HCAP Weekly April 6, 2020

HCAP Head Start Provides Education and Family Support Services Remotely
WAP Client Receives Much Needed Help During COVID-19 Pandemic
Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Continues to Provide Services During COVID-19 Pandemic
Ka Pua II Head Start Children Take a Field Study to the Children’s Discovery Center

HCAP Head Start Provides Education and Family Support Services Remotely

Following the City & County and state guidelines to stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, all HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start families have been provided with activity packets through the mail and each child’s teacher keeps in close contact through telephone calls and/or email.

Onesiteikovaea of Aiea II Head Start is continuing to work on his writing, letter recognition, and small motor skills.

Kennedy and Hunter from Halawa Head Start have been keeping active and finding materials in nature to create pieces of art. They collected leaves to make leaf rubbings and miniature trees.

Aiden from Ka Pua II Head Start is continuing to work on his small motor skills, math principals, and science experimentation. Aiden poured liquids carefully into a jar, helped to measure each liquid, and experienced the concept of cause and effect.

Papipou of Aiea I Head Start is using materials she has at home to work on her small motor skills, sense of creativity, patterning, and geometry.

The HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start teaching staff will continue to send individualized activities to each family based on the age and developmental level of their child. HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start Family Advocates are also maintaining contact with each family to check in on their overall well-being and to provide resources based on the need of each family.

WAP Client Receives Much Needed Help During COVID-19 Pandemic

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jackie applied for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) at the Windward District Service Center. Her refrigerator had not been working properly and she needed to put her food in the freezer section because the refrigerator section was too warm. As a mother of two minor children under a statewide shelter-in-place order, Jackie needed a new refrigerator.

After completing her WAP application, Jackie was approved for services and received a home energy audit. During the audit, Jackie found out that she qualified for a new ENERGY STAR refrigerator. Within 3 days, Jackie received her new ENERGY STAR refrigerator. Much mahalo to our partner “Mo” of Lowe’s and the delivery team. Jackie was extremely happy that her family would not have to live out of coolers during the rest of the shelter-in-place order.

The WAP program is still accepting applications during this time. Please call 447-5453 or email hcapwap@hcapweb.org for assistance.

Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Continues to Provide Services During COVID-19 Pandemic

Despite HCAP’s District Service Centers being temporarily closed during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, HCAP continues to provide programs and services such as the Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) Program.

HCAP partner businesses such as Walmart, Securitas, Star Protection Agency, among others, are still hiring during these uncertain times and HCAP is looking to assist those searching for employment to prepare and connect with potential employers.

If anyone is interested in the program, they should call 447-5422 or email nalimahana@hcapweb.org.

A recent success story is that of Chris, who first heard about the ECS Program through his case manager at the Laumaka Work Furlough Program. Upon enrolling in the program at the Kalihi-Palama District Service Center, he started Job Readiness Training (JRT).

Upon completing JRT, Chris obtained employment at Hawaii Foodbank’s warehouse distribution. Through ECS funds, Kalihi-Palama District Service Center staff intends to purchase work clothes for Chris. HCAP has also provided Chris with bus pass vouchers and hygiene kits.

Ka Pua II Head Start Children Take a Field Study to the Children’s Discovery Center

Prior to the closing of Head Start classrooms due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the children of Ka Pua II Head Start studied recycling as part of their curriculum. Classroom learning came to life through a field study to the Children’s Discovery Center.

One of the areas that was especially exciting for the children and families was the “Rainforest Adventure” exhibit where they were able to engage in play using filtered and recycled water. Both children and adults learned about the importance of water conservation and how the pump and filter system prevents water from being wasted while remaining safe and clean to use in their play.

The children also enjoyed the “Your Town” exhibit. The exhibit allowed the children to shop for groceries and identify the various items that could be recycled (cereal boxes, aluminum cans, and plastic bottles).