By Judith Wilhoite, Family Advocate for It Takes An ‘Ohana and Lynne Kazama, Assistant Program Administrator for Child Welfare Services Branch Program Development Office The ‘Ohana is Forever Conference (OIF) is an annual event for current and former foster youth, as well as various adult stakeholders in the child welfare services area, to hear about various ...
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Refugees are eligible for numerous programs under applicable federal and/or state laws, including SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, cash assistance, and child care assistance. For example, 14 refugees received State Temporary Assistance for Other Needy Families (TAONF) – welfare for needy families with minor children – in FY 2017, and 4 refugees received General Assistance (GA) ...
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For three weeks August, Speaker Emeritus Representative Calvin Say hosted three students from different regions of China for a learning exchange and internship. The students come from a variety of backgrounds including mathematics, industrial design, and travel industry management. The students’ three weeks were packed to the brim with opportunities for the students to learn ...
Read More Connections Across Oceans: Speaker Emeritus Rep. Say, DHS and Chinese Students Learn Together
On Monday, August 14, a steady stream of sprinkling rain came down on a group from the Department of Human Services gathered at the ‘Iolani Palace bandstand. Among them were royal societies, from the Royal Order of Kamehameha, the Ka‘ahumanu Society and Hale o Nā Ali‘i. Everyone there was gathered to honor Princess Victoria Kamāmalu ...
Read More Kamāmalu Building Welcomes DHS
On Friday, June 16, Director Pankaj Bhanot spent the day on the east side of Hawai‘i Island in Hilo town. His morning began with a meeting at the Hilo Child Welfare Services (CWS) Branch. Dir. Bhanot wanted to pay a special visit to the office to share his support for the staff. He was joined ...
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Department of Human Services leadership believes wholeheartedly that our department only succeeds when we strive to continuously improve. The Personnel Office is one of our keys to continuous improvement. Throughout the year, the Personnel Office offers trainings that DHS employees are encouraged to participate in. From trainings on bloodborne pathogens to verbal de-escalation, Personnel Training ...
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Gov. David Ige and his Chief of Staff Mike McCartney joined Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Pankaj Bhanot in a lively and candid discussion with Child Welfare Services (CWS) staff. Given recent media attention on the Social Services Division, the governor wished to meet with CWS staff to express his support and appreciation for ...
Read More Gov. Ige Supports CWS
Recently Ho‘opono students from two programs headed to the North Shore of O‘ahu and the east side of Hawai‘i Island. The two groups of students – one of adult learners and another of youth – proved full stop that blindness is not a barrier to success, whether on the ropes course, out on the trail ...
Read More Ho‘opono Students Break Boundaries and Open Opportunities
Much like the corrections facility he manages, Mark Patterson requires you look deeper before you form your first opinions. Patterson, Warden of the Hawai‘i Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF), may seem reserved and stoic on the surface, but his passion for transforming corrections into a way of healing will spark any room. His commitment to recreate ...
Read More Vision of Healing: HYCF Warden Wins State Manager of the Year for Inspiring Transformation