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Welcoming the New Year
2025 brings new promises and new opportunities. The Pacific Center in Human Security wishes you a Happy New Year, and we hope you will continue to follow us here on our UCEDD It! Newsletter and other social media platforms. The programs and activities we create and/or collaborate with our partners are as much yours, the community we serve, as it is ours. Thank you for your support in 2024, and we look forward to it again in 2025!
If you haven't already, follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube page.
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Thank you, Jane "Claire" Cappelle
It is with a heavy but grateful heart we say farewell to our colleague, Jane "Claire" Cappelle, who has resigned from her post as the Money Follows the Person (MFP), Home and Community-Based Services Coordinator at the Pacific Center in Human Security.
Over the last two years, Claire's time with us has been invaluable, and we will surely miss her joyful presence at the office. During our holiday celebration, our State Director, Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola, shared her gratitude for Claire's contribution to the MFP program.
We wish you nothing but the best as you move on to fulfill the next step in your journey. Happy retirement, Claire!
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Major in inclusive-Emergency Management
Registration for the Spring 2025 semester at the American Samoa Community College will be from Wednesday, January 8 - Friday, January 10, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM at the Multi-Purpose Center (MPC) Auditorium. The Pacific Center in Human Security invites you to learn more about and major in our new academic program, inclusive-Emergency Management (iEM).
The iEM degree program aims to effectively plan for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against disasters and emergencies while prioritizing the needs of all community members. It also ensures that efforts are accessible, equitable, and inclusive for all individuals, including those with disabilities, marginalized communities, and other vulnerable populations. The career opportunities for those majoring in the growing field are vast. They can set you up for success in local, State, and Federal jobs in Homeland Security, Public Health, Public Safety, and similar departments.
Contact Project Manager/Chairperson Rosalee Shoulders, for more information: 699-2722 ext. 4210 or email pacific.atamai@amsamoa.edu.
You can also learn more on our website.
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Free Training Alert
There are still slots available for the MGT 323 - Instructor Development Workshop brought by the AS Department of Homeland Security and will be administered by the Louisiana State University (LSU) locally from Tuesday, February 11 to Thursday, February 13, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Multi-Purpose Center.
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This course primarily serves to give insight into adult education and enhance the instructional skills and styles of experienced instructors. The course focuses on best teaching and training practices, and it enhances understanding of instructor competencies set by the International Board for Standards for Training, Performance, and Instruction (ibstpi®). This course emphasizes the active, learner-centered style of delivery and student experience. Instructors of the course model how to facilitate classroom discussions and motivate and encourage participants. Participants in the course will reflect on their learning and have many opportunities for self-evaluation. The course follows a problem-based training model, focusing on providing performance, technical, and higher-level skills instruction. Organizations that want courses delivered with professional polish could benefit from this professional development opportunity to ensure proficiency in training methodology and strategy.
It incorporates effective problem-based instruction in addition to the traditional lecture format. Facilitation of classroom discussions, motivation and encouragement of participants, and self- evaluation are modeled throughout this course.
Expert-level instructors deliver this modular course within a three-day timeframe. Training occurs in the form of lectures, group discussions, practical exercises, and peer- and self- assessments. Participants spend significant time working in small groups and participating in facilitated discussions and teachbacks to develop and enhance their training skills.
Email Janna Liu-Fakatoumafi at j.liu-fakatoumafi@asdhs.as.gov or call 699-3800 to register or learn more.
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Morning Atamai: Bridging Local Agencies and Future Leaders
The Pacific Center in Human Security (PCHS) hosted another Morning Atamai networking event on December 6, 2024. Morning Atamai guests included the Chief of Police of the Department of Public Safety, Pou'uamea Tuaolo Supapo, Chief of Emergency Medical Services of the Department of Search and Rescue, Joseph Fa'aita, and Deputy Director of AS Department of Homeland Security, Vinnie Atofau.
The event brought the prominent local emergency management leaders to network with the new cohort of inclusive-Emergency Management (iEM) trainees. The iEM trainees are the first to study the newly established academic degree program that will prepare them for careers in the field. The Morning Atamai program consisted of a brief interview that will be aired in upcoming Morning Atamai show segments, a networking hour which we call "coffee-sations," and a discussion panel for all to participate in the end.
Click here to see more photos of the event.
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iEM Trainees Tour local NOAA -National Weather Service
The inclusive-Emergency Management (iEM) trainees toured the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) in Tafuna to end their first semester as the first cohort to study the new iEM academic degree program.
Students learned about the different tropical cyclone weather outcomes and how the NWS communicates with the community on upcoming weather forecasts and also protocols with partnering agencies during emergencies. The students also participated in the release of the weather balloon. A fun and exciting actitviy to end the semester. Thank you to our close network partner, Elinor Lutu-McMoore, and staff for accommodating our trainees.
Click here to view more photos of the activity.
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The development of the Project i-EMPLOY is funded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – Administration for Native Americans - Social Economic Development. Award #90NA8492-01-00. Awarded to the Pacific Center in Human Security, formerly AS-University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). | |
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MFP Stakeholder Advisory Quarterly Meeting
Announcement for the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Stakeholder Advisory Council. The upcoming quarterly meeting will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 10:50 AM in the Pacific Center in Human Security Training Room, M1 Building.
Please contact Valencia Tinae via email at v.tinae@amsamoa.edu or call 699-2722 ext. 4208 to RSVP or respond to the invitation sent to all council members' email.
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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) are proud to announce another free homemaker class. It is open to everyone, and participants must attend all four class meetings to receive their certificate.
The new class begins Saturday, January 18, 2025, and continues the following Saturdays, January 25, February 1, and February 8. From 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the Wellness and Nutrition Center at ASCC-ACNR (Land Grant).
Contact Suelynn Molesi by email at s.molesi@amsamoa.edu or call 699-1575 or 254-5369 to sign up or for more information. See the detailed flyer here.
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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 | |
Morning Atamai with Ben Sili
In this episode, Ben Sili, Public Health Emergency Preparedness & Response Director from the American Samoa Department of Public Health, shares his work and experience in emergency management in the territory with inclusive-Emergency Management (iEM) student Nehemiah Lutu. He also shares how the new iEM academic degree at the American Samoa Community College can help prospective emergency managers transition into the field.
View the full episode here.
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More Morning Atamai Episodes
You can look forward to more Morning Atamai episodes with prominent leaders in the emergency management field. Our inclusive-Emergency Management students lead the conversation. Continue to follow us here, on Facebook, or on our YouTube page to be notified as they are released.
See more pictures here of our recently filmed segments.
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| What is the most interesting information in this issue of UCEDD It!? Choose one to let us know: | | | |
PCHS | pchs@amsamoa.edu | (684) 699 - 2722 ext. 4202 | | | | |
