DHS AND LT. GOVERNOR AIONA AWARD CONTRACTS TO COMBAT TEEN PREGNANCY
For Immediate Release: June 10, 2004
HONOLULU — The Department of Human Services (DHS), working in conjunction with Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona Jr., has awarded a total of $1.08 million to four non-profit agencies to provide family strengthening and teen pregnancy prevention programs for youth statewide.
The four agencies awarded the contracts are the Boys and Girls Club of Honolulu, Hale Kipa Inc., the Hui Malama Learning Center and the Salvation Army-Family Intervention Services. This is the second set of new, federally funded contracts awarded by DHS. In December 2003, DHS awarded a total of $550,000 to three non-profit agencies to provide critical youth services in the Kalihi community.
“Teen pregnancy correlates closely with generational poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, substance abuse and chronic depression,“ Lt. Governor Aiona said.
“We must do more to break this cycle with effective prevention services such as those provided by these agencies addressing self-esteem, personal boundaries, teen reproductive health, peer-pressure, substance abuse and sexually transmitted diseases,” said DHS Director Lillian Koller.
Earlier this year in January, Lt. Governor Aiona and DHS formed a new partnership to direct for the first time, some of the department’s federal funds to enhancing youth programs and services statewide. This is a novel collaboration with Lt. Governor Aiona’s Drug Control Strategy, the Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division of DHS and its administratively attached agency, the Office of Youth Services.
Lt. Governor Aiona identified teen pregnancy prevention and family strengthening programs as critical components to addressing substance abuse after holding a series of statewide “Talk Story” community meetings and receiving feedback at the recent Drug Control Strategy Summit he coordinated.
The contracts for the agencies run from June 1, 2004 to May 31, 2005. Lt. Governor Aiona, DHS and the Office of Youth Services, were part of a selection committee that evaluated the proposed programs and their record of success in helping at-risk teens.
Boys and Girls Club was awarded a total of $347,950 to provide prevention and family strengthening services. The Ewa Beach Club receives $122,316, the Nanakuli Club was awarded $109,935, and $115,699 went to the Boys and Girls Club in Waimea, Kauai.
Hale Kipa was given a total of $249,172 to provide services at sites at Stevenson Intermediate School ($124,586) and Kawananakoa Middle School ($124,586). Hui Malama Learning Center was awarded $111,322 to provide services on Maui.
The Salvation Army received $375,000 to be shared equally among its three programs on the Big Island in Hilo, Keaau, and Pahoa.
For more information, contact:
Derick Dahilig
Public Information Officer,
Department of Human Services
Phone: (808) 586-4882
Celyn Chong Kee
Public Liaison
Office of the Lt. Governor
Phone: (808) 586-0274
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Office of the Governor
Phone: (808) 586-7705
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Office of the Governor
Phone: (808) 586-0043
