During the consultation, which was part of the one-week program of the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Logan identified the common concerns raised by parents and teachers.
He said PSS lacks the services of a speech therapist, an occupational therapist, and a physical, vision and hearing therapist.
“That’s a big problem,” he said.
One of his objectives is to see how the CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities could serve as a bridge between the schools and the families.
Logan visited some schools and made recommendations about the programs they need to change or focus on.
“Getting highly qualified staff is a universal problem. The school and families have to work collaboratively,” he said.
Council Chairwoman Marissa Guerrero said parents and community members should always project a positive approach in dealing with problems involving children with disabilities.
“We can’t do it through one person — it needs to be the entire community backing up a plan that will work for children with disabilities,” she said, adding that a collaborative effort between agencies is a must.
Guerrero at the same time lauded the creation of the Commonwealth Autism Commission which is tasked to study and investigate issues regarding the early identification of autism spectrum disorders.
About 70 parents and teachers attended the whole day consultation at the Saipan World Resort yesterday.
Council Executive Director Pamela Sablan described the event as very successful as the participants were able to lay out plans and strategies in addressing concerns of persons with disabilities.
The morning session was attended by parents but some teachers also joined the discussions.
Teachers participated in the afternoon session.
Today, Sablan said the consultation will continue with David Attao talking about the CNMI Developmental Disabilities Network “Tri-Agency.”
Attao’s is the director of Northern Marianas College-University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.
There will also be an open discussion about service providers.
PSS, the Social Security Administration, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicaid office, Workforce Investment Agency, and the Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy System are among the panelists.
