HCAP WEEKLY JULY 27, 2020

Windward District Service Center Provides Supplies to Kupuna for Hurricane Douglas
HCAP Head Start Offering Distance Learning For the Beginning of the School Year
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Helps Restore Power to Oahu Households
HCAP Head Start Staff Kick-Off 2020-2021 School Year with Pre-Service Training


Windward District Service Center Provides Supplies to Kupuna for Hurricane Douglas

As Hawai’i faced the potential threat of Hurricane Douglas this past weekend, HCAP’s Windward District Community Service Manager, Sonny Preston, took quick and immediate action. In less than 24 hours, Sonny and the Windward District Service Center staff organized a supply drop-off to kupuna who were registered with HCAP’s Kupuna Independent Life Series. Community Workers from the Windward District Service Center also made courtesy phone calls to kupuna to ensure their safety and well-being. They went house to house and safely delivered cases of water to each kupuna.

During times like this, communities need to act fast and work together to take care of our elderly population. With the hurricane nearly impacting our islands and COVID-19 cases on the rise, it is important that everyone do their part to keep our kupuna safe.


HCAP Head Start Offering Distance Learning For the Beginning of the School Year

Photo of Head Start SY2020-2021

For the 2020-2021 school year, the Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. (HCAP) Head Start Program will be offering distance learning beginning on August 5, 2020. In order to give our host sites time to open up and get their daily operations running smoothly, HCAP will begin in-person classroom instruction on September 7, 2020 at the earliest. After careful consideration, Head Start chose this date to provide the program time to observe how host sites transition to the new environment and to prepare our classrooms and staff accordingly. The specific date for a return to in-person classroom instruction remains subject to change.

For the distance learning beginning on August 5, 2020, HCAP Head Start teaching staff will be working with keiki and their families via Zoom conferencing, telephone conversations, and activities sent by USPS mail.

HCAP Head Start remains committed to providing a quality early education program regardless of whether in-person or distance learning. Although we all want to see the children return to the classroom as soon as possible, the safety of our youngest learners and the communities we serve has always been, and will continue to be, the priority of this program and agency.


Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Helps Restore Power to Oahu Households

HCAP’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is accepting applications for the Energy Crisis Intervention (ECI) Program until September 30th.

The Energy Crisis Intervention program (ECI) assists with up to $650 to restore power to the residence of  a household whose electricity or gas has been shut off or is about to be terminated. If your household’s income has been reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for Disaster ECI benefits. This is a one-time payment made directly to the utility company.

Applicants can access and fill out the application through the HCAP website.

Applicants must also include the following required documents with their application:

1. CURRENT ORIGINAL HECO ELECTRIC BILL OR HAWAII GAS BILL If utility subscriber is different from applicant and does not live in the household; they must sign a form and provide an ID.

2. PROOF OF RESIDENCE Provide a document other than utility bill that shows current address for applicant. (Examples: phone bill, cable bill, etc.) Welfare recipient’s part of the household must show documented proof of current address.

3. PHOTO IDENTIFICATION Provide a copy of a photo ID for all household members 18 years & older.

4. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS Provide legal documents to verify Social Security Numbers of all household members older than 1 year of age.

5. PROOF OF INCOME Provide proof of income for all household members.  Bring all that apply: Last pay stubs for all jobs since January 2020; Self Employed Log/Receipts showing income/expenses for 2020; 2020 Award letters for Social Security, Welfare, Unemployment, SSI; Pension/ Retirement statement, etc.
* Regardless of income, if there is at least one person in the household that receives SNAP (Food Stamps), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or SSI benefits and all program requirements are met, household may be eligible for an income exemption

6. PROOF OF NON-CITIZEN STATUS If you are a non-citizen and you were born outside the US, please provide a copy of Permanent Resident Alien Card (“Green Card”).

Please visit our website or contact one of our District Service Centers for more information.


HCAP Head Start Staff Kick-Off 2020-2021 School Year with Pre-Service Training

HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start Program kicked off the 2020-2021 school year with a virtual Pre-Service Training. The training started with an amazing “Welcome Back” speech from HCAP Executive Director, Robert N.E. Piper and HCAP Head Start Director, Grant Kogami. After the opening speeches, staff were trained on important topics such as Mandated Reporting, Bloodborne Pathogens, and COVID-19 Health and Safety Practices inside and outside the classroom.

As the Pre-Service training continued, staff were divided into groups and received updates on program changes, policies, and support plans for the new distance learning format. HCAP Head Start Family Services, Education, Health Services, and Information and Technology Departments shared how each department would be supporting staff members, children, and families. To ensure staff morale and encourage engagement, our savvy Education Program Managers created virtual polls, meditation and stretching activities, and “getting to know you” questions that allowed staff to stay connected. The Pre-Service Training was a great success and provided staff with important information and time to bond before the start of the school year!