Yesterday afternoon, we received notice that Senator Schatz negotiated an agreement with Secretary McMahon of the U.S. Department of Education to continue funding the Native Hawaiian Education Program (NHEP) for current grantees for another fiscal year.

While this news is encouraging as a critical short-term step forward, it does not resolve the crisis facing Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF), Native Hawaiian-serving organizations, or the communities that depend on these programs. At this time, we still do not know how much funding will ultimately be released, when funds would become available, or whether PIDF will receive the support necessary to sustain all current programs, staffing, and sites.

We are grateful to Senator Schatz and his team, and to every one of you whose advocacy, testimonies, calls, letters, and public support helped move this issue forward. Your voices continue to matter, and continued advocacy will remain critical in the months ahead.

Given the continued uncertainty surrounding federal funding, PIDF’s stabilization plan — including operational consolidation and team restructuring — remains necessary. These decisions were not made lightly, and this federal development does not provide the immediate funding certainty needed to reverse course.

While we are hopeful that the upcoming NHEP funding opportunities may help preserve more programs and sites for another year, PIDF must still go through the federal application and award process before any future funding can be counted on.

We understand how difficult this prolonged uncertainty has been for our staff, participants, partners, and families. PIDF will continue advocating aggressively, pursuing every available partnership opportunity, and communicating transparently as new information emerges. We also ask our community to continue sharing the impact of our programs and helping defend the essential services our communities still risk losing.

We remain deeply grateful to Senator Schatz and his team for their leadership and solutions-oriented efforts. This agreement may provide additional time to fight for longer-term stability, but the work ahead remains urgent.

Mahalo nui for your continued support, patience, and trust during this difficult period.

Naʻu nō me ke aloha,
Shawn Kanaʻiaupuni, President & CEO
Partners in Development Foundation

For nearly 30 years Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF) has provided culturally grounded, family-centered programs rooted in Native Hawaiian values and traditions – supporting keiki, ʻōpio, and ʻohana across the pae ʻāina. Today, our programs continue to operate and serve our communities as they always have. 

As we strengthen PIDF for a stronger and more resilient future, we want to inform you of the changes being made, in advance. Effective September 2026, we will be reducing the number of sites we serve with our early childhood education programs. Out of the collective 36 early learning sites, we have secured non-federal funding to stabilize 19 of PIDF’s Ka Paʻalana (KP) and Tūtū and Me (TTM) sites.

• Hilo, Hawaiʻi (TTM)
• Keaʻau, Hawaiʻi (TTM)
• Pāhoa, Hawaiʻi (TTM)
• Panaʻewa, Hawaiʻi (TTM)

• Lahaina, Maui (KP)
• Wailuku, Maui (KP)

• Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi (TTM)
• Kualapuʻu, Molokaʻi (TTM)

• Hope Shelter, Oʻahu (KP)
• Honolulu, Oʻahu (TTM)
• Kahaluʻu, Oʻahu (TTM)
• Kailua Elementary, Oʻahu (NP)
• Koʻolau, Oʻahu (TTM)
• Lanikūhonua, Oʻahu (TTM)
• Nānākuli, Oʻahu (KP)
• Nānākuli Elementary, Oʻahu (KP)
• Papakōlea, Oʻahu (TTM)
• Waiʻanae District Park, Oʻahu (KP)
• Waimānalo, Oʻahu (NP)

We are sincerely grateful for the generosity and support of the diverse funding partners contributing to PIDF’s efforts to stabilize program sites across the islands. Based on the funding currently available to us moving forward.

We are deeply saddened to share that 17 of our Ka Paʻalana and Tūtū and Me (TTM) sites, and 2 critical family-strengthening services cannot continue to operate beyond the current budget cycle: 

• Anahola, Kauaʻi (TTM)
• Hanapēpē, Kauaʻi (TTM)
• Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi (TTM)
• Kekaha, Kauaʻi (TTM)

• Honokaʻa, Hawaiʻi (TTM)
• Kailua Kona, Hawaiʻi (TTM)
• Mountain View, Hawaiʻi (KP)
• South Kona, Hawaiʻi (TTM)
• Waimea, Hawaiʻi (TTM)
• Virtual Tūtū and Me program
• Tūtū and Me Home Visiting and Caregiver Education

• Kahului, Maui (TTM)
• Kihei, Maui (TTM)
• Lahaina, Maui (TTM)
• Makawao, Maui (TTM)

• Ke Aka Hoʻona, Oʻahu (KP)
• Māʻili Valley, Oʻahu (KP)
• Waialua, Oʻahu (TTM)
• Ka Paʻalana Mālama Mobile

Our Piha Me Ka Pono program currently partners with 8 DOE public schools on Hawaiʻi and Molokaʻi, providing connection to community resources and additional school support through our team of Community School Coordinators (CSCs). Federal grants fund 3 of our CSCs, and other funds are year-to-year. The current federal grant funds for our Piha Me Ka Pono Community Schools program will come to an end on August 31, 2026.

