Community Engagement

Working together to keep our 'ohana healthy, safe & supported

A Committee Dedicated to Engaging the Community in Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect

Hooikaika Partnership Show-Keiki-Aloha-WITH-words-graphic

Community Engagement Committee

Meetings Every 1st Wednesday
10:00 am – 11:15 am
Wailuku or on Zoom (partners only)

Engage the Community in Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect

As a community, greater understanding and awareness of child abuse and neglect can help reduce risk factors, provide supports, promote resiliency, and reduce stigma for families seeking services. It can also help community members learn how to identify child abuse and neglect and how to respond. Engaging and educating the public about preventing child maltreatment has been a longstanding focus of the Hoʻoikaika Partnership.

Decrease Stigma Around & Increase Equitable Access to, Services

Better understand partner relationships and spheres of influence with different communities
Develop new relationships with non-child welfare influencers and natural helping networks who can host conversations and/or events with their community members about child maltreatment and family strengthening
Invite communities to share stories around needs and barriers to accessing services and what’s working

Host Community Events & Provide Educational Materials that Promote Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect

Plan a community event for Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month
Create and/or compile and distribute educational materials focused on child abuse and neglect prevention and family strengthening, especially to promote the protective factors and public education campaigns such as Talking is Teaching and Aloha at Home, among others

A Journey to Healing

Ho’oikaika Partnership’s Community Engagement Committee had a vision to create a video highlighting one of our local Maui families who was brave enough to trust in the system, engage wholeheartedly in services to better their lives, and to truly maintain their family no matter what it took. The result is “A Journey to Healing,” a short film beautifully created by students at Maui Waena Intermediate School.

The video features Kristy, a dedicated mother of five children, and her ‘ohana who went through the system, struggling to find stability, asking for help, falling short at times but always getting back up. Although it seemed like a constant losing battle, she never lost hope.

ʻOhana Fest

A gathering for families and keiki to enjoy fun activities and learn about resources

Every year, Hoʻoikaika Partnership hosts ʻOhana Fest for families to learn about the community resources they can receive on Maui. This is a free event held every April, in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, that engages both the community and our participating partners that offer a variety of services. There are games, crafts and cultural activities for everyone to enjoy.