By Staff Reports
(Oahu) – In support of better health, learning and leadership opportunities for Hawaii’s keiki, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii announced six organizations that will benefit from $218,000 in community grants for children and youth-related advocacy and education.
“These diverse programs have a common thread — an unwavering commitment to serving Hawaii’s keiki, especially those in vulnerable populations,” said Joy Barua, director of Community Benefit and Health Policy. “In alignment with our Thriving Schools initiative, we’re proud to partner with organizations that support the physical and mental health of our children and young adults through preventive efforts, better access to health care, and mentoring programs.”
The following programs have been selected to receive funding:
- Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders (CTL) was awarded $50,000 to expand its leadership development program for high school students. CTL’s two-year leadership program will partner with five Hawaii high schools to nurture 50 youth leaders from a variety of backgrounds, focusing on mentorship, community engagement and project-based experience.
- University of Hawaii School of Nursing and the Hawaii State Department of Education were awarded $50,000 to increase access to health services in public schools through the program “Hawaii Keiki: Healthy and Ready to Learn.” The program focuses on mobilizing stakeholders to build support and funding for school nursing services, as well as advocate for legislation to improve coordinated health services in schools, following recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control.
- Hawaii Pediatric Association Research and Education Foundation (HPAREF) will receive $43,000 for its Breathe Easy at School initiative, working to improve childhood asthma care in rural West Oahu. Nanaikapono Elementary School and Waianae Intermediate School students will participate in the initial pilot, with support from the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, as HPAREF explores how schools and community health providers can work together to help students maintain control of their asthma.
- Project Vision’s Better Vision for Keiki program will receive $30,000 to continue vision, hearing and BMI screenings at high-risk preschool and elementary schools across the state. The organization’s goal is to reduce health disparities through preventive screenings, with more than 5,000 children expected to benefit this year.
- The Hawaii State Department of Education was awarded $25,000 to advocate for an increase in federal funds received by the state for the National School Lunch Program, a USDA meal program providing nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to more than 100,000 children statewide. The DOE, which currently receives less than the national average reimbursement rate to provide meals for students, has an opportunity to rally stakeholders and conduct updated studies to advocate for millions of dollars in additional reimbursement from the USDA.
- Hawaii Youth Services Network (HYSN) will receive $20,000 to fund Project Kealahou, which provides mental health and social support services to young women victims of trauma. Forty service providers will be trained to provide gender-specific support and guidance to help girls heal from trauma, establish healthy relationships and maintain community connections.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has provided total health to the people of Hawaii for more than 50 years, with physicians who are members of the Hawaii Permanente Medical Group, the largest multi-specialty physician group practice in the state of Hawaii. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. Visit kp.org for additional information. Become a fan of good health with Kaiser Permanente Hawaii: Like our page at Facebook.com/KPHawaii and follow @KPHawaii on Twitter.