Our Kīʻapu Workforce Development program empowers youth, ages 14-24, in West Oʻahu, Windward Oʻahu, and Molokaʻi through a holistic approach to workforce development and educational pathways. The current federal grant funds for our Kīʻapu Workforce Development program will come to an end on August 31, 2026. 

Like many organizations across Hawaiʻi, PIDF is navigating unforeseen and targeted attacks around federal resources that support programs for families and children. In response, we are taking proactive steps to strengthen our organization for the future. This includes diversifying funding sources, strengthening partnerships, and refining how our programs are organized so we can continue serving our communities for generations to come. 

Our PIDF Leadership team and Board of Directors  remain deeply committed to serving families and communities and to advancing our mission: to inspire and equip ʻohana and communities for success and service using Native Hawaiian values and traditions. We also remain vigilant and focused on securing diversified funding to support the long-term strength and sustainability of our work.

Mahalo for your understanding, and for trusting our organization to support your ‘ohana.

For additional information, please visit our FAQ page: pidf.org/pidf-2026-faq/

If you have any questions or would like to connect, please reach out to us at communications@pidfoundation.org. If you or someone you know would like to help, we welcome the support – please visit https://pidf.org/giving/ to learn more. Mahalo for your continued partnership and support. 

Me ke aloha,
Shawn Kanaʻiaupuni, President & CEO
Partners in Development Foundation

There are 743 keiki (ages birth to 5) in Waimānalo, 76% of whom are Native Hawaiian. 75% of these families in this community are economically disadvantaged, with annual incomes of $66,378 or less to support a family of four. By increasing school readiness and supporting the families within the community, the Waimānalo ʻUpena project aims to strengthen a streamlined continuum of care and support for keiki and their families, improving early childhood development, kindergarten readiness, and academic achievement.  

The Waimānalo ʻUpena includes more than 30 partners ranging from health care providers and family support organizations to public and public charter school leaders, early childhood educators, families, and community members. The ʻUpena builds a collective response to community identified priorities. Over the last two years, these partners have been meeting regularly to ensure that all young keiki (ages 0-8 years old) have access to the support and services they need to develop a healthy, safe, and thriving life by the time they reach kindergarten.  

Formerly led by Early Childhood Action Strategy and Pewa Project, the Waimānalo Early Education ʻUpena now transitions leadership to an organization rooted in the community, Partners in Development Foundation’s program- Na Pono No Nā ʻOhana, a program serving Waimānalo for over 20 years.  

The Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana program provides Early Childhood Education/Family Education services through a unique blend of the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) Family Education model with Nā Honua Maoli Ola (Hawaiian cultural guidelines). This innovative curriculum approach aims to increase family self-sufficiency by providing culture-based comprehensive educational support, including home visiting services and connections to community resources. 

“We are grateful for the opportunity to keep this project going,” shared Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana Project Director, Brittney Pescaia. “The keiki of Waimānalo deserve a close-knit, culturally driven community that uplifts and supports them from a young age. Through this collaboration, we’ve built pilina (relationships) with dozens of professionals who lead with aloha inside and out! Waimānalo has the most heart-driven, ʻakamai (intelligent), hard-working group of leaders that I’ve ever met. I am deeply humbled to serve Waimānalo alongside of them.” 

The ʻUpena program responds to the needs of the Waimānalo community through aligned strategies to promote culturally centered early learning opportunities and foster stronger connections between families, schools, and service providers. Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, in addition to its grant award, has provided valuable insight and an action-focused partnership to champion the success of the Waimānalo Early Education ‘Upena for years to come.   

To learn more about the program, visit pidf.org/napono and waimanalo.healthysafethriving.org/. 

A large share (72%) of PIDF funding comes from Federal funds. The freeze could impact services in 45 communities across Hawai’i, affecting over 3,200 young children and 3,300 caregivers each year. These high-quality programs provide essential early childhood education, youth mentorship, workforce development, and community support services at no cost to families who need them most. 

According to recent ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report data, over half of Hawai’i’s population lives paycheck to paycheck. Any disruption to these vital programs and services would have far-reaching consequences for our community’s most vulnerable members. 

PIDF remains dedicated to our mission of serving Hawai’i’s families. We will persist in advocating for the continuation of these essential programs and support for our communities. Currently, all PIDF programs are operating as usual, but we want to be transparent about potential changes that could impact our no-cost services: 

• Early childhood education programs that give our keiki a strong foundation in learning may be affected. 
• Mentorship programs and workforce development programs that empower our youth could face challenges. 
• Community school support services may experience funding cuts. 
• Agricultural education initiatives that build pilina (relationships) with ʻāina could be affected.  

We welcome you to help spread the word about the impact of PIDF programs for keiki and ʻohana by sending your story to communications@pidfoundation.org. Mahalo for supporting PIDF and continuing to uplift our mission to inspire and equip families and communities for success and service using timeless Native Hawaiian values and traditions. 

For media inquiries, please contact communications@pidfoundation.org or our Communications Office at 808-595-5290.  

Partners in Development Foundation has named Summer Uwono as chief financial officer, according to an announcement from the organization.

