The participants of the 2023 Parent Development Workshop hosted by the Division of Youth Services pose for photo at Crowne Plaza Resort’s Hibiscus Hall on Saturday.
Interim Commissioner of Education Donna Flores talks about the Individualized Education Program.
PARENTS, educators and other stakeholders on Saturday gathered at Crowne Plaza Resort’s Hibiscus Hall to discuss issues and challenges in family relationships.
Hosted by the Division of Youth Services, the 2023 Parent Development Workshop drew hundreds of parents, teachers, school administrators and representatives from various government agencies and community organizations involved in addressing issues facing families.
The event was made possible by a grant that DYS received from Leadership in Disabilities and Achievement of Hawaii.
Interim Commissioner of Education Donna M. Flores, who is also the director of the Public School System’s Special Education or SPED Program, was among the resource speakers.
She discussed parental involvement in an individualized education program, and SPED’s goal “to ensure that all children with disabilities are identified, located and provided free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment that prepares them for future education, employment and independent living.”
Special education itinerant teacher and individualized education program coach Jerry Diaz, M.A. talked about ways to understand a child’s behavior. Under his guidance, participants then engaged in round-table group discussions.
University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Program Director Eileen A. Babauta led participants in a team-building exercise focused on work-life-balance.
In the afternoon, a project analyst of Northern Marianas Protection and Advocacy Systems Inc., Joshua Meneses, provided a general overview of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
For their part, Community Guidance Center Data Management Specialist Yukiko Kintol, community health outreach worker Ruth Torres and Non-Communicable Disease Program Health Promotions Project Specialist Samanth Sikayun talked about vaping’s adverse effects on health.
In an interview, DYS Administrator Vivian Sablan said they conduct the parent development workshop several times each year.
She said the workshop allows DYS to help parents, and parents to help themselves. “We need to provide the necessary tools and build on the awareness of community concerns that usually get in the way of building a strong family relationship,” she added.
She said DYS’ job is to protect children and provide numerous prevention programs and services to strengthen families in the CNMI.
Parents participate in a round-table group discussion.
Educators and parents prepare their presentation.
An educator, center, gestures during a group discussion.
