Hawaii Children's Action Network

Hoʻomaikaʻi ʻana to the 2024 Champions for Children award winners! We are very grateful for these community members and the work they do for Hawaiʻi's keiki and their families. We are excited and canʻt wait to celebrate with you at our Champions for Children Gala on September 7th at The Pacific Club!

Want to join the celebration? Get your tickets today at champions.hawaii-can.org/tickets.

Children who haven’t mastered reading by fourth grade are less likely to finish high school or enroll in college than their peers. However, only one-third of fourth graders across the country were proficient in reading in 2022. Learn more about the educational successes and challenges faced by kids in your state in this year’s Data Book. https://bit.ly/3yOPrKr

📚 Hawaii's education trends from the Kids Count 2024 Data Book are in!

- Only 35% of 4th graders are proficient in reading, a tiny increase from 34% in 2019, but there's still a long way to go.

- Chronic absenteeism is a major issue, with 1 in 4 students missing school regularly, more than double the 18.5% in 2019. Especially concerning, 59% of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students were chronically absent. 🚸

Our keiki deserve better. We can DO better. Sign up to be a superhero for keiki at hawaii-can.org/updates!

Annie E. Casey Foundation

Hawai‘i ranked in the bottom third of states (38th) in economic well-being, with 13% of keiki in families with incomes below 100% of the federal poverty level. Our keiki and families deserve better. We can do better! Learn more at hawaii-can.org.

Key findings from the 2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book indicate that Hawai'i sits in the bottom third of the US (37th) in terms of parent employment, with over one in four (28%) children living in households in which no parent worked full-time, year-round in 2022.

Visit https://www.hawaii-can.org/kids_count_2024_hawaii_profile to see how the well-being of Hawai'i keiki compare to other states.

Annie E. Casey Foundation

Children can’t learn if they’re not in school, but during the 2021–22 school year, 30% of all U.S. students were chronically absent. In order to support K–12 students’ academic success, it’s critical that we work to reverse the worsening trend of chronic absenteeism. Check out the Data Book at the link below to learn more about how we can work together to build a brighter future for our kids. https://bit.ly/3yOPrKr

The pandemic exacerbated families' financial struggles, but Hawaii schools saw fewer reductions in student achievement compared to their mainland counterparts.

Deborah Zysman, director of the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, said Hawaii hasn’t seen huge declines in families’ economic well-being since 2020. But, she added, families were already struggling with the state’s high housing costs before the pandemic, and Hawaii’s dependence on tourism and service industries could make it difficult for parents to find full-time, high-paying jobs. “It’s consistent. And that’s sometimes the concern,” Zysman said.

Read the article here: https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/06/report-shows-early-impacts-of-the-pandemic-on-hawaii-students-and-families/

Today marks the release of our 35th KIDS COUNT Data Book, a comprehensive report that uses national and state data across four domains to assess how each U.S. state is working to support kids. This year’s Data Book is focused on ensuring children have access to the resources and support they need both in and outside school so they can enter their classrooms ready to learn. Visit the link below to download the 2024 Data Book and learn more about the well-being of kids. https://bit.ly/3yOPrKr

The Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network and Hawaiʻi Afterschool Alliance, in partnership with local organizations, offer resources to help families access nutritious summer meals for children and youth. Check out our statewide map for information on meal locations, summer learning opportunities, and community programs! Visit this this link here: https://www.hawaiiafterschoolalliance.org/summer.html

The state Department of Education announced Monday that 73 public schools will serve meals for free over the summer. Officials said children ages 18 and younger will be able to receive food regardless of their public school enrollment status.

Beginning on June 10, the Seamless Summer Option program will serve meals at select schools Monday through Friday, excluding state-observed holidays.

For a detailed list of serving locations and times, visit:https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/DOE%20Forms/Food%20Services/2024-HIDOE-SSO.pdf

Dozens of Hawaii public schools to offer free summer meals for children

Deadline for nominations is extended to June 10, 2024. Uplift the champions! Recognize someone who has gone above and beyond for Hawaiʻi's keiki. Award categories are: Youth Advocate of the Year, Innovator, Unsung Hero, Family-Friendly Employer, and Advocate. Don't wait, submit your nomination today! Go to champions.hawaii-can.org/nominations.

