Thank you Chair Green, Vice Chair Chang, Chair Tokuda, Senator Wakai, and Senator Harimoto for this opportunity to testify in support of my nomination for the Director of Hawai‘i Department of Human Services (DHS). I am overwhelmed by this outpouring of aloha, love, and support for me. I am very thankful to Governor Ige for ...
Read More DHS Director Pankaj Bhanot Confirmed by Senate
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Talking the Talk: Messaging ‘Ohana Nui Our ‘Ohana Nui initiative is based on the national framework and principles of 2Gen, which was developed by Ascend at the Aspen Institute. Because DHS is leading the State of Hawai‘i in applying 2Gen principles, we have significant support and resources, including access to best practices that the Aspen ...
Read More Strategic Intention: Talking the Talk
HONOLULU, HI – The Department of Human Services has adopted safe sleep provisions into its administrative rules, further strengthening its responsibility to keep infants safe in regulated child care settings. These amendments codify the department’s decade-long commitment to ensuring all licensed and registered child care providers follow safe sleep best practices. The rule went into ...
Read More The Department of Human Services Adopts Safe Sleep Rules
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 23, 2017 Honolulu, HI – The Department of Human Services encourages families to apply for its Preschool Open Doors (POD) program between Monday, January 23 and Friday, March 31, 2017. Applications received during this period will be considered for preschool participation during July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018. This program, ...
Read More [ARCHIVED] Open Application Period Begins January 23 for Preschool Open Doors Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 17, 2017 HONOLULU, HI – The Department of Human Services believes safe sleep in child care settings is a community issue and invites individuals to comment on proposed amendments to the Hawaii Administrative Rules. These proposed amendments will codify the department’s decade-long commitment to ensuring all licensed and registered child care ...
Read More The Department of Human Services encourages public comment on Safe Sleep rules
We Want You! “We want you! We want you! We want you as a new recruit!” Often paired with a red, white, and blue graphic of Uncle Sam, this slogan from years gone by recruited volunteers for armed forces. This timeless, undeniable call to action remains relevant to us today here at the Department of ...
Read More Strategic Intention: DHS Implementation of ‘Ohana Nui
The Commission on Fatherhood recently introduced its logo, designed by Jonathan Zane. Designer Zane offered the meaning behind the logo. “The hand is holding or supporting the kalo, which is extremely important in Hawaiian culture because it serves as a symbol of ancestry, heritage and family as well as sustenance and life.” He continued about ...
Read More Commission on Fatherhood Unveils New Logo
The Department of Human Services filled the Hawai‘i State Capitol Auditorium with some of its brightest stars on Friday, November 4. The annual department incentive and service awards, organized by the Personnel Office, decked the often sterile room out with flowers and stars to celebrate our DHS team. Team members who served 10, 20, 30, ...
Read More DHS Celebrates Our Brightest
The Hawai‘i Says NO MORE campaign officially unveiled on Wednesday, November 16 at the Surfjack Hotel. NO MORE is a national public awareness and engagement campaign focused on ending domestic violence and sexual assault. Hawai‘i Says NO MORE is the local version of this inspiring initiative, through which we challenge the mindset and behaviors that ...
Read More DHS Says No More