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January 2024 News

New "Center" Reveal


Happy New Year! We are excited to announce that UCEDD will soon be officially known as the Pacific Center in Human Security!


We invite you to our opening event on January 24 - 25 to celebrate new beginnings at the center. All are welcome to visit and stay for any or all presentations. The last couple of years at UCEDD have been a season of growth, development, and expansion with the new projects and initiatives our State Director, Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola, and staff have diligently worked on.


We hope you will join us! Here is our tentative schedule of presentations:

Day One, Tentative Schedule on January 24, 2024. 8:30 AM - By Invitation Only. Pacific Center in Human Security - Who We Are. Presented by Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola, State Director. Open to all. 9:30 AM - What is Human Security? Presented by Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola, State Director. 10:30 AM - What is Home for our Elderly and Individuals with Physical Disabilities? Presented by Denise Thomsen, Project Director. 11:30 - HCBS Coming to You Soon. Presented by Claire Capelle, HCBS Coordinator. 12:30 - AUCD - NIRS Report 2022 – 2023. Presented by Heather Lee, Assistant Trainer. 1:00 Lunch & Network Activities. Day Two, Tentative Schedule on January 25, 2024. 8:30 AM - Communications and its Important Role at the Pacific Center in Human Security. Presented by Katrina Helsham, Communications Manager. 9:30 AM - Project E.M.P.L.O.Y. Presented by Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola, State Director. 10:30 AM - Person Centered Planning. Presented by Nathadia Moea'i, Transition Coordinator. 11:30 - Healthcare Planning for Our Elderly and Disabled People. Presented by Noel Candelario, Data Analyst, and Luana Scanlan, Consultant. 12:30 - Lunch & Network Activities.
List of Human Security Elements: Community, Economic, Environment, Food, Health, Personal, and Political Security.
Group photo of participants on day one of surviving an active threat course.
Demonstration with participants working on an acting injured person.
Participants learning how to put on a CAT tourniquet.
Demonstration with participants creating a blockade to prevent attackers entering the room.

Counter-Terrorism Training for All on Campus


UCEDD, in partnership with the AS Department of Homeland Security, hosted trainers from the LSU National Center for Biomedical Research and Training (NCBRT) for two full-day training events.


Day 1: Surviving an Active Threat: Run. Hide. Fight. (PER 375 - 0.8 CEU)

Participants learned that as immediate responders, one can have a higher chance of survival during an active threat when activating the Run. Hide. Fight. paradigm.


Day 2: Active Threats on Campuses: Protective Measures & Response (PER 374 - 0.8 CEU)

Participants continued to learn how to survive an active threat best; a major component covered immediate responder attention to the injured.


All who successfully completed the program earned a certificate, CEUs, and a commemorative coin. Participating members came from ASCC (faculty, staff, and students), public and private schools, government agencies, and community members to learn about responding to an active threat on campus (school, work, park, open area, etc.).


Thank you again to the NCBRT team for making the time to train and prepare our community.


To see more photos from the training, click here and remember to follow us!

The Pacific Way Webinar


"What does inclusive emergency response and recovery look like on your island?" AS UCEDD State Director Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola presented this free webinar on 14 December 2023 in partnership with the Center on Disability Studies (CDS) at UH Mānoa. Participants who joined in to learn about inclusive emergency response and recovery came from various local government agencies, as well as representatives from Hawaii, other U.S. territories, and the Pacific Islands. Recognizing the valuable role and responsibility of the disability network in emergency preparedness, familiarizing themselves with the State Emergency Operation Plan and federal policies, identifying key stakeholders to build and coordinate resources, and illustrating cultural resilience when rebuilding the whole community were outcomes intended for participants.



The webinar was a preview for the Pac Rim Post Conference Event on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness and Management and mobilizing Disabilities Networks for Equity that will be held in February at the UH Mānoa Campus Center.

AS UCEDD State Director, Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola speaking to webinar participants.
Webinar slide on "Food Security"
AS UCEDD State Director, Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola answering a question at the MFP Advisory Council Meeting.

Money Follows the Person Stakeholder Advisory Council Meeting


During last month's MFP Stakeholder Advisory Council Meeting, partners, agencies, and individuals that were in attendance were LBJ Tropical Medical Center - Social Services Division, AS Medicaid, AS Office of Vocational Rehabilitation - Independent Living, AS Department of Human Social Services - Children & Family Services Division, Office of Samoan Affairs, and parents of children with disabilities.


ASDOH Vaccination Information


With the rise in sicknesses, the American Samoa Department of Health (ASDOH) recommends that everyone stay up-to-date with their vaccinations! Free COVID-19, RSV, and flu shots are available at any health center near you.


Regular Clinic Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM


Additional After-Hours Clinic in Tafuna: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM


For questions, ASDOH's Call Center number is 219. Follow them on Facebook for the latest vaccinations and clinic hours information.

Welcome to UCEDD, Rosalee!

A warm and special welcome to our new Project Manager, Rosalee Shoulders! We're glad you are part of the team and excited to work with you.

Newly hired Project Manager, Rosalee Shoulders, with welcome to UCEDD sign.
What is the most interesting information in this issue of UCEDD It!? Choose one to let us know:
New "Center" Reveal: the Pacific Center in Human Security
Counter-Terrorism Training
The Pacific Way
MFP Stakeholder Council Meeting
DOH Vaccination Information

AS UCEDD | asucedd@amsamoa.edu | (684) 699 - 2722 ext. 4202


UCEDD It! is funded by the Public Workforce Grant.