Wildfire Response


Project Dates
2023 – Present

Funding Source
Department of Health (DOH), Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD)
About
The goal of this project is to provide support to individuals with disabilities who were affected by the Maui wildfires in August, 2023 and their families. CDS is working with the Tri-Agency Partnership to maintain an aggregated and vetted resource page. Additionally, CDS and the DOH Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD) are collaborating to provide mental health support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) through development and dissemination of trauma-informed tools and direct clinical care.
Maui Wildfire Relief Webinar | Trauma-Informed Mental Health Support Toolkit for People with I/DD
A free webinar for families, mental health professionals, educators, direct support professionals, physicians and other interested service providers.
Maui Wildfire Workbooks
These workbooks are based on the evidence-based practices of Social Stories and Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). While they were designed for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, they can be helpful for anyone looking to process their wildfire experience and begin the healing process.
Free downloads (click on the image to view and download):
Expanded Support for California Wildfire Survivors
In response to the devastating 2025 wildfires across Southern California, we have developed a customized version of our trauma-informed workbook specifically for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) affected by these events. This new edition builds upon the original workbook created for survivors of the 2023 Maui wildfires, adapting its strategies and resources to meet the needs of California communities.
With aloha from Hawai‘i, this resource is dedicated to the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and the families they serve. Our goal is to provide accessible tools to help individuals process their experiences, foster resilience, and find pathways to healing.
Free download (click on the image to view and download):
Resource Card for Families and Service Providers
This resource card quickly summarizes easy strategies from Psychological First Aid for use with individuals with I/DD. The card is designed to be a quick-reference tool for families, caregivers, and service providers for use in moments of crisis and distress.
Free download (click to view and download):
To request free printed copies of the workbooks or resource card, please contact Dr. Maya Matheis at mmatheis@hawaii.edu.
Team
Contact
kmteves@hawaii.edu
Contact
grantkt@hawaii.edu