Maui Family Support Services

The ho'owaiwai kaiaulu project is an umbrella program that offers a range of services to support families, including kapili ke kahua home visiting (kkhv), hale hi'ipoi infant/toddler center in hana, kane connections, youth services, and the outreach and resource specialists (oars). Funded by the u.s. Department of education through the native hawaiian education program (nhep), this project aims to strengthen hawai'i families with children from infancy through age five. Its overarching goals are to support children in developing reading and literacy skills, serve at-risk youth, reduce underemployment among native hawaiians, and promote the hawaiian language. Kkhv is a no-cost, culturally grounded, family-centered program serving families on maui and moloka'i. It offers individualized, comprehensive support focused on building parenting skills, fostering nurturing relationships, and encouraging effective, positive guidance-all rooted in hawaiian values and culture. Families can enroll during pregnancy and receive home-based services until their child enters kindergarten. In fy2024, kkhv served 51 individuals across maui and moloka'i, delivering 87 home or virtual visits. Nhep and the hawai'i state department of health fund the program. Hale hi'ipoi infant and toddler center is the only licensed infant and toddler child development center serving the h?na community. It offers a safe, developmentally appropriate environment for children ages six weeks to three years, with a capacity of 12 children. In fy2024, 12 children from 12 families were served. All children met age-appropriate developmental milestones, all families received home/school connection activities, and all children had completed a transition plan by age two. Nhep, kamehameha schools, and the hawai'i state department of human services fund the center. Kane connections provides group and one-on-one services for men in maui county who are fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or other men who play other caregiving roles in children's lives. The program also offers kamalama, a parenting group based on native hawaiian values, open to men and women who care for young children. In fy2024, k?ne connections served 192 individuals-130 fathers and grandfathers and 62 parents who participated in kamalama. Over 120 group sessions were held in the community. Nhep, the county of maui, and the hawai'i state department of health fund the program. Youth services provides botvin lifeskills training (lst) in intermediate and high schools throughout maui and moloka'i. Sessions are held during or after school and focus on substance abuse prevention, communication skills, resisting peer pressure, and related topics. In fy2024, the program served 1,477 students. Nhep, the county of maui, and the hawai'i state department of health fund the program. Oars screens families on maui and moloka'i for risk factors and connects them to resources such as kkhv, other home-visiting programs, and relevant community services. In fy2024, oars screened over 1,300 families, made 168 referrals for home visiting services, and participated in 12 community outreach events. Nhep and the hawai'i state department of health fund the program.

Ka pu'uwai 'o na keiki provides home visiting services to families on maui, molokai, and lanai with children from 0 to 3 years old who the hawaii state department of human services refers. The program follows the parents as teachers (pat) model, an evidence-based home visiting approach that empowers families through skill-building focused on school readiness. The program offers intensive, comprehensive support to the child, caregiver, and the entire family to reduce risk factors for child maltreatment and promote child safety and well-being. Service may continue until the child turns three or until the family's case is closed by child welfare services, voluntary case management, or family strengthening services - whichever occurs first. Families served may include two-parent households, single parents, grandparents, legal guardians, or resource caregivers/foster parents. Services are delivered by a multidisciplinary team composed of a parent educator, registered nurse, clinical specialist, and clinical supervisor. In fy2024, the program served 129 families and 161 children in maui county, conducted 3,624 home visits, and completed 1,288 development screenings and assessments. The hawaii state department of human services funds the program.

Healthy families l?na?i is a nationally accredited, evidence-based home visiting program designed to support children and families on the island of l?na?i by strengthening protective factors. Families may be enrolled prenatally or up until their child is 90 days old. Once enrolled, families receive weekly home visits and participate in virtual ohana day activities. Services include child development and health education, family well-being, and access to community resources. Children receive regular developmental screenings, and families are screened for intimate partner violence and maternal depression. In fy2024, healthy families l?na?i served 18 families and conducted 325 home visits. The hawai'i state department of health funds the program. Quality care for hawaiian keiki (qchk) provides child care subsidy assistance for native hawaiian children in maui county. Eligibility is based on the child's native hawaiian heritage, the family's income is at or below 85% of the state median income, and parents working or attending school for at least 20 hours per week. Families involved with or at risk of needing child welfare services may be eligible for income or work requirements exemptions. In addition to subsidy support, qchk offers funding to both licensed and license-exempt childcare providers to enhance program quality through health and safety improvements and professional development. In fy2024, qchk served 140 children from 103 families. The office of child care funds the program. Maui county early childhood resource center (mcerc) promotes access to high-quality early childhood learning and care for young children and families in maui county. Mcerc provides child care subsidy assistance to eligible families earning up to 95% of the state median income working and demonstrating a need for financial support. The center also assists childcare providers and connects families with additional early childhood resources. In fy2024, mcerc provided childcare subsidies for 131 children and assisted another 249 children in qualifying for state, federal, or private early childhood programs. Additionally, 743 families received information on accessing quality child care through the resource center or community outreach events. The county of maui funds the program.