The statewide Promising Minds Provider survey gathered insights from more than 300 pediatric, primary care, and mental health providers caring for children ages zero through five. Through this effort, we were able to collect critical data on the current state of mental health services for young keiki in Hawai‘i and gaps in care. 

Trauma-Informed Care: A Request for Your Support

Consider legislation that promotes trauma-informed practices across state agencies and service providers; and reduces re-traumatization by protecting against dynamics that may replicate trauma.

Advocate for policies that strengthen holistic well-being, disrupt collective and intergenerational cycles of harm, prevent and heal trauma, and build resiliency for Hawai'i's people from infancy and early childhood through adulthood.

Support funding for research on trauma and effective trauma-informed interventions.

Version 2.1, Updated February 2025

This Integrated Infant and Early Childhood Behavioral Health (IECBH) Plan proposes to integrate child and family mental health and trauma-informed care into our health and early care and learning systems throughout Hawaiʻi. This integration will create an intentionally aligned child and family-serving system that promotes school readiness and family success. This plan outlines a way to move forward with shared goals and actions progressing over multiple years. It provides a path for organizations and individuals to collectively work towards creating equitable systems of care that reduce racial and socioeconomic disparities, ultimately ensuring that all children succeed in school and life.

Thanks to substantial support from Hawai‘i County Government, the Stupski Foundation and The Omidyar Group, the Pāhoa Promise is expanding or launching a wide range of initiatives to support the development and kindergarten readiness of young keiki in Pāhoa.

The Waimānalo Early Education ‘Upena brings together health care providers, family support services, school leaders, early childhood educators, and families and community members to create strong pathways for all keiki to reach kindergarten healthy, safe and ready to thrive. The ‘Upena is building a collective response to community identified priorities.