HCAP WEEKLY April 17, 2023

HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start to Receive Over $14.6 Million in Federal Funding

U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono announced this week that the Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. (“HCAP”) will receive over $14.6 million in federal funding from the Department of Health and Human Services to support the Head Start & Early Head Start program.

“For over fifty years, the Head Start programs have helped to support families and set up keiki for a lifetime of success,” said Senator Hirono.“Head Start & Early Head Start provide safe, inclusive learning environments and help enable children and families with low incomes to access quality early childhood education. As we work to ensure every child gets the early childhood education they deserve, I’m glad this federal funding will help HCAP offer Head Start services to even more families in Hawaiʻi. I will continue working to expand access to high-quality, affordable early education and support federal investments in early childhood programs.”

“We are grateful for Senator Hirono and the rest of Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation for their continued leadership and stalwart support in providing funding for HCAP to carry out its mission. Their support helps make it possible for our agency to offer important Head Start early learning and job development services, as well as much-needed wraparound support services, to Oʻahu’s working families,” said Robert N.E. Piper, HCAP Executive Director. “We also extend a warm mahalo nui to Senator Hirono for her long-time kōkua to our preschoolers, not only through her work in Washington, but through her hands-on experience and participation in our Head Start classrooms, including the art of reading to our keiki and inspiring them to live their best lives.”

Head Start programs deliver services to children and families in core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being. HCAP’s Head Start program was founded in 1965 and has since grown to become the largest early childhood program in Hawaii, serving over 1,500 children and their families on Oahu each year. HCAP offers the Head Start preschool program for children 3- to 5-years old and the Early Head Start program for infants, toddlers, and pregnant women.

Click Here to learn more about Head Start & Early Head Start.

Photosynthesis with Head Start 

Over the past month, the Head Start keiki at Palolo II investigated the phenomenon of photosynthesis. They learned how plants grow, and use water in their life cycle. An experiment was created using daisies and cups filled with colored water to determine which cup would have the most and least water remaining. While setting up the experiment, the keiki also learned about primary colors and color combinations. The experiment resulted in the purple water having the most remaining and the yellow water having the least remaining in the cup. The children concluded that the purple water was too thick for the flower to use and the yellow water was the thinnest making it easier for the flower to use.

Click Here to learn more about Head Start & Early Head Start. 

Windward Community Services Specialists Help Client Reach Goals

Mele was directed to HCAP’s Windward District Service Center through a referral from a friend at the Women’s Correctional Facility seven months ago. At the time, she was transitioning into their transitional housing program and needed job readiness training and help finding employment. Staff at the Windward District Service Center immediately assessed Mele’s situation to see what resources were available. Mele completed HCAP’s centralized intake process and enrolled in the Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Service Program. Windward Community Services Specialists assisted Mele with setting goals, generating an Individual Service Plan, creating a resume, and implementing job readiness training.

One week after Mele completed her job readiness training, she was hired by Times Supermarket. Through the ECS program, Mele was able to receive her work attire and a personal hygiene kit to prepare for employment. Mele has continued to work hard and has been with Times Supermarket for over 180 days. She was awarded $100 worth of Target gift cards for her employment success. The Windward staff would like to congratulate Mele on a job well done and wish her continued success!

Click Here to learn more about HCAPs Programs and Services.