Uwono succeeds Stephanie Nishimura, who has held the role for 17 years. “Nishimura has helped lead the path toward excellence, growth and transformation of PIDF into a multi-generational service provider, impacting over 50 communities across the Islands through vital programs and services,” the announcement noted.

“Serving as CFO for PIDF for these many years has been an incredible journey,” she said in a statement. “I am proud of what we have accomplished together and grateful for the partnerships and relationships that have shaped this organization. As I transition out of my role, I have full confidence in Summer’s ability to carry PIDF’s mission forward with a strong commitment to our funders and families.”

Uwono brings 20 years of nonprofit finance experience to PIDF, previously working for Mental Health Kokua and Parents and Children Together. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

“We are thrilled to announce that Summer Uwono will be joining us as our new chief financial officer and are so grateful for all that Stephanie Nishimura has done for PIDF,” said the organization’s president and CEO Shawn Kanaʻiaupuni. “With over 20 years of distinguished experience in financial management, Summer is set to bring a wealth of expertise and leadership to our organization, in addition to her dedication to our mission and values and oluolu, “or pleasant/gracious” style. She will be a tremendous asset as we continue to advance our work in service to the community.”

Kana‘iaupuni took the helm in 2020, succeeding Jan Dill, who founded the nonprofit in 1997. According to its most recent annual report, PIDF generated $18.5 million in revenue in 2021.

PIDF aims “to inspire and equip families and communities for success and service,” its mission states. The organization has served more than 148,000 people in over 50 communities across the Hawaiian Islands.

To learn more about PIDF’s programs and services, visit pidf.org.

To view the original article by Pacific Business News, please click here.

Week 1, April 29-May 5: Partners in Development Foundation 

Partners in Development Foundation draws on ʻike kupuna (ancestral wisdom) and knowledge, to meet the current challenges facing Hawaiʻi. They serve the needs of young keiki, their caregivers, and economically vulnerable youth and families in the Hawaiian community to overcome systematic disparities and historical trauma. Their programs are guided by time-tested values and practices that honor people and place in caring for our islands and communities. 

Week 2, May 6-12: Hawaii Chamber Music Festival  

Hawaii Chamber Music Festival is dedicated to lifting the hearts and talents of Hawaii’s incredible youth musicians through positive mentorship and musicianship. World class classical artists collaborate with Hawaii’s most talented youth to provide a world-class learning and listening experience for all. 

Week 3, May 13-19: Hale Makua Health Services 

Hale Makua is devoted to helping Maui’s elders live their best lives. Hale Makua believes in helping Maui’s frail elderly and disabled individuals live vibrant, fulfilling lives in their care homes and within the community. This is another way that Zippy’s is assisting Maui’s on-going rebuilding efforts. 

Week 4, May 20-26: Aloha Diaper Bank 

Diaper need is a growing concern in the U.S. as one in two families struggle to afford enough diapers, leaving infants vulnerable to health risks. Moreover, three in five parents miss work or school due to diaper expenses, affecting their access to childcare services. No government assistance program pays for diapers. Aloha Diaper Bank’s mission is to address this issue, ensuring every child has access to clean diapers, promoting their well-being, and supporting parents in providing a healthy environment for their little ones.   

Week 5, May 27-June 2: HUGS (Help, Understanding, and Group Support) 

HUGS is a nonprofit organization providing emotional and financial support to Hawaii families with children who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening diagnosis. 

The Kokua Pac consists of Zippy’s famous, Korean fried chicken, Portuguese sausage, half a red-hot dog, and one slice of SPAM, all over a bed of white rice, and costs $10.50 for takeout in Honolulu and Las Vegas.  

About Zippy’s Restaurants: 

Brothers Francis and Charles Higa founded Zippy’s Restaurants more than 58 years ago on South King Street in urban Honolulu. With twenty-three locations across Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii Island – and now in Las Vegas – Zippy’s is a beloved island institution. Zippy’s is a unique three-in-one concept: locations are a combination of fast-casual take-out service; a casual full-service dine-in restaurant; and a convenient retail bakery. Many Zippy’s locations are open until late at night, serving the comfort foods of Hawaii in a family-friendly atmosphere. More information is available at www.zippys.com. 

# # # 

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MEDIA CONTACT 

Jessica Yamamoto 

jyamamoto@zippys.com 

808-973-0880 ext. 75658 

With sensitivity to both staff and families directly impacted, the program started a new Parent Hui on Maui, creating a gracious space for connecting and healing together. Tūtū and Me’s Parent Education Hui aims to provide a lifeline for caregivers on Maui by emphasizing the importance of self-care, offering essential parenting insights, and fostering a sense of community among caregivers.  

“This is just one of the ways that we are working to uplift the community of Maui as they continue to grieve and heal from the wildfires,” Amanda Ishigo, Tūtū, and Me Project Manager, shares. “Our entire Tūtū and Me team continues to look for ways to respond to the needs of our keiki and families on Maui. We hope to provide the additional support our families need for however long they need it.” 

