Hawai‘i’s Healthy Start program (HHS) began as a demonstration child abuse prevention
project in July, 1985. A nationally recognized program, HHS has
been replicated in the U.S., Canada, and the Philippines. Starting at one location
on Oahu, a para-professional service model was developed to support at-risk
families with newborns through home visits. The program was expanded
statewide in the fall of 2001 in order to identify and intervene with eligible
environmentally at-risk families.
Previously a statewide model, due to budget restrictions, home visitation services
are now limited to one site in Leeward Oahu, and one site in Hilo on the Big
Island.
Home visiting services foster family functioning, promote child
health/development, and enhance positive parenting skills to address the risk of
child maltreatment through linkages with community resources. These resources
include health and mental health services, early childhood education, childcare,
family literacy, employment, social services, developmental screening and
appropriate child development, child health, and positive parenting skills and
problem-solving techniques.
Because of limited funds, families are served in partnership with the Department
of Human Services (DHS). All referrals into the Leeward and Hilo sites come
through Child Welfare Services (CWS). Families previously known to the DHS
Enhanced Healthy Start program may also transfer into this program when CWS
discharges their services.
The Department of Health’s Healthy Start program utilizes the Nurturing
Parenting curriculum which is designed to strengthen families through education
in empathy and caring, responsibility and discipline and family growth.
The Healthy Start Program sites:
• Child and Family Service:
Waipahu and Ewa/Ewa Beach Phone: (808) 681-1547
• YWCA of Hawai‘i Island: Census tracts – 201-209, 219-221, 210-211
(East Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Island) Phone: (808) 961-3877, ext. 114
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