Funded by the Rev. Takie Okumura Family Fund, the 2025-2027 Supporting Healthy Development of Young Children Funding Opportunity will support organizations that provide direct services to Hawaiʻi’s most vulnerable young children (ages 0-5) and their families to ensure equitable access to nurturing environments and resources and promote healthy development, well-being, and long-term success for young children in Hawaiʻi.

The primary focus of this program is to support the healthy development of young children (ages 0-5). Applications should align with one or more of the following focus areas:

1. Family Strengthening

• Build parental resilience and support parenting education.
• Promote social connections and create support networks for families.
• Strengthen knowledge of parenting and child development.
• Provide concrete support in times of need.
• Foster social and emotional competence in children.

2. Mental Health Support

• Provide mental health services aligned with infant early childhood mental and behavioral health, especially in areas with limited access.
• Engage mental health professionals in innovative ways to support young children and families to aid the healthy development of young children.

3. Combating ACEs with Positive Childhood Experiences

• Create environments that reduce the impact of ACEs and encourage positive interactions for young children.

Priority Populations

This program seeks to support Hawaiʻi’s most vulnerable young children and their families. This includes young children and families who are

• experiencing housing insecurities such as homelessness/houselessness, high housing burdens, or severe housing problems (overcrowding, high housing costs, lack of kitchen, or lack of plumbing facilities)
• experiencing food insecurities
• living in rural or remote communities as identified through the provision of key data
• considered high-risk populations as identified through the provision of key data

Organizations or programs with a fiscal sponsor can submit one application requesting up to $20,000 per year for a two-year period starting May 2025.

Funding Opportunity

Application Deadline: February 28, 2025, at 4:00pm HST