Press Releases
MFSS Named One of the Best Places to Work in Hawaii
MFSS is proud to receive an Award from Hawaii Business Magazine as a winner of one of the business selected in the 2008 Hawaii’s Best Places to Work Award in the Medium Sized Companies Category! Out of over 185 Hawaii companies that signed up to participate, Maui Family Support Services was one of the 69 companies that made Hawaii Business Magazine’s 2008 “Best Places to Work.”
The Best Places to Work in Hawaii program was free and open to all organizations. Participating companies must have at least 25 employees working in Hawaii. Employees were asked to answer 66 confidential survey questions, which was used to evaluate the employee’s workplace experience and company culture. The questions focus areas are: leadership and planning, culture and communication, role satisfaction, work environment, relationship with supervisor, training and development, pay and benefits, and overall satisfaction.
MFSS also received a Certificate of Merit from Mayor Mufi Hannemann of Honolulu in recognition of one of the Hawaii’s Best Places to Work.
(L-R) Kelli Abe Trifonovitch, Editor Hawaii Business magazine Ben Godsey, President, ProService Hawaii Peter Burke, President, Best Companies Group Jani Sheppard, CEO, Maui Family Support Services David Tumilowicz, Publisher, Hawaii Business magazine Photo by Rae Huo
April 24, 2009 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MFSS cuts workday to cope with state’s Healthy Start slices
CEO: Loss of Fridays will impact agency
Maui Family Support Services will close its business offices on Fridays, beginning today, because of cuts in state funding for its Healthy Start program.
The nonprofit’s Wailuku, Lanai and Molokai offices will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The Early Head Start Child Development program on Maui has not been cut and will continue to operate on Fridays, as will MFSS out-of-office services such as home-visit services, said CEO Jani Sheppard.
But she said the loss of one office day will impact the agency and the community.
“It affects the people who are calling in for services. It’s a day we cannot coordinate with other providers. It affects any group that might be held here at the office. The major effect is that we don’t have the full-time staff anymore,” Sheppard said.
State budget cuts have been eating away at the nonprofit since last summer, resulting in layoffs and reductions of services. Funding was cut for the Healthy Start program, which gives parents counseling and information on available resources for them and their newborn children.
Healthy Start provided $1.8 million in funding, or more than 40 percent of MFSS’s $3.9 million annual budget before the cutbacks began.
The first set of cuts for the program at MFSS last year was more than $500,000, and in March of this year, cuts amounted to $219,585, Sheppard said.
The state has said it made the cuts in order to cover an enormous budget deficit. Cutting Healthy Start, a statewide program administered by the state Department of Health and contracted out to MFSS, would save the state $23.2 million over two years, health officials have said.
Sheppard said that prior to the cuts last summer, Healthy Start served 200 to 240 families in Maui County. The numbers then fell to 186 earlier this year and is now down to 80 families.
She’s also had to lay off employees, reducing staff from 37 to 25, about half of whom are part time. One of those who lost their jobs was an 18-year veteran.
“These individuals are so committed to helping families,” Sheppard said.
The Healthy Start program seeks to break the cycle of poverty, substance abuse, child development delays, malnutrition, inadequate health care and child abuse in families, many of them the community’s most vulnerable, Sheppard said.
Some clients “weren’t very happy” when MFSS had to tell them that they no longer could participate because of budget cuts, Sheppard said.
She said clients responded, “Why me? Where do I go now?”
Sheppard said the Legislature could restore $4 million to $6 million to fund the program statewide. Prior to the cuts, $12 million was dedicated to the state program last year.
But she said funding of at least $6 million would be an improvement.
“At least the program will be there,” she said, adding that when the economy gets better, the qualified staff will be in place and ready to assist families.
Maui groups early this year held a sign-waving event to protest the cuts.
For more information on this program or other programs at MFSS call Jani Sheppard, CEO at 242-0900 or via email at jani@mfss.org.
