Maui Family Support Services

THE MISSION OF MAUI FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES, INC. (MFSS) IS TO PROMOTE HEALTHY FAMILY FUNCTIONING BY PROVIDING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES WHICH BUILD ON FAMILY STRENGTHS. THE PRIME DIRECTIVE IS TO UTILIZE OUR COLLECTIVE RESOURCES TOWARD THE PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

EARLY HEAD START (EHS) IS A NO-COST, FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES INDIVIDUALIZED AND COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES THAT 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 HEALTH DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL READINESS GOALS IN THREE 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 CHECKUPS; 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 TWICE MONTHLY SOCIALIZATIONS. MFSS EHS HAS TWO CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS IN WAILUKU AND ONE IN LAHAINA. IN PROGRAM YEAR 2020-2021, EHS SERVICED 109 FAMILIES, 124 CHILDREN, AND 8 PREGNANT WOMEN. THE EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY THE OFFICE OF HEAD START, AS WELL AS COUNTY OF MAUI AND FOUNDATION GRANTS.

HO`OWAIWAI KAIAULU - THE HO`OWAIWAI KAIAULU PROGRAM IS AN UMBRELLA PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES SEVERAL OPTIONS TO SERVE FAMILIES. HO`OWAIWAI KAIAULU HOME VISITING (HKHV) FORMERLY CALLED HEALTHY FAMILIES AMERICA, HALE HI'IPOI INFANT/TODDLER CENTER IN HANA, KANE CONNECTIONS , YOUTH SERVICES, AND OUTREACH AND RESOURCE SPECIALIST (OARS)/EARLY IDENTIFICATION (EID). THESE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FUNDED PROGRAMS AIM TO STRENGTHEN HAWAII FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN FROM INFANCY TO FIVE YEARS. THE OVERALL GOAL OF HO`OWAIWAI KAIAULU PROJECT IS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN DEVELOP READING, LITERACY SKILLS; SERVE AT-RISK YOUTH; HELP REDUCE NATIVE HAWAIIAN UNDEREMPLOYMENT AND PROMOTE NATIVE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE. HO`OWAIWAI KAIAULU SERVICES ARE FUNDED IN ALL OR IN PART (WHERE NOTED) BY THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, NATIVE HAWAIIAN EDUCATION PROGRAM. HO`OWAIWAI KAIAULU HOME VISITING (HKHV) FORMERLY HEALTHY FAMILIES AMERICA, 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. HKHV PROVIDES SERVICES FREE OF CHARGE TO MAUI AND MOLOKA`I FAMILIES WHO WOULD LIKE MORE SUPPORT IN RAISING THEIR CHILDREN. FAMILIES MAY JOIN DURING PREGNANCY UP UNTIL THEIR CHILD STARTS KINDERGARTEN. HOME-BASED SERVICES MAY CONTINUE UNTIL THE CHILD STARTS KINDERGARTEN. IF FY2021 45 FAMILIES WERE PROVIDED SERVICES VIA 842 HOME VISITS. THE HALE HI'IPOI INFANT/TODDLER CENTER IS THE ONLY LICENSED INFANT/TODDLER CENTER OFFERING SERVICES TO HANA'S COMMUNITY. IT PROVIDES A SAFE AND DEVELOPMENTALLY ENRICHING ENVIRONMENT TO CHILDREN 6 WEEKS TO 3 YEARS OLD. IT IS LICENSED FOR 12 INFANTS/TODDLERS HOWEVER DURING COVID, 7 CHILDREN WERE SERVED TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING AND FOLLOWING DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES COVID GUIDELINES. THE HALE HI'IPOI PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AS WELL AS KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS. KANE CONNECTIONS PROVIDES GROUP AND 1:1 SUPPORT TO MEN IN MAUI COUNTY INCLUDING MEN WHO ARE FATHERS, UNCLES, GRANDFATHERS OR WHO OTHERWISE HAVE A ROLE IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD. IN ADDITION TO SERVING MEN DIRECTLY, KANE CONNECTIONS ALSO PROVIDES A PARENTING GROUP BASED ON NATIVE HAWAIIAN VALUES THAT IS OPEN TO MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE CAREGIVERS OF YOUNG CHILDREN. THESE GROUPS CALLED HUI KANE AND KAMALAMA PARENTING MEET VIRTUALLY EACH WEEK DURING COVID. IN ADDITION TO GROUP TIME, MEN OR PARENTS MAY RECEIVE 1:1 SUPPORT WHEN NEEDED. IN FY2021 KANE CONNECTIONS SERVED 126 MEN VIA HUI KANE AND 34 PARENTS VIA KAMALAMA PARENTING GROUP. THE KANE CONNECTIONS PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AS WELL AS THE COUNTY OF MAUI. YOUTH SERVICES SERVES THE MAUI COUNTY COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING GROUPS IN LOCAL INTERMEDIATE AND HIGH SCHOOLS ON MAUI AND MOLOKA'I. GROUPS ARE HELD DURING SCHOOL HOURS OR AFTERSCHOOL ON CAMPUS. STUDENTS RECEIVE LESSONS FROM THE BOTVIN LIFESKILLS PROGRAM WITH A FOCUS ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION, COMMUNICATION, HANDLING PEER PRESSURE AND OTHER TOPICS. IN FY2021 THE YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAM SERVED A TOTAL OF 369 STUDENTS. THE YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, COUNTY OF MAUI, STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. OUTREACH AND RESOURCE SPECIALISTS (OARS)/EARLY IDENTIFICATION (EID) SCREENS FAMILIES FOR RISK FACTORS ON MAUI AND MOLOKA`I AND REFERS THEM TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND SERVICES INCLUDING HRA OR OTHER HOME VISITING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE FAMILIES. DUE TO COVID THE PROGRAM WAS UNABLE TO SCREEN MOTHERS AT MAUI MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER DURING THE PANDEMIC. THIS RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANTLY LESS FAMILIES SEEN THAN USUAL AS WE CONNECTED WITH FAMILIES THROUGH OTHER MEANS. IN FY2021, OVER 288 MOTHERS WERE SCREENED AND PROVIDED WITH RESOURCE INFORMATION AND APPROPRIATE REFERRALS.