Tūtū and Me began serving the Maui community in 2008 and currently operates four sites serving a little over 650 Maui keiki and families each school year. This culture-based education program serves families with keiki ages birth to five in underserved communities on the five major islands in Hawaiʻi. The goal of Tūtū and Me is to meet the educational and emotional needs of families so that keiki will enter school ready to learn and succeed.  

One of the remarkable features of Tūtū and Me is its adaptability. It is a traveling preschool that can go to communities, setting up joyful learning locations where they are most needed. When the program’s previous site in Lahaina became unsafe for families, the dedicated Tūtū and Me Maui team jumped into action to find alternative sites at parks that provided a safe space for the 72 keiki and caregivers who attended that location. They reopened three of the four sites the following Monday. 

Mele Hooper, the Tūtū and Me Site Manager for Maui, expressed the mutual need for connection during challenging times, saying, “Our kumu needed to see our keiki as much as our keiki needed to see our kumu and play with their friends. We just wanted to be there for our keiki and families and provide a sense of what life was like before the fires. It has been heartwarming to see our keiki play and enjoy their time at Tūtū and Me.” 

Staff were seeing children and families in great need, so the Maui Tūtū and Me office, which once held preschool supplies and books, is now stocked with new clothing, toiletries, and toys that were gathered from the Tūtū and Me families and PIDF staff and supporters.  

Funding in part from the Maui Strong Fund of the Hawai’i Community Foundation has enabled the Partners in Development Foundation to extend a helping hand to families and staff affected by the wildfires. This support includes vital monetary assistance to aid in recovery efforts and more hands on deck to support the caring staff. Additionally, PIDF has received a significant in-kind donation of school supplies and backpacks from Kamehameha Schools and the Molokai community, further enhancing their commitment to the community’s recovery.  

President and CEO Shawn Kanaʻiaupuni summarizes the organization’s collective sentiments, stating, “We all felt the devastating impact of the wildfires — the entire PIDF team, the families we serve, our staff and supporters. That motivated us to do everything possible to assist Maui families and keiki.”  

Partners in Development Foundation is working to raise funds to bring its Ka Paʻalana preschool, serving families with young children, ages birth to five, with a literacy-rich, science-oriented, culturally grounded curriculum and instruction that also integrates trauma-informed care, crisis counseling, childcare, financial, and family strengthening into its daily program. 

Following the success of its first campaign that ended in April, the Hawaiʻi Energy Waimānalo Appliance Trade-Up program will begin its second campaign for additional residents to trade up their appliances. Hawaiʻi Energy will offer up to 75 refrigerator or freezer exchanges. A grant from The First Hawaiian Bank Foundation for $25,000 will enable PIDF and Hawaiʻi Energy to exchange an additional 50 washers or dryers. The collaborative program and funding will allow residents to trade up their old, energy consuming appliances for only $250, for a total savings of $750 per appliance. 

Hawai‘i has the nation’s highest electricity rates with costs generally around three times more than the national average. An old refrigerator uses about twice as much energy as a new ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator. Energy conservation and efficiency is the easiest and most affordable way for residents to save money on their electric bill.

“The energy usage consumption, especially when you’re retired, and on a fixed income, any way you can save money and learn how to reduce your carbon footprint on our planet is a plus,” said Edward Kaiama, Waimānalo resident and long-time participant of Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana. 

The Waimānalo residents who participated in the Hawaiʻi Energy program are also eligible to join the Energy UNPLUGGED community educational workshop as well as the Energy Smart 4 Homes program, which are free services that will pair residents with trained professionals and educational resources to best equip their homes. Participants in the program will receive products such as energy-efficient LED light bulbs, advanced power strips and more, valued at over $150 and can reduce electricity costs for each household by up to $160 per year. 

“A key focus area for Hawai‘i Energy is to make energy-saving programs and tech more accessible and more affordable to residents and businesses across the state,” said Caroline Carl, Executive Director of Hawaiʻi Energy. “Families like those that PIDF serves are often on fixed incomes or have larger households, which means they stand to benefit even more financially than the average resident from having a lower electric bill, and they can direct more of their household income toward other needs.”

Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana is a free, comprehensive family education program in Waimānalo where ʻohana come to learn together. Through its Parent and Child Together (PACT), child education, parent education, and adult education services, Nā Pono serves over 250 ʻohana members a year, most of whom live in Waimānalo.

Honokaʻa High and Intermediate School are Title I eligible schools located in a rural, primarily Native Hawaiian populated community on Hawaiʻi Island. Funding for the Ka Hana Noʻeau initiative will consist of three mentorship tracks rooted in Hawaiian culture and STEAM, including model rocket building, fine arts, and Hawaiian ethnobotany. The program partners with the schools to match students with positive adult role models to grow intellectually, interpersonally, and emotionally.

“The mentorship program provides invaluable support to participants, such as access to resources that are otherwise unavailable, especially for those struggling socially and emotionally,” said Angella Brandt, Ka Hana Noʻeau Project Coordinator. “One mentee shared that our program gave them a ‘sense of place.’ We encourage students to strive for higher education, especially because some families do not have that mindset as they struggle to make ends meet.”

