You are here: Home » Fatherhood Commission » Commission on Fatherhood

Hawaii Commission on Fatherhood

Document Actions

   

2008 Plan of Action

Summary of Accomplishments 2005 and 2006 Plan of Action

Read the latest Hawai`i Dads Newsletters from the Hawai`i Coalition for Dads

See also our Hawai‘i Coalition for Dads website

Fathers and Children

Act 156, Session Laws of Hawaii 2003 indicates that the role of fathers in raising of children and in the health and well-being of families is often unintentionally overlooked and established the State Commission on Fatherhood to promote healthy family relationships between parents and children.

Mission

Brochure you can download

The mission of the Hawaii State Commission on Fatherhood is to promote healthy family relationships between parents and children by emphasizing the important role fathers play in the lives of their children. The Commission serves in an advisory capacity to state agencies and makes recommendations on programs, services, contracts, policies, and laws relating to children and families.

The Commission:

    1. Acts as a central clearinghouse and coordinating body for governmental and nongovernmental activities and information regarding the promotion of healthy fathering practices;
    2. Identifies and promotes promising best practices that support and engage fathers in the emotional and financial support of their children;
    3. Identifies and supports solutions to the obstacles that impede or prevent the involvement of fathers in the lives of their children;
    4. Raises public awareness of the importance of father involvement and the consequences of their absence to children;
    5. Recognizes outstanding fathers and father programs and services
    6. Recommends policies and practices, both within and without state government, that increase and improve services to fathers and which sustain and reengage fathers in their children’s lives;
    7. Promotes, fosters, encourages, and financially supports programs designed to educate and train men who are both current and future fathers in effective parenting skills, behaviors, and attitudes, strategies for overcoming personal challenges, and opportunities to be productive responsible contributors to their family.

^Return to Top

Why Were We Created?

The Hawaii State Commission on Fatherhood was established by Act 156 of the 2003 Hawaii State Legislature. The Legislature noted that nationally there is a renewed understanding of the unique importance of fathers in the lives of their children, families and communities. It cited an increasing body of evidence indicating that children are more likely to thrive with support, guidance, and nurturing from both parents, and that the absence of one parent from a child’s life can place that child at a greater risk of health, emotional, educational, and behavioral problems associated with the child’s development. Since many young men today are themselves fatherless, lack appropriate role models, and/or are in need of information and education regarding the appropriate roles and responsibilities of fathers, the Legislature urged that more attention be made by the public and the state to the needs, issues, and concerns of fathers. The Legislature specifically found that the role of fathers in the raising of children and in the health and well-being of families is often unintentionally overlooked in government and non-profit contracts, programs, and services dealing with children’s health, welfare, and education, and that an ongoing statewide effort should be made to address this. 

In June, 2007, Hawai‘i ACT 190 made the Hawai‘i State Commission on Fatherhood a permanent commission.  The Commission is currently administratively attached to the Department of Human Services but functions autonomously.
 

^Return to Top

Who Are We?

Members

State Commission on Fatherhood:
Greg Farstrup, Chair (Hawai‘i Coalition for Dads);
Marika Ripke, Secretary/Treasurer (Hawaii Kids Count, UH Manoa);
Barrett Awai (Kawaiah‘o Church);
Bernard Carvalho (Office of Community Assistance, Kaua‘i County);
Merton Chinen (Office of Youth Services);
Mike Dias (Alu Like-Hilo);
Dennis Kajikawa (Department. of Education);
Loretta Fuddy (Department of Health);
Myrna Murdoch (Children’s Rights Council of Hawaii);
Henry Oliva (Department of Human Services);
Tom Read (Department of Public Safety);
Russell Suzuki (Department of Attorney General); and
Sylvia Yuen (Center on the Family, UH Manoa).

 To apply to be a Commissioner in the State Commission on Fatherhood and help carry out SCF's mission, please use the Commissioner application form at this link:  http://hawaii.gov/gov/team/boardscommissions/

Committees

In 2005, the Commission conducted a strategic planning process to prioritize and categorize its work for the coming years. Currently, the Commission has four standing committees which are responsible for implementing projects and activities. They are:

    1. Information and Education
    2. Polices and Practices
    3. Public Relations and Promotion
    4. Events and Recognition

Meetings
The Commission has met monthly since all Commissioners were appointed in December 2004. Meetings are open to the public and are generally held the last Tuesday of every month from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm in the Lieutenant Governor’s Conference Room. Please notify the Chair if you wish to attend and to confirm the meeting time and location.

