Child Welfare Services
Child Welfare Services (CWS) are services provided by the Department of Human Services (DHS), Social Services Division (SSD), Child Welfare Services Branch to children and their families when the children are reported to have been abused and/or neglected or are reported to be at risk for abuse and/or neglect. These services include child protection, prevention, and diversion services to keep children out of foster care. Child Welfare Services also include family support, foster care, adoption, legal guardianship, independent living, adoption assistance and guardianship payments, and licensing of resource caregivers, group homes, and child placing organizations.
The mission of the Child Welfare Services Branch is to ensure the safety, permanency, and wellbeing of children in their own homes first or, when necessary, in out-of-home placements. When a child cannot be safely returned to the family within a reasonable time frame, CWS will proceed with establishing a permanent placement for the child through adoption, legal guardianship, or another long-term substitute care. The Child Welfare Services Branch has offices on the islands of Oahu, Hawaiʻi, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai.
Child Abuse and/or Neglect: 808-832-5300 (Oahu) Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Child Abuse and/or Neglect: Toll-free 1-888-380-3088 (Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai) Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Child Trafficking: 808-832-1999 (Oahu) or 1-888-398-1188 (Hawaii Island, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai)Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Child Trafficking: Toll-free 1-888-398-1188 (Hawaii Island, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai)Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
A Guide to Child Welfare Services (September 2020)
- Bilingual or Sign Interpreter Services
- Administrative Hearing Information
- Administrative Hearing Application
- Protective Services Central Registry (Background Checks) - Forms and Instructions
Mandated Reporters
- Mandated-Reporter Checklist (May 2023)
- Mandated Reporter Guide (Dec. 2020)
- Mandated Reporter Checklist for Human Trafficking 2018 (.doc)
- Child Abuse and Neglect Reports
Due to the recent changes to the Hawaii Revised Statues Chapter 350 - Child Abuse and Mandated Reporting laws - the Friends of the Children's Justice Center of Maui has produced and released a film about Mandated Reporting of child abuse and neglect. The 12-minute film explains that individuals who work for human service agencies, schools, courts, and other organizations that work directly with children, are required by law to report abuse and neglect of a child to the appropriate authorities. The film also outlines the process for reporting abuse or neglect of a child. Click here to view the Youtube video that was published on Aug 30, 2014.
Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)
Family First Hawai'i 2021 Accomplishments
Family First Hawai'i - Family First Prevention Services Plan (September 2021)
FFPSA Hawai'i - Family First Prevention Services Act information Flyer (June 2021)
Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP)
FFY 2020-2024
- FY 2015 Training Plan and Budget
- Hawaii's Disaster Plan
- Hawaii Health Care Oversight and Coordination Plan
- Hawaii Diligent Recruitment 5 year Plan
- Hawaii's Federal Child and Family Services Review (CFSR)
- CFS-101 Part I (FFY 2015) & Part III (FFY 2012).Signed
- Title IV-B-1 Assurances.Signed.8-2014
- Title IV-B-2 Assurances.Signed.8-2014
Annual Progress and Services Report (APSR)
The APSR provides annual updates on the progress made toward accomplishing the goals and accomplishments in the CFSP. Completion of the APSR satisfies the federal regulations by providing updates on a state's annual progress for the previous fiscal year and planned activities for the upcoming fiscal year.
- Data Booklet
Citizen Review Panel Reports Archives
The federal fiscal year is October 1 though September 30.
FFY 2021
FFY 2020
FFY 2019
Title IV-E Waiver Demonstration Project (2015 - 2020)
Family Engagement
- Help Your Keiki: This website was developed by UH through CAMHD and provides information on mental/behavioral health and how to access quality resources. They also use parent consultants to make it family friendly and engaging.
- EPIC Ohana: All Brochures are under the "Resources" tab at the EPIC site
Family Court
Hawaii State Judiciary Family Courts Resources and Informaiton
Foster and Adoptive Care
Department of Health Resources
The Parent Line is a free Statewide confidential telephone line. They are Hawaii’s premier resource on child behavior, child development, parenting, caregiver support, and community resources. Their experienced phone line staff will help you problem-solve parenting challenges and child and adolescent behavior. Please visit: https://www.theparentline.org/
Aloha United Way 2-1-1:
Statewide information and resource website and hotline: www.auw211.org or 211 from your phone
DHS' Hawaii Resource Caregiver webpage and licensing portal:
To learn more about what a Resource Caregiver what the process is to become a Resource Caregiver, visit: https://rcg.hawaii.gov