The Kupa ʻAina natural farm in Kailua will use the funding to continue services to support and mentor Hawaiʻi’s most at-risk and vulnerable ʻōpio (youth ages 14-24). The youth will connect with the ʻāina while participating in services centered on workforce development, mental health, and college pathways. The farm is located on the Kawailoa Youth and Family Wellness Center, adjacent to the Hawaiʻi Youth Correctional Facility. Because Hawaiʻi imports more than 80% of its food, Kupa ʻAina partners with state and community organizations to focus on natural farming as a path towards sustainability, reconnecting with traditional Hawaiian practices and educating the community to transform Hawaiʻi’s food systems.

Nā ʻŌiwi Kāne is a certified Native Hawaiian Organization with a mission to grow the reach of its community impact and strengthen the Native Hawaiian community. The organization supports programs and projects focusing on transferring the skills, values, and practices of the traditional Hawaiian way of life to the most vulnerable members of the Hawaiʻi community. PIDF is Nā ʻŌiwi Kāne’s first beneficiary, from which several programs have benefited since 2005. 

“Nā ʻŌiwi Kāne is able to reach many Native Hawaiian keiki, ʻōpio and their ‘ohana with the help of PIDF and their programs. It takes a village to raise a child and together with PIDF we are doing it one keiki and ʻōpio at a time,” said Maylisajoy Kamakeeaina, Director at Nā ʻŌiwi Kāne. 

To learn more about Partners in Development Foundation and its ten free programs and services, including Ka Hana Noʻeau and Kupa ʻAina natural farm, go to pidf.org.

Original story published on Honolulu Civil Beat by Jackie Mader, click here to view, and on The Hechinger Report, click here to view.

In the basement of a church at the foothills of the Koolau mountains, Darrylnn Ferreira perched on a plastic chair at the edge of a large blue rug while her 4-year-old granddaughter, Talia, settled down for circle time. Three teachers welcomed other families as they trickled in and sat down, then launched into a morning greeting song in English and Hawaiian. 

Ferreira followed suit, clapping along and singing, before settling back in her chair and paying close attention as a teacher held up a picture book about the Honolulu Zoo and started to read to the class.

As a grandmother, Ferreira is as much a member of the target audience for this free, traveling preschool program as Talia. Named Tutu and Me after the Hawaiian word for “grandparent,” the program introduces children to early academic and social skills as well as Native Hawaiian language and culture.

At the same time, caregivers, many of whom are grandparents, learn about child development and how to navigate toddler tantrums, support early language and math skills and help children learn through play.

Every Tuesday and Thursday, Ferreira and Talia drive up a narrow, winding road, flanked with deep green foliage, to a hilltop church in Kaneohe. They amble down to a basement classroom that mimics a traditional school or center-based program, with multiple teachers for the dozen children, a structured routine and thoughtfully designed activity centers, each of which includes a poster for caregivers with instructions and tips to encourage exploration and learning.

When circle time ends, Ferreira and Talia rotate through the centers to Talia’s favorite activities: drawing, painting and — on at least one day — riding a small tricycle in dizzying circles. 

“This is amazing,” Ferreira said, motioning around the room as toddlers and preschoolers, trailed by their caregivers, dashed from one activity to the next. “We have this resource that gives this for us to learn.”

Tutu and Me is one of several family-child interaction learning programs in Hawaii that offers support to the state’s large number of non-parental caregivers who provide child care each day. At least 43% of young children in Hawaii were watched by friends or relatives in 2019. The state has the highest percentage of families — 72% — that use federal funds to pay for unlicensed care, such as that provided by grandparents and friends. 

These caregivers — mostly women and largely invisible within the broader child care ecosystem — are often isolated in their homes and can’t always access the funding and training critical to offering the best care possible during a pivotal time of children’s brain development.

“What they learn in our program, what we’re trying to teach them, is that they are that child’s most important educator,” said Shawn Kanaʻiaupuni, president and CEO of the Hawaii-based Partners in Development Foundation, which runs Tutu and Me. “Nobody is born knowing how to be a parent or caregiver, we all have to learn it.”

Ferreira, who brought another grandchild to a different Tutu and Me location more than 15 years ago, has seen immense benefits for Talia. The preschooler is now more prepared for kindergarten, Ferreira said, and has learned aspects of Native Hawaiian culture that are meaningful to their family. Through the program, Ferreira has learned how to teach Talia how to form letters.

 “She won’t do that here,” Ferreira whispered, as Talia eyed some handwriting practice sheets before opening a drawing journal and coloring in a picture with a thick pink crayon. “But I’m doing it at home, just to reinforce it,” she added. 

At home, Ferreira infuses more counting into their day, as well as reading, English and Hawaiian songs, and creative activities, like painting and making homemade playdough. She and Talia have attended field trips and live theater, and Ferreira has enrolled Talia in gymnastics, a program she learned about through Tutu and Me.  

“We’re very fortunate this program is here,” she said. 

