Pacific Basin Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (PBUCE)
Purpose
The purpose of the Pacific Basin University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (PBUCE) project is to support, enhance, and improve the quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities. This is accomplished through cooperation, coordination, and collaboration across the jurisdictions to develop programs that promote self-determination, integration, full inclusion, and person-centered planning with family involvement and family advocacy.
History
PBUCE activities reflect cultural relevance and sensitivity within a multicultural context. PBUCE was funded as a supplemental program of the Hawaii UCEDD for a second, three-year cycle in 1997 with sites at Northern Marianas College (NMC) and American Samoa Community College (ASCC). Each site features unique approaches to community development and cultural diversity for improved practices and programs for families and persons with disabilities. Similarities in the sites include the response of the entire community working together to develop interagency linkages, to build local capacity, and to use outside technical assistance effectively. Differences between cultures and languages in American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands create unique circumstances and approaches for the development of qualified staff and outreach services for families, individuals, and providers.
Projects
1. Hawai‘i & Pacific Deaf-Blind Project
The Hawai‘i & Pacific Deaf-Blind Project provides technical assistance to children and youth who are deaf-blind, birth through 21 years of age, and to their families and service providers here in Hawai‘i and outlying Pacific Island nations/jurisdictions of American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Yap), Guam, Republic of Palau and Republic of the Marshall Islands. View the HPDB website.
2. Speech/Language Pathologist
Speech/Language Pathologist contract was established to assist ASDOE in addressing IDEA, through the provisions of diagnostic evaluation, formal reports, consultation/collaboration and professional development; supporting the Speech-Language-Communication needs of special education students, their teachers, and/or parents; and assessment of those students referred for initial evaluation or re-evaluation.
3. UCEDD Ambassador/Trainee program
The PBUCE Ambassador and Trainee program is a 10-months interdisciplinary program to help train professionals and students to gain skills and knowledge necessary to work with individuals with disabilities and become leaders in various fields. Ambassadors are those who are professionals who hold at least a Bachelor’s degree and have been working in various fields. Trainees are students who are pursuing Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and/or Master’s degree. Common to both Ambassadors and Trainees are that they have a common desire to continue learning about, supporting, and working with individuals with disabilities, with special attention to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Newsletters
“Aloha!,” “Talofa!,” and “Hafa Adai!,” were exchanged between the leaders and members of the PBUCE, and other University of Hawaii System faculty, disability service providers, and staff at the first Pacific Rim Institute on Disability Services and Higher Education event.
