Hawai`i Zero to Three Court
Hawai`i Zero to Three Court helps children and families facing trauma and toxic stress
A recent release from Commit to Keiki suggests that some 600 keiki under age 5 are victims of child abuse or neglect each year in Hawai‘i.
Half of these keiki will be placed with resource (foster care) families while their parents work to address the issues that led to their removal. Half of children exiting foster care (51%) in Hawai‘i are reunified with their families, and another 21% of children leaving foster care will be left in the care of relatives or guardians.
For families with children younger than three, one pathway to reunification is by working with the Hawaii Zero To Three Court (HZTT), part of the First Circuit Family Court. HZTT Court is designed to help families with young children address the many difficult and complex issues in their lives that contributed to their children’s removal. These reasons might include parental substance abuse (in 30% of cases), mental health issues, homelessness (5%), or incarceration (4%).
The goal of HZTT Court is “expeditious permanency.” In other words, to find a safe, secure, and lasting home for children as quickly as possible.
Susan Kim, Program Manager for the HZTT Court, explains that many parents working with the HZTT Court come with their own (extensive) histories of trauma. Many of these families have a difficult time affording food, clothing or shelter; and many are dealing with substance use issues. Truly addressing the complicated issues that these families face can be a long-term process.
HZTT Court works with a broad set of partners to strengthen family wellbeing.
These partners include Family Hui Hawai‘i (FHH), which hosts virtual Parent Cafés and monthly in-person visits on court days. As Johanna Nielsen of Family Hui Hawai‘i explains, the Parent Cafés are a safe space for parents to gather online to learn about the Protective Factors that can help their families to thrive. Parents share and reflect about their life and parenting experiences, and often look towards the future with hope. Families also join a monthly lunchtime gathering by HZTT, offering a space for parents to be together with their children in a safe and comfortable environment. FHH staff present an activity kit to parents every month to encourage play based interactions and learning at home or during visitations as a way to engage parents in fun and positive ways with their children.
Many of these parents have experienced high levels of trauma. They themselves may have been victims of abuse.
“HZTT Court is a safe and welcoming space where parents and their children can be together, where parents can interact with others who can empathize with their situation, and where they can learn about community resources.”
Dr. Shelly Tokunaga-May of Aloha at Home, who has participated in HZTT Court days.
The good news is that Zero to Three Court is making a real and positive difference in the lives of these children and families.
A University of Hawai‘i evaluation of HZTT Court finds that families who participate in HZTT Court are:
Better able to access the services they need
Less likely to experience recidivism
More likely to have stronger family team meetings (allowing parents to have more time with their children)
More likely to develop stronger relationships within the family support team (led by the family, and including social workers, parents’ lawyers, and resource caregivers)
Parents are less likely to use drugs and alcohol
Children spend less time in foster care
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