2001 Real Choice for Systems Change Grants
PeterJohn D. Camacho, Director
6717357102
director@dphss.govguam.net
Alvin R. Berg
Real Choice Program Coordinator
Department of Public Health and Social Services
PO Box 2816
Hagatna, Guam 96932
6717357295
arberg@dphss.govguam.net
Subcontractor(s)
Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities
The Guam Developmental Disabilities Council
Persons with disabilities and long-term illnesses.
Increase community inclusion for persons with disabilities through comprehensive community services planning and reform.
The Guam Real Choice Program will address the challenges that the current service delivery of care system faces. The one most often-repeated concern is the fragmented nature of the system that provides services to persons with disabilities. There are a host of governmental and nongovernmental organizations that provide services for individuals with disabilities. These services are offered based on the respective agency's perception of what services may be needed and the resources it has available to provide those services. This agency-centered model is useful but often does not meet all the needs of the individual and the family. Another concern is that consumers may not have been involved in the planning and development stages prior to implementation of the service.
The Guam Real Choice Program, along with the major stakeholders in the services delivery arena including consumers, will develop a comprehensive system of services and supports that will be person-centered in all aspects. One important component of this endeavor will be to develop a system to accurately identify individuals with developmental disabilities. The island's Chief Executive, Legislators, and others can use this registry in developing related policies. Another focus area for the project is to develop an on-island training capacity to ensure a readily available pool of support resources for consumers. Additionally, it is also critical to develop a program that provides health care clinicians with the appropriate knowledge base to ensure a holistic continuum of care across the life cycle. It is critical that public awareness also be addressed to ensure successful community inclusion of persons with disabilities.