The Hawaiʻi Statewide Family Engagement Center 23-24 Annual Report
The Hawaiʻi Statewide Family Engagement Center’s purpose is to implement high impact family engagement strategies, programming and policies that build powerful partnerships among family, school, and community. We promote Family Engagement as a learning and equity strategy to improve student academic success and school improvement. HFEC supports and strengthens student success through family, school, and community.
Featured Resources and Events
2023 ‘Ohana Engagement for Student Success
The 2023 ‘Ohana Engagement for Student Success – Collaborating for Our Keiki Virtual Symposium took place on Sep 14, 2023 over zoom. During the event, participants learned about Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships, how to use family engagement strategies to promote educational equity, and acquired tools to strengthen family engagement in your home, school, and community.
Speakers
Dr. Karen Mapp
Senior lecturer on education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) and the faculty director of the Education Policy and Management Master’s Program.
Dr. Kathleen O’Dell
Network Coordinator for the Hawai’i ‘Ohana Family Support Network, and curriculum developer & instructor in human development and family studies at Windward Community College.
NAFSCE Reframing Academy
The National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement offers a 10-module asynchronous course where families were taught effective ways to build support for family and community engagement. The course was $100, but offered for free through HFEC. Throughout the course, there were four virtual meetings that walked participants through completing the academy modules. After completion, a certificate was rewarded to the participants.
Lehua Elementary Pumpkin Carving
Lehua Elementary School hosted a pumpkin carving event and invited the HFEC team to attend. Families with children in all grade levels had a wonderful time carving pumpkins, taking pictures in the photo booth, and spending time together. Several families generously donated about 20
pumpkins, and Walmart Pearl City donated another 25 pumpkins for the event.
Community Resources
- A message from the UH-CDS Comprehensive Service Center
- Mental Health Resources
- Family Assistance Center
Maui Support
HFEC offers a variety of resources to support those affected by the recent wildfires; The Department of Human Services lists a handful of child care options and HFEC offers a slide show to help keiki understand the events of the Maui wildfires. Post disaster recovery jobs are offered and help in applying for disaster unemployment assistance through the Maui job portal. The People’s Fund of Maui, offered $1200 to eligible adults who lost their primary homes in the recent wildfires.
38th Annual SPIN Conference
The Special Parent Information Network (SPIN) is a parent-to-parent organization in Hawaii that provides information, support and referral to parents of children and young adults with disabilities and the professionals who serve them. The Annual Conference included a delicious buffet lunch, a keynote speaker, informative live workshops, and the SPIN Awards. Live workshops were also offered virtually so participants could partake in the fun at home.
39th Annual Pac Rim Conference
Pac Rim is an international conference that has welcomed thousands of presenters and attendees from across Hawaiʻi, the nation, and the world. It has been hosted by the Center on Disability Studies (CDS), College of Education, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa since 1988. The 39th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference of Disability and Diversity’s theme this year is Beyond Access: Building a Culture of Belonging.
Events
Nothing Micro About Micronesia
A play presented by the Honolulu Theatre for Youth which celebrates Micronesian culture, history, and the geography of the Pacific.
Mana Mahia
Mana Mahia Ohana Greenhouse Gardens had their grand opening on April 13th, 2024 at their Waiʻanae farm. The event educates participants on how planting Native species can combat climate change. There were ono grinds, local artisans, and live entertainment.
Kuilima Farm
Kuilima Farm hosted their second annual Spring U-pick event, located on their farm in Kahuku. Participants picked farm fresh goodies such as carrots, beets, bush beans, sugar snap peas, cilantro, and edible flowers straight from the soil and enjoyed photo opps throughout the farm.
Family Resources
The National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA) provides a family tool kit to help English learners
Leadership in Disabilities & Achievement of Hawaiʻi (LDAH)
Leadership in Disabilities & Achievement of Hawaiʻi (LDAH) invited interested parents and youth (ages 13-22) to attend a mini conference where attendees can learn about topics that are catered to their unique needs and interests. The conference was held at Hilo, Kona, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu.
Hawaiʻi Families As Allies (HFAA)
Hawaiʻi Families As Allies (HFAA) is the Hawaiʻi State Chapter of the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, which is a national family-run organization, which speaks up on behalf of those families in Hawaiʻi with children and youth who have emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges.
Programs
2024 Summer Fun Program
The City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation offered an annual Summer Fun Program to keiki from the ages 6-13. The Summer Fun program fosters teamwork building through sports and games, teaches leadership and conflict resolution, and pleanty of outdoor fun, individuality, imagination, and physical development
College of Education Summer Programs
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa announces their new College of Education Summer Programs, for nā keiki o Hawaiʻi. The program offered sports, robotics, art, programming, acting, sports, and more!
Educator Resources
Hawaiʻi Afterschool Alliance (HAA)
The Hawaiʻi Afterschool Alliance held their in-person 2023 ʻAha Lōkahi CommUNITY Conference in October, with this year’s theme being Ka Lamakū Aloha – REignite the Light Within. The conference focused on ways to reignite our light within to learn the best practices and strategies to support our children’s and youth’s well-being through interactive workshops, site visits, and hands-on activities.
Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL)
Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) presented an HFEC-sponsored webinar, hosted by Paul Hadik. The session talked about families moving to Hawaiʻi from the island nations of Micronesia and the various obstacles that many of these families faced. Then discussed how our schools and communities can offer them valuable support.
National Assembly
The National Assembly for Family Engagement in Education, hosted by the National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE), brought together advocates critical to family engagement; researchers, policy makers, funders, practitioners, and family leaders. The event offered opportunities for connection among folks interested in facilitating stronger family engagement and supporting student success.
Hawaiʻi ʻOhana Support Network
The Hawaiʻi ʻOhana Support Network offered training on the virtual standards of quality training. The Certification Training details how the Standards can enhance work with families and provide a blueprint for implementing best practices. Participants who successfully complete the training will receive a certificate from the National Family Support Network, valid for two years.