Keiki Central FAQ
Overview
Finding and accessing resources for children prenatal to five can be difficult.
Information is in a variety of resource guides, on different websites, provided by
various organizations, posted on fences and advertised on grass medians. If a child
is not enrolled in an early childhood program or a family does not speak English,
access to resources can be even more difficult.
The Equitable Access to Programs and Services Team of the Early Childhood Action
Strategy is developing plans for early childhood virtual, physical and mobile hubs to
increase access to resources.
Virtual/Online Hub: In partnership with the Aloha United Way 211 Program, Keiki
Central is being created where families and providers can go to get information on
early childhood programs and services. Tabs will include:
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Health
Safety
Education
Childcare
Money/Assistance
Special Needs
Crisis
Calendar
Forms
Seasonal highlights
Information will be organized by zip code with links attached and the early
childhood portal will be GPS supported. An accompanying application is being
developed for smartphones and tablets. Access to the extended 211 resources list
will also be provided.
The virtual hub should be launched by Fall 2015.
Keiki Central Overview 03.19.15
Physical Hubs: Many organizations around the state serve informally as a “onestop-shops” for families to get information on local resources. We plan to identify
who the natural “Keiki Connectors” are in each community and provide trainings to
all Keiki Connectors to ensure consistency and alignment. Some organizations will
have resources available on-site. Others will serve only as information and referral
organizations. “Keiki Connectors” will be our “faces” of the virtual hub.
Mobile Hubs: We know that access to resources is especially difficult in certain
areas of the state where either services aren’t available or transportation barriers
prevent families from getting the supports they need. We are working to partner
with existing mobile services and train their personnel to be “Keiki Connectors”,
supplying them with the information they will need to support the families they
serve.
Governance:
Aloha United Way is taking the lead on the Virtual Hub, working closely with the
Early Childhood Action Strategy Access Team. We are currently developing the
process to identify cost, implementation and monitoring of the Keiki Connector
trainings.
Keiki Central Overview 03.19.15