Welcome to the Office of the Governor of Guam


Oct. 6, 2009
 
The Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) today received notice from The Joint Commission that the hospital has received preliminary accreditation following a two-day survey completed Sept. 23.
 
Preliminary accreditation means that The Joint Commission, the nonprofit organization that accredits hospitals worldwide, has reached a preliminary decision that the structures and systems the hospital has in place are compliant with Joint Commission standards in areas including the quality of care and the safety of the environment in which care is provided. This award excludes the GMHA Skilled Nursing Unit, which is surveyed under the Long Term Care Program. This marks the first time in 26 years that GMH has received preliminary accreditation.
 
“This is a major achievement for GMH,” said Gov. Felix P. Camacho. “It required true leadership on behalf of the board and the hospital’s management. We are so proud of them and all the employees who took it upon themselves to reach this goal. And this certainly would not have happened if it weren’t for Lt. Gov. Cruz and all of his expertise in the decisions that led us to this point.”
 
The governor worked closely with Lt. Gov. Michael W. Cruz, M.D., to stabilize the hospital financially toward the goal of accreditation. To help navigate the hospital through its financial shortfalls, Gov. Camacho and Lt. Gov. Cruz recomposed the board with a heavy focus on financial expertise.

Agency Receives Grant to Improve Guam’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Program
 
October 05, 2009
 
 
The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (DMHSA) has been awarded a grant by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration on Aging for the expansion and enhancement of Guam’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Program.  The Project period is for September 30, 2009 thru September 29, 2012.  The total amount awarded for the year 2010 is $225, 862.00.
 
Guam ADRC will use new ADRC funds to:  (1) Streamline the enrollment process by working with providers to identify a common dataset for intake forms, and configuring Guam’s ADRC information system to automatically populate these forms using existing community health records.  (2)  Improve coordination with the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) by co-locating SHIP counselors at ADRC community events, and cross-training ADRC/SHIP staff.  (3)  Implement person-centered discharge planning by developing a consumer preference survey and a community living plan template; providing consumers, family caregivers, and discharge planners access to real time availability (waitlist) information; interfacing with medical records (to the extent possible) to eliminate duplication/compartmentalization of data; and expanding electronic community health records to include decision support tools that allow consumers to better manage chronic conditions while living in the community.


DMHSA Director Dr. David Shimizu congratulated his employees, “for their hard work in securing federal funds to help address the needs of our senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.”
 
“The approval of Guam’s application for federal funding speaks clearly to the unyielding commitment of our dedicated employees who continue to help develop this and other programs aimed at improving the quality of service we provide to our community,” concluded Dr. Shimizu.

October 4, 2009

Governor Felix P. Camacho announced that the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) was recently awarded one of 20 grant awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The grant money will be used by DPHSS to implement the Children’s Mental Health Initiative targeting children up to age five and their families. The funding may be awarded for up to six years and DPHSS will receive $1 million for the first year.

“This award will benefit the very young and their families because it paves the way for more comprehensive and innovative approaches to prevention and care services in Guam,” said Gov. Camacho. “The DPHSS initiative will help our government assist the children and families most in need and improve their quality of life for the future.”

In Guam, DPHSS, in partnership with various community partners, will use these funds to launch Project Kariñu (Loving Our Babies). The goals of the project are: (1) to expand Guam’s capacity to serve young children, up to age five, with diagnosable mental disorders and those children who are at imminent risk for developing these disorders through a public health approach and system of care framework; (2) to provide a comprehensive array of accessible and effective services that are clinically effective and developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate; (3) to create and sustain systems change through policy reform, infrastructure development, and the commitment of local funding streams; (4) to provide family-driven, culturally competent individualized service planning and care coordination through a wraparound approach; and (5) to authentically involve families in all aspects of developing, evaluating, and sustaining Guam’s early childhood system of care.

“I am grateful to the dedicated men and women at DPHSS and the members of the Guam Early Learning Council for their diligent work and commend them for securing this funding which will help our island and people,” said Gov. Camacho.

The grant funding will come from the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services Program of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and is to be used for developing and expanding systems of care for children and youth with serious emotional disturbances and their families. A system of care will not be limited to traditional mental health services and grantees may offer services such as respite care, tutoring, vocational counseling, legal services, and therapeutic recreation.

The programs selected for these cooperative agreements can receive up to $1 million in year one, up to $1.5 million in year two, up to $2 million in years three and four, up to $1.5 million in year five, and up to $1 million in year six.  The program will be administered by SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services.

Sept. 30, 2009
 
The Office of the Governor has received an award for $19,497 for its 2009 Sexual Assault Services Formula Grant Program, Grant ID Number 2009-KF-AX-0021, from the Office of Justice Programs, Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. This is the third grant received in three months for a combined total of $1,332,911.
 
The money will be used primarily to provide support for Guam’s only rape crisis center and other non-profit, non-governmental organizations for programs and activities that provide direct intervention and related assistance, which may include:
 
·         24-hour hotline services providing crisis intervention services and referral;
·         accompaniment and advocacy through medical, criminal, and social support systems, including medical facilities, police, and court proceedings; or
·         feedback from victims and their families as they traverse the criminal justice system from disclosure to case resolution, etc.

Governor Camacho receives ESGR award for employer support during lieutenant governor’s send-off ceremony
 
October 1, 2009
 
Adjutant Gen. Donald J. Goldhorn of the Guam National Guard hosted the official send-off ceremony for Lt. Gov. Michael W. Cruz, M.D., today at the Guam Army National Guard Readiness Center in Barrigada. The lieutenant governor shared a few words with a crowd filled with family, friends, employees, elected officials, and fellow guardsmen and women during the ceremony.
 
“I am humbled and most especially grateful for the support and encouragement from everyone,” said Lt. Gov. Cruz. “I am an American soldier who will go onto the battlefield and serve along side our men and women. I will do so proudly and without hesitation.”
 
During the ceremony, Lt. Gov. Cruz pinned yellow ribbons, a sign of support for deployed troops, on his family members including his youngest daughter, Taylor, who will celebrate her first birthday three days after his deployment.
 
“Like any soldier deployed, I will miss my family deeply, and no words can fully express how much their strength and support mean to me at this time,” said Lt. Gov. Cruz.
 
Governor Felix P. Camacho shared words of encouragement and support saying the lieutenant governor will be missed and we will continue to pray for the safe return of all of our troops who are deployed.
 
“I recall a conversation I had years ago with Mike when I asked him to be my lieutenant governor candidate. One of the stipulations he made clear was that he is a soldier, and there may come a day when he’s called to serve. That day has come, and I fully support not only his need, but his desire to serve our country and defend our freedom,” said Governor Camacho.
 
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) also gave an award to Governor Camacho for his support for the lieutenant governor during his deployment.