HCAP Weekly February 22, 2016

In this week’s issue:

SCSEP Participants Attend the Individual Development Plan Workshop
Hā Initiative Students Learn Macrophotography
HCAP Head Start Hosts its Parent Leadership Conference
Youth Services Students Study Financial Literacy
Head Start Children Take a Field Trip to the Grocery Store
HCAP Participant Receives Assistance from Multiple Programs

SCSEP Participants Attend the Individual Development Plan Workshop

Barbara Koike, the Senior Community Service Employment Program’s (SCSEP) Employment Counselor, is hosting the February 2016 Individual Development Plan (IDP) workshops for SCSEP participants. These workshops are held once per quarter, and ensure that each SCSEP participant is actively case managed and their individual plans are updated at a minimum of twice per year. HCAP Executive Director Robert N.E. Piper joined in the workshops and provided valuable insight to the senior participants. Through these workshops, the participants and their employment counselor discuss the individual’s plan, discuss some of the challenges participants are facing, and come up with possible solutions to barriers. Each participant’s Community Service Assignment is reviewed to ensure appropriate placement, progress, and overall satisfaction.

Hā Initiative Students Learn Macrophotography

The Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program students at the Leeward STEM Exploration Center attempted to do some macrophotography featuring bugs in their garden. Macrophotography is photography producing photographs of small items larger than life size. The students learned that macrophotography is not as simple as it seems. It takes a steady hand and requires that the bugs stay still in order to capture a good photograph. One of the students’ first attempts was with a large grasshopper in a specimen jar. The students were determined to take a good photo, so they tried to improve the lighting and backgrounds to create a clear, contrasted photograph. Everyone had tons of fun with this activity! Afterwards, all specimens were released back into the wild.

HCAP Head Start Hosts its Parent Leadership Conference

HCAP Head Start proudly hosted its Parent Leadership Conference, “Bringing Harmony and Balance,” on February 11, 2016 at the Pomaika’i Ballroom at Dole Cannery. The conference opened with an inspiring and interactive presentation called “The Key is to Live Aloha” by Kumu Lindsey. Kumu Lindsey got the parents and staff up on their feet to learn the motions to a song about Aloha. The conference had several other inspiring speakers. Shaun, from Central Pacific Bank, gave an excellent presentation on Financial Literacy and provided practical strategies on changing behaviors, managing money, and budgeting. Another speaker, Leighton, an Employment Specialist with the State of Hawaii Work Force Development Division, brought awareness to the many resources and services available for those seeking employment. Leighton also taught the parents how to prepare for a job interview, follow up with potential employers, and prepare a resume. HCAP Head Start would like to thank all of the speakers for sharing their knowledge and for making the conference a wonderful experience.

Youth Services Students Study Financial Literacy

Youth Service C-Base students completed another month of school and took their Consumer Economics unit test this week. The Consumer Economics unit covered topics such as the importance of credit, how to compare checking and savings accounts, what are contracts, and how to develop and maintain a budget. The goal of the Consumer Economics unit is to introduce the Youth Services students to topics of financial literacy, so that the students will be able to manage their money when they begin working. Five students also took their Mastery Test, which is a comprehensive assessment of all five C-Base units. They are now one step closer to graduating with the Class of 2016 in June!

Head Start Children Take a Field Trip to the Grocery Store

Jefferson Pre-Plus and Jefferson II Head Start children visited the Safeway Market in Kapahulu to learn about the different sections of the grocery store and discover what foods are found in each section. Simple field trips to the grocery store help young children identify the types of foods that are available, increase their vocabulary, strengthen math and other concept skills, and learn where foods come from before they are stocked at the grocery store. The children had fun in all sections of the grocery store but they enjoyed the bakery the most!

HCAP Participant Receives Assistance from Multiple Programs

Ariel first came to the Leahi District Service Center seeking help with her electric bill. She had received a final disconnection letter from the Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) and needed assistance. Ariel was able to get help through HCAP’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). After getting assistance with her electric bill, Ariel also participated in the Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program (ECS). After completing job-readiness training, Ariel was hired as an administrative assistant. Through ECS, Ariel was also able to get a bus pass for her first month of employment. With a new set of goals and new job, Ariel has been moving toward self-sufficiency. Congratulations on your success Ariel!