Thrive by Five presented by Commit to Keiki

On Thursday, April 20, Thrive by Five presented by Commit to Keiki aired on KHON and KHII to thousands of households across the state. The 30-minute special explored the current issues impacting Hawai‘i’s youngest keiki (0-5), with a specific focus on Commit to Keiki’s three pillars – child care and early learning, early childhood mental health, and family violence prevention.

A special mahalo to Governor Josh Green, Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, Terry George, Samuel K. Holi, Shawn Kanaʻiaupuni and the Partners in Development Foundation ʻohana, Frankie Kepa, Erin Henderson Lacerdo, Kawika Mattos, and Kerrie Urosevich, who were all featured in the special.

By working together, we can ensure that Hawai‘i’s youngest keiki and their families thrive!

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

For the past 40 years, the month of April has been recognized as National Child Abuse Prevention Month to increase awareness about the importance of child and family well-being and educate communities about the signs of child abuse and how to prevent it. This cause is especially important to Commit to Keiki and is the reason why family violence prevention is one of our top three priorities.

The current trends in family violence in Hawai‘i are alarming. The COVID-19 pandemic created the perfect storm for rising rates in family violence, and we are still seeing the effects of that three years later. Here are the stats:

In 2020, Child and Family Services reported a 300% increase in calls to their crisis hotline.
Research indicates that child maltreatment occurs in 30% to 60% of families where spousal abuse takes place. Even if children are not maltreated, they may experience harmful emotional consequences from the violence they witness.
Children under the age of 1 are more than twice as likely as older children to be victims of child abuse and neglect.
Over the last year, the Domestic Violence Action Center has experienced a 240% increase in contacts with women experiencing violence at home.

It is no secret that children who are exposed to family violence in their home, what is supposed to be their safe space, are at greater risk for learning difficulties, attachment issues, long-term adverse health effects, substance abuse, and more. We remain committed to raising awareness of this issue and the need for more state investments that support our youngest keiki and their families. If our keiki are happy, healthy and raised in safe and loving homes, they will have a much greater chance of becoming thriving members of society.

Our Voices

Nanci Kreidman

Domestic Violence Action Center

“In families where there is partner abuse, there are children suffering. They are watching, listening, emotionally tormented, frightened or being physically harmed, too. The need for community recognition that safety in a household is best for adults and children is crucial. Suspend judgment, lend support, offer loving options, and know that we are all better off when we are all better off. Serving parents is serving children.” #itsgonnatakeallofus

In the News

Commit to Keiki was recently featured on KHON’s Living808 to promote the Thrive by Five special and talk about Commit to Keiki’s goals. The segment featured Terry George, President & CEO of the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, and Kerrie Urosevich, Commit to Keiki Co-Chair and Lead for Network Design and Innovation at Early Childhood Action Strategy.

Legislative Corner

As the legislative session starts to enter its final weeks, Commit to Keiki is actively monitoring the following three priority bills as they head into conference:

GOV-05 (SB 1351): Creates an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Program in DOH
GOV-01 (HB 1049): Green Affordability Plan includes various tax proposals to help working families
LG’s Ready Keiki (HB 961): Expands Preschool Open Doors subsidy program to 3-year-olds

All bills must be passed out of conference committee by Final Decking on April 21 (April 22 for fiscal bills). During this period no public testimony is accepted, but we encourage you to continue lending your support of these bills by reaching out to the conferees, as well as your elected senator and representative, to ensure that the bills passes out at conference and supported when they come up for vote at Final Reading. The legislative session will adjourn on Thursday, May 4.