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FACES OF PACT
Newsletter of Parents And Children Together |
SUMMER 2005
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It’s hard to believe, but summer 2005 is almost over! My how time flies when we’re getting things done!
There’s so much to talk about… so many achievements, events, and developments that deciding where to start is a challenge in itself. Suffice to say all of us at PACT, the people and the communities we serve, all have a lot to be proud of!
Kids Day is our most visible event, helping to put PACT in the news and minds of everyone in the community of Hawaii. Each year Kids Day’s popularity seems to grow, and 2005 was no exception. This year we saw more celebrities, volunteers, and office teams jump in to help us as “newboys,” selling the special Kids day edition island-wide.
Project Focus debuted featuring the work of some very talented kids – all members of our very own Teen Program at Kuhio Park Terrace. The event is ongoing, and something none of you should miss!
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Dayana Rocha, a development specialist from our Early Head Start program has been named as a Head Start Fellow in Washington D.C. Dayana is the first PACT staffer to be so honored.
As part of an ongoing feature (mentioned in our previous newsletter) each issue will showcase the new cover artwork from two of PACT’s program brochures. This time we highlight our Hana Like Home Visitor Program and the Ohia- Domestic Violence Shelter:
The Hana Like Home Visitor Program, a member of Hawaii’s Healthy Start Network, aims to prevent child-abuse and neglect by strengthening “at risk” families. Home Visitor teams work closely with expectant parents as well as parents of infants and toddlers to promote optimal child development, provide parenting education, emotional support, and links to resources. Hana Like also implemented Hui Makuakane, a fathering program, and houses the Hawaii Coalition for Dads, both of which support fathers and foster their positive role in the family. Hana Like has Home Visitor teams in West Honolulu, Windward Oahu, and the Diamond Head area
Our Ohia- Domestic Violence Shelter offers a safe and confidential place for women and their children who can no longer stay in their homes because of domestic violence. Crisis response is available 24/7. Trained staff assist women with their safety and future planning, and make referrals for housing, legal, and medical needs. We have long had a presence on the Windward side, but are happy to announce that after many trials and tribulations we have finally moved into our beautiful new location there which will better serve those in need of Ohia’s services. |
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Mother and child in our Hana like program on an outing at the Honolulu zoo. |
After the devastation
of a lava flow, the Ohia is one of the first plants that appear. It’s a delicate plant yet is able to survive the harshest of climates and conditions. “Ohia” is our metaphor for the women and children who come to us for safety. |
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 Message from the president:
Early Head Start/Head Start PRISM review raving! |
Early Childhood Education
Early Head Start/Head Start
Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention
& Treatment
CPS Visitation Centers
Hana Like Home Visitor Program
Lanai Integrated Services
Respite Program
Domestic Violence Prevention
& Treatment
Family Peace Center
Maui Family Peace Program
Family Visitation Centers
Maui Family Visitation Centers
Kauai Family Visitation Center
Ohia- Domestic Violence Shelter
Puuhonua
Mental Health Support
Intensive Support Services Program
Kauai Multi Systemic Therapy Program
Maui Multi Systemic Therapy Program
Community Building
& Economic Development
Community Teen Program
Economic Development Center
Family Centers
Board of Directors:
Phillip Deaver, Chair
Lui Faleafine, Jr., Vice-Chair
Valerie Sylvester, Secretary
Lowell Kalapa, Treasurer
Cappy Fasi
Carolann Guy
Frank Haines
Kevin H. Imanaka
Fernanda Jarra
Wendy Willers Lagareta
John Langan
Eileen Lota
Dana Nottage
David Shibata
Ron Teves
Kimberly Yatomi
Ruthann Quitiquit, President & CEO
Haaheo Mansfield, Vice President of Programs
Kathy Tirrell, Vice President of Operations
Norma Spierings, Faces of PACT Editor
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In the previous issue I spoke about how proud we were that PACT received glowing reviews and full accreditation from COA (Council on Accreditation.) This time I have equally good news to share about our Early Head Start/Head Start programs – they passed PRISM (Program Review Instrument for Systems Monitoring) with flying colors too!