December 11, 2008 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Children Enjoy Christmas with Maui Family Support Services
The family was one of over 300 families who were served a holiday dinner and enjoyed the fun as their children were greeted by Santa Claus and clowns at the annual family celebration event held by Maui Family Support Services (MFSS) on Tuesday, December 9, at the Velma McWayne Santos Center in Wailuku. The event was supported by donations from Mary Anne Fitch, Coldwell Banker Island Properties in Lahaina, , Mayor Alan Arakawa Community Kokua Fund, Roger and Tina Santos of Paradise SuperMart, Freedom Express Clowns, Tom and Marlene Jones of Haiku Pharmacy, and Maui Cattle Company.
Children Enjoy Christmas with Maui Family Support Services
November 14, 2008 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maui Family Support Service, Inc. Receives 2008 Best of Wailuku Award
U.S. Local Business Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement
Maui Family Support Service, Inc. has been selected for the 2008 Best of Wailuku Award in the Social Services category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA).
The USLBA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2008 USLBA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USLBA and data provided by third parties.
About U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA)
U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USLBA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.
The USLBA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.
June 2008 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2nd Annual Celebration of Fathers Event!
June is Father’s month in Hawai’i and Maui Family Support Services’ Fatherhood Involvement Team (FIT) is excited to announce the 2nd Annual Celebration of Fathers event! Maui Family Support Services, a non-profit organization, has been serving Maui families for over 27 years, promoting the importance of healthy families in our children’s lives. The Fatherhood Involvement Team (FIT) is the agency’s program that is specifically designed to support all male caregivers and their families.
Studies show that children with involved loving fathers or other significant male caregivers are more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem, exhibit empathy and pro-social behavior, and avoid high-risk behaviors such as drug use, truancy, and criminal activity compared to children who have uninvolved fathers. Parent-child relationships and child wellbeing show that father love is an important factor in predicting the social, emotional, and cognitive development and functioning of children and young adults.
In honor of all male caregivers, whether they are biological fathers, step dads, boyfriends, uncles, cousins, grandfathers, or even big brothers, the 2nd Annual Celebration of Fathers event will be held Sunday, June 1 at the War Memorial Soccer field, from 1pm to 5 pm. The event is free and open to the public, featuring various local and award winning entertainers, including George Kahumoku Jr., Maui Kila Kila with Wesley Furamoto, and the band Ohana! In addition, there will be food, games, prize drawings, access to the War Memorial swimming pool, Maui Humane Society’s Adoptive Animals, the Backyardigans, Bouncy Castles and community agency booths with information, games and activities to promote healthy child development and positive interactions between all caregivers and their children. All families and extended family members are invited, whether they are traditional 2 parent families, single parent families or hanai families!
The informational and fun filled afternoon is funded by Hawai’i Children’s Trust Fund with support from the Kent and Polli Smith Fund, the National Responsible Fatherhood Initiative and the County of Maui. Maui Family Support Services is currently looking for sponsors for next year’s event. If you are interested in being a sponsor, please contact Jani at 242-0900. Please visit our website at www.mfss.org
April 3, 2008 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maui Family Support Services Awarded $25,000 Capacity Building Grant from the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI)
Maui Family Support Services is pleased to announce that it has been chosen to receive a grant by the National Fatherhood Initiative as one of only twenty five out of 228 applications submitted from organizations throughout the country.
As part of this grant, L. Jani Sheppard, CEO and Roy DeLeon, Group Facilitator and Outreach Worker for the MFSS Fatherhood Involvement Team (FIT) will participate in a comprehensive 40 hour “Certification College” where National Fatherhood Initiative senior staff, experts from ICF International and other consultants will provide technical assistance and training in the areas of leadership development, program development, organization development and community connections. The purpose of the funds is to increase capacity to develop fatherhood programming, and to improve the organization’s financial sustainability by becoming more familiar with and better qualified to receive federal or private philanthropic support. The overall goal of the grant is to promote responsible fatherhood in local communities.
MFSS offers free assistance to help parents and expectant parents and caregivers create a stable and nurturing environment for their children. Specially trained staff work with each family to help them reach their goals. A family may consist of a child and single-parent, both parents, and other caregivers such as a grandparent with responsibility for the child. This assistance works to strengthen families.
MFSS serves the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai and receives funding from the State of Hawaii Department of Health, Maternal and Child Health Branch, the State of Hawaii Department of Human Services, The Federal Government; Administration for Children and Families, Maui County Department of Housing and Human Concerns, Maui United Way, private foundations and individual contributions.
