Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 16 the Department of Health Immunization Program, in partnership with the Department of Education will be visiting schools to make sure that immunization shots of students are up to date.

Program Manager Yolanda Masunu says children who are behind on their shots, will be referred to community health centers. She advises parents to make sure their children’s shots are up to date so that they are not sent home.

Masunu also advises that children must be current with their immunization shots in order to be accepted at daycare centers. The Immunization Program is setting aside two days a week to issue clearances for children going to daycare centers.

INTERN OPPORTUNITY

Under a program funded by the U.S. Department of Education and provided by the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA) and Oceania Community Development Network (OceaniaCDN), are offering high school students an exciting learning opportunity.

Interns in the program will receive work-based learning and the chance to earn scholarships towards their education.

The program is designed to identify and nurture high-potential Samoan, Pacific Islander, and Filipino high school students, including those with disabilities.

The program will run from September 2024 to July 2025, and will include 18 sessions held every other Saturday during the school year, an 8-hour spring site visit, job shadowing, and a 40-hour summer internship.

Various STEAM worksites, will provide real-world learning environments.

Priority is given to high school students from Samoan, Pacific Islander, and Filipino backgrounds, as well as those with neurodiversity.

Successful completion of the internship program qualifies students for scholarships to support their higher education goals. Interns can potentially earn both high school and college credits simultaneously, providing a head start on their post-secondary education. As an added bonus, the program is free.

For more information you can visit, oceaniacdn.org

PROMOTING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders is creating a rapid response national competition for 501(c)3 community- based organizations to identify community- driven efforts to raise greater awareness of hate crimes and address the health consequences, including mental health, of communities burdened by bullying, hate and bias. 

Designed outcomes include the development of community -driven strategies and application of data -driven tools to combat bullying, hate, and bias to promote healthier communities.

The Challenge.gov fund has $325,000 available for up to four (4) awards through this competition. Eligible 501(c)3 organizations may submit a maximum five (5) page proposal through Challenge.gov.

OVERSIGHT HEARING ON COFA

Congresswoman Uifa’atali Aumua Amata on Tuesday led the Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs’ oversight hearing on the implementation of the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) Amendments Act of 2024.

Presiding Subcommittee Chairman Amata (R-American Samoa) said, “Congress’ timely passage of the COFA Amendments Act and successful renewal of the COFA agreements speaks to the U.S. commitment to preserving our special relationship with our FAS allies and to countering the maligned activities of the CCP; however, there is still more left to be done. The U.S. must remain committed to following through on obligations promised under the COFA Amendments Act.”

“I am therefore gravely concerned to see that there are several key provisions of the COFA Amendments Act that have not been implemented in a timely manner consistent with the clearly expressed intent of Congress and agreements signed by the President,” she continued. “Oversight and accountability will ensure that the COFA agreements continue to serve as the pillar of our relationship with the FAS for the decades to come, signaling to the region that the U.S. remains a reliable and committed partner.”

Congress successfully passed the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024 in March 2024 and is conducting oversight on the implementation of the new agreement.

Tuesday’s hearing focused on the administration’s urgent need to carry out several key unfulfilled provisions of the COFA Amendments Act, including delivering veterans’ services for the Republic of Palau (Palau), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Citizens of these three countries serve in the U.S. Armed Forces and enlist at higher rates per capita than any U.S. state – much like American Samoa is known for record enlistment rates.

The administration has yet to transmit a new signed Federal Programs and Services Agreement (FPSA) with the Republic of Palau, even as the current FPSA expires on September 30, 2024. Additionally, the administration has not completed FPSA negotiations with the Republic of the Marshall Islands.