Healthy Start Program Healthy Start Program Director: Andrew Kahili 1382 Kilauea Ave. Hilo, HI 96720 Phone: 961-3877 ext. 127 akahili@ywcahawaiiisland.org To refer a family or for more information, please call 961-3877

Purpose of the Healthy Start Program

The Healthy Start Program (HSP) is part of the Hawai'i State Department of Health's Early Intervention System service for children between birth and 3 years old. HSP is a home visitation program designed to promote healthy child development, enhance family functioning and treatment readiness services to pregnant women and families with newborns up to 3 years of age. Initial contact is made with families either prenatally, in the hospital just after delivery, or via a referral or self-referral from the community at large. The basic factors children need to grow up to be healthy, productive adults form the three goals of the Healthy Start Program: Promote positive parent-child relationships. Promote healthy childhood growth and development. Enhance family functioning.

HSP History

The Hawai'i Healthy Start(HHS) began as a demonstration child abuse and neglect prevention project in July 1985 in one location on O'ahu. HHS has served as the model for the home visiting programs initiated on the mainland by Prevent Child Abuse America, Healthy Families America. Today HHS has evolved into a systemic and comprehensive family support service for envioronmentally at-risk families with its primary focus on nurturing families, enhancing parent-child interaction, and promoting positive parenting skills.

Services HSP Provides

Daily screening and assessments conducted at Hilo Medical Center or via a telephone conversation using Kempe's Family Stress Checklist Voluntary Paraprofessional Home Visitation services focusing on parent-child interaction and bonding through: Assessments of parent-child interaction Development of Individualized Family Support Plan Parent skill building Child development screening and assessment Toy and book lending library Case management services and interagency care coordination for enrolled families to meet their child's developmental and environmental needs Parent social/support groups, community education, and monthly parent-child interaction groups Clinical Specialist services for enrolled families with an emphasis on short-term solution focused intervention and strategies.

What Families Are Eligible, Who is the Program For, and How is it Funded? The program primarily works with women in their first trimester of pregnancy and families with children up to 3 years old. Families with children up to 5 years old may be worked with if there is also has a sibling 3 years old or younger enrolled as well. Women who are in their first trimester of pregnancy, and families with infants up to 12 months old may be referred. The family must live within the Healthy Start Program's service area. Our service area encompasses the Hamakua Coast, North/South Hilo, and Upper/Lower Puna. The service area boundaries are the Hawai'i Volcano National Park and Kukuihaele in Honoka'a. The Hawai'i Healthy Start contract is funded by the State of Hawai'i, Department of Health, Family Health Services Division, Maternal Child Health Branch - Healthy Start. There is no cost to qualified families.

How Can a Family Be Referred? Families are referred by prenatal programs/organizations; OB/GYN doctars; pediatricians; Hilo Medical Center staff; early interventiona programs such as Easter Seals, Hawai'i, Public Health Nursing Branch, and Maternal Child Health Branch; community school-based programs (GRADS); BISAC; Healthy Start Programs statewide; Healthy Families America programs; self-referrals; and civic organizations.

Who Does HSP Refer Families To?

The Healthy Start Program does refer families to other agencies that may further assist and meet the family's needs. The following list are some of the needs families may have and the agencies HSP may refer families to: Developmental Screening - Easter Seals Public Health/Resources/Service Needs - Public Health Nurses, pediatricians, DOH/DHS/County/Community Programs/Agencies within the East Hawai'i area. Social/Emotional Screening - Easter Seals, HKISS Family Counseling - HSP Clinical Specialist and various state/community providers Transfer of Services - Referrals to other Healthy Start Programs statewide and nationally (Healthy Families America) Child Abuse and Neglect - Department of Human Service, Child Welfare Service Division

What Are the Limitations on the Program?
	Geographical Requirement: Families must live in the program's service area to be deemed eligible for Healthy Start services. Other Limitations: The program does have specific limitations. For more information, please call 961-3877