Strengthening Keiki Mental Health through Community
Two Hawai‘i nonprofits are expanding access to care and grounding it in culture
More than one in four children in Hawai‘i under the age of five experience adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that can impact their mental health and development. These early challenges, compounded by systemic barriers to care, highlight an urgent need for accessible, culturally responsive support. To address this critical gap, the Hawai‘i Island Community Health Center and Papa Ola Lōkahi, supported by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s (HCF) Promising Minds initiative, are creating innovative programs that promote resilience and well-being for children and families across the state.
Expanding Access to Developmental Screenings on Hawai‘i Island
In 2023, the Hawai‘i Island Community Health Center, which serves some of the most remote and under-resourced districts in the state, introduced a groundbreaking shift in preventative care through the expansion of their early childhood screenings. By integrating the nationally-recognized Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) into well-child exams, the health center created more opportunities for early detection of developmental delays in children under the age of five. Before this initiative, families had only two opportunities for developmental screenings before kindergarten. With the ASQ integrated into the well-child exam clinical workflow, families now have access to up to 14 screenings, greatly increasing the chances of identifying concerns early and connecting families to vital services.
Families now receive timely support during critical developmental windows, reducing wait times for referrals. Hawai‘i Island Community Health Center’s care teams proactively identify developmental challenges and connect families to the appropriate behavioral health services and resources, creating a system that prioritizes early intervention.
Grounding Mental Health Support in Culture
Papa Ola Lōkahi, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of Native Hawaiians, is a strong example of how culturally grounded care can transform mental health services. Through a Promising Minds grant in 2023, Papa Ola Lōkahi engaged three Native Hawaiian Health System partners— Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi on Hawai‘i Island, Hui No Ke Ola Pono on Maui, and Nā Puʻuwai on Moloka‘i—to launch initiatives that integrate infant and early childhood mental health into their work in unique and impactful ways:
- Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi hosted a five-week Healthy Hāpai Program, addressing topics such as the transition from pregnancy to parenting, managing stress, postpartum depression, and the benefits of culturally relevant nutrition and breastfeeding.
- Hui No Ke Ola Pono conducted a series of workshops to deepen cultural and clinical understanding, focusing on supporting expecting parents with an emphasis on infant mental health.
- Nā Pu'uwai launched an ʻOhana Meal Kit pilot program to distribute free meal kits to keiki and pregnant individuals, aiming to strengthen family bonds through shared meal preparation and to promote healthy lifestyle changes.
The ripple effects of these efforts are far-reaching. Hawai‘i Island Community Health Center’s developmental screenings are paving the way for stronger pathways to early detection, reducing the long-term impact of developmental delays. Papa Ola Lōkahi’s culturally rooted programs are not only improving mental health outcomes for keiki but also deepening connections between families and their cultural heritage.
Organizations like Hawai‘i Island Community Health Center and Papa Ola Lōkahi embody the Promising Minds vision of a trauma-informed, culturally responsive system of care. Their ongoing commitment ensures that Hawai‘i’s youngest keiki and their families will continue to benefit from accessible, meaningful support, creating a foundation for resilience and well-being for generations to come.
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