Minutes from past meetings

^Return to Top

Fatherhood Events

Hawaii Fatherhood Conference: Over 200 people attended “Inspiring Fathers”, the 1st Annual Hawaii Fatherhood Conference, on Thursday April 6, 2006 at the Radisson Waikiki Prince Kuhio. The outstanding keynote speaker was George Williams, Executive Director of the Urban Father-Child Partnership in Kansas City. Attendees examined the impact of fathers on child development, discovered exciting Hawai`i programs catered to supporting fathers, discussed strategies for improving the father-friendliness of family service provision, and recognized Hawaii’s Outstanding Father, Saul Kahihikolo, Jr of Lana`i, and Hawaii’s Outstanding Father Program, Nurturing Fathers, of The Institute for Family Enrichment. Registration was only $25, including lunch, thanks to a grant from the Hawai`i Children’s Trust Fund. The conference followed the Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii annual conference on April 5 in the same location.

Inaugural Statewide Hawaii Fatherhood Conference April 6, 2006

We are putting together a survey and will appreciate your taking our Statewide Survey of Fatherhood Issues and Services
Assist the Commission in identifying all the programs and services available statewide for fathers. Please take a few moments to complete this survey and let us know your thoughts on the issues and needs facing fathers and what ought to be done about them.
Link to the survey

^Return to Top

Projects and Activities

Strategic Plan

The Commission spent the first six months of its existence developing action priorities based on its legislative mandate as well as its awareness of numerous issues facing fathers in Hawaii. The Commission invited and heard from advocates regarding pressing social, legal, health, and education issues.  Facilitated planning sessions resulted in the creation of the four standing committees, and the determined priorities have been assigned to the committees for stewardship.

    1. Information and Education – Conduct survey of father services in Hawaii, produce directory of father services in Hawaii (including best fathering practices and best practices for serving fathers), collate research on the impact of father involvement, provide specific fatherhood resources to the statewide Parent Line, develop Commission brochure, develop a speaker’s bureau.
    2. Polices and Practices – Review, respond to, and develop legislation which promotes father involvement; analyze and make recommendations regarding the scope and father-inclusiveness of services within state contracts, services and programs; identify and highlight effective father-friendly employer policies and practices; assist each state agency with development of a strategic plan for improving service delivery to fathers; examine circumstances of bias against fathers and how to remove such obstacles.
    3. Public Relations and Promotion – Initiate public awareness campaign using television and radio, school teleconferencing, syndicated newspaper columns, establish and update website, elicit business support and sponsorship, develop video for hospitals to show to new fathers/parents, implement “Take Your Child to Work Day”
    4. Events and Recognition – Implement annual Parent-Friendly Business Award and Hawaii Fatherhood Conference, present and/or participate in existing events, conferences, and initiatives such as Father’s Day celebrations

Parent-Friendly Business Awards: Presented as part of the annual Children and Youth Month in October and sponsored by the Hawaii State Legislature and the Hawaii Children’s Trust Fund, these awards recognizes both a small and large business which demonstrates special efforts to establish father-friendly workplace policies and benefits, such as: providing information and referrals to community resources; supportive child care options; flexible work hours; job sharing; family leave; and paid time-off for parents to attend to children’s education or health concerns. The 2005 winners were First Hawaiian Bank and Keiki O Ka Aina.

Annual Hawaii Fatherhood Conference (See Fatherhood Events)

Legislation and Policy Initiatives

2006 Legislation Sponsored by the Commission:

SB 2188 (HB2070): amends the membership criteria of the Commission to include a designee of both the Family Court and the Department of Public Safety

SB 2189 (HB 2071): appropriates $122,000 to fund staff positions, operations, and administration of the Commission on Fatherhood
Download Plan of Action (pdf)

2007 Legislation Endorsed by the Commission: The Commission intends to develop its own package of bills it is endorsing for the 2007 session. Please contact the Commission if you wish the Commission to consider particular legislation.

Policy Issues: The Commission will analyze the results of its statewide survey in 2006 in order to develop its recommendations for policy priorities. Some of the issues that have surfaced to date include:

  1. Including POS contract language RFPs which requests specific provision of services to fathers and/or service hour modifications to cater to fathers’ work schedules;
  2. Expanding prevention services for fathers, such as workplace programs, pre-pregnancy and prenatal programs, father support groups and fathering classes (beyond anger management), school-based initiatives, as well as one-on-one mentoring for fathers in the Child Welfare Services system;
  3. Creating a Paternal Health Branch of the Department of Health to focus on the emotional and physical health needs of men and fathers, especially for teen fathers not being served by the schools;
  4. Developing improved paternity establishment procedures;
    Linking child support enforcement to co-parenting schedules and/or increased visitation rights;
  5. Shifting custodial standards to allow more joint custodial arrangements; and
  6. Encouraging workplace policies which encourage father involvement.