October 25, 2007 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maui Family Support Services Selected as Hawaii’s Outstanding Parent Friendly Business at the 2007 Hawaii’s Outstanding Advocates for Children and Youth annual luncheon on October 31, 2007 at Washington Place
Maui Family Support Services is pleased to announce that it has been chosen by the Hawaii State Commission on Fatherhood as Hawaii’s Outstanding Parent Friendly Business. The award ceremony will take place on October 31 at Washington Place in Honolulu.
Henry Oliva, Deputy Director of the Department of Human Services wrote in his letter to MFSS, “the selection committee was impressed with the varied ways that Maui Family Support Services has instituted parent and family friendly policies and created a supportive work environment for the employees and their ohana.”
MFSS offers free assistance to help parents create a stable and nurturing environment for their children. Specially trained home visitors and center based caregivers work with each family to help them reach their goals. A family may consist of a child and single-parent, both parents, and other caregivers such as a grandparent with responsibility for the child. This assistance works to strengthen families.
MFSS serves the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai and receives funding from the State of Hawaii Department of Health, Maternal and Child Health Branch and the State of Hawaii Department of Human Services, The Federal Government; Administration for Children and Youth, Maui County Department of Housing and Human Concerns, Maui United Way, private foundations and individual contributions.
August 2007 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Congresswoman Mazie Hirono
Congresswoman Mazie Hirono will be visiting Maui Family Support Services at 1:30-2:30 PM today and will be doing a reading for the children in the MFSS Early Head Start Kupukupu Child Development Program. The infants and toddlers are ages six weeks to three years of age. Congresswoman Hirono has always placed a high value on early childhood education and has introduced the PRE-K Providing Resources Early for Kids Act of 2007 legislation that will improve the quality of early childhood education throughout the U.S. During Maize’s campaign we asked her to visit us at the Center and she expressed her interest in seeing the Early Head Start program she has taken this opportunity to meet the children and families.
MFSS has operated the Kupukupu Program since November 2003 providing comprehensive full day child development program to parents who meet income eligibility guidelines established by the Federal Government. MFSS has operated the Home Visiting Early Head Start Program since 1999 taking a comprehensive program into the homes of families. Other services provided by MFSS include the state funded Healthy Start Program serving all of Maui County, state funded Lanai Perinatal Support Services and the County funded Family Focus Plus Program and the Fatherhood Initiative Program funded by the Hawaii Children’s Trust Fund and other foundations and contributions.
June 20, 2007 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Flatbread Company Fundraiser for Maui Family Support Services
The Flatbread Co. will donate a portion of its pizza sales from 5 to 10 PM Tuesday, July 3 to Maui Family Support Services. “Join us for an evening of flatbread and fun child development information, and bring the keiki for some enjoyable and educational family activities,” said Lucy Feinberg, Director of Program Services. The pizza restaurant is at 89 Hana Highway in Paia.
MFSS offers free assistance to help parents create a stable and nurturing environment for their children. Specially trained home visitors and center based caregivers work with each family to help them reach their goals. A family may consist of a child and single-parent, both parents, and other caregivers such as a grandparent with responsibility for the child. MFSS serves the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai and receives funding from the State of Hawaii Department of Health, Maternal and Child Health Branch and the Department of Human Services, The Federal Government; Administration for Children and Youth, Maui County, Maui United Way, private foundations and individual contributions.
June 2007 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DaDee Day Event Makes Fathers Day Weekend More Special
The Hawaii Children’s Trust Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation has awarded a grant to Maui Family Support Services, Inc, in support of the 1st Annual Da Dee Day Celebration to be held Saturday, June 16, 2007 from 10 AM to 4 PM at Kalama Park in Kihei by the bandstand. Additional support comes from the Administration for Children and Families, US Dept. of Health and Human Services, State of Hawaii Department of Health, County of Maui and MFSS.
The goal of Maui Family Support Service for this special event will be to increase community awareness of the importance of fatherhood involvement in the lives of our youngest keiki. The Da Dee Day Celebration will be a time for fathers (and mothers) including teen fathers, foster fathers, grandfathers, uncles and fathers- to-be, to enjoy a day with their families, listening to music, playing fun and educational games and visiting the various booths which will provide activities relating to positive parenting, and the newest information on child development. Lunch will be provided.
