PATCH

Well I had just had my daughter and in just 3 months i alredy had to return to work. Being a single parent here with no family in the same city as me, I was faced with the delima of placing my new born in (I had no idea where to start) a strangers arms to take care of daily. It literally bought tears to my eyes as i felt so hopeless as to what would happen next. After seeking help in the community to find the appropriate resources I was directed to the PATCH office in wainaku. I immediatly felt the load lifted as I wus sitting there being assured that ALL Child Care Providers are licenced by PATCH have gone through the health education & Training process. Then wen she printed out a list of providers for me to call & interview, I wuz blown away by the pages & pages of Providers to choose from. Going to that office that day had changed my perspective of my situation completly. I had hope again, I was restored with the faith that I could find safe, resonable, affordable child care. I dont know what I would have dont were it not for PATCH to be there. I also inquire about the courses needed to take to be a licensed child care provider myself, for that has always been a passion for me.

Sincerely, I. K. Derouin

PATCH has been an asset to our preschool program in offering free or low cost workshops/classes to our families. The resources given to us through PATCH allow us to educate our families and ultimately benefit the little ones we serve.

I am a single working Mom. My daughter was only 1 year old and I just got a full time job. I was terrified about how I would make a living to support the two of us, and be a good mother, and find and afford childcare. In addition I had just moved to Hawaii and had no friends or community knowledge. Thank God for PATCH. I called this organization multiple times, often in tears, and they always took the time to give me the answers, knowledge and references I needed. Every program I have worked with involving any type of child care connection or information was introduced to me through PATCH. Thank you PATCH.

People Attentive to Children Hawaii is a wonderful organization. They provide so many services. Families can go to them to request information about child care options in their area, they provide much needed training for Early Childhood Professionals. They have taken on daunting task of maintaining and revising the Hawaii Registry of ECE Professionals as well as administer the disbursements for Preschool Open Doors. The County Co-ordinators of PATCH are dedicated people who truly believe in the importance of early childhood education.

The Hawaii PATCH program was wonderful. The online listing of providers made the initial search for childcare immensely helpful to those of us with busy work schedules. The program's selection, training and credentialing requirements ensured a standard of care that put my mind at ease. I've recommended the program to other parents and am glad at my good fortune to have moved to a state where such a wonderful program exists for working parents with young children.

PATCH has provided me with the support I needed to grow a successful childcare business and work in the field I love -- helping families with young children. Through PATCH I have been able to receive educational grants, equipment grants, training classes and referrals to my family childcare which has allowed me to provide childcare for numerous families over the last 5 years. PATCH is definitely a great nonprofit that supports the families and young children in Hawaii to help ensure that the first five years of a child's life are met with educated and qualified professionals that provide a great foundation for future learning and success.

When my childcare provider decided to take a extended vacation, I was horrified and didn't know what to do. I had a 1 year old and didn't feel comfortable leaving my child with just anyone. A family memeber advised me to call PATCH. The staff was wonderful and friendly. They addressed my concerns and answered all my questions. They printed out a list or shall I say lists of providers in my area. It was comforting to know that these childcare providers were screened and licensed. It made me feel good. I found the perfect childcare provider with the help of PATCH. I always recommend people to PATCH if asked about childcare services.

I am a licensed professional child care provider and would like to share one story of how patch helps families with child care issues. I was contact by a patch and a mother that has a child with unique learning. Because I am experienced in this field due to two of my adopted sons with this same unique learning PATCH was able to help this mother. Leading her in the right direction to finding appropiate childcare for this child. PATCH helps.

PATCH has helped me to finish my college degree while also bringing my family together. Prior to using PATCH, I had difficulty in finding daycare for my sons. However, not only did PATCH help with this issue, they were also able to identify potential problems with my sons, which we've been working on together with the school (including the teachers), the therapist, and our case manager. However, what I am most thankful for is they were able to teach us how to be better parents, and futhermore, they helped us unite our family. Although we are still working through some issues, my boyfriend and I have learned how to better our children TOGETHER. Personally, as a mother, I found it difficult to do things with my children; however, with the help of PATCH, I've learned how to be a better mother and primary teacher for my kids.

I used PATCH services to find a licensed and reliable child care provider for my infant son. Because I had just recelty moved to Maui, I didn't know many people and didn't know how to begin looking for someone I could trust with the care of my son. PATCH gave me a listing of reputable and licesed providers, and I was able to find the best sitter, one who I will definently use again. Without the listing, I wouldn't have been able to do it. They also provided classes to the child care providers to help them with their licensing.

Patch serves the community well. Not only they provide information for child care providers, but provide work for people who love the child care field. I am very blessed to participate in their courses. They were very educational.
I recommend Patch to my friends and families.
My experience with them were in their courses. I learned so much. It allowed me to do my own child care services for while. My kids are big now, I stop doing the child care services, but I will always recommend their services. Thanks Patch.

Very helpful website, which helped me to choose from different child care providers in a specific area.

Rare to find an agency with so much heart and support. Living on a island with children can be challenging. PATCH is very supportive of families and the schools who serve the families. LOVE PATCH!

Thank you to the staff of the Kauai PATCH Office and Dept of Human Services, I am well on my way to opening up my own daycare at home. Not having a natural sense of business, I called the PATCH office to get more info. They walked me through the process step-by-step and were encouraging and up-front on how to fulfill the requirements without having to do my own guess work. They didn't mind answering several questions for the second time or explaining things in different ways so that it was easier for me to understand. Also, my daughter attends Tutu&Me which is a travelling preschool where caregivers need to attend with the child. Stephanie from PATCH visited on several occassions to educate the public about services PATCH offers to find qualified and screened caregivers in their area. PATCH realizes that there are families in need and are always looking for new avenues to reach them to provide help.

I've just completed my final year of nine years with the PATCH Board - PATCH staff is incredibly dedicated to helping families in Hawaii find quality childcare. I first contacted PATCH many years ago to help find care for my then new born son - options were sorely lacking at that time. That's why when asked to join the PATCH Board I eagerly accepted, to better understand the challenges they face in attracting and training new caregivers & matching families with a caregiver who is right for them. Every year the number of caregivers and matched families has increased, training options have expanded and children are receiving quality care. The credit goes to a great staff and an active Board who pitch in to support the PATCH Team. PATCH will always hold a special place in my heart.

I am also a board member for the last two years, but my relationship with PATCH goes back much further.
PATCH on Maui continues to be responsive to community needs and requests for information. The support of the PATCH staff has been invaluable as we work together as part of a community to increase the quality and amount of early learning opportunities for children. In my role at University of Hawai'i Maui College, I have been able to partner with PATCH on many things - from providing space for PATCH classes to accessing important, up to date data from PATCH.
PATCH has grown and evolved as a resource and referral, adapting to the times and continuing to stay healthy despite the economic downturn.