Early Head Start
Many families receive Early Head Start services right in their own home. The trained and dedicated home-visitors from MFSS come once a week and work with families and their keiki ages birth-3. Together, they watch and think about the child. They help the child learn using the families’ interactions, daily routines, and household materials. Twice a month a small group of children, families, and their home visitors get together in groups for socializations at the MFSS center, or for field trips. A light snack is served, and parents have an opportunity to meet other parents and children play with one another under the supervision of their parents. Children also receive developmental screenings and home-visitors help connect families to community resource when needed.
Healthy Families America
Healthy Families America (HFA) is a nationally recognized evidence-based home visiting program model designed to build protective factors. MFSS is serving families on Lanai beginning prenatally or within the first three months following birth. The home-visitors work with the parent/caregiver to cultivate and strengthen nurturing parent-child relationships, and promote healthy childhood growth and development. They bring books and other supplies to the home and help link families to community resources.
“Healthy Families America services on Lana`i are provided by the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH), Maternal and Child Health Branch and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under ASO 21-057 for grant amount $769,794.46. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by DOH, HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.”
Hoʻowaiwai Kaiāulu Home Visiting
Hoʻowaiwai Kaiāulu Home Visiting services are offered on Maui and Molokai. Parent Educators provide lessons and activities using the Parent
As Teacher(PAT) Curriculum with families focusing on child development, parent and child interactions, and family well-being.
Families participating in the program can have services provided in-person and/or virtually.
In addition to the Parent Educator services, families will also be able to meet new families through the programs Group Connections. Group Connections is an opportunity for families to participate in facilitator led discussions, group activities and/or lessons, as well as parent driven discussions.
- All families served reside in the County of Maui and specifically on the islands of Maui and Moloka`i.
- Families must have at least one stressor to be referred to the HKHV program,.
- Native Hawaiian families are prioritized for services in the HKHV program.
- Families may be identified at the hospital, via community outreaches, self-referrals or referrals from community partners.
Ka Pu`uwai O Na Keiki
The State of Hawaii, Department of Human Services funds the Ka Pu’uwai O Na Keiki (formerly Enhanced Healthy Start) home visiting program. Ka Pu’uwai O Na Keiki provides support to families needing more intensive services who are referred by Child Welfare Services (CWS). These services may help them solve their problems and learn how to care for and discipline their children in ways that do not harm them or put them at risk of abuse or neglect. These services may include counseling, evaluation, and resources that will allow them to access day care, treatment, parenting classes etc. This home-visiting program is supported by our MFSS home visitors, as well as the agency’s Registered Nurse and Clinical Specialist. Working as a team, they are able to build upon family strengths to help struggling families overcome barriers and cope with life’s challenges.