Public Education & ADvocacy

Join a Committee

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

A Committee Dedicated to Successfully Educate & Advocate for Policy, Program & Systems Changes to Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect

Hooikaika Partnership Protective Factors Parenting Can Be Hard

Public Education & Advocacy Committee

Meetings Every 3rd Monday
12:15 pm – 1:30 pm
On Zoom (partners only)

Protective Factors Kalo Boy Books Distributed in 2023-2024

‘Ohana Fest 2024 with Mayor Bissen’s Proclamation

This video provides an overview of the 4th Annual ‘Ohana Fest, including Mayor Bissen’s proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Month. These videos were created by Baldwin High School’s SCHWA/Digital Media Club.

Successfully Educate & Advocate for Policy,

Program & Systems Changes to Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect

Education and advocacy are powerful ways to engage the public and policy makers on topics related to child abuse and neglect in order to create systems-level change in the county, state, and nationally. This can help change the way programs and organizations operate to better prevent child abuse and neglect in Maui County and raise the profile of the Hoʻoikaika Partnership and its partners as leaders on these issues. Advocacy can also empower and raise up the voices of parents, caregivers, and youth with lived experience. Advocacy and education on child abuse and neglect to community and legislative leaders has been a longstanding interest since the Partnership formed.

Adopt Annual Advocacy Priorities
  • Create internal Hoʻoikaika Partnership structure (Charter) to support the ability to have an advocacy platform, given the diverse membership that includes state agencies, community-based organizations & individual members
  • Develop a process to select policy priorities with other organizations that are in alignment with the mission, goals & values of Hoʻoikaika Partnership such as policies that address the prevention of child abuse & neglect, family violence & trafficking of youth; transformation of the child welfare system; & support for the workforce
  • Identify & cultivate natural partners to inform & support the advocacy agenda
  • Provide input related to statewide child abuse & neglect prevention, including participation in the development of the Hawaiʻi Children’s Policy agenda
Build Capacity of Partners & Allies to Educate & Advocate by Providing Training, Resources & Information
  • Provide advocacy training at annual conference & year-round outreach
  • Develop and/or share educational materials, position papers, action alerts, & example language to support advocacy priorities & public education goals
  • Compile and/or share data and reports on incidence of child maltreatment as well as prevention activities in Maui County with partners, policy makers, first responders, and the public
  • Partner with local leaders to educate & advocate on systemic barriers
Empower Those with Lived Experience in Maui County to Inform Public Policy, Program & Systems Level Change
  • Promote Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) & other Maui County and statewide programs that focus on increasing family voices
Strengthen Relationships with Policy & Decision-Makers, Raising Hoʻoikaika Partnership's Visibility & Positioning it as a Primary Resource for Matters Impacting Children, Families, & the Workforce that Serves Them
  • Identify & participate in relevant county and state level meetings, coalitions, & collaborations on topics important to strengthen the system & prevent child maltreatment
  • Facilitate individual partners to meet with Maui County Council members annually
  • Partner with local leaders such as Women Helping Women, Maui Police Department, & other first responders, to deliver an annual “State of the Children” in Maui County
  • Educate about protective factors, Hoʻoikaika Partnership & available resources

Activities

Advocacy Resources

Conference Advocacy Videos

Conference 2023
Listening Session:
How the County Can Support, Build, & Maintain a Social Service Workforce

Gabe Johnson
Councilmember- Lana’i District, Maui County Council

Shane Sinenci
Councilmember- East Maui District, Maui County Council

Conference 2022 Advocacy at Local, State & Federal Levels Nicholas Winfrey President, Maui United Way
Conference 2022 Advocacy for Children and Families Starts with You! Deborah Zysman Executive Director, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Advocacy Starts with YOU.pptx