We Need Families!

The Need

As of August 2009, approximately 1500 keiki are in the foster care system in Hawaii. Nearly half of those are Native Hawaiian or part Native Hawaiian. Many of these keiki are placed in homes that do not share a similar cultural or ethnic background, thus the transition into the home is even more difficult for these keiki. Kōkua ‘Ohana is looking for more Native Hawaiian Homes for the Native Hawaiian keiki in foster care. Resource families of all cultural and backgrounds are needed (see Hui Ho ‘omalu). You can provide a child with a safe and comfortable home.

FAQs

1.    What are the requirements* to become a resource family?

  • The desire and ability to accept a foster child into your home based on the reunification plan made by the state.  – foster care is temporary and a resource home needs to be a safe and nurturing environment  for the child in foster care while a permanent plan is made for the child.
  • Space in your home for an additional child – generally, a child in foster care may not share a room with an adult, but may share a room with other children of the same gender.
  • Income must cover usual household expenses – a household must be able to show that regular household expenses do not exceed monthly household income.
  • Pass both a criminal and a child abuse and neglect back ground check – a resource caregiver and adult household members must be able to show a recent/credible history of safe behavior.
* This is an abridged list of requirements. Our staff would be happy to clarify or explain the full requirements over the phone.

2.    How do I become a resource family?

  • Call (808) 595-6320. One of our friendly staff will gladly speak to you regarding requirements, provide some general information, and complete an initial inquiry.
  • Schedule an initial home visit and fill out an application packet to provide needed information about the space in your home, household income, and criminal background.
  • Sign up and attend the mandatory 18-hour resource caregiver training in your community.
  • A licensed social worker will conduct a home assessment with you and your family.
For more details about the licensing process see the Department of Human Services Website.

3. Who are the children most likely to need resource families?

  • Teenagers
  • Teenage mothers with their own babies
  • Brothers and sisters who want/need to be together
  • Children who are medically fragile
  • Children born exposed to alcohol and drugs

4. Do all children who need resource families have problems?


  • All children who are in the foster care system have encountered either abuse or neglect, or both from a trusted caregiver. Because of their past, many of these children will have emotional distress or even physical impairments. Also, children are often frightened and confused by the separation from their parents and may exhibit behaviors such as being angry or sad. They may think they are being punished for something they have done.
  • It takes time for children to develop trust for a new caregiver, but in a safe and loving environment, the child's behaviors may change and they become less angry or sad. They begin to develop a sense of trust and a feeling of safety with the resource family.

5. Why do we need special training?

  • The HANAI program is not a parenting class. It is designed to give you ways to support children in foster care.
  • Every child in the foster care system comes from a difficult background and will have to work through what it means to have a “biological” family and a “resource” family. The HANAI training equips you to help the children address those questions.

6. Where and when is the special training offered?

  • The HANAI program is offered regularly around the island.  Please call 441-1117 to find out more about these trainings.

7. How does Kōkua ‘Ohana help me with the licensing process?

  • Every family in the Kōkua ‘Ohana program is assigned a liaison who will maintain weekly contact with the family. The liaison is available to support the family so that the licensing process itself does not become a barrier to a promising resource family. Liaisons may help families with paperwork or pick up documents or may provide other assistance as needed. 


Loading...