Maui Family Support Services

Programs: Early head start (ehs) is a no-cost, federally funded program that provides individualized and comprehensive services that can begin during pregnancy and continue until a child is three years old. Services are offered on maui and moloka'i. Ehs promotes early childhood education and development by using an evidence-based curriculum that promotes healthy development and "school readiness" goals in these areas: language learning and early literacy skills; positive approaches to learning and cognitive development;healthy growing bodies and physical movement; and positive social and emotional skills and relationships. Ehs offers highly qualified specialists in mental and physical health, child development and nutrition; services to children with special needs or disabilities; parent involvement and volunteer opportunities; family engagement in ensuring up-to-date well baby checks,immunizations, and dental check ups; formal and informal development assessments to track growth and learning; and a healthy and safe environment for the entire family. Pregnant women and families with children 0-3 years old who are low income and categorically - eligible (receiving tanf or ssi, experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care) are prioritized to be enrolled in the program. Mfss provides 2 ehs program options, home-based and center-based. Home-based participants receive weekly home visits and 2x per month socializations. Mfss ehs has 2 child development centers, 1 in wailuku, and 1 in lahaina. Ehs served 148 families, 176 children, and 22 pregnant women in program year 2017.

positive impacts for keiki outcomes (piko) - healthy families america (hfa), hana infant/toddler center,and outreach and resource specialist (oars)/early identification (eid). These federal doe-funded programs aim to strengthen hawaiian families with children from infancy to five years. The overall goal is that hawaiian children will enter kindergarten prepared for school success. Hfa is a program centered around the family and provides individualized and comprehensive services focused on supporting parenting skills and appreciating the importance of nurturing and effective, positive guidance while incorporating hawaiian culture and values. Hfa provides services free of charge to maui and molokai families who would like more support in raising their children. Families may join during pregnancy or until their infant is 90 days old--home based services may continue until the child is five years. The hana infant/toddler center is a licensed center offering services to serve hana's community. It provides a safe and developmentally enriching environment to children 6 weeks to 3 years old. Oars/eid screens families for risk factors on maui and molokai and refer them to community resources and services including hfa or other home visiting programs and services to meet the needs of families.

ka pu'uwai o na keiki (formerly called enhanced healthy start program) provides home visiting services through funding from the state department of human services. This program serves families on maui, moloka'i and lana'i with children from 0 to 3 years old that have been referred by the department of human services. This program provides intensive, comprehensive services for the participant,their child, and the family unit in the home to reduce risk factors for child maltreatment, and increase the safety and well being of the child. Home-based services may continue until the child is 3 years old or when child welfare services, voluntary case management,or family strengthening services closes the case on the family (whichever occurs first). Families served may consist of a child and both parents, a single parent, grandparent, guardian, or a resource caregiver or foster parent. Services are delivered through a multi-disciplinary team including a family support worker, a registered nurse, a clinical specialist, and a clinical supervisor.

maui family support services provides other services which support our mission and address co-occuring risk factors for child abuse and neglect. Additional grants and activities include organizational capacity building, and leadership development.