New statewide First 5 Hawaiʻi website launches eligibility screener for families

Hawaiʻi Executive Office on Early Learning — in partnership with Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network — announces the official rollout of the statewide online resource platform First 5 Hawaiʻi.

The website is dedicated to supporting families with young children from birth through age 5 years old and designed to help Hawaiʻi families quickly find and connect with essential programs and services for early learning, health care, nutrition, parenting support, special needs resources, housing assistance and more.

Families throughout the islands can now quickly and easily learn which state and federal programs they might qualify for by visiting the First 5 Hawaiʻi website.

Parents and caregivers answer a short set of questions, and within minutes receive a personalized list of programs and resources with eligibility for their ʻohana, including food assistance, health coverage, preschool options, developmental screenings and housing resources.

First 5 Hawaiʻi simplifies the process of finding support, helping families spend less time searching and more time focusing on their keiki.

“Our keiki deserve every chance to grow up healthy, safe and supported,” said Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network Program Manager Gwen Whiting in an announcement about the new website’s launch. “First 5 Hawaiʻi was created to make it easier for families to find the services they need when they need them most. By bringing these resources together on one platform, we hope to reduce barriers and strengthen families across Hawaiʻi.”

The site features:

• Early learning: Easy access to free pre-kindergarten programs, Head Start and Early Head Start programs as well as child care cost assistance.
• Health and safety: Information about health coverage programs such as Med-QUEST and Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, to ensure children’s well-being.
• Food and nutrition: Connections to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP and still commonly referred to as food stamps; and school meal programs.
• Parenting and family support: Guidance on parenting resources, home visits and housing support.
• Special needs and early intervention: Free developmental screenings and early intervention support services.

Users can also explore resources organized by child age group — 0-1 years, 1-2 years, 2-3 years, 3-4 years and 4-5 years — making it simple for families to locate age-appropriate services.