Music will be provided by Grammy Award Winner, George Kahumoku, and Derek Sebastian. One of the special guest speakers will be Kimokeo Kapahulehua, President of AOAO Na Loko I`a O Maui who is working to restore the ancient fishponds in South Maui. In addition, there will be several halau performing. A drawing will be held and prizes awarded throughout the day. Joining Maui families will be families coming from Oahu, Lanai and Molokai to enjoy this event. Members of The Kihei Canoe Club will be offering an opportunity for a short paddle to those who would like to try.
Da Dee, A Father Involvement Program seeks to provide an environment that is nurturing to adult and teen fathers, and fathers to be. Meeting regularly in Central and West Maui, fathers come together to discuss ways to better support their partner during pregnancy and after the baby is born and how to help their keiki reach their full potential.
Maui Family Support Services (MFSS) is a private, non-profit agency, incorporated in 1980 providing family strengthening services on the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai. MFSS receives funding from the State of Hawaii Department of Health, Maternal and Child Health Branch and the Department of Human Services, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Children and Youth, Maui County, private foundations and individual contributions. For further information or to volunteer for the Da Dee Day event, please call Lucy Feinberg, Director of Program Services at 242-0900 ext. 238.
Established in 1916, the Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF) is a statewide charitable service and grant making institution endowed with contributions from many donors. HCF is a steward of more than 450 scholarship funds and distributes charitable funds to Hawaii’s non profit organizations through a variety of programs. HCF also serves as a resource on philanthropy and community issues and trends. The Hawaii Children’s Trust Fund was established in 1993 to support family strengthening programs and activities throughout the State.
April 25, 2006 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maui Family Support Services Begins Reading is Fundamental (RIF) Program
Maui Family Support Services is pleased to introduce its newest program: Reading is Fundamental (RIF). RIF, the nation’s leading nonprofit children’s organization has a mission: to motivate America’s children to read often and well by involving children as early in their lives as possible. Maui Family Support Services is now offering this program to children of all its participants. The goal is to make reading fun through exciting motivational activities that culminate in book distributions which provide opportunities for children to choose and keep books at no cost to them or their families. The first distribution will be May 16 which is the World’s Largest Book Distribution Day and also celebrates the 40th anniversary of the RIF Program.
The Maui Family Support Services RIF program will provide three books each to more than 300 children a year. The program has seven local volunteers who will organize successful reading motivation activities and book distributions. Although RIF programs vary in size and location, all have the following in common:
books for children to explore, choose, keep, read, and treasure
activities to capture kids’ imagination, and inspire them to read
volunteers- parents, teachers, and community leaders- who make a difference
MFSS offers free assistance to help parents create a stable and nurturing environment for their children. Specially trained home visitors and center based caregivers work with each family to help them reach their goals. A family may consist of a child and single-parent, both parents, and other caregivers such as a grandparent with responsibility for the child. This assistance works to strengthen families. The Director of Program Services, Lucy Feinberg stated “The RIF Program was an idea that came from a member of the Early Head Start Policy Council and we have been on the waiting list for the last two years. Bringing RIF to MFSS gives us the opportunity to help give our keiki the gift of reading that can last a lifetime.”
MFSS serves the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai and receives funding from the State of Hawaii Department of Health, Maternal and Child Health Branch and the Department of Human Services, The Federal Government; Administration for Children and Youth, Maui County, Maui United Way, private foundations and individual contributions.
July 20, 2005 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maui Family Support Services Receives $10,000 Renovation Grant
Maui Family Support Services, Inc. has received a $10,000 award from the Atherton Family Foundation. The funds will be used to support the renovation project for the Early Head Start Child Development Center playground.
The Early Head Start Child Development Center serves infants and toddlers ranging from 6 weeks to 3 years old. The Center, which opened in 2003, provides child care and child development services to income eligible families.