A Necessary Form Of Child Care

For generations, families have relied on friends, family members and neighbors to help care for young children during the day. Friend, family and neighbor — FFN — care is the most common form of non-parental child care in America. Experts estimate at least 60% of children under age 6 spend their days in such arrangements with more than 4 million caregivers — mostly grandparents or aunts — a number that has grown over the past decade. 

This type of care is especially common in low income communities, among families with limited English proficiency, in immigrant communities and for children with disabilities. During the pandemic, friend and family caregivers were a lifeline for many parents; recent data shows parents continue to desire and value it. Child care provided by relatives or other informal caregivers can offer valuable benefits for children, such as consistency of care, support of native language and culture, flexibility and affordability. 

As states work to stabilize the child care industry in the wake of the pandemic, experts are calling for more support for all child care settings, including the informal, home-based care, where so many children spend their days.

“The individuals that provide FFN care are doing a huge service to young children and their families, and they’re also doing a considerable service to the community and the economy,” said Natalie Renew, executive director of Home Grown, a nonprofit aimed at increasing the access to and quality of home-based child care.

“Our high-priority children and families are often in this setting, and if we really want them to be ready for kindergarten and able to thrive, we really need to care for them in this setting with these caregivers,” she added. 

In Hawaii, friend, family and neighbor care is valued both culturally and by necessity. Extremely high real estate costs coupled with a high cost of living means several generations of families often live together. While many working families choose and prefer ohana, or family, care, while their children are young, other options are scarce. Before the pandemic, the state had only enough licensed infant-toddler center spots for one out of every 37 children under age 3. 

The state lost 12% of its child care spots during the pandemic. In some parts of Hawaii, including the islands of Kauai, Molokai and Lanai, there are no child care centers serving infants and toddlers. The average cost of center-based infant child care, when it is available in Hawaii, is more than $1,700 a month, several hundred more than the national average. 

Nationwide, aid for family and friend caregivers is rare. In 23 states, there are no known statewide supports for relatives and friends who provide child care. Many of these providers don’t view themselves as educators, but rather as caregivers who are simply helping their families. Few attend educational workshops or get help from a home visitor or coach. During the pandemic, when family members and friends were a critical caregiving lifeline, only 13 states used federal stabilization funding to invest in these providers. 

Policymakers have mixed views on whether grandparents, neighbors, and family friends should be included in formal child care policy, said Patricia Lozano, executive director of Early Edge California, which advocates for high-quality early learning programs in a variety of settings. “It’s complicated,” she said. “It’s really difficult to have policies that apply to all.”

But a few states, such as Alabama and California, do offer formal training specifically for this population. In California, where one in five FFN caregivers watch four or more children, the state runs play groups and training for caregivers through a child care agency. Other states offer programs like those in Hawaii: play groups for caregivers and children, featuring key aspects of formal preschool programs, as well as educational materials through the mail. 

Several states, including Colorado and Massachusetts, have expanded home visitation programs to serve relatives and friends who care for children. This model is especially promising, helping ensure that informal caregivers don’t feel they’re being pushed into the regulations and oversight involved in formal child care, said Linda Smith, director of the early childhood development initiative at the Bipartisan Policy Center. 

“There’s this constant debate … ‘If I’m the grandparent, do I want somebody coming in and telling me how to care for my grandchildren?’” she said. “The other side of that coin is, ‘Hey, I haven’t been around little kids in a long time. What do I need to know now, that I didn’t know before?’” she added. “How do you support grandparents in this whole role, without regulating them and telling them what to do?”

Fewer Resources

Despite the benefits these caregivers offer, there are also challenges. 

Children in informal care settings may have fewer resources than their peers in formal, licensed child care programs, spend more time watching television and have lower cognitive and school readiness scores. Research has found some caregivers are less likely to play with children and engage in the back-and-forth conversation known to stimulate cognitive development. In some states, caregivers can care for up to six children without a license, mirroring more formal home care settings, but without the support provided to licensed programs. 

Without access to information or training, caregivers may rely on their own child-rearing experiences, which, for some, could be limited. 

The essential components of “identity and love and affection and reciprocity,” are already baked in to care provided by family friends and relatives, said Renew from Home Grown. “And with more resources, I think we could do so much more to intervene on the cognitive pieces of the development.”

Caregivers nationwide largely report that they’d welcome help and information, especially on health and safety, how to offer nutritious meals and navigate state systems, as well as how to use materials to support play and learning. 

And some caregivers simply need immediate tips on how to handle challenges with the children they watch each day. 

On a recent Wednesday morning in Kapolei, Hawaii, caregivers followed children inside two brown yurts sitting in tall grass on the grounds of two homeless shelters. Although this program, the Ka Paalana Homeless Family Education Program at Hope Shelter, is aimed at families experiencing homelessness, many local families drive to the homeless shelter to take advantage of the free early learning opportunity.

Ka Paalana’s shelter-based location is of such high quality, it is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Like their counterparts at Tutu and Me, the teachers with Ka Paalana, which runs the shelter location and several traveling sites, see themselves as guides for caregivers of young children. For a portion of the class at Hope Shelter, teachers mind the children while caregivers receive instruction on topics like child development and career and life skills. 

