HCAP WEEKLY August 12, 2024

Head Start Keiki Learn the Importance of Routines

HCAP Head Start classrooms around the island are acclimating to their daily routine and classroom schedules during these first several weeks of school. The keiki at Kunia, Ben Parker and Iroquois Point are practicing walking in a line from their classrooms to various locations on campus.

During outdoor play, the keiki work on improving their sharing habits with art supplies and toys. The Ben Parker keiki are also learning how to enjoy a meal in the school’s cafeteria.

There are many benefits to engaging keiki with consistent daily and predictable schedules and routines. It helps children feel comfortable in their environment, know and anticipate what is to come, how to engage and complete activities and actively engage in learning. Familiar routines also help the children, parents and staff develop secure relationships with one another and adjust to change more easily.

Click here to learn more about HCAP Head Start and Early Head Start.

HCAP Leahi District Staff Attends the COFA Craft and Resource Fair

Recently, HCAP Leahi District Service Center staff participated in the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) Craft and Resource Fair hosted at Kaimuki High School by Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights (HCIR) and Medical-Legal Partnership for Children in Hawaii.

The recent re-negotiations of COFA between the U.S. and the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands have introduced new federal legislation under the Compact Impact Fairness Act (CIFA) regarding eligibility in various federal assistance programs, including SNAP, SSI, and TANF for COFA communities living in Hawaii.

Fair Coordinator and HCIR Community Resources Navigator Specialist, Austin, welcomed local community service providers as well as local small businesses to the fair “to create accessibility and learn more about these programs and resources for our COFA communities. Especially after the new CIFA under the most recent COFA agreements,” he explained.

Pacific Gateway Center, Aloha Care, Court Interpreting Services, Parents and Children Together (PACT), the Salvation Army, and the UH Master of Social Work program were just some of the many service providers in attendance. Other attendees included local small businesses such as Wolana Lifestyle, who showcased their Micronesian inspired graphic tees. Language specialists from Language Services Hawaii were also present to offer in-house interpreting for members of the community. Furthermore, to address federal changes for COFA communities, DHS case workers set up consultation with SNAP applicants hoping to appeal, change, or inquire about their application status.

As a coordinator and community contributor, Austin shared “my hope was that by bringing these resources together along with language interpreters in one place, it would create a better experience for those wanting to learn more about different programs and assistance. We encourage service providers to bring in-language material to eliminate language barriers and ensure full understanding. Hopefully by continuing to host events like this, more COFA citizens will be able to apply and use these programs for as long as they need. They pay the same taxes that go into supplementing the funding for these programs and they are afforded the rights to these programs like everybody else. It shouldn’t be seen as a shame to use these programs because it would actually be a shame not to.”

Attendants had positive reviews all around for this first-of-its-kind community event. “The resource fair was a good event for the community. It was an opportunity for [service providers and community members] to network and develop ways to get more of the community out. Great job to the hands that prepared this event!” responded fair-goer James.

HCAP Leahi staff thanks Austin and his team in allowing them to actively support community growth through events like these. Mahalo!

Click here to learn more about HCAP’s programs and services.

Kalihi Hā Initiative Students Commemorate Lahaina

Last week at the Kalihi STEM Exploration Center, the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program welcomed 18 students for another session of enriching STEM education and activities.

This school year, the Kalihi classroom implemented a system of class jobs to build engagement with the students and to keep the classroom organized. The students’ first set of class jobs were: Cleaning Crew, DJ, Eco Expert, Journalist, Librarian, and Materials Manager. The class also completed their Class Dojo accounts – an engaging web application that helps teachers, students, and families communicate and manage classroom behavior. The platform is equipped with a “class wall,” where the class journalist will post pictures and report on daily activities, experiments, and lessons.

To commemorate the Maui wildfires, students at the Kalihi STEM Exploration Center learned about the town of Lahaina and had a meaningful discussion about the devastating fires that took place last year on August 8, 2023. Students researched important historical facts about Lahaina. One that stood out to the students was about the 150 year old banyan tree located at the center of town and how this special tree is in the process of healing and restoration with the help of skilled arborists.

To show their love and support for Lahaina, students collaborated together to create a beautiful mural. The class first brainstormed what should be portrayed on the mural. Next, they gathered to sketch, color, and paint the mural. Some students wrote powerful messages of hope, while others carefully drew the banyan tree, hibiscus flowers, and other elements to commemorate the event.

STEM teachers and the program manager also recently attended an open house event at Hauʻula Elementary. Families who stopped by to pick up brochures and enrollment forms had the opportunity to decorate cupcakes, play games, and answer science trivia questions to win a prize.

Click here to learn more about Hā Initiative.