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Happy 125th Flag Day, American Samoa
Wishing all our local network partners, stakeholders, friends, and family a wonderful 125th Flag Day celebration this week. From our State Director, Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola, and staff at the Pacific Center in Human Security. God bless the United States of America and American Samoa!
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March & Disability Awareness Month RECAP
You may have missed us last month due to difficulties getting our March UCEDD It! issue out. Here is a quick recap of what we didn't get to report last month.
| | | | inclusive-Emergency Management students represented the ASCC-Pacific Center in Human Security at the Disabilities Awareness Month church service at the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa in Nu'uuli on Sunday, March 2, 2025. | | | |
The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation invited our Center to be part of their Open House held on March 26, 2025. Our Center Representatives attended their presentation on assistive technology and their Q&A session at the end. Malo lava to our network partners at OVR. See more photos here.
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All Star Signs owners Natuitasina and Tuai Mua invited State Director, Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola, to share at their Monthly Charge activity. From their post "Embrace the Power of Perspective: Always see people for their abilities before their disabilities. We all have challenges, but recognizing someone for who they truly are is a mark of respect and kindness."
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At the Medicaid Health Summit, our State Director Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola and Project Director, Laurenthia Baker, had the opportunity to share about Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and Money Follows the Person (MFP). See more photos of the event here.
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ASCC Chapter of the Order of the Sword and Shield Induction Ceremony
The establishment of the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) Chapter and the induction ceremony of the first members of the Academic and Professional Honor Society, the Order of the Sword and Shield (OSS), Greek name, Omicron Sigma Sigma, was held on March 4 at the ASCC Multi-Purpose Center. The historic milestone was witnessed by close family and friends of the 14 students and eight professionals who hold the honor of being the first members of the local chapter.
Joseph Fa’aita delivered the keynote speech for the event. Fa’aita’s address expounded on the OSS motto, ex scientia pax, meaning “out of knowledge comes peace,” and how this rings true for the local emergency management and security studies profession in American Samoa. Fa’aita used the real-life example of the 2009 tsunami experience that proved the community to be resilient, especially when the closest help from U.S. soil is a four- to five-hour flight away. “Knowledge is not only power but also the foundation of peace,” said Fa’aita. “The peace that comes from the assurance that we did everything within our power to give the best possible care to our community.”
The newest chapter initiative was to help garner interest in security studies-related fields at ASCC, especially with the new degree programs such as inclusive-Emergency Management, Cyber Security, and Homeland Security available since last fall.
See the full press release here and more photos from the ceremony to be posted on the Omicron Sigma Sigma - American Samoa Community College Facebook page.
Learn more about our local chapter here.
| | 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). | |
FREE Training: Building Disaster Resilience for Caregivers
Two sessions for the AWR-308 Building Disaster Resilience for Caregivers will be offered next month, Wednesday, May 14, and Thursday, May 15, at the Pacific Center in Human Security, Training Room (ASCC Building, M1) from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM.
This FEMA-certified course provides healthcare professionals, emergency medical services, and citizen/community volunteers involved with the caregiving of individuals with medical, functional, or access needs with a basic understanding of natural hazards, risk, vulnerability, and disaster preparedness.
Click to register for the Wednesday, May 14, or Thursday, May 15, session.
Click here for flyer to post at your organization.
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Person-Centered Thinking Courses
Earlier in March, our Money Follows the Person team brought Support Development Associates, LLC Mentor Trainers Tanya Richmond and Sherrie Anderson to deliver our first-ever Person-Centered Thinking and Person-Centered Approach to People Experiencing Dementia training.
The three sessions were attended by government, non-profit, and private sector partners, as well as community members seeking personal growth to help family members at home. All received a certificate of attendance for all sessions, and those who attended the Person-Centered Thinking sessions received 1.4 CEUs.
Gaining person-centered thinking skills promotes side-by-side decision-making by the caregiver/health professional and those being cared for.
See more photos from all three sessions here.
| | 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 | |
Our Pacific Talk: Podcasts are Back
Mic test. Mic test, one, two...
We are excited to announce a new Pacific Talk: Podcast episode is releasing soon. Our first episode coming back from a three-year hiatus features Alofaeleuma Fauolo, Hope Maui, and Wallace Lavasi, who our State Director Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola interviews about their experience of reading the March Disability Awareness Month Proclamations these last two years and what to expect when going to college after high school. This is the first from the Self-Advocate Series we will be adding to.
Watch the full episode here.
See more photos from the recording here.
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Morning Atamai with Joseph Fa'aita
In this episode, the Chief of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Joseph Fa'aita, from the Department of Search and Rescue, talks about the different services that EMS offers besides emergency medical transportation. He also shares with inclusive-Emergency Management student and host Nehemiah Lutu, some of the challenges his department faces.
View the full episode here.
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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 | | | | |
