By Judith Lyon
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Statistical "Issues" Profile |
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Per capita income for Hawaiian residents in 2000 |
Kauai: $17,903 Maui: $18,946 |
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Children ages 0-17 in families with income below the poverty level in Hawaii in 1995: |
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People living below the federal poverty level in Hawaii in 1997: |
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Incidence of child abuse in 1999 |
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Mothers without prenatal care in 1997/1999 |
Hawaii County: 24.0% By communities in West Hawaii: Ka’u: 30.3% South Kona: 19.1% North Kona: 14.9% Honokaa: 28.3% Kohala: 26.0% |
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Teens, age 15-17, giving birth in 1997/1999 |
By communities in West Hawaii: Ka’u: 9.0% South Kona: 6.7% North Kona: 4.8% Honokaa: 3.8% Kohala: 5.1% |
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Teen drinking by state and county in 2000: |
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Teen marijuana use by state and county in 2000: |
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Child death rate, age 1-14, in 1997: |
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Percent of adults who see children and families as priority concerns: 45% |
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Number of domestic violence protective orders filed in 2000 by State and Island: |
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Unduplicated, confirmed reports of child abuse and neglect in 1999: |
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Each April social service organizations throughout West Hawaii come together to collaborate on a public information campaign on child abuse and neglect. Associated with a national campaign to increase awareness about the plight of children throughout America, our local campaign is designed to inform our community about child abuse and neglect within West Hawaii, as well as to encourage the elimination of such treatment of children through education.The most recent statistics on child abuse from the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Services, once again indicates that there is a rise in investigated and confirmed reports of maltreatment of children statewide. In 1996 there were approximately 4500 child abuse and neglect investigations in Hawaii. By 2002 that number rose to approximately 6500. During the same years, confirmed reports of child abuse grew from 2500 in 1996 to nearly 4000 in 2002.
During fiscal year 2002, Child Welfare Services handled 6,317 active cases representing 13,367 children statewide. This is a 30% increase in caseloads over the past 7 years. In addition, investigations increased by 32% and confirmed reports increased by 32% between 1996 and 2002.
Child abuse and neglect happens for many reasons. On the Big Island substance abuse, predominantly crystal methamphetamine (ICE), plays a large role in the maltreatment of children either through neglect or actual physical abuse. Social workers, and other authorities, are reporting that ICE users are generally “unconcerned” when their children are removed from their homes. Such reactions by parents appears to be distinctly ICE related and is not commonly observed when parents are using other drugs. However, alcohol, and other drugs, are also cited as major factors for child maltreatment.
Domestic, family violence is a key factor for child abuse. Usually occurring between adults, family violence often spills over and upon children and sets the stage for future acts of violence by the same children when they grow up. To a lesser degree, mental illness is also credited for abuse and neglect of children.
The following statistics from the Center on the Family at the University of Hawaii at Manoa are the most recent statistics on families in Hawaii. Poverty is known to heighten risks for substance abuse and, therefore, also has an impact on child abuse. The following statistics give a profile of issues impacting Hawaii, with an emphasis, where appropriate, on the west side of the Big Island of Hawaii. (Percentages are based on population of children age 0-19 for the area and year(s) noted. See uhfamily.hawaii.edu, data center for further information.)
Viewpoint
by Donad Bebee, Executive Director
How can child abuse and neglect occur in a culture and a society that so reveres our children? As you can tell from the statistics and articles in this newsletter, it is happening here – on our beautiful island of Hawaii. There are many different causes of child abuse and neglect but there must be ways to stop this from happening!
My basic belief is that it will take a community response to decrease the rate of child abuse and neglect in West Hawaii. Our community must speak up and say this is not acceptable behavior! But our community must also provide the assistance our families need to refrain from the behaviors that lead to this cycle of violence. And while we condemn the behavior associated with child abuse and neglect, we must also be accepting enough of the person to offer our help.
The child welfare services community plays a key role in helping prevent child abuse and neglect. At FSSWH, we seek out collaborations with other child and family services groups to accomplish our goals. We focus on prevention/intervention and coordinate direct services to families with other groups. The Child Welfare Services Advisory Group, the Citizen Review Panel, Hui Lau Lima, and the Community Response to ICE – all these groups share our goal to improve services and systems that promote healthy families in our communities.
Each year in April we join the Neighborhood Place, the Children’s Justice Center, University of the Nations, Department of Education, Chamber of Commerce, Na Leo‘O Hawaii, and many, many others, to work together to produce a public information campaign on the prevention of child abuse and neglect. We attempt to raise the public’s awareness of the problem and to promote healthy families on our island. We do this in the spirit of collaboration, joining hands with many other concerned citizens to get our message across. It is this type of public/private, service provider/citizen, business/non-profit partnership that must be forged with the determination to carry it out all year long, for as long as it takes, to end child abuse and neglect in our communities.
At FSSWH, we try to achieve a balance between educating the public about the problem of child abuse and neglect with a more positive message to celebrate family life! Our keiki are very special and we all can make sure they receive the attention, love, and respect they deserve. You have a part to play in accomplishing this. Come join us!!
Risk Factors for Child Abuse and Neglect
By Michael Kramer & Mariah Dodd
Research has shown a strong connection between parents’ inability to cope with life stressors, their own childhood history and child abuse and neglect. Through an interview process in the hospital, it is possible to assess the parents’ perception of the new baby, to sense their level of bonding, and to understand how they believe the baby will affect their lives. Families who are uncertain about how to make ends meet, who may lack the education or work experience to gain jobs that pay sufficient wages, or who are in inadequate or overcrowded housing may feel overwhelmed with their situation. Many have never experienced a nurturing parent themselves and have nothing to pattern their parenