wdy copy of foster care page

The Department of Human Services & its Community Partners
Honor and Support Resource and Adoptive Families

The Mission
Permanency by keeping children at home with their families safely (prevent removal), reunification, relative placement and maintaining safe and appropriate birth family connections.

“Answering the Call – You don’t have to be perfect to be a perfect parent. There are thousands of teens in foster care who would love to put up with you.” To learn more about Foster and Adoptive Care in Hawaii visit https://www.pidfoundation.org/programs/hui_hoomalu/about or attend an Information Meeting

Scheduled Information Meetings

OAHU – WAIANAE
Saturday, May 7, 2016
10:00am – 11:30am
Kamehameha Schools Community Learning Center at Maili
87-790 Kulauku St.
Waianae, HI 96792

To reserve your seat, call 441-1117 or click here to submit online registration.
Webinar access available from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/162050709

Access Code: 162-050-709


OAHU – HONOLULU
Saturday, May 21, 2016
10:00am – 11:30am
Oahu Veteran’s Center
1298 Kukila St.
Honolulu, HI 96818
To reserve your seat, call 441-1117 or click here to submit online registration.
Webinar access available from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/668677013
Access Code: 668-677-013


OAHU – KAPOLEI
Saturday, June 11, 2016
10:00am – 11:30am
New Hope Leeward – Kapolei Campus
480 Kamokila Blvd.
Kapolei, HI 96707
To reserve your seat, call 441-1117 or click here to submit online registration.
Webinar access available from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/553588325
Access Code: 553-588-325

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What process does DHS follow in approving resource families?

The approval process requires the social worker to:

    • Conduct child abuse and neglect checks and criminal history clearances on all adult household members
    • Conduct a home visit
    • Obtain references on the prospective resource caregivers
    • Obtain medical reports for the prospective resource caregivers and TB clearances for all adult household members
    • Obtain a copy of a marriage certificate, if applicable, for the prospective resource families
    • Obtain financial information and employment history for the prospective resource families

2. What criminal or child abuse history would disqualify a person from being a resource caregiver?

The Department of Human Services adheres to the Federal Law which prohibits the licensing of a resource caregiver/home if:

    • At any time, there has been a felony conviction for child abuse and neglect; spousal abuse; a crime against a child or children, including child pornography; or a crime involving violence, including rape, sexual assault, or homicide, but not including other physical assault or battery.
    • If within the last five years, there has been a felony conviction for physical assault, battery or a drug related offense.

Other situations of confirmed child abuse and neglect cases and other criminal convictions would need to be assessed if they pose a risk to children in care.

3. Do prospective resource families receive any training?

Yes, applicants are required to attend an 15-hour pre-service training, called HANAI. Partners In Development Foundation-Hui Ho’omalu (PIDF) is contracted by the Department to provide the training.

Hanai Training Video

Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF) Contract with Department of Human Services Child Welfare Services Branch

If you are interested in becoming a resource family, PIDF can be reached at:

Partners in Development Foundation
Hui Ho’omalu
680 Iwilei Road, Suite 500
Honolulu, HI 96817
Oahu: (808)441-1117
Toll Free: (888)879-8970
Fax: (808)441-1122

E-mail: [email protected]
Website: https://www.pidfoundation.org/programs/hui_hoomalu/about

Ongoing Training Requirements & Resources for Resource Caregivers:

Resources for Resource and Adoptive Families

NEWSLETTERS: Hui Ho’omalu Statewide Resource Advisory Committee (RAC)

Family Programs Hawaii

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families National Adoption Month

Comparison of Permanency Options: Rights, Responsibilities & Benefits Regarding Adoption. Legal Guardianship and Permanent Custody

Licensed Agencies in Hawaii