The playground renovations will help Maui Family Support Services, Inc. provide for enhanced services and a safe and appropriate learning and growing environment for infants and toddlers and help achieve the goal of National Accreditation. The playground improvements will have a positive impact on the development of the children’s cognitive, emotional, social and physical skills. They will encourage exploration and learning. The Center is in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Early Childhood Center located at 1844 Wili Pa Loop in the Wailuku Millyard.
The Atherton Family Foundation had generously given MFSS $50,000 in 2000 as part of the Capital Campaign.
For more information on this program or other programs at MFSS call Lucy W. Feinberg, LSW Director of Program Services at 242-0900 or via email at lucy@mfss.org.
July 2005 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maui Family Support Services Receives $2,000 Renovation Grant
Maui Family Support Services, Inc. has received a $2,000 award from the Alexander and Baldwin Foundation. The funds will be used to increase outdoor safety and for the installation of play equipment for our Child Development Center.
The Early Head Start Child Development Center serves infants and toddlers ranging from 6 weeks to 3 years old. The Center, which opened in 2003, provides child care and child development services to income eligible families. The playground renovations and increased protections for safety will help Maui Family Support Services, Inc. provide for enhanced services and a safe and appropriate learning and growing environment for infants and toddlers and help achieve the goal of National Accreditation.
The Center is in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Early Childhood Center located at 1844 Wili Pa Loop in the Wailuku Millyard.
For more information on this program or other programs at MFSS call Lucy W. Feinberg, LSW Director of Program Services at 242-0900 or via email at lucy@mfss.org.
May 10, 2005 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maui Family Support Services Receives $10,000 Renovation Grant
Maui Family Support Services, Inc. has received a $10,000 award from the McInerny Foundation. The funds will be used to support the renovation project for the Early Head Start Child Development Center classrooms and playground.
The Early Head Start Child Development Center serves infants and toddlers ranging from 6 weeks to 3 years old. The Center, which opened in 2003, provides child care and child development services to income eligible families. The classroom and playground renovations will help Maui Family Support Services, Inc. provide for enhanced services and a safe and appropriate learning and growing environment for infants and toddlers and help achieve the goal of National Accreditation.
The Center is in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Early Childhood Center located at 1844 Wili Pa Loop in the Wailuku Millyard. The McInerny Foundation had generously given MFSS $40,000 in 2000 as part of the Capital Campaign.
For more information on this program or other programs at MFSS call Lucy W. Feinberg, LSW Director of Program Services at 242-0900 or via email at lucy@mfss.org.
December 2004 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maui Family Support Services Sponsors U.S.D.A. Child Care Food Program
Maui Family Support Services, Inc. (MFSS) has announced its sponsorship of the USDA Child Care Food Program. Meals will be made available to enrolled children at no separate charge without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. Parents’ income determines the amount of money USDA will reimburse MFSS to provide meals to enrolled children. The income eligibility guidelines listed below are used to determine our reimbursement from USDA. Children from households whose monthly income is at or below these levels are eligible to be counted for free or reduced-price meal reimbursements.
| Size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Free | 1,160 | 1,556 | 1,953 | 2,349 | 2,746 | 3,142 | 3,539 | 3,935 |
For each Additional Family Family Member Add + $397
| Size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Reduced Price | 1,160 | 2,214 | 2,779 | 3,343 | 3,907 | 4,417 | 5,036 | 5,600 |
For each Additional Family Family Member Add + $565
Any person who believes that he or she has been discriminated against in any USDA related activity should write immediately to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410.
Meals will be provided at Maui Family Support Services, Inc., 1844 Wili Pa Loop, Wailuku, HI 96793
For more information on this program or other programs at MFSS call Lucy W. Feinberg, LSW Director of Program Services at 242-0900 or via email at lucy@mfss.org.
December 5, 2004 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maui Family Support Services Receives Radio Shack Grant
Maui Family Support Services, Inc. (MFSS) received an award in October from the Radio Shack Corporation, Neighborhood Answer Grant program which focuses on the prevention of family violence and abuse. The MFSS Healthy Start program provides home visiting services designed to enhance parenting skills and to teach parents the value of nurturing and positive discipline in order to prevent child abuse and neglect.
The grant will be used to assist in funding the purchase of “Baby’s First Year - a Calendar of Learning Games and Memories” which is distributed to each family entering the home visiting program. The baby calendar is a significant tool used by the MFSS home visitor to help each parent chart their newborn’s cognitive, social development, and physical development.