Kaukau 4 Keiki registration, statewide, is now open. Families with children 18 years and younger and reside in rural areas, may be eligible for free meal boxes. Kauakau 4 Keiki meal boxes provide fruits, vegetables, proteins, starches and milk for nutritious meals during the summer. For island specific information and to register, go to: https://www.kaukau4keiki.org/

The Mālama ‘Ohana Working Group (MOWG) is hosting listening sessions for youth, mākua, kūpuna, and people with lived experience with the child welfare system in Hawai‘i to lift up keiki and ‘ohana voices in order to improve and transform it. For more information and to RSVP, go to malamaohana.net/mowgcommunitymeetings

Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond for Hawaiʻi's keiki? Nominations for our annual Champions for Children awards are open! This year, HCAN will present five awards: Youth Advocate of the Year, Innovator, Unsung Hero, Family-Friendly Employer, and Advocate.

Submit your nominations or sponsor this event at champions.hawaii-can.org!

Want to make a difference in the lives of keiki and families? Do you have expertise in policy and the early childhood care and education sector? We want YOU to join us! We are hiring a one year, full time Start Early with Education and Care (SEEC) Fellow!

Apply today or share at https://www.hawaii-can.org/seec_fellow.

Mahalo for voting YES to SB 2476 relating to dental hygienists in public schools! Mahalo to Sen. Keohokalole, Rep. Belatti, Sen. Kidani, Sen. Hashimoto, Rep. Woodson, and Rep. Sayama (not pictured), with HCAN’s Mai Hall as lead on children’s oral health. Teamwork makes the dream work!

Did you remember to file your taxes? You have until midnight tonight to file your federal taxes and get cash back for your family! Don't miss out on the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit!

Visit https://www.hawaii-can.org/ for more info.

Calling all families in Waiʻanae and the island of Molokaʻi! Ready to embark on an incredible journey of growth and empowerment right from the comfort of your own home? Look no further than our Hiʻilei Home Visiting Program! 🏡✨

With Hiʻilei, you'll receive personalized support and resources tailored to your family's needs, ensuring that every keiki reaches their full potential. Our dedicated team is here to guide you every step of the way, providing the tools and knowledge to become the best caregiver you can be.

Enroll today by contacting us at (808) 693-7222 or email [email protected] 💖

Join us for the 18th Annual Waiʻanae Coast Keiki Spring Fest on April 20, 2024, from 8:30am - 12:30pm at the Community Learning Center at Māʻili! This community event is tailored for Waiʻanae Coast Keiki ages 0-5 and their families! There will be shuttle service, please see flyer for more info.

Don't miss the chance to visit INPEACE's booth and also connect with other service providers, discovering a plethora of programs enriching our community. Scan the QR Code or visit the link on flyer to register now!

One week left to get extra cash to care for your family! Did you know that when you file your 2023 income taxes, you may be eligible for tax credits that can give you money back and boost your family's income? Don't miss out on the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit!

https://www.hawaii-can.org/getcashback2024

Mahalo nui loa Senator Brian Schatz for securing funding for nonprofits statewide, including HCAN! This funding will be used to support our Hawaiʻi Parent Leadership Training Institute - PLTI Hawaiʻi program and provide incredible opportunities for parents and community members throughout the state! Thank you again! You're making a difference in the lives of families!

Schatz Secures Nearly $32 Million In New Earmark Funding For Hawai‘i In Second Half Of Appropriations Deal | U.S. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate passed the second half of a bipartisan government funding bill...

Your family deserves to get cash back! File your taxes to get extra money to care for your family in 2024! You may be eligible for tax credits that can give you money back and boost your income. Don't miss out on the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit and other state tax credits!

Learn more at https://www.hawaii-can.org/getcashback2024.

BIPOC women need support. , , & affordable childcare are essential for justice & equity. & build a world that respects work & family equally.

🍾We're shaking things up this year! Save the date for the 2024 Champions for Children Gala. On Saturday, September 7th, we will honor community members going above and beyond for keiki. Sponsorships are now available. Learn more at https://champions.hawaii-can.org/sponsorships.

Stay tuned for more details.

Just a few weeks left to get cash back! Get extra money to care for your family in 2024! You may be eligible for tax credits that can give you money back and boost your income. Don't miss out on the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit and other state tax credits!

Learn more: https://www.hawaii-can.org/getcashback2024.

Mahalo nui loa to everyone that came out to support this work! Join along HCAN Speaks! to keep up the good fight!

Advocates rally across the state for better childhood care, education Families rallied across the state for better early childhood care and education on Friday.

Last chance to register! We want to make Hawaiʻi a state where families and keiki THRIVE! Join us in that mission and register today to raise your voice at the Capitol tomorrow!

Register now at https://speaks.hawaii-can.org/keiki_strong_rally