Inside one of the yurts, Cece Kailiwai trailed a boisterous 1-year-old, who recently has been experimenting with climbing, pushing and was experiencing big feelings. Kailiwai, whose own children are grown, lives at one of the shelters and watches the toddler, who also lives in the shelter, as a favor for the child’s parents while they work. She chatted with teachers and watched their interactions with the boy when a tower of blocks fell over and he erupted in tears, kicking at some of the blocks.

Kailiwai said the program benefits them both. Without it, the toddler would miss out on socialization with other children and the stimulation of educational activities and toys. Kailiwai would be on her own to learn how to manage tantrums and behavior, how to play in ways that support his development and make sure he is on track with age-appropriate skills. 

The program has impacted her as a caregiver. “For me, it’s learning patience and structure … and learning that when you’re consistent, things will flow,” she said.

A growing body of research shows support programs for informal caregivers can make a positive difference, increasing caregiver knowledge of child development and decreasing caregiver depression and isolation. 

There are also long-term benefits for children. In Hawaii, a study of a small group of Tutu and Me graduates found 86% were proficient in reading and math by third grade, nearly 20 percentage points higher than the statewide average. Ninety-eight percent of children leaving Tutu and Me met school readiness standards on state tests, and Native Hawaiian graduates of the program were generally performing at the same levels as their non-Native Hawaiian peers, closing a persistent gap among children in the state. 

A longitudinal study of Keiki Steps, a family-child interaction program in the state similar to Tutu  and Me, found similar positive results: A survey of 80% of the first seven cohorts of Keiki Steps graduates found they all graduated from high school on time and 75% were college bound. These results are particularly stunning in a state where the Native Hawaiian population faces “generational effects of colonization,” said Maile Keli’ipio-Acoba, CEO of the Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture, or INPEACE, which runs Keiki Steps.

More Support Needed

Despite the promise and success of these programs, the state provides little funding for these efforts. Tutu and Me and Keiki Steps get most of their funding from the federal government, an amount set aside for Native Hawaiian Education programs, as well as from foundations and other private donors. The state’s Executive Office on Early Learning funnels some $300,000 into two other family-child interaction programs, held at two elementary schools.

FFN support programs also receive some funding from the state’s Department of Human Services, which invests about $188,000 toward these programs. The bulk of this investment is steered toward Learning to Grow, an outreach program for FFN caregivers and home-based providers, run by the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Windward Community College. Every month, caregivers across the Hawaiian Islands who are registered with the state can receive packets of educational materials centered around a theme, like learning through play and early brain development.

Hawaii has been largely focused on expanding pre-K for 3-year-olds and constructing pre-K facilities — investing $200 million last year toward efforts to do so. This approach ignores the family-and-friend settings that advocates say many parents choose and, in many cases, prefer.

“Our Native Hawaiian population really continues to hold a cultural value of their child being raised at home with their families,” said Keli’ipio-Acoba, instead of in an “institutional, educational kind of setting” for young children. 

More funding could help expand the reach of programs for informal caregivers, advocates say. But in the meantime, the caregivers who have access to this support say it’s made a difference.

Four days a week, teachers from Keiki Steps fan out across the islands to set up makeshift classrooms in nine communities. On a recent morning in Waianae, on a farm tucked away on the edge of Makaha Valley, a half-dozen families roamed around activity centers under a lush canopy of macadamia nut, jackfruit and ulu trees. 

On the edge of the large, outdoor classroom, Dee Kila crouched down next to her 2-year-old granddaughter, Hi’iaka, at a painting station.

“Can you say blue?” she asked as Hi’iaka picked up a paintbrush and smeared turquoise paint on a piece of cardboard depicting Hawaiian goddess Pele’s journey home.

“Dab, dab, dab,” Kila said as her granddaughter dipped her paintbrush in more paint. Kila gently put her hand over Hi’iaka’s hand and moved it back and forth, showing her how to create long strokes that resembled waves. 

“Nice job, high five!” she said, high fiving the toddler.

Kila watches Hi’iaka and her 1-year-old brother five days a week, from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for free. “It’s very exhausting,” Kila said. “I am underpaid,” she added, laughing. Kila said her grandchildren are benefiting from the activities, songs and books at Keiki Steps. But the program has helped her, too. In addition to her grandchildren, Kila also cares for her 81-year-old mother, a combination Kila said can be overwhelming. 

The biggest change she’s noticed since she started coming to Keiki Steps is in herself. Having a place to bring the children to learn and socialize with others, where she can also learn about child development and interact with other caregivers, has been helpful, Kila said, especially since no such programs existed in her community when she was a young mom learning how to be a caregiver. 

“It’s made me more calm, and taught me how to be more patient,” she said. “Now that I’m caregiving, I’m like, I gotta go to Keiki Steps, so I can learn.”

This story about informal childcare was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter.

When Michelle Omerod was in high school, she witnessed many of her friends and peers shuffle in and out of foster homes. Some homes, she remembers, were less than ideal for youth in need of extra emotional support.

“My friends were really traumatized,” she said.

