HCAP WEEKLY September 2, 2024

HCAP Head Start Policy Council Meeting on Program Governance
Central Client Qualifies for Weatherization After H-HEAP
Windward STEM Lau Kāpala Lesson

HCAP Head Start Policy Council Meeting on Program Governance

HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start is committed to empowering and supporting positive growth in its clients and employees, as every individual has fundamental worth. One aspect of program governance is the establishment of the Policy Council. The Policy Council is a collective of Head Start & Early Head Start parents, staff and community members that help facilitate and execute decisions about our programs as means for professional development and family engagement. It also allows for broad representation and strong oversight, promotes and builds trust in the program, and encourages continuous partnerships and collaboration within the agency and community.

The Policy Council meetings occur on the fourth Thursday of each month for parents, community partners, and program staff to learn about the HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start policies and procedures, as well as the needs of, not only the children and families enrolled in the programs, but the larger community. August’s Policy Council meeting ushered in the start of the new school year with a formal introduction and governance training for our Policy Council Parent Representatives. A special thank you to all parents from around the island for taking the time to join us!

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


Central Client Qualifies for Weatherization After H-HEAP

Cherry and her ‘ohana of four live in the house she inherited from her parents. She applied to HCAP’s Central District Service Center to receive assistance with the Low-Income Home Energy Program (LIHEAP), now known as the Hawai’i Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP).

The staff at the Central District Service Center mentioned that Cherry met the qualifications for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and connected her to Shawn, a WAP Specialist. He followed up with more information about the benefits of the program, to which she became interested and began the application for Weatherization. When her application was approved, Cherry was able to proceed with scheduling a home energy audit.

On the day of her home audit with the WAP Specialist, Cherry was pleasantly surprised to learn about the services that would be provided to her. The installation for updated home appliances came with no fees or charges based on her income qualification for WAP. Cherry was able to have her 38 gallon electric water heater replaced for an 80 gallon solar water heater. The whole ‘ohana was excited for the brand new home appliance that would help significantly improve their home energy efficiency and reduce utility costs. Once the solar water heater was installed, the WAP Specialist followed up with her a month later. Cherry expressed her thankfulness and gratitude for the assistance her ‘ohana received, “Thank you Shawn for calling and HCAP in providing this service!”

Click here to learn more about the Weatherization Assistance Program.


Windward STEM Lau Kāpala Lesson

At the Windward Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program, guest speaker, Mrs. Dee Teisina, from Ke Ola Mamo – an organization that provides health and wellness services to Oʻahu residents, came to Kaʻaʻawa Elementary School to teach students about the Hawaiian art form, lau kāpala, which translates to leaf stamp.

Students learned how to identify a variety of plants in ‘Olelo Hawaii (Hawaiian language), as well as the traits and uses for each one. Plants that students got to observe and use for their lau kāpala project included lāʻi (ti leaf), kalo (taro), maiʻa (banana), kupukupu (fern), ‘awapuhi (red ginger), kukui (candlenut plant), and ʻulu (breadfruit). After learning about each plant, students created their own lau kāpala art and used the variety of plants to decorate their STEM books, make cards, and custom print their very own tote bags. Throughout this exciting process, students learned more about patterns, geometry, and had the opportunity to be creative and practiced their fine motor skills.

Click here to learn more about Hā Initiative.