Hawaiʻi’s initiative around the Infant and Early Childhood Behavioral Health (IECBH) Plan concluded its 5th year with a final implementation report published by the IECBH Plan Advisory Team. 

ECAS has been engaged in a comprehensive assessment of Network efforts, capacity and priorities. The current period of transition has created an opportunity to clarify ECAS’s purpose and strengthen the organization for its next chapter as we adjust to changing conditions and an evolving early childhood landscape.

ECAS team conveners and backbone staff have developed a revised conceptual framework to guide our next phase. Our revised framework has been informed by the BUILD Initiative’s model of a comprehensive and equitable early childhood system.

This year, the Kaʻū Community-Centered Partnership (CCP) reached an inspiring milestone, one shaped by the collective voices, knowledge, and aloha of community. 

Community-Centered Partnerships (CCP) represent a fundamental departure from traditional, top-down models of giving.

Over the next five years, Chaminade University will develop and validate a culturally responsive post-baccalaureate certificate in Early Intervention

A Hawaiʻi coalition comprised of local food and ECE systems partners was awarded the opportunity to participate in FARMWISE (2024-2026).

The Statewide Breastfeeding Workgroup (BFWG) deepened collaboration with historic partners like Breastfeeding Hawaiʻi to address breastfeeding support needs identified by WIC staff.

The Community Innovation Program supports community-led maternal health improvements by investing in locally generated knowledge, leadership, and solutions.

By continuing to shift the awareness to family voices and lived experience, we hope to move the narrative and culture of systems change in Hawai‘i, in a positive direction.

The ECAS Policy Team and the Commit to Keiki Steering Committee built a diverse agenda for the 2025 Legislative Session. The end of Session is the time to celebrate wins, discuss challenges and identify opportunities.

On behalf of the ECAS backbone staff, we wanted to send out some words of encouragement during these very trying times that are inevitably impacting all of us and those that we support.

The Child Care Provider Survey is designed to collect data on the expenses needed to sustain services, as well as any and all revenue sources that support child care services.

Carefully twisting many fibers will create a strong and cohesive cordage to support Hawai‘i’s youngest keiki. The IECBH convening of cross-sector leaders was an opportunity to champion systems-level strategies and there is great interest to keep this momentum going.

The CLSD Wahiawa Collaborative provides coaching for teachers and families to improve pre-literacy skills.

Improved access to lactation consultation reduces inequities in health care access and improves outcomes for children and families.

Hawai`i Zero to Three Court helps children and families facing trauma and toxic stress.

Network partners are bringing their collective wisdom and shared experience to the project of understanding the ecosystem of support for keiki and ‘ohana across Hawai`i. Click here for the Systems Learning Blog.

Family Hui Hawai`i (FHH) has guided language and literacy development programming in the Wahiawa community on O`ahu as part of Hawai`i’s Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant, in collaboration with Read to Me International and the ECAS network’s Words Matter strategy. 

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is an important federally funded program that increases access to nutritious, well-balanced meals for keiki in child care settings. ECE providers are partners in increasing food access and nutrition security and ensuring that our youngest keiki and their families can thrive.