A National Imperative: Joining Forces to Strengthen Human Services in America (Jan 2018)

CASE STUDY: INTEGRATED SERVICES AND EXTENDED FAMILIES IN HAWAII

‘Ohana Nui. That’s Hawaiian for “big family” or “extended family.” For Hawaii’s Department of Human Services , it’s also a guiding mantra. The Department’s ‘Ohana Nui initiative, adapted from the Aspen Institute’s two-generation framework, aims to address the entire family’s needs when providing services and supports. The initiative responds to research demonstrating that the well-being of parents and their children are highly interrelated; improving the lives of parents has a marked positive impact on their children, while ensuring the success of children serves as a powerful motivator for parents. ‘Ohana Nui places the family at the center of the system, looking to provide services and supports for all family members in concert. The result is better outcomes for the whole family. Responding to the collective needs of parents and children has required the development of integrated approaches to service delivery. DHS is working with human services CBO partners to create programs and processes that address a multitude of needs under one roof. The Family Assistance Center, for example, brings various CBOs in Hawaii together to provide both temporary shelter and longer-term housing services, federal benefits enrollment support, food and nutrition services, legal aid, educational programs, and a variety of other services and supports. CBOs in Hawaii have begun to incorporate ‘Ohana Nui principles into their programs, tracking the impact of integrated, holistic service delivery on both individuals and families. In the future, DHS hopes to align legislative budget requests with the ‘Ohana Nui framework. The goal is to be able to specify how funding will lead to improved well‑being, independence, and prosperity for Hawaii’s families. The ultimate impact on these families will be monitored and evaluated over time.

| 61