Here are some alarming statistics regarding our Foster Hawaiian children:
- About 52% of all children in Hawaii's state foster care system are Hawaiian. That comes out to about 1,400 keiki.
- Only half of those children are placed in homes that share their Hawaiian culture (about 686 available Hawaiian foster homes).
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Kôkua ‛Ohana encourages and supports Hawaiian families to care for and nurture Hawaii's foster keiki. We are committed to building support networks (Huis) in the community that provide support and care to foster children and families. By involving faith based and community organizations, our goal is to create a consistent source of unity within our state to enhance awareness in the care of our children and families.
Hanai I ka La’akea
“Foster the Sacred Light”
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- Kôkua ‛Ohana is a program of Partners in Development Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public foundation, funded by a two year grant through the Administration of Native Americans and is in partnership with the Department of Human Services.
- The project focuses on the recruitment of Native Hawaiians foster families and the continued support of families through the state Child Welfare System.>
- Kôkua ‛Ohana will begin on the Big Island of Hawaii and continue to move throughout the state.
- Kôkua ‛Ohana believes that placing a child in a home that carries similar cultural ways and beliefs maintains stability and security.
What Can Kôkua ‛Ohana Do For You?
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Churches: Our staff is committed to building a foster family ministry in your congregation. The ministry will support foster families in your church and encourage others to think about becoming foster parents themselves.
Community Organizations: Out staff will share with your club, school or homestead to raise awareness and help organize a hui. The hui will support new and existing foster parents.
Prospective foster parents: We will meet with you personally to talk about becoming a foster parent at a location convenient for you. You will have support throughout the licensing process. We will also connect you to a hui in your neighborhood that can continue the level of support you may need as a new foster parent.
Current foster parents: We will help build a hui in your own church or community. We will also link you with an existing hui that will best serve and support you.
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