COMMIT TO KEIKI HOSTS 2ND ANNUAL PARTNERSHIP BREAKFAST WITH GOVERNOR AND FIRST LADY GREEN
On August 28, 2024, Commit to Keiki hosted its 2nd Annual Partnership Breakfast with Governor Josh Green M.D. and First Lady Jaime Kanani Green. Alongside U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda, Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami, representatives from the City and County of Honolulu, Maui County and Hawaiʻi County, and the Commit to Keiki Steering Committee, the breakfast provided an opportunity for state and local leaders to discuss strategies to improve outcomes for Hawaiʻi’s youngest keiki and families.
In the meeting, we were able to cover a wide range of topics, including the critical workforce shortages in careers that support early childhood development and policies that integrate early learning, early childhood mental health, and family violence prevention systems. Key areas of focus were expansion of peer-to-peer support programs and family child interaction learning programs, providing mental health support for young children and their families, and implementing workforce recruitment and retention strategies to support the workforce that supports early childhood development. Leaders highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration to create a more cohesive approach to early childhood development in Hawaiʻi.
The breakfast was also an opportunity for the Counties to share about their four-year successes and ongoing priorities and for the Commit to Keiki Steering Committee to share its policy menu with Governor Green, outlining strategic goals. These initiatives reflect a collective commitment to building a resilient, family-focused support system for our youngest keiki.
Mahalo to our elected leaders for their commitment and shared dedication to driving actionable solutions that address the needs of Hawaiʻi’s youngest keiki. For more information about Commit to Keiki’s proposed initiatives and future goals, please refer to the policy menu below.