Maui Family Support Services is a nonprofit agency providing support and programs for parents of very young children on Maui and Lanai. Programs include Healthy Start, Early Head Start, Family Focus Plus and Lanai Perinatal Support Services.
For more information about Maui Family Support Services, please call 242-0900. For more information on this program or other programs at MFSS call Lucy W. Feinberg, LSW Director of Program Services at 242-0900 or via email at lucy@mfss.org.
October 13, 2004 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maui Family Support Services Receives Award from Castle Foundation
Maui Family Support Services Inc. (MFSS) is pleased to announce the award of $20,000 from the Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation for renovation of the classrooms in its Child Development Center. The Center serves infants and toddlers ages six weeks to three years old. The Center opened November 6, 2003 and now provides free full day child care and child development services to income eligible families.
The funds will allow MFSS to make needed structural changes in the classrooms in order to further its mission to provide high quality center based care with attention to the child’s social, physical, and cognitive development . It will also increase MFSS’ ability to achieve National Accreditation for the child development center and further the organization’s ability to serve the needs of families in the Maui community. The Center is located in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Early Childhood Center at 1844 Wili Pa Loop in the Wailuku Millyard and is funded in large part through an Early Head Start Grant.
November 6, 2003 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Early Childhood Center Opening
Maui Family Support Services invites the public to the opening of The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Early Childhood Center on Thursday, November 6th, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Under the auspices of Maui Family Support Services, Inc., the Center is located at 1844 Wili Pa Loop, in the Wailuku Millyard area. Community residents and parents of young children are especially encouraged to attend and become familiar with the facilities and services offered. Please RSVP. Refreshments will be provided.
Maui County’s first Early Childhood Center which is funded in part through an Early Head Start grant, will be an invaluable community asset, providing a comprehensive, culturally-sensitive, family oriented approach to coordinating a wide range of services.
In addition to a child care center and playground, the facilities include meeting and training rooms, and an education toy/book/video lending library. A conference room is also available for meetings of community groups and agencies. Child care for ages six weeks to five is offered for working parents or those in school who meet income guidelines. Applications for children with disabilities are encouraged. To obtain an application form and to RSVP for the open house, please call 242-0900.
For more information on this program or other programs at MFSS call Lucy W. Feinberg, LSW Director of Program Services at 242-0900 or via email at lucy@mfss.org.
BANK OF HAWAII AWARDS GRANT TO MAUI FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
Funding will support identification of families in need
On January 7, 2010, Kevin Baptist, Bank of Hawaii Senior Vice President, Regional and Island Manager along with Clyde Kono, Bank of Hawaii Vice President, Business Banking Manager, presented a $5,000 grant award to Maui Family Support Services (MFSS).
The funding will be used to support the agencies Outreach and Resource Specialist’ (OARS) program. The OARS program identifies families in need within Maui County through visits with new parents at Maui Memorial Medical Center and through referrals received from various community sources. Families are then referred to appropriate support programs within MFSS or in the community.
“We are very appreciative of Bank of Hawaii’s support of the OARS program,” said Jani S. Sheppard CEO of MFSS, “Recent state budget cuts, including Healthy Start, have severely impacted our ability to provide this important service and receiving this grant allows us to continue to identify parents who may be in need of additional support in caring for their children and families”
“SHOP WITH A COP” BENEFITS KEIKI SERVED BY MAUI FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
On December 13, 48 children ranging in age from 2 to 13 roamed theaisles at Big Kmart in Kahului shopping for anything they pleased. Each was accompanied by a member of the Maui Police Department in the Annual “Shop with a Cop” event. For the fourth consecutive year,
Maui Family Support Services (MFSS) was asked to identify families that could use some special assistance during this holiday season.
The event was coordinated by the South Maui Kiwanis Club with support from Big Kmart in Kahului and the Maui Police Department. Kiwanis Clubs from elsewhere on Maui also contributed. MPD officers were on hand to help the children shop for what they wanted, push wagons, help select toys and keep track of how much they spent, up to $100. The children also enjoyed breakfast and special gifts from Santa.