KA PU`UWAI O NA KEIKI (FORMERLY CALLED THE ENHANCE HEALTHY START PROGRAM) PROVIDES HOME VISITING SERVICES THROUGH FUNDING FROM THE STATE OF HAWAII, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES. THIS PROGRAM SERVICES FAMILIES ON MAUI, MOLOKA`I, AND LANAI 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 SERVICE 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, REGISTERED NURSE, CLINICAL SPECIALIST, AND CLINICAL SUPERVISOR. IN FY2021, 193 FAMILIES WERE SERVED IN MAUI COUNTY, 1,850 HOME VISITS WERE CONDUCTED, AND 474 SCREENINGS AND ASSESSMENTS WERE COMPLETED. KA PU'UWAI O NA KEIKI IS FUNDED BY THE STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

HEALTHY FAMILIES AMERICA LANA`I SERVES CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ON THE ISLAND OF LANA`I. FAMILIES ARE IDENTIFIED AND ENROLLED PRENATALLY OR UP UNTIL THE CHILD TURNS 90 DAYS OLD. FAMILIES RECEIVE WEEKLY HOME VISITS WHICH HAVE BEEN PROVIDED VIRTUALLY DURING COVID. FAMILIES ALSO PARITICPATE IN VIRTUAL 'OHANA DAY ACTIVITIES. FAMILIES RECEIVE INFORMATION ON CHILD HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, FAMILY HEALTH AND RESOURCE SUPPORTS. CHILDREN RECEIVE REGULAR DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS AND FAMILIES ARE SCREENED FOR INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AND MATERNAL DEPRESSION. IN FY2021 HFA LANA`I SERVED 11 FAMILIES VIA 332 HOME VISITS. HFA LANA`I SERVICES ARE FUNDED BY THE STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. QUALITY CARE FOR HAWAIIAN KEIKI (QCHK) SERVES NATIVE HAWAIIAN CHILDREN IN MAUI COUNTY BY PROVIDING CHILD CARE SUBSIDY ASSISTANCE TO ELIGIBLE FAMILIES. ELIGIBILITY IS DETERMINED BY A CHILD'S NATIVE HAWAIIAN ETHNICITY, THE FAMILY BEING WITH 85% OF THE STATE MEDIAN INCOME, PARENTS WHO ARE WORKING OR IN SCHOOL AT LEAST 20 HOURS A WEEK. FAMILIES MAY RECEIVE EXEMPTIONS TO THE INCOME OR WORK REQUIREMENT IF THEY ARE IDENTIFIED AS NEEDING OR AT RISK FOR NEEDING CHILD WELFARE SERVICES. IN FY2021 QCHK SERVED 173 CHILDREN FROM 139 FAMILIES. QCHK SERVICES ARE FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL OFFICE OF CHILDCARE. MAUI COUNTY EARLY CHILDHOOD RESOURCE CENTER (MCERC) PROMOTES ACCESSIBILITY TO HIGH QUALITY CHILDHOOD LEARNING AND CARE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN MAUI COUNTY. MCERC PROVIDES CHILD CARE SUBSIDY ASSISTANCE TO ELIGIBLE FAMILIES WHO ARE WITHIN 95% OF THE MEDIAN INCOME, WORKING AND SHOWING A NEED FOR ASSISTANCE TO PAY FOR LICENSED CHILD CARE. MCECRC ALSO PROVIDES SUPPORT TO COMMUNITY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND HELPS FAMILIES TO IDENTIFY OTHER EARLY CHILDHOOD RESOURCES THAT THEY MAY NEED. IN FY2021 MCECRC SERVED 137 CHILDREN WITH CHILD CARE SUBSIDIES AND PROVIDED OVER 125 CHILD CARE PROGRAMS WITH SANITATION SUPPLIES DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC. THIS PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY THE COUNTY OF MAUI.