Action Strategy Update Highlights Jan – Jul 2022
The Early Childhood Action Strategy (ECAS) network and partners are working on cumulative, mutually reinforcing efforts across a variety of levels to improve the system of care for children and families in Hawai`i.
Effectuate Policy Policy Team
* * * * *
Established new ECAS policy framework aligned with network-wide goals Supported introductory educational sessions and developed issue briefs for legislative staff Engaged advocates across the network, strengthened alignment, and coordinated testimony Supported and tracked key early childhood and family support bills 11 bills passed of the 18 priority bills identified by the Policy Team
Commit to Keiki
* * *
*
Collaborated with Honolulu, Maui, Kaua`i and Hawai`i Counties to develop new staff positions, and prioritize Early Childhood efforts through funding decisions Angela Thomas named Hawai`i County Early Childhood Resource Coordinator; Ted Burke named Honolulu County Early Childhood Resource Coordinator Related Commitments by Counties: - Hawai`i County committed $7M to expand and strengthen the childcare industry, and $5M to support mental health - Honolulu County committed to permanent housing for domestic violence survivors and their keiki and focused Grants-in-Aid on support for young keiki - Kaua`i County committed $800,000 to preschool classrooms
The Commit to Keiki Steering Committee held public forums with gubernatorial candidates and has been meeting with network partners to create the Commit to Keiki policy menu since February 2022
Increase Investment Hawai`i Government
*
Committed funds to address Early Childhood needs
- $200M for preschool facilities, $3.6M to expand Early Intervention Services, $5.8M in Medicaid Postpartum Expansion, $25M in Medicaid Adult Dental Care, $305K for Incarcerated Families support, $300K for Family Resource Centers, $8M for Child Welfare Services investigations and IT ugrades, $900K for Office of Wellness and Resilience plus 6 positions, $4.5M Child Wellness Incentive Project, $80K for workforce registry, $100K for educator stipends
Early Childhood Funders Hui
* *
Reviewed eleven proposals and funded ten Expanding learning related to matched private and public funds and transitioning initiatives from philanthropic to public funding streams
Shared Understanding / Data and Evaluation Community Profiles
*
Created Maui and Hawai‘i County community profiles and planning for Kauaʻi and Honolulu County profiles
Data Dashboards
* *
Monitoring early childhood care and learning capacity, vacancies, and seats lost Aligning data efforts with the Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL)
Evaluation Design
* Completed user-focused evaluation design with pilot team * Developed systems-change evaluation framework
09/2022
www.HawaiiActionStrategy.org
1/3
Cross-Network Projects Family Child Care Pathways
* * *
Cohort 2 completed, cohort 3 enrolled Windward Community College developing elective-based credit hours for participants Stipends and incentives made possible thanks to support by Kamehameha Schools
Ka ‘Upena Shared Services Model
* * *
Administration transferred to PATCH (People Attentive to Children) and coordinator hired to oversee project activities 20 enrollees, 13 onboarding, 5 learning community meetings Participants’ survey completed and findings used to adjust program design
IIECBH - Integrated Infant & Early Childhood Behavioral Health Plan
* * * *
Karen Shore hired as coordinator to oversee implementation of the plan Passed legislation to create an Office of Wellness and Resilience Created a Financing Sustainability Plan and Workgroup 90 people trained in peer learning communities, 39 mental health professionals are in training
Highlights By Content Teams
Teams are co-convened by government and non-government partners. Each team identifies goals, objectives, strategies and members around a shared focus area.
1
Healthy & Welcomed Births
(Hawai`i Maternal and Infant Health Collaborative)
Perinatal Substance Use Disorder (PSUD)
*
Launched PSUD peer support demonstration project (Makua Allies) and enrolled 11 clients
Pre/Inter-Conception
* *
One Key Question training with Power to Decide completed by 42 participants Completed assessment of adolescent confidentiality processes and policies by insurance companies
Breastfeeding
* *
Launched RWJF-funded project to expanding breastfeeding support to highest need communities: LATCH (Lactation Access Transforming Communities of Hawai`i) Supporting integration of breastfeeding objectives in Hawai`i Physical Activity & Nutrition (PAN) Plan meetings
Maternal Health & Perinatal Care
* *
Convened new Maternal Health & Perinatal Care Workgroup Collaborating with Hawai`i’s Perinatal Quality Collaborative (PQC) and Alliance on Innovation in Maternal Health (AIM)
Safe & Nurturing Families
2
Aloha at Home (Nurture Daily)
* * *
09/2022
Migrated, rebranded and expanded content of Aloha at Home website Participated in social media campaign with Ho`oikaika and developed messaging plan Awarded Honolulu Grant-in-Aid for expansion
www.HawaiiActionStrategy.org
2/3
3
On-track Health & Development Early Childhood Screenings and Referrals
*
Continued to support the implementation of the CDC Act Early materials
*
Secured $200,000 grant to support Healthy Keiki in ECE settings, and $95,000 grant for Nemours Healthy Kids Healthy Futures project Developed a state action plan, and contracted with partner organizations and consultants to support farm-to-keiki/ECE and child care local food procurement efforts Analyzed data from more than 3,000 families statewide with young children who participated in the Hawai`i ECE Children’s Health Survey
Obesity Prevention
* *
Words Matter~LENA
* * *
Tracking outcomes for 308 participating service providers & families Developed multiple (virtual & in-person) LENA implementation models Transitioning LENA oversight to Family Hui Hawai`i
Equitable Access to Programs & Services Infant/Toddler Child Care
*
4
Engaged in efforts to support capacity of Family Child Care providers, address workforce issues, and improve access to subsidy assistance
Child Homelessness Action Team
*
Supported DOE creation of B-5 Navigator position to strengthen early learning opportunities for housing secure children
Expansion of Neighbor-Island Systems
* * *
Hawai`i County early childhood coordinator established and resourced with $7M for systems/capacity-building Honolulu County early childhood coordinator established with Hawai`i Community Foundation (HCF) funding Kauai County working to assign staff person to early childhood priorities
High-quality Early Learning Programs Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD)
* * * * * *
CSPD website went live Q1 2022 and developed 101 materials Drafted a Business Plan, including a training registry, a budget and timeline Identified a home for the CSPD Coordinator within PATCH Identified commonalities and gaps between current Hawai‘i and national Early Interventionists/Early Childhood Special Educators (EI-ECSE) standards Executing and analyzing quarterly recruitment and retention surveys Identified as national emerging best practice, presenting in D.C. August 2022
Successful Early Childhood Transitions Community-Based Kindergarten-Readiness Continuum
*
5
6
Completed a proposal for continuum development, design and implementation, outlining a 5-year project beginning in two communities
For more details please visit our full report at: www.hawaiiactionstrategy.org/updates-on-efforts Kerrie Urosevich, Network Design and Innovation Lead Phone (808) 381-9635 / kerrie@ecashawaii.org 09/2022
www.HawaiiActionStrategy.org
3/3