The Community Children’s Councils serve children and families — including those with disabilities and mental health needs — through collaborative partnerships. Fully supported collaborative partnerships require equal participation and shared responsibilities of families, local providers, community stakeholders and representatives.

ABOUT

One of the key partnerships in the development of a full array of services to special needs children and their families, the Community Children’s Councils are led by volunteer parent and professional co-chairs from their community. The collective vision goes beyond implementation of special needs services to provide local forums statewide for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect issues for the benefit of all children, families and communities. The goals are to:

• Provide a focus of strong family participation in planning and decision-making.
• Provide a vehicle for community-wide involvement.
• Collaboratively create a shared vision for an integrated system of care.
• Implement ongoing community needs assessments and strategic planning process.
• Participate in quality assurance and improvement in the development of the system of care.

There are 17 Community Children’s Councils (PDF) in Hawaiʻi that usually meet monthly. Common activities include parent support groups, workshops and informational meetings, with conferences and special events offered throughout the year.

The councils are supported by an office that provides technical and administrative support, including information gathering and dissemination, logistical assistance for conferences and workshops, training in leadership and facilitation, and providing technical assistance and support. For contact information and meeting links, visit the Community Childrenʻs Council website.

Fa'afeso'ota'i

Ph: 808-305-0696
imeli
Community Childrenʻs Council Upega tafa'ilagi

Punaoa

• HIDOE Community Children’s Councils Informational Brief – April 2023 (PDF)
• Special Parent Information Network: Hawaiʻi 
• Ta'ita'i i Manaoga Fa'apitoa & Ausia o Hawai'i 
• Fono Faufautua mo Aoga Faapitoa 
• Network of Care 
• LD Online 
• Pacer Center 
• CHADD — Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder 
• Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) 
• International Dyslexia Association