2024 November News

Newly Elected Board Members for AUCD

Portrait photo of PCHS State Director Tafa Tua-Tupuola

Congratulations to State Director Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola for being elected as an Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Board Member. Together with Maureen van Stone, Wanda Felty, Gale Hann, and Jairo E. Arana, they are the incoming 2024 Board Members who officially started their three-year term by passing the gavel during the Closing Plenary at the AUCD 2024 Conference: Stronger Together, "Creating a More Inclusive World" held on November 3 - 6. Click here to learn more about the new Board Members and their vision statements.

Group photo with attendees of the AUCD Conference 2024

Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (OIDD) Director David Jones, Pacific Center in Human Security State Director Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola, Center on Disability Studies (CDS) Interim Director Kiriko Takahashi, Northern Marianas College University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (NMC-UCEDD) Program Manager Eileen Babauta, and OIDD Community Living Specialist Jack Brandt at the AUCD 2024 Conference.

Tapuitea with two other ladies on stage answering questions about their platform.

Tapuitea with MC answering Stage Interview Question.

Tapuitea Carruthers, Miss Koko Pacific

Congratulations to our Federal Work-Study student and trainee, Tapuitea Carruthers, who ran for the Miss Moso'oi title last month during the Moso'oi Festival. Tapuitea placed First Runner-Up and won the sub-categories Best Siva Samoa, Best Stage Interview, and Tamaita'i Talks.

The Pacific Center in Human Security is proud to have witnessed the passion and dedication Tapuitea put into running for the prestigious title. She represented her sponsor, family, friends, and workplace well, with beauty, grace, and intellect.

PCHS staff and family at the Miss Mosooi Pageant.

Graphic banner: Pacific Atamai - Interdisciplinary, Preservice, Continuing Education

Group photo with ACCJC VP Melynie Schiel and iEM students

ACCJC VP Melynie Schiel with ASCC President Dr. Rosevonne Pato

ACCJC VP Melynie Schiel listening to iEM student testimony.

ACCJC VP Melynie Schiel meets iEM Trainees

The Pacific Center in Human Security (PCHS) was honored to have Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Vice President Melynie Schiel visit and meet our inclusive-Emergency Management students during her visit to American Samoa in the first week of November.

Her time with us included a short tour of the Center, learning about PCHS and the new associate's degree in inclusive-Emergency Management, and listening to trainee testimonials from our scholarship cohort.

iEM students attending NOAA and ASDHS workshop.

Students attending NOAA and ASDHS workshop - day 2

iEM student engaging in conversation at day 2 of workshop

iEM Trainees attend NOAA-NWS & ASDHS Workshop

The inclusive-Emergency Management trainees attended the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Pago Pago National Weather Service (NWS) and American Samoa Department of Homeland Security (ASDHS) 2024 Annual Tropical Cyclone Workshop on November 7 and 8, 2024.

Day one of the workshop was for emergency management and first responders, and day two was open for the media and general public. Our inclusive-Emergency Management trainees were encouraged to attend both days and were able to gain knowledge on how to interpret and respond to NOAA and ASDHS messaging and weather updates, as well as how to better prepare homes and workplaces for disasters.

iEM students holding "Thank you Veterans" and "God Bless Veteran" signs at a Tafuna bus stop.

Veteran's Day Wave

The inclusive-Emergency Management (iEM) trainees joined the American Samoa Red Cross Veteran's Day wave in Tafuna early Monday morning on November 11.

The Pacific Center in Human Security and iEM students thank all Veterans for their service to our great nation.

iEM students group photo at the bus stop in front of American Samoa Red Cross

Graphic Banner: PACIFIC Way - Training and Technical Assistance

MFP Stakeholder Advisory Quarterly Meeting

Our Money Follows the Person (MFP) staff continues to engage the MFP Stakeholder Advisory Council. Our recent quarterly meeting was held on October 24. Discussions included the MFP Workplan, Capacity Building initiatives, and an update of the Operation Protocol.

MFP Admin Assistant Valencia Presentation

EFNEP & MFP Class with certificates of completion on final day.

Homemaker Class

The American Samoa Community College-Agriculture, Community and Natural Resources (ASCC-ACNR) Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the Money Follows the Person (MFP) conducted sessions in the enhancement of homes and food safety skills all through the Homemakers Class. The sessions were a hybrid of learning in the classroom and going out for hands-on activities at the ACNR greenhouses and community stores, like KS Mart.

On October 2, 2024, the program concluded with ten graduates from the Territorial Administration on Aging (TAOA) Program and Stay-At-Home moms. Participants had to attend all sessions to receive the certificate.

Another Homemaker Class is set to start on January 18, 2025. Additional information will be forthcoming.

MFP staff presenting to Homemaker class participants

New Voc Rehab Location

Congratulations to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation on their new location in Fagaalu. Money Follows the Person (MFP) staff visited Esther Solaita, the Program Manager for the Independent Living Program, in person to congratulate our close network partner. Wishing Esther and the staff all the best in their new space.

Photo of MFP staff visiting Vocational Rehab

Hiring for a Project Director

The Pacific Center in Human Security is looking for a Project Director who will be critical in successfully implementing the Money Follows the Person Demonstration Project here in American Samoa.

Minimum qualifications include a Master's degree in health and disabilities, five years of demonstrated experience in the disabilities field, and more. Salary range is GS-15/01-03: $50,244.00 - $52,584.00 per annum. Application deadline is November 29, 2024, no later than 4:00 PM.

For more information, you can reach out to ASCC's Human Resources Office phone number at 699-2722 ext. 3601, 3602, or 3603 or email ascchumanresources@amsamoa.edu.

Link to ASCC's employment opportunities page and application.

Link to the full job description.

Link to learn more about AS Money Follows the Person.

This publication is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $4,753,644 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government. Award# 1LICMSS331881-01-00

Pacific Talk: Communications graphic text only.

Alexander Baker, FEMA Integration Team (FIT) Liaison talking to student.

Morning Atamai with Alexander Baker

In this episode, Alexander Baker, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Integration Team (FIT) Liaison, talks to ASCC student Donwen Hong about his job and responsibilities at FEMA. He also shares how the calling to help people affected by disasters is meaningful to him and a worthy career path.

View the full episode here.

What is the most interesting information in this issue of UCEDD It!? Choose one to let us know:

State Director Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola elected to AUCD Board

PCHS Work-Study Tapuitea Carruthers, 1st Runner-Up

ACCJC VP Melynie visits iEM Students

iEM Students attend NOAA-NWS & ASDHS Workshop

Veteran's Day Wave

MFP Stakeholder Advisory Council Quarterly Meeting

ASCC-ACNR x PCHS-MCP Homemaker Class

PCHS-MFP Hiring for a Project Director

Morning Atamai with Alexander Baker

PCHS | pchs@amsamoa.edu | (684) 699 - 2722 ext. 4202