Kids Day
What is Parents and Children Together?
| • | PACT helped troubled mother kick drugs, regain children |
Advertiser Staff
Parents and Children Together (PACT) is a private, nonprofit family service agency that began at Kuhio Park Terrace as one of the nation's 36 Parent Child Centers in 1968. It has grown into a statewide agency with 15 programs to help children and families cope with and conquer their problems.
PACT receives money from a variety of county, state and federal sources as well as individuals, corporations, foundations and community organizations, including Aloha United Way.
Kids Day began in Hawai'i 11 years ago. It is a partnership between The Honolulu Advertiser, the state Department of Education, the Hawai'i Association of Independent Schools and PACT. Proceeds from the sale of the newspaper today will benefit projects to help Hawai'i's children.
Among PACT programs are:
• Early childhood education: Early Head Start and Ko'olauloa Head Start offer education and support for low-income parents and their infants and toddlers.
• Hana Like home visitor program: Teams of home visitors work closely with high-risk expectant parents and parents of infants and toddlers. Hana Like also has a program to help fathers prepare for and understand their roles in the family.
• Family visitation centers: A safe and neutral setting is provided for supervised visits between parents and children who are involved with Child Protective Services.
• Respite care: Trained specialists and volunteers provide a break from childcare responsibilities for parents who are under stress.
• Domestic violence: A variety of programs counsel individuals and families and protecting victims.
• Mental health support: Child and adolescent mental health programs are offered for families.
• Community building and economic development: Family centers provide educational and vocational training, counseling on career development and job placement. Savings and home-ownership programs help families achieve the dream of a stable home.