At PACT it’s our goal to not just do a good job, but to perform an excellent one. COA and PRISM reviews are valuable tools for an organization such as ours. Not only do they prove that we are adhering to an exacting set of standards, but they are a third-party endorsement of all the good work we do. Their findings are something we should all be proud of.
The Head Start act mandates that each Head Start grantee receive a full on-site monitoring review (PRISM ) at least once every three years. PACT’s on-site monitoring was conducted during the month of March 2005.
Following are comments from the PRISM Review Team:
• The Early Head Start/Head Start Program has an outstanding and inclusive disabilities program. Services included speech and physical therapy in the centers, enabling the children to remain in the classroom for the receipt of all services.
• Although Standards require at least 10% enrollment of special needs children, PACT’s special needs enrollment is 28% which demonstrates a commitment to identifying and serving special needs children.
• 100% of Individual Family Service Plans completed within the 45 day requirement.
• PACT has developed extensive community partnerships which have allowed the Program to develop an array of services for children and families to include free dental screenings and comprehensive mental health services for children in the program.
• PACT has developed an impressive medical tracking system that the reviewers have not seen in any other Early Head Start/Head Start Program in the country.
• We applaud the approved translation of behavior and early development screening tools (ASQ and ASQ-SE) into Chuukese and Marshallese.
• Ethnically diverse and multi-lingual staff represent the ethnic populations of the families served in the program.
• Out of the 178 Head Start Standards, the program had findings in only 3 minor areas.
It is our on-going partnerships with our consumers, our community partners, our funders, and our employees that allows PACT to develop and operate outstanding programs and is such an integral part of our mission and vision.
I encourage all of you to learn more about our Early Head Start/Head Start program. More information on Head Start, and all the PACT programs, can be found on our website (www.pacthawaii.org).
And finally if you missed it on KHON 2 news; Dayana Rocha, our Disabilities Specialist at Early Head Start/Head Start, has been selected to serve as a Head Start Fellow and will now be on the other end of the PRISM review. We are very proud to have Dayana represent Hawaii and share her experience and knowledge of Hawaii as a Head Start Fellow in Washington D.C and we look forward to having her back with us in Hawaii one year from now. Good Luck Dayana!
Mahalo Nui Loa,
Ruthann Quitiquit
President & CEO
| Welcome to PACT: |
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Hana Like Program Program Director
Julie falicki |
Head Start Fellow
Washington D.C.
Dayana Rocha |
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| Congrats |
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Family Center introduces Pilot Program.
Stage one graduates Julia Agresor and Lucy Mefy |
The WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program is a pilot program to encourage breastfeeding in low-income families. WIC cites a multitude of benefits from breastfeeding including: Stronger mother-infant bonding; proven decreases in child abuse and neglect; optimal brain developments in infants; and time & money savings when compared to formula feeding.
PACT’s Family Center recruits and trains experienced WIC breastfeeding mothers in the Kuhio Park Terrace area to serve as peer-counselors to other women in their community. New mothers share a special "mother to mother" bond with WIC Counselors, learning more about infant nurturing than just breastfeeding techniques. The trainees learn basic anatomy & physiology relating to breastfeeding, infant development, telephone skills, interviewing, counseling, documentation, and how to work as a team with local health clinic staff. Trainee’s knowledge and skills learned are being applied as they ‘get their feet wet’ counseling new mothers at the KKV (Kokua Kalihi Valley) clinic while under practicum supervision.
Lucy Mefy, Sanya Pedro, and Margaret Edgar will be the first graduates of the WIC Breastfeeding Counselor Program – between them they are estimated to have 10 years of breastfeeding experience! These avid breastfeeding mothers are bound to have a positive influence on their community and we are proud to be a part of such an important ‘first’ in Hawaii. |
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| Three PACT teens accepted into Iolani |
Three scholars, participants of our Community Teen Program, Evelynn Iosua (entering 8th grade and the “cover girl” on the Teen Program brochure), Georgette Lopes-Liutolo (entering 8th grade), and Keenan Hoohuli (entering 9th grade), have all been accepted into Iolani on scholarships!
Cheryl Johnson (Community Teen Program Director) was beaming with pride when she announced to all of us that three of her teens made it into Iolani. “No” she said, “not just accepted into Iolani, but Evelynn and Georgette will receive full scholarships (including books and meals), and Keenan received a half scholarship from the school as well as a scholarship from Palama Settlement making up the difference!” “Many mahalos also have to go out to Greg Andrasick --an Iolani alumni and Teen Program staff member—for his hard work helping the families complete the applications, coaching the kids for their interviews, and all the follow-up. Community Teen Program staff are proud of these teen’s exceptional achievements, and will be on hand throughout the year to help and guide them throughout their tenure at Iolani.” Congrats to all! |
PACT’s EDC
(Economic Development Program) spearheads unique recycling program. |
Leave it to Cathy Eber (EDC’s Program Director) to think out of the box and find innovative ways of funding her program! In partnership with Charitable Ventures Inc. (CVI) EDC is embarking on a new and exciting way to raise funds by redeeming mass quantities of beverage containers under the Beverage Container Deposit Law.
Cathy took it upon herself to approach various restaurants and businesses, and asked them to donate their beverage containers. Working with CVI who created a reliable and efficient collection system that provides collection bins, frequent pick ups and tax donations for the businesses involved Cathy was able to motivate/convince various businesses to go into recycling partnership with EDC? This is truly a win-win situation for all involved -- including Hawaii -- since less trash will go to our landfills.
This example of entrepeneurship goes hand in hand with the EDC mission of assisting low-income participants with job placement and business start ups. A special mahalo goes out to the following participating businesses: |
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PARTICIPANTS
3660 On the Rise
Akasaka
Angelo Pietro
Banditos Cantina
Caches
California Beach
Rock N' Sushi
Compadres
Bar & Grill
Dave and Busters
Dixie Grill
Hula's
Koolau Golf Course
Ryan's Grill
Waikiki Trade Center
Wave Waikiki
Zanzabar Night Club
This example of entrepeneurship goes hand in hand with the EDC mission of assisting low-income participants with job placement and business start ups. A special mahalo goes out to the following participating businesses:
EDC staff: Jesse,
Cherie, Celeste, Cathy and Maria. |
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| PACT opened the doors to our new Family Center facility on the Kaneohe side. Please visit them at: 46-028 Kawa Street, Suite A10 in Kaneohe. |
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Kaneohe Family Center staff: Christina, Holland, Jennifer, Serena, Mariko, Shani, Jolene, Sunshine, Leilani and Gordon, and Kahu Walt Keale.
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| Sina, Fenumiai, Paul, Evelynn, Pio, Sione, Salote, Jasmine, Shauntell and Donette. |
ProjectFocus “Doorways”
Wow! We’re all still on cloud nine after an amazing opening party for “Project Doorways” at Dole Cannery!
Professional photographers Laurie Breeden Callies and Lisa Uesugi approached our Community Teen Program with the novel concept of providing teens with cameras and asking them to document someone important in their lives.
14 teens were selected and each was presented with a HOLGA medium-format camera. After training, they were each given a photojournalistic assignment -- to take 12 photographs of someone special in their lives and write a brief description of what that person meant to them.
Laurie and Lisa took portraits of each of the 14 teens and their work was unveiled alongside those of the teens at a photographic exhibit at Dole Cannery. The exhibit runs through September 25 and is truly a moving experience. It should not be missed.
The exhibit was only the tip of the iceberg. The entire process leading up to the event has been rewarding and full of emotion for everyone involved. Please visit the website www.projectfocushawaii.org to get a deeper insight into this remarkable event.
Our teens became instant celebrities with newspaper and TV-interviews, and were recognized for all their hard work and achievements. Thank you Lisa and Laurie for making this experience so incredible for all of us! |
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| KIDS DAY |
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Mahalo to all the volunteers, sponsors and supporters for being such an important part of Kids Day 2005! All of us at Parents And Children Together truly appreciate your help in promoting the event and being out there in the trenches with us! Your contribution was instrumental in making Kids day 2005 such an overwhelming success!
This year more than 1,100 volunteers donated their time to PACT by selling newspapers, on Kids Day! This year a record number of local celebrities from TV and radio, the coaching staff from the UH, the Mayor and Governor, even entire offices, turned out to help raise an astounding $40,000 in newspaper sales alone to support the 13 family-service programs PACT operates in Hawaii.
Big Mahalos also go out to the sponsors of the various gift certificates (prize packages for our 24 Kids Day contest winners) Network Media and Lui Faleafine, and to Compadres for donating the use of their restaurant, cooks & staff, and the ono food at the annual Kids Day team leaders kick-off brunch. Bank of Hawaii (special insert) and AIG (Kids Day aprons) contributed $9,000 in sponsorship. |
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PACT
We would like to thank the Weinberg Foundation for their generous grant of $20,000 part of the Weinberg Foundation Homelessness Special Funding through the Aloha United Way Special Assistance Grant Funds. The Servco Foundation once again donated $3,000 through the Aloha United Way Campaign. Suzanne Nakoa donated $100, Diane Arnodo and Sharon Shigemasa donated $50 each, and Lori Komer from Leahi Swim School and Katherine O’Reilly both donated $25. Mahalo to Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Anderson for their donation of 52 Aloha Soccer Cup admission tickets.
Community Teen Program
We would like to thank Mr. Joseph Nicolai and the Castiglione A. Casauria Foundation for their generous grant of $5,000, Elliot Loden and the Adler Holy Land Trust for their donation of $3,000, the James & Sally Zukerkorn Foundation for their donation of $2,000 and Dave Chun and Honolulu Ford for their donation of $500 to the Community Teen Karate Program. Thank you to Judge Mark Browning presiding Judge of the Juvenile Drug Court for his continuing support. We would like to thank the following ProjectFocus “Doorways” sponsors: Castle & Cooke Homes Hawaii, Island Screen Inc, Long & Associates, AIA, the James & Sally Zukerkorn Foundation, Carmen Nitahara and Heidi Snow. We would like to thank the Hawaii Theatre Center for donating 20 tickets. |
Hana Like Home Visitor Program
Thank you to Carole Kai Charities for their donation of $2,000 to the Hawaii Coalition for Dads through the Great Aloha Run. Thank you to Wal-Mart and Walter Lott for their donation of $100.
Intensive Support Services
Thank you Mary Ann Field for your donation of $200, Jim Hallet for your donation of $105, and Elene Smith who donated $50.
Puuhonua
Received $100 from Calvin & Iris Sakai.. Mahalo!
Ohia Shelter
A big Mahalo goes out to the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation. They allocated $360,000 to support the purchase of the Ohia Shelter on the Windward side of Oahu. Mahalo to the Emergency Food & Shelter Program –Honolulu City & County Local Board for their award of $10,500. And we would like to thank the Church Parishioners of the Church Christ Uniting for their generous donation of $496.33.
Family Visitation Centers
Thank you to the Barbara Thompson Trust for donating $25.
Family Centers
We would like to thank the Emergency Food & Shelter Program –Honolulu City & County Local Board for their award of $1,750. And Eduardo Moreno and HMAA for their donation of five computers and other software. |
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PACT Parents And Children Together
A Family Service Agency
1485 Linapuni St., Suite 105
Honolulu, HI 968
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| © PACT Parents And Children Together |
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