That’s why, when Michelle and her husband, Aaron, bought their home in Keaʻau, they opened up their doors to hānai (care for) keiki in foster care – especially teenagers. They currently have six hānai keiki and three biological keiki – and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Since 2020, the Omerods have fostered over 20 ʻōpio (youth). They have also extended a helpful hand to including numerous other keiki in the community who just wanted a safe place to stay and feel loved, even if only temporarily.

Aaron Omerod is a correctional officer. With his background and training, he shares with Michelle how to identify behavior indicative of trauma. Together, they support their keiki as best they can.

“Nobody wants to take on teens because of their ‘baggage.’ But this is their last chance before they become an adult,” Aaron said. “This is our chance to make a difference before we see them on the other side of the bars.”

In Hawaiʻi, there are approximately 1,200 keiki in foster care, and nearly 300 are teenagers. More than half of the incarcerated youth and adult population in Hawaiʻi have a Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander background, and many of those were involved in systems of foster care, child welfare, mental health services, special education, or family court.

“We really value the foster homes we are privileged to work with and have a special place in our hearts for our teen homes like the Omerod ʻohana,” said Alana Power, project director of Project Pilina. “What they communicate to these young lives in foster care is that you are worth loving and investing time in – and that kindness they share in providing a safe home makes such a difference. We hope to empower more community members to do the same.”

Project Pilina is a statewide program that recruits and guides resource caregiver applicants through the first steps of the general licensing process. The program, under Partners in Development Foundation, seeks to build relationships within island communities by raising awareness about foster care. For anyone ready to start the application process, a community liaison will serve and assist in the initial steps of the general licensing process to foster keiki.

For those who are unsure about taking the first steps in becoming resource caregivers, there are many other ways to support children in the Hawaiʻi foster care system.

Every month, Project Pilina hosts virtual statewide information sessions with community liaisons open to anyone interested in learning more about foster care, volunteer opportunities, and other ways to get involved. Participants may also have an opportunity to hear directly from former youth in foster care or current resource caregivers.

Community events like the East Hawaiʻi’s Job Readiness Fair are designed to help youth in foster care and those with resource caregivers. The event focuses on workforce preparedness and basic financial education and youth who attend will be able to choose gift cards for Old Navy, Macy’s, or Jean’s Warehouse to purchase job-ready attire. The next job readiness fair will be held at the Connect Point Church in Hilo on Saturday, May 6 from 8:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. and all interested youth are encouraged to attend.

While the Omerod ʻohana will continue to open their heart and home to keiki in care, they urge the larger community to support the overall foster care system.

“Honestly, it’s not even just for foster homes, really. Other people, too, should try to provide assistance for the state because they need help. There’re so many kids and there aren’t enough social workers. It’s not their fault. The foster care system struggles because they need more help,” Michelle said.

The Omerods sometimes experience challenges raising their hānai and biological keiki together, but they say that the rewards of supporting youth in foster care far outweigh the adversities.

The couple agrees that seeing the keiki overcome each boundary and obstacle thrown their way because of the situation they were born into inspires them to keep going.

Project Pilina

The next statewide information sessions are:
May 1 at 6:00 p.m.
June 7 at 12:00 p.m.
Sessions will be on Zoom
To learn more go to: pidf.org/projectpilina

Get ready for a special presentation, “Thrive by Five Presented by Commit to Keiki,” airing tomorrow on KHON2 and KHII. In this insightful episode, we’ll delve into the efforts of individuals across the state who are making significant strides in promoting mental health awareness and supporting the well-being of our children aged 0 to 5.

Living808 offers you a sneak peek at the episode, featuring a preview from Terry George and Kerrie Urosevich of Commit to Keiki. Terry explains that Commit to Keiki is a non-partisan partnership with government leaders, aiming to prioritize Hawaii’s youngest keiki in the state budget. The organization’s goals are three-fold: improving access to high-quality, affordable, and accessible childcare and early learning, reducing family violence, and strengthening the system of care for children with mental health issues.

Kerrie Urosevich adds that Commit to Keiki is a collaborative effort involving philanthropy, business owners, direct service providers, and county partners. The organization was established because Hawaii ranks 7th from the bottom in state investments in children, and they want to change that. By prioritizing young children and partnering with elected officials, Commit to Keiki aims to demonstrate the importance of investing in early childhood development.

Terry highlights the long-term benefits of supporting early childhood development, stating that it is the best single public investment for both the children and the state. Children who receive a good start in life perform better in school, are more prepared for the workforce, and demand less from state support systems.

Kerrie envisions a future where every child in Hawaii enters kindergarten ready to learn and every baby has a bright start to life. Prioritizing prevention and supporting families would significantly impact communities, workplaces, and the state at large.

Don’t miss this impactful special tomorrow, April 20th, airing at 7:30 pm on KHII and 9:30 pm on KHON2. To learn more about the invaluable work of Commit to Keiki and how you can contribute to their mission, visit their website at committokeiki.org. Join us on Living808 as we explore the essential efforts of Commit to Keiki in ensuring a brighter future for our children.