HCAP WEEKLY August 21, 2023

HCAP Board Chair Graciously Volunteers His Time and Skills to the Hā Initiative

The Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program teamed up with HCAP’s Information Services team and HCAP Head Start Facilities and Maintenance staff, Eddie and John, to build three new practice tables for the upcoming FIRST LEGO League robotics season under the guidance of HCAP Board Chair, Edward Mersereau. Under Edward Mersereau’s supervision, HCAP staff measured, cut, sanded, painted, and assembled three tables for the HCAP STEM Exploration Centers. These tables are replicas of the LEGO League competition tables for students to accurately practice their programming skills.

Edward Mersereau has served on the HCAP Board since 2012. He was the Vice Chair from 2013-2014 and has served as the Board Chair since 2018. The Hā Initiative would like to extend a huge thank you to Edward Mersereau for his expertise in woodworking and for donating the materials to make these LEGO League practice tables. Mahalo for your support of the Hā Initiative and these future engineers!

Having the proper equipment in HCAP’s STEM Exploration Centers will allow students to prepare efficiently for the FIRST LEGO League tournaments. Shown below are pictures from last season’s competition where team members from HCAP’s Hā Initiative built and programmed LEGO robots to complete a series of tasks simulating solutions to real-world problems. Last year, the Hā Initiative’s Challenge Team from Kaʻiulani STEM Exploration Center placed 8th out of 51 teams competing in the robot games from across the state.

Click Here to learn more about the Hā Initiative.

Nā Lima Hana Expands Education and Workforce Development Partnerships

HCAP’s Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) continues to partner with vocational training programs. In August, ECS staff met with the Leeward Community College (LCC) Office of Continuing Education & Workforce Development (OCEWD). One program that was discussed was Good Jobs Hawaii which provides full tuition coverage for certificate training programs at no cost to the students. Good Jobs Hawaii has a location at each Hawaii Community College and provides job readiness support and placement. This partnership is vital to HCAP’s Employment Core Services because the referral process allows HCAP and OCEWD to work hand-in-hand to ensure optimum client support and wraparound service opportunities.

The ECS team met with Dayna from the Department of Human Services’ First to Work program and Ezralei, an Educational Specialist at Good Jobs Hawaii. These women head LCC’s Good Jobs Hawaii program. ECS staff were also introduced to instructors and experienced a hands-on demonstration of coursework in commercial driver licensing, pharmacy, and clinical programs. Some of the workforce development programs offered at LCC are in top industries. Students can pursue education and careers in business, computers and technology, industry and trade healthcare, and CDL License Type A to earn a livable wage. ECS is dedicated to building partnerships with vocational training schools and sharing these opportunities with the community.

Click Here to learn more about the Nā Lima Hana.

Fine Motor Development at Head Start

This week across HCAP’s Head Start classrooms, keiki participated in various activities that promote the development of fine motor skills. Fine motor skills involve using the smaller muscles within the hand that assist with grasping, clasping, and holding. The keiki engaged in drawing, sorting, independent reading, gluing, and writing their names to enhance these skills.

Click Here for more information about Head Start & Early Head Start.