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It Takes an 'Ohana

Hawaii's Foster Care Resource

It 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.

Family Programs Hawaii

`Ohana is Forever V: Our Next Steps Handouts and Links

Below are the handouts and links to information given at the `Ohana is Forever V: Our Next Steps Conference that was held on September 30, 2011 at Ko`olau Ballrooms in Kaneohe, Hawai`i.  This event was sponsored by the Hawai‘i Court Improvement Program, supported by the Hawai‘i Department of Human Services and First Circuit Family Court and coordinated by Family Programs Hawai`i.

We hope these resources will be helpful for current and former foster youth in their quest to live happy, productive lives and give resource caregivers (formerly known as foster parents), adoptive parents, social workers and others resources to help youth achieve this goal.

You will find the three videos that were shown at the conference among these handouts. They are listed in the order they were presented:

1) Click here to see the opening video, Working Together to Improve Outcomes for Transitioning Foster Youth in Hawai`i.  The video helps guide us in supporting current and former foster youth in creating positive adult lives. MAHALO to EPIC, `Ohana, Inc. for producing and to all those who gave their time and efforts to make this video happen.

2) This video includes resources available for current and former foster youth.  It includes foster youth sharing their stories.  After viewing the videos, find a written list of the Resources on Video here.

Link to 1st part of Resource Video

Link to 2nd part of Resource Video

3) Click here to view the Mahalo Slide Show that was shown at the end of the conference.  This touching video features beautiful expressions of appreciation from current and former foster youth to those who have helped them along the way.

The Foster Youth Rights Manual for Hawaii’s Foster Youth will be posted as soon as their final editions are available.

Many of the resources on the flash drive given to youth at the conference came from EPIC `Ohana, Inc.’s website.  Below are links to that information, which EPIC `Ohana, Inc. keeps updated, that includes information on Education, Employment, Financial, Housing and Transportation needs and more by island:

Oahu

Island of Hawai`i

Maui

Kauai

They also have other Youth Circle Resources here.

Below are the handouts used by Professor Barkai in the Tongue Fu workshop:

Tongue Fu PowerPoint

Tongue Fu- Short Document

TONGUE FU HO -12 pages-Professor Barkai

Click here for lists of agencies/programs Family Programs Hawai`i compiles that may help resource families, social workers, GAL/VGALs find needed resources.  These are compiled by area and updated quarterly.

 

 

Changing the Legacy of Suicide

The 37th annual National Suicide Prevention Week is September 4 – 10, 2011, with the theme “Changing the Legacy of Suicide.” Starting Sunday, September 4, communities in Hawai‘i and across the United States are collaborating to host events to spread awareness of suicide prevention and
the resources available to support this important effort.  Click on link to learn about events planned statewide regarding CHANGING THE LEGACY OF SUICIDE.

Thank you for all you do to help children and youth affected by out-of-home care heal and move on to lives of hope and promise.

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