Needs Assessment & Public Input Meeting
PACIFIC Journey shares the cultural landscape of the research and the evolving approaches, analysis, and technology that advance policy toward human security in the spirit of self-determination.
Research may include the implementation of basic and applied research, program evaluation, and analysis of public policy on issues impacting individuals with developmental disabilities.
The Praeger International Handbook on Special Education
(link coming soon)
Tafa Tua-Tupuola and Denise Uehara
Volume 3, Chapter 25
Published June, 2017
Abstract:
A global multi-volume handbook that provides an overview of special education services in countries across the world using the United Nations (UN) Convention for the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) as an analytical frame. An overview of the American Samoa education system and its relationship between general education and special education and how it aligns with the UN CRPD Article 24 on Education. American Samoa is covered in Volume III Asia and Oceania Region.
Amie Lulinski, Tafaimamao Tupuola, and Carli Friedman
The following report represents an expansion of the data collection activities mandated by a 2012 Administration of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). Prior to 2012, the AIDD funded data projects, Access to Integrated Employment, Family and Individual Information Systems project (FISP), Residential Information Systems Project (RISP) and the State of the States in Developmental Disabilities only collected data from the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The 2012 FOA requested that three of the AIDD data projects work together to include the five U.S. Territories (American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) in their data collection and analysis efforts. This summary represents the first step to describe the services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in the territories. While the information may have limitations in the comparability to the rest of the nation, AIDD believes that it is important to begin data collection, tracking and analysis to increase opportunities to improve self-determination, independence, productivity, integration and inclusion of people with IDD into their communities in the U.S. Territories.
Denise L. Uehara and Tafa Tua-Tupuola
Published October 27, 2014
Abstract:
The American Samoa University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Education, Research, and Service (AS-UCEDD) with the University of Hawaii Center on Disability Studies, conducted an exploratory study to better understand how state agencies deliver services, and how disability is perceived by agency staff and consumers in American Samoa. While it initially was envisioned as a needs-sensing study that used surveys and targeted database reviews to systematically capture client needs, the study transformed to a largely qualitative preliminary investigation that was dependent on personal interviews. Findings revealed how contextual, linguistic, and cultural factors play a hugely important role when researching western-based ideals and concepts within indigenous communities.
Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola, State Director - ASCC-Pacific Center in Human Security (Chair)
Anaise Uso - American Samoa Department of Health, Maternal & Child Health Program
Andra Samoa - Department of Health, Consultant
Maltilda Kruse - American Samoa Medicaid State Agency
Luana Yoshikawa-Scanlan - Prime Consultant