Public Awareness Campaign
The Commission is currently seeking funding, media partnerships, and celebrity participation to help spread a positive message about the importance of father involvement. This approach will include television and radio PSAs, billboard promotions, and print media. In addition, the Commission is planning to author columns in newspaper statewide which emphasize fatherhood issues and develop a fatherhood video that can be shown on cable television stations, in the birthing wards of hospitals, and various state agencies and programs.

^Return to Top

Fatherhood Grants

The Commission is pleased to announce funding availability for FY 2007 to support non-profit organizations and schools in implementing strategies and activities which increase father involvement among low-income families. The grants are made possible by the Department of Human Services using federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) funds, and are available to all islands. Fatherhood grant proposals should not exceed $10,000, and the average grant award is likely to be $3,000-$5,000.

Deadline for submission will be posted when the Grant Application is published here.

^Return to Top

Hawaii Fatherhood Programs and Services

Statewide

    • Hawaii Coalition for Dads (PACT) 841-2245 x240,
      Greg Farstrup, Coordinator, hawaiidads@pacthawaii.org
    • The Institute For Family Enrichment (Nurturing Fathers, on Oahu & Hilo)
      (596-8433; www.tiffe.org)

Oahu

    • Navy Fleet & Family Support Center (Boot Camp For New Dads) (473-4222; www.greatlifehawaii.com)
    • The Institute for Family Enrichment (Nurturing Fathers Program) (596-8433; www.tiffe.org)

Maui

    • Maui Economic Opportunity (Head Start; BEST Reintegration Program
      (249-2990; www.meo.org)

Kauai

Hawai'i

    • Kailua-Kona/West Hawaii: West Hawaii Fatherhood Initiative, Family Support Services of West Hawai‘i (334-4153; www.fsswh.org)
    • Hilo/East Hawaii:

Molokai

    • Mediation Center of Moloka`i (553-3844)

^Return to Top

Hawaii Parenting and Educational Programs for Both Parents

Statewide

    • The Baby Hui (parent-facilitated early childhood groups) (735-2484; www.thebabyhui.org)
    • Respite Program (funds for relief from caregiving a child with special needs; 973-9633 for Oahu or 1-800-235-5477 for Neighbor Islands)
    • Healthy Start (home visiting for families from birth to age 3)
        • East Hawaii – Hawa`ii Island YWCA (961-3877)
        • West Hawaii – Family Support Services of West Hawaii (326-7778; www.fsswh.org)
        • Kauai – Child and Family Service (245-5914)
        • Maui/Moloka`i – Maui Family Support Services (242-0900)
        • Leeward Oahu – Child and Family Service (671-5260)
        • Waianae Oahu – Child and Family Service (696-5800)
        • Windward Oahu – PACT (247-4953)
        • North Shore/Queen Emma/East Honolulu Oahu – Catholic Charities (535-0185)
        • Central/West Honolulu/Diamond Head Oahu – PACT (841-2245)
        • Ewa Beach, Oahu – Child and Family Services (681-1555)
    • PARENTS (Confident Parenting Classes) (235-0488)
    • PACT (Family Centers; Hana Like; Family Peace Center) (847-3285; www.pacthawaii.org)
    • The Parent Line (Info & Referral) (526-1222; www.theparentline.org
    • Daycare Resource Connection (www.daycareresource.com/hawaii.html)
    • People Attentive to Children (PATCH)  (839-1988; www.patch-hi.org/families/families.asp)
    • Aloha United Way – 211 Help Line (www.auw.org/211)
    • HPIRC (HI Parental Information & Resource Centers) (841-6177; www.hawaiipirc.org)
    • Keiki Care (support for families of children ages 3-5; 973-1114)
    • Deptartment of Education, Family Support Section, (State Office 733-4476; http://familysupport.k12.hi.us)
    • SPIN (Special Parent Information Network) (586-8126; www.spinhawaii.org)
    • Good Beginnings Alliance (Playgroups) (531-5502; www.goodbeginnings.org)
    • Tutu and Me (traveling preschool for Hawaiian families) (524-7633; www.tutuandme.org)
    • Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center (Hawaiian families) (847-1302; www.qlcc.org)
    • ALU LIKE (home visiting and parenting programs for Hawaiian families) (535-6700; www.alulike.org)
    • Early Head Start Association
    • Head Start Association

Oahu

    • Big Brothers Big Sisters (support for single dads and moms) (521-3811; www.bigshonolulu.org)
    • Kathy’s Parenting Solutions (352-3303)
    • Adult Friends for Youth (parenting education and support for youth/teen mothers and fathers) (833-8775)
    • Castle Wellness Center’s Active Parenting (parenting education) (263-5400; www.castlemed.org)
    • Families for R.E.A.L. (Resources and Early Access to Learning); (parenting education) http://familysupport.k12.hi.us/fam_real.html

- Leeward District:  453-6478

- Windward District: 233-5656

    • UH Family Education Centers of Hawaii at Manoa (parenting education) (956-2249 or 956-2248)
    • Hawaii Parental Information and Resource Center (parenting assistance) (841-6177 or 1-877-994-7472; www.hawaiipirc.org)
    • Kaneohe Family Community Center (parenting education) (Kaneohe area: 235-7747)
    • KPT Family Center (parenting education) (Kalihi area: 841-6177)
    • Neighborhood Place of Central Kalihi (parenting education and support) (Kalihi/Palama/Liliha area: 841-6177)
    • The Institute for Family Enrichment (parenting education) (596-8433; www.tiffe.org)
    • Kaiser Permanente Magical Kingdom of Parenting (parenting education) (383-5438; www.kaiserpermanente.org)
    • Kapiolani Child Protection Center (parenting education, specific to families involved with Child Protective Services) (535-7700)
    • Parent Community Networking Center (parenting education and support) (733-4737; www.parentproject.com)
    • Parents, Inc. (parenting education) (235-0488)
    • People Attentive to Children (child care referral services) (839-1988; www.patchhawaii.org)

Hawai'i

    • Family Support Services of West Hawaii (lists available resources) (334-4104; www.fsswh.org)
    • Kapiolani Child Protection Center (parenting classes for families involved with Child Protective Services) (329-4020)
    • Kealakehe High School Parent-Community Center (parent education and support) (327-4300 x432; www.parentproject.com)
    • Neighborhood Place of Kona (parenting education) (331-8777)
    • Parents, Inc. (parenting education) (934-9552)
    • People Attentive to Children (child care referral services) (Hilo: 961-3169; Kona: 325-3864; www.patchhawaii.org)
    • Personal Parenting and Assessment Services (parenting education) (327-2123; www.personalparenting.com)
    • Turning Point for Families (parenting education) (Hilo: 969-7798 x239 Kona: 326-1607; www.turningpointforfamilies.org)
    • Tutu’s House (parenting and grand-parenting education) (885-6777)
    • YMCA Family Court Visitation Center (parenting education and support) (329-2995)
    • Young Life Parent Project (parenting education) (969-7822; www.parentproject.com)

Kauai

Maui

Moloka'i

    • Hale Ho'okupa'a (parenting education) (553-3231)
    • Na Lei Mamo (parenting education) (553-8116)
    • Personal Parenting and Assessment Services (parenting education) (553-8114; www.personalparenting.com)
    • People Attentive to Children (child care referral services) (800-498-4145; www.patchhawaii.org)

^Return to Top

Home Visiting Services

Oahu

    • Alu Like, Inc (assistance for Native Hawaiian families) (Honolulu: 843-1417; Leeward: 674-8414; Windward: 235-6559)
    • Catholic Charities (assistance with infant care) (Honolulu: 535-0815; North Shore: 637-9559)
    • Child and Family Services’ Healthy Start (assistance with infant parenting) (531-9952)
    • Child and Family Services’ Home Reach (assistance with the parenting of young children) (543-8484)
    • Department of Health (public health nursing) (East Honolulu: 733-9220; West Honolulu: 832-5757; Central: 453-6190; Leeward: 675-0073; Windward: 233-5450)
    • Home Instruction for the Parents of Preschool Youngsters (for families with children who didn’t attend preschool) (235-7747)
    • Honolulu Community Action Program (assistance with parenting preschool age children) (847-2400; www.oahuheadstart.org)
    • Ke Ola Mamo (assistance for Native Hawaiian families) (Honolulu: 845-3388; North Shore: 232-2222; East Oahu: 259-6666; Leeward: 688-1110; Kalihi: 845-4646)
    • Keiki O Ka 'Aina (assistance for families with children who didn’t attend preschool) (845-3454)
    • Parents as Teachers (assistance with infant care) (843-2502)
    • Parents and Children Together, Healthy Start (assistance with infant and child parenting) (West Honolulu: 841-2245; East Honolulu: 988-8150; Windward: 247-4953; East Oahu: 259-0449; North Shore: 293-1241; www.pacthawaii.org)
    • Parents and Children Together, Early Head Start (assistance with infant parenting) (Kalihi: 842-5996; Kahuku: 293-5530; www.pacthawaii.org)

Hawai'i

    • Alu Like, Inc (assistance for Native Hawaiian families) (Waimea: 885-7040; Kona: 329-4801; Hilo: 934-9180)
    • Child and Family Service, Home Reach (assistance for families with infants and young children) (935-2188)
    • Department of Health (public health nursing) (East Hawai'i: 974-6025;  West Hawai'i: 322-1500)
    • Family Support Services of West Hawai’i, Healthy Start (assistance with infant and child parenting) (326-7778)
    • Family Support Services of West Hawai’i, Early Head Start (assistance with infant parenting) (Kona: 334-4134; Waimea: 885-0086 x21)
    • Hawaii Economic Opportunity, Head Start (assistance with parenting young children) (961-2686)
    • Hawai’i Parental Information and Resource Center (assistance with parenting preschool age children) (334-4111; www.hawaiipirc.org)
    • Personal Parenting and Assessment Services (assistance for families with CPS involvement) (327-2123; www.personalparenting.com)
    • YWCA of Hawai’i Island, Healthy Start (assistance with infant and child parenting (961-3877; www.ywcahawaiiisland.org)

Kaua’i

    • Alu Like, Inc (assistance for Native Hawaiian families) (245-8859)
    • Child and Family Service, Healthy Start (assistance with infant and child parenting) (245-5904)
    • Child and Family Service, Head Start (assistance with parenting preschool age children) (245-5914)
    • Child and Family Service, Home Reach (assistance and referrals for parenting infants and young children) (800-816-1222)
    • Department of Health (public health nursing) (241-3387)

Maui

    • Alu Like, Inc (assistance for Native Hawaiian families) (Hana: 248-7521; Wailuku: 244-8849)
    • Child and Family Service, Home Reach (assistance with parenting infants and young children) (877-6888; www.cfs-hawaii.org)
    • Department of Health (public health nursing) (984-8260)
    • Maui Family Support Services, Healthy Start and Early Head Start (assistance with infant and child parenting) (242-0900)
    • Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc, Head Start (assistance with parenting preschool age children) (249-2988; www.meoinc.org)

Moloka'i

    • Alu Like, Inc (assistance for Native Hawaiian families) (553-3284)
    • Department of Health (public health nursing) (553-3663)
    • Hawai'I Parental Information and Resource Center (assistance with parenting preschool age children) (553-3276; www.hawaiipirc.org)
    • Maui Economic Opportunity, Head Start (assistance with preschool age children) (249-2988; www.meoinc.org)
    • Personal Parenting and Assessment Services, Inc, Healthy Start (assistance with parenting infants and young children) (553-8114; www.personalparenting.org)

Lana'i

    • Department of Health (public health nursing) (565-7114)
    • Maui Economic Opportunity, Head Start (assistance with preschool age children) (808-249-2988; www.meoinc.org)
    • Maui Family Support Services, Healthy Start and Early Head Start (assistance and referrals for parenting infants) (565-7484)

^Return to Top

Family Counseling (Statewide)

^Return to Top

Family Law (Statewide)

^Return to Top

Domestic Violence (Statewide)

    • Domestic Violence Legal Hotline (531-3771)
    • Family Peace Center/PACT (832-0855)
    • Developing Options to Violence (CFS: 532-5100)

Health (Statewide)

^Return to Top

Resources and Links

National Organizations

^Return to Top

Contribute

Currently the Hawai`i State Commission on Fatherhood receives no state or federal funding but it is eligible to receive donations. If you wish to support this work to increase services for fathers and bring awareness to the importance of father involvement in their children’s lives, please make your check payable to the Hawaii Department of Human Services, (note “Commission on Fatherhood” in the Memo) and send it to:

Hawaii State Commission on Fatherhood
c/o Henry Oliva, Deputy Director
Department of Human Services
1390 Miller Street, Room 209
Honolulu, HI 96813

Contact Us

For inquiries about the Commission on Fatherhood, please email:  marika@hawaii.edu

^Return to Top

Last modified 09-16-2008 11:49 AM
Info lines:
Public Assistance Announcements
643-1643
Child Abuse Reporting
808-832-5300
Adult Abuse Reporting
808-832-5115
Medical Assistance
Information: 211
Emergency: 911
Public Housing Application
832-5960