HCAP WEEKLY March 31, 2025

Head Start Keiki Learn About Health & Nutrition

A vital aspect of the comprehensive services provided to Head Start & Early Head Start children are health screenings. The health screenings that assess a child’s height, weight, hearing, vision and blood pressure are conducted within 45 days of their enrollment. Head Start teachers assist in preparing children for these screenings by engaging in curriculum studies focused around the human body, health and nutrition.

The Head Start keiki at Nanakuli II replicated a doctor’s visit in their recently created doctor’s office in the dramatic play area through exploring with the blood pressure cuff, thermometer and stethoscope. While keiki at Wahiawa Pre-Plus were visited by Troy the X-ray Boy and Skeletrina. They learned about different body parts such as the knee bones, hands, feet, heart, stomach and neck.

Click here to learn more about Head Start & Early Head Start.

Central ECS Client Receives Tuition Assistance for Phlebotomy Program

Queenie was referred to the Central District Service Center by one of HCAP’s partners, Honolulu Medical Training Center, for tuition assistance to attend their phlebotomy program. Queenie is a single mother who dreamt of achieving success. Since she was a child, Queenie knew that she wanted to work in the medical field in order to help others. Her main priority was to be able to provide for her family and become financially independent.

Queenie was enrolled in the Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services program and began her Job Readiness Training to obtain the right skills to acquire employment in the medical field. Central District staff assisted Queenie with her resume and created a mock interview scenario to prepare her for the employment process. HCAP was also able to assist her and her family with a hygiene kit to help prepare her for her classes.

Once accepted into the program, Queenie was able to complete her training at HMTC and is working on fulfilling her skill requirement of drawing blood on 50 individuals. HCAP Central District staff will be following up with her on every step of the journey until she obtains her dream career in the medical field.

Click here to learn more about Nā Lima Hana.

Windward STEM Students’ Huakai Preparation

Recently at the Hā Initiative Windward STEM Exploration Center, students had the opportunity to explore a variety of engaging activities that combined learning with fun and creativity. At the end of this school year, Windward STEM students will be performing several chants, songs, and dances for their families, friends, and teachers that focus on Hawaiian culture, language, and traditions.

Many of the song lyrics connect STEM concepts with indigenous knowledge. Each song relates to a different section of an ahupua’a–a traditional Hawaiian land division extending from the mountains to the sea. Overall, this performance will summarize the aspects of Hawaiian culture that STEM students have learned throughout the school year.

Additionally, STEM students also enjoyed outdoor play, where they applied STEM principles to real-world experiences, such as experimenting with nature, building structures, and observing the environment. These activities allowed students to blend creativity, physical activity, and intellectual growth, making learning both enjoyable and meaningful.

Click here to learn more about Hā Initiative.