrators and service providers in (PSS) as well as with the support of the Governor’s Council on Development Disabilities, the University Center for Excellence and its Poppe program, VocRehab and other persons in the special abilities community, StarPO expanded its concerns to include those with cerebral palsy and down syndrome,” Cabrera said.
Board of Education Chairman Herman T. Guerrero, BOE members Esther Fleming and Frances Diaz, Rep. Oscar M. Babauta, Covenant-Saipan, DD Council Executive Director Tom Camacho and DD Council Chairman Danny Camacho also attended the event.
