It Takes an 'Ohana
Hawaii's Foster Care ResourceIt Takes an ‘Ohana is a program of Family Programs Hawaii. We provide the latest news in foster care and updates to Hawaii’s child welfare laws. For more information on foster care and strengthening families in Hawaii, visit our main website by clicking the button below.
Foster Care Rate Increase in Hawai`i
I am so excited to be able to tell you that the Hawai`i State Budget was passed April 29th and it includes over $8,000,000 for a much needed foster care payment increase! Thank you to all who helped get this need addressed! Your voice really matters!
We ask those who can to please take a few moments to thank the following legislators who championed this bill:
Representative Carroll (586-6790)
Representative Luke (586-6200)
Senator Ige (586-6230)
Senator Chun Oakland (586-6130)
A big thanks also goes out to the Department of Human Services who developed a new methodology to calculate the rates and requested funds for this increase.
MAHALO NUI LOA to all who helped bring this much needed support to our Resource Families!
5 Ways to Know You’re Ready to Be a Foster Parent
Follow this link to read a short but important article that does a beautiful job of articulating 5 basic realities of foster parenting. Written by Solvej Schou, who writes regularly for TakePart,and has also contributed to the Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, BBC.com, and Entertainment Weekly. The story starts with:
“Becoming a foster parent can be one of the most rewarding and loving acts of your life, but it is not an easy decision. Nor should it be. It takes extensive training, flexibility, commitment, hard work, and a willingness to provide a safe and stable temporary home for children who have been removed from their birth parents’ care by the court until family problems are resolved.”
More Articles
Hawaii Court Improvement Project Survey
In 2012, the Hawaii Court Improvement Project (CIP) partnered with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) to assess current quality of court practices in child abuse and neglect cases in the state of Hawaii. This survey provides those in Hawaii with an opportunity for to share your perspective on strengths and challenges of the current family court and child welfare systems. Please share any thoughts, comments, or suggestions you might have.
Follow link to learn more.
Making Your Voice Heard
If you are a resource caregiver, you have a unique perspective on the strengths and needs of the children and youth you are fostering. That is why it is so important for you to attend their court hearings. It Takes An `Ohana’s recently revised “Caregivers and the Court Guide” gives you the “Whys” and “Hows” of doing so. Follow link to learn more.
Resources for Youth In and Transitioning Out of the Child Welfare System
If you have a teen close to aging out who would like to attend college, follow this link to view the fact sheet Postsecondary Education Resources for Youth In and Transitioning Out of the Child Welfare System.