A HISTORY OF HELPING FAMILIES
Since 1971, ITAO has made a difference in the lives of thousands of children in Hawaii by offering resources and information to those in the community concerned with protecting the interests of children and youth in out-of-home care, while providing responsible advocacy.
VALUES
We believe that through education and support, foster parents will develop the skills to become credible, tenacious, excellent advocates for children and themselves.
We believe in improving the quality of foster care by empowering foster parents, adoptive parents, and legal guardians with information, skills, and support which enable them to effect change.
We are committed to providing easily accessible, accurate, and useful information, especially to prospective foster parents, foster parents, adoptive parents, and legal guardians.
We are committed to working in a spirit of respect, love, and care.
ITAO MISSION
The It Takes An `Ohana mission is to offer resources and information to those in the community concerned with protecting the interests of children and youth in out-of-home care, while providing responsible advocacy.
SERVICES
Advocacy - With first hand knowledge of the challenges faced by foster and adoptive families, ITAO advocates for a quality foster care system by sponsoring legislation and contacting decision makers. On an individual level, ITAO teaches parents how to advocate for the needs of their children.
Information Services- Providing a way for foster parents to communicate their needs – and to get real-life solutions to these needs – is at the core of ITAO’s mission. In addition to the newsletter, ITAO maintains a library of books and videos, this website, and email listserve to keep foster parents in touch.
Referral Services -ITAO’s working relationships with a variety of agencies gives the association the unique ability to find the right resources for children and families in need. ITAO’s mentor services provide one-to-one support and guidance in resolving difficult situations.
Workshops & Training - A variety of workshops, with topics ranging from special needs children to advocacy, are offered throughout the year.
Read our Privacy Policy here.
There are currently two openings on the HI H.O.P.E.S. Youth Leadership Board. APPLICATION DEADLINE is January 6, 2012. This Board is made up of current and former foster youth who provide the “youth voice” for the Hawai`i Youth Opportunities Initiative (HYOI). HYOI provides foster youth with financial literacy training. After a youth has completed the training, s/he receives help in opening savings accounts as well as matching funds. The HI H.O.P.E.S. Youth Leadership Board helps the HYOI to identify the needs of and advocate on behalf of transition-aged foster youth. Follow link to learn more and to download application.
Local foster parents Paul and Dottie Brennan welcomed the first of over 20 foster children into their Maunawili home in 1983. Follow links to read the heartwarming story of the recent reunion they had with him. We hope that this story brings joy and inspiration that helps you continue the work you do everyday to help children and youth affected by out-of-home care.
We’ve assembled a list of some of the best books ever written about parenting, foster care and adoption and given you an easy way to read about them and purchase them online by clicking through from this website. When you do, ITAL receives a portion of the proceeds from that sale and from everything else you purchase on Amazon in that session! It’s a great way to support our work with foster and adoptive families.
This book provides the foundation, resources, and tools to help professionals, parents, and other to support children for whom the journey through placement is part of their road to adulthood. Chapter titles include: 1) Attachment and Separation, 2) Child Development, 3) Separation and Loss, 4) Minimizing the Trauma of Moves, 5) Case Planning, and 6) Behavior Problems.
Achieving Permanency addresses the legal, medical, psychological, economic and social issues that often pose challenges to teens seeking permanent families. This book offers guidelines that describe different case types and propose specific solutions and approaches, including step-by-step legal and casework strategies.
