HCAP Weekly January 11, 2016

In this week’s issue:

HCAP Free Income Tax Services Taking Appointments Beginning January 19
Youth Services Students Visit the State Capitol
Hā Initiative Students Learn the “Force” with their Five Senses
Head Start Parents Learn About Nutrition
Leahi District Staff Distribute Information to the Homeless
HCAP Head Start Now Accepting Applications for the 2016-2017 School Year

HCAP Free Income Tax Services Taking Appointments Beginning January 19

Staff and volunteers from five District Service Centers attended tax software training this week, in preparation for the start of the 2016 Earned Income Tax Credit Program (EITC). Beginning February 1, 2016, volunteers and staff will begin free tax preparation services at all five of our District Service Centers and the HCAP Main Office. Each preparer is IRS certified to prepare returns through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, in partnership with the Hawaii Alliance of Community Based Development’s (HACBED) Hawaii VITA & Financial Empowerment Coalition.

Returns are prepared for working Hawaii families that have an adjusted gross income of less than $50,000 and are required to file a relatively simple federal return. Volunteer preparers will e-file both the federal and Hawaii State return for FREE.

Return preparation services are by appointment only and sites will begin taking appointments on Tuesday, January 19, 2016. Contact the District Service Center nearest you to make an appointment or call the HCAP Main Office for more information.

Appointments are available first come, first served during the following days and times:

Central District Service Center (Phone: 488-6834) Tuesdays & Thursdays 9am – 12pm

Kalihi-Palama District Service Center (Phone: 847-0804) Tuesdays & Thursdays 10am – 12pm & 1pm – 3pm

Leahi District Service Center (Phone: 732-7755) Tuesdays & Thursdays 9am – 12pm

Leeward District Service Center (Phone: 696-4261) Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays 9am – 12pm & 1pm – 3pm

Windward District Service Center (Phone: 239-5754) Tuesdays & Thursdays 9am – 12pm

HCAP Main Office (Phone: 521-4531) Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays 9am – 12pm

Youth Services Students Visit the State Capitol

Youth Services C-Base students ventured to the State Capitol for an in-depth look at how our government works. The tour helped the students understand the law making process, including where a bill begins and how it moves through the legislature. As the Government and Law unit progresses, they will also learn about taxes, the difference between civil and criminal law, and how the executive and judicial branches of government operate. Mahalo to HCAP Board Member, Representative Isaac Choy (House District 23), for taking time to speak with the students and for inspiring them.

Hā Initiative Students Learn the “Force” with their Five Senses

This week, the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program’s Central STEM Exploration Center students enjoyed a Star Wars themed five senses activity that STEM teacher Mark created. Mark projected an image of Jedi Mace Windu’s lightsaber on the classroom smart board. The children walked in and immediately became excited when they saw the image on the smart board.
The students asked him anxiously, “Are we going to build our own lightsabers?” “Are you going to teach us how to duel?”

Their assignment was simple; they were asked to describe Mace Windu’s lightsaber on a sheet of paper.

The class immediately started writing adjectives for the shiny tool of the Jedi Master, but they soon started to run out of descriptions for the lightsaber. Then Mark started to ask leading questions like, “Is it heavy?” “Is it cool to the touch?” “What does the black grip feel like?” “What does it sound like?”

The students just looked at each other completely perplexed. They had no idea how to answer any of the questions. They finally looked at their teacher and said, “We can’t answer those questions.”

“Why?” Mark responded. “Because that’s just a picture, we can’t feel it or hear it!”

It was at this point that Mark went over to the closet and pulled out a replica of the lightsaber movie prop. Immediately the children’s faces lit up with excitement and wonder. They couldn’t wait to get their hands on the Jedi weapon and pretend they were Jedi knights. They ran back to their papers and started adding adjectives to their descriptions. They described it as smooth, heavy, and cool to the touch. They described the grip as rubbery, and said that the lightsaber felt expensive.

Mark asked one more question, “How important are your five senses?” He could see the “ah ha” expressions on their faces as they realized that by actually handling the movie prop, they were able to describe it in much greater detail than when they just had a picture to examine.

Head Start Parents Learn About Nutrition

Jefferson Head Start parents participated in the Healthy Children and Parents Physical & Nutrition workshop, which was presented Diamond Head Public Health Nurses Nagisa and Stacy. This is a pilot program that started last school year at the Jefferson Head Start classroom and has since extended to the Kuhio Pre-Plus and Palolo Head Start classrooms. The curriculum focuses on teaching families and children about portion sizes, nutritional recipes, eating healthy on a budget, and physical activity. The purpose is of the project is to promote healthy lifestyles which benefit both parents and children.

Leahi District Staff Distribute Information to the Homeless

On January 12, the Leahi District Service Center staff presented information about HCAP programs and services to Waikiki Health’s Care-A-Van staff and passed out flyers to clients.

The Care-A-Van Program is one of the many public health programs under Waikiki Health. Care-A-Van focuses on providing care for the homeless. The drop-in clinic provides services such as incoming mail for the homeless, case management, and medical and hygiene care. Medical services are based on a sliding fee scale and social services are free for those who are homeless.

The Leahi District staff continues to build a strong partnership with Waikiki Health and reach out to clients in need.

HCAP Head Start Now Accepting Applications for the 2016-2017 School Year

Are you or someone you know in need of free or affordable preschool? Spread the word! HCAP Head Start is now accepting applications for children 3-5 years for the 2016-2017 school year. Families are encouraged to apply by calling (808) 847-2400 or visiting our website.