LIHU‘E, Kauai — The county Department of Parks and Recreation and state Department of Education have scheduled a joint open house for program providers who are interested in operating Furlough Friday programs for elementary school students at their respective facilities.

The open house will be held on Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Lihu‘e Civic Center, Meeting Room 2A-B, where the Planning Commission meets, a county press release states.

Pertinent information regarding the use of county and state facilities will be provided, and county and DOE representatives will be available to answer questions.

“This is a difficult time for all of us and my heart is heavy for all who will be impacted by the upcoming furloughs especially the students, teachers, parents and administrators,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. in the release. “To facilitate this situation, the county is partnering with the DOE to provide facilities for quality and enriching childcare for our keiki on furlough days.”

Bill Arakaki, Kaua‘i Complex Area School Superintendent agreed, saying in the release that, “The Department of Education is pleased to work with the county, community organizations and private providers in supporting the children and families of Kaua’i during these challenging times.”

Kaua‘i County Councilman Derek Kawakami, who has been in discussion with the administration and private agencies interested in providing programs, spoke on the importance of providing activities for the island’s children.

“The recent action to furlough public educators has presented some daunting challenges, but the keiki are our number one resource, and taking care of them is a top priority,” said Kawakami in the release. “I am happy to see the administration, the county, and the public and private non-profit sector stepping up to the plate and looking at ways to create opportunity to address the problem at hand.”

Interested program providers will need to fill out applications and provide the following information including: 501(c)3 verification; program description; program restrictions; cost per child; ages and number of children that can be accommodated; ratio of child to adult; ability to accommodate children with disabilities; geographic area to be served; and contact name, phone number and e-mail address.

Priority processing will be given to programs which can be up and running on Friday, Oct. 23, the first scheduled furlough day.