Good Beginnings Kaua`i Council
Kaua`i Good Beginnings Community Council is a voluntary council of parents, early childhood providers, and community groups established to work together for quality early childhood education and care for Kaua`i's families with children, from birth to five years.Vision
- Our shared resources are fairly, equally, and easily gathered and distributed on an ongoing basis meeting the needs of our children and families.
- Quality Human/Brain Development classes will be given by well-trained instructors to all students before graduation and offered to present parents assuring understanding of early development, and the importance of bonding, and acquisition of communication skills while recognizing this education is a life-long process.
- Our families will know that they are supported throughout the community and will find that support of value and accessible to all.
- Policy makers will understand the importance of early childhood and brain development and will make decisions supporting children and families based on that knowledge.
- Children will have the best opportunities possible for healthy and enriching growth and development in a loving, supportive, safe environment where the entire community is always working collaborative to better that support.
- Our early childhood teachers, directors, and care givers will be well-trained in child development and will collaborate with colleagues to provide stimulating environments for all keiki.
How Does Good Beginnings Help Parents and Communities?
By Supporting:
- Play + Learns Groups.
- Safe, healthy, high quality early care and education.
- Nurturing and trained caregivers in centers and homes.
- Staying informed about activities and information for families.
By Providing:
- Child development technical assistance and information.
- Neighboring networking opportunities.
- Opportunities to participate in the community.
Everyone plays a role in the development of a child:
- A parent, grandparent, uncle, auntie, relative, foster parent or guardian.
- A caregiver, teacher, doctor, police officers, social worker, or concerned professional.
- A community member, concerned advocate, business owner, neighborhood association member or faith community member.
By participating in Kaua`i Good Beginnings you can:
- Learn more about child development.
- Share and encourage others to understand the importance of the first five years of a child’s. life and early brain development.
- Provide support and direction for your community.
- Learn about new initiatives statewide and nationally.
Community Council Committees:
The Community Council Committees meet on the odd months throughout the year.
- Assuring Quality Programs and Services
- Public Education and Engagement
Makua Keiki (Parent & Child):
A community-based family strengthening program aimed at prevention of child abuse and neglect among children of incarcerated parents
Component 1:
Play and Learn Group provides a setting for the parents to apply their developing parental knowledge and skills while connecting with their children.
- Develop and maintain positive quality relationship between incarcerated parent and child.
- Support the social and emotional development of young children.
- Increase access to resources to support development, reading, and learning.
Component 2:
Parent Education is a guidance training workshop that incorporates information, sharing interactive activities, reflection and discussion.
- Develop skills and better understanding of their role as their children’s first teacher.
- Understand the basics of child development of their young children.
- Participate in the process of self-reflection and parenting to effectively nurture children.
Component 3:
Caregivers support group is a safe place for caregivers to express concerns and successes in providing caretaking services to children with parents awaiting pre-sentenced or incarcerated, and to increase social support networks.
- Develop skills to cope with the stresses of incarceration and its impact on young children and families.
- Develop skills and understanding of their role as their children’s first teacher.
- Understand the basics of child development and how to support the healthy growth and development of their young children.
Kaua`i Partnerships: Kaua`i Community Correctional Center
Kaua`i Adult Probation Office, Kaua`i Intake Service Center, Good Beginnings Alliance, Child & Family Services, Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center, and Public School Social Worker.
For additional information call the Kaua`i Good Beginnings Resource Center 632-2114.
Presented in partnership by Good Beginnings Alliance, Kaua`i Good Beginnings, The Institute for Family Enrichment (TIFFE), and many caring donors from our community.
Community Calendar
Monthly Meetings:
- The Kaua`i Good Beginnings Community Council meets on the even months throughout the year.
- The Kaua`i Good Beginnings Community Council Committees meet on the odd months throughout the year.
Funders:
- Hawai`i Community Foundation (Anne Knudsen Fund)
- The Institute for Family Enrichment (TIFFE)
- Kapa`a Rotary
- Kaua`i County
- Department of Health, Maternal & Child Health Program
- Young Brothers
For more information, please contact:
Anna Peters, Kaua`i County Coordinator at
Kaua`i Good Beginnings
3105 Akahi Street
Lihue, HI 96766
Phone: 632-2114
Fax: 632-2118
