|
photo: Honolulu Star-Bulletin, June 2002 |
The Hawai‘i Coalition for Dads (HCD), launched in 1998 under the umbrella of Parents And Children Together (PACT), is a group of individuals and organizations (including ALU LIKE, Good Beginnings Alliance, Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies, Kamehameha Schools’ Extension Education Division, PACT’s Hana Like Hui Makuakane and Head Start, PARENTS, and Pearl Harbor Fleet and Family Support Center) that shares information about services to fathers and promotes involved, nurturing, responsible fatherhood.
Grants from the HMSA Foundation and Hawai‘i Children’s Trust Fund have enabled HCD to employ a coordinator to implement:
1. A Fatherhood Resource Center and Speakers Bureau.
2. Media and special events campaigns.
3. Consultations with agencies to implement more father-inclusive policies and programs.
4. A pilot Nurturing Fathers/Play+Learn project for father-inmates (13-week series at the Waiawa Correctional Facility now carried out by The Institute For Family Enrichment [TIFFE] and the Keiki O Ka ‘Aina Family Learning Centers).
5. The expansion of the Coalition for Dads throughout Hawai‘i.
Since 1998, HCD activities have included: sponsoring community education events like CELEBRATE FATHERS Day at Windward Mall and Pearlridge Center (June) and Dads’ Day at the Capitol; having the Governor and Mayor proclaim June as Fathers’ Month; participating in the New Baby Expos (May) and Children and Youth Day (October); and sponsoring the Hawai‘i Fatherhood Conference (April 2006), Champions for Children and Youth Inspirational Clinic at the UH Stan Sheriff Center (Sept. 2004), and Appreciating Fathers Conference at Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Nov. 2003).
Hawai‘i Coalition for Dads' progressive public policy initiatives include: 1) establishing and Chairing the State Commission on Fatherhood (Act 156-2003); 2) establishing Hawai‘i Legislature awards to recognize businesses with parent-friendly policies (SCR 130-2003); 3) requiring State employers to provide at least four hours per year paid leave for employees for parent-teacher conferences (Act 108-2003); and 4) State legislation that prohibits the preference of one parent above another in the State’s programs, services, and contracts (Act 301-2001 and Act 162-2002). These laws are designed to insure that Hawai‘i fathers are included, not forgotten, in public and private services that government provides to children and families.
Support the Hawai‘i Coalition for Dads
Hawai‘i Coalition for Dads partners, activity volunteers, and contributions are welcomed. For more information, contact Greg Farstrup, Coordinator, 841-2245; HawaiiDads@pacthawaii.org
|
Hawai‘i Coalition for Dads/PACT Contact
1485 Linapuni St. #105
Honolulu, Hawai`i 96819
Phone: 841-2245
Email: HawaiiDads@pacthawaii.org
|
|
