Commit to Keiki - February 2024 Newsletter

MAUI RECOVERY SPOTLIGHT

Commit to Keiki’s Maui Recovery Spotlight Series highlights local organizations and nonprofits that have been working to ensure that Maui’s youngest keiki and their families receive the support and resources they need in the wake of the devastating wildfires.

Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO), Early Childhood Services

Q&A with Debbi Amaral, Director of Early Childhood Services

Q: How did the wildfires impact the MEO Head Start site in Lahaina?

A: The MEO Head Start Lahaina site was the only preschool in Lahaina that was spared by the Aug. 8th wildfires. While all other licensed preschools were destroyed, our Lahaina site experienced extensive damage to the roof and the playground shade structure, as a result of the strong winds. In August, we had 18 children enrolled at our Lahaina site. Immediately after the fire, we were able to relocate about seven children to other Head Start locations on Maui, while other families opted to move to other locations on-island and off-island. Several families remained in Lahaina and stayed in contact with Head Start, planning to return to services once the Head Start center reopened.

Q: What is the state of the MEO Head Start Lahaina site today?

A: After months of repairs and waiting until we had the proper clearances for health and safety, we’re happy to announce that our MEO Head Start Lahaina site officially reopened on Feb. 1, 2024. We currently have 8 children enrolled in our classroom, and 12 additional children in process to begin school in March 2024.

Q: Are you still accepting applications for the Lahaina site?

A: Yes, we are still accepting applications for the 2023-24 school year. Our Head Start services are offered to families that meet federal poverty income guidelines and selection criteria, and preference is given to foster and homeless children. We are also accepting applications for the 2024-25 school year. Children need to be three years of age by July 31, 2024 to be considered for enrollment.

Families interested in applying can complete their application online by visiting meoinc.org or call the MEO Head Start office at (808) 249-2988.

Senator Mazie Hirono and MEO Head Start Lahaina Student

MEO Head Start Lahaina Classroom

LAURIE TOCHIKI JOINS COMMIT TO KEIKI’S STEERING COMMITTEE

Laurie Arial Tochiki, JD, PhD

Executive Director, EPIC ‘Ohana

Laurie Arial Tochiki is the Executive Director of EPIC ‘Ohana, a nonprofit organization serving families, children and youth in the child welfare system. EPIC is the backbone organization for a network of agencies and foundations called Nā Kama a Hāloa, which seeks to improve outcomes for native Hawaiian children touched by the child welfare system.

From 1999 to 2011, Laurie served as Associate Dean for Student Services at the William S. Richardson School of Law. She was a member of the 5th graduating class of the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi. In 2021 she was awarded the Casey Excellence for Children Award for Leadership from Casey Family Programs. She is a co-founder of the Kids First program at the First Circuit’s Family Court, and the family group decision making process called “‘Ohana Conferencing.” In 2022 Laurie was appointed to the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents.

Commit to Keiki is actively tracking the following bills that align with our three priorities – child care and early learning, family violence prevention, and early childhood mental health. Please join us in supporting these important bills!

Child Tax Credit (HB1662): Proposal for a “Keiki Credit” that would assist more Hawaiʻi families in covering essential expenses like food, housing, school supplies and childcare, while setting our most precious resource—our keiki—up for economic and personal success throughout their lifetimes.

HB1662 passed out of the House Finance Committee.
SB2660 did not move.

Early Intervention Services Salary Increases (HB1800/SB2234): Proposal for salary increases for Early Intervention Services specialists that provide critical services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and cognitive and social and emotional supports for keiki birth to 3 years old. Hawaiʻi currently has a 25-30% vacancy rate in this field and salary rates are one of the leading reasons. The salary increases will not only recruit new specialists, but retain the ones we have.

HB1800 referred to the House Finance Committee.
SB2234 referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Child Care Worker Wage Supplement (HB1964/SB2603): Proposal to have the Department of Human Services establish a program to provide stipends and bonuses to all licensed/regulated child care programs to supplement staff wages and improve recruitment and retention of early childhood care and education professionals.

HB1964 passed out of the House Finance Committee.
SB2603 referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Contracted Classrooms (HB2535): Proposal for the Department of Human Services to run a 2-year pilot program in each county to contract with infant/toddler or group childcare centers for classrooms, and innovate a funding model that gives stability to providers and increases access for families with subsidies.

HB2535 passed out of the House Finance Committee.

Early Learning Facilities (HB2398/HB1903/SB3087): Proposal to amend the Pre-Plus statute to allow early learning programs to operate on state property in addition to those on DOE campuses, and to open it to all children not eligible for kindergarten.

HB2398 did not move.
HB1903 passed out of the House Finance Committee.
SB3087 passed out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Peer-Support Specialists (HB2405/SB3094): Proposal to establish within the office of wellness and resilience a working group to develop and make recommendations for a framework for peer-support specialists in the State.

HB2405 referred to the House Finance Committee.
SB3094 referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

MAUI RECOVERY SPOTLIGHT

Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO), Early Childhood Services

LAURIE TOCHIKI JOINS COMMIT TO KEIKI’S ﻿STEERING COMMITTEE

Laurie Arial Tochiki, JD, PhD

LAURIE TOCHIKI JOINS COMMIT TO KEIKI’S STEERING COMMITTEE