Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) – Official Site

EHS and HS are federally-funded programs providing comprehensive health, education and family support and family engagement services and resources to income-eligible children, as well as children who are homeless or in the foster care system. EHS serves pregnant women, infants and toddlers and their families. HS serves preschool children and their families. Part-day programs are offered at no cost to families, and full-day programs are offered at affordable rates. Children with special needs are given priority in the Head Start/Early Head Start program.

The Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) offers Hawai’i’s first state funded pre-kindergarten program at no-cost to families who meet eligibility requirements. The program provides high-quality early learning experiences for students in the year prior to kindergarten eligibility. In order to qualify, children who must be 4 years of age on or before July 31st of the school year. Priority is given to those who are considered “at-risk” or “underserved.” Applications are accepted year-round. See website for the listing of all schools.

In 2014, the Hawai’i State Public Charter School Commission applied for the U.S. Department of Education Preschool Development Grant. Hawai’i was one of 18 states awarded this opportunity. This grant allows Hawai’i to continue to build on statewide efforts to support Hawai’i’s early childhood system. Each participating school can serve 20 eligible pre-kindergarten students in each class. See website for the listing of all schools.

A child, ages 3 to 22, who is identified with a disability and demonstrates a need for specially designed instruction can receive special education. Special education is specially designed instruction and can include, but is not limited to, academic services, speech-language services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, counseling services, and parent education.

Children with Special Health Needs Branch (CSHNB) is working to assure that all children and youth with special health care needs (CSHCN) will reach optimal health, growth, and development, by improving access to a coordinated system of family-centered health care services and improving outcomes, through systems development, assessment, assurance, education, collaborative partnerships, and family support.

Services are provided to infants and toddlers below three years of age who have a developmental delay or are at biological risk (for example: have a diagnosis or condition with a high probability of resulting in developmental delays) and their families. A child is evaluated to determine eligibility for services. Service providers support families through coaching and strategies to help their child in all areas of development within the child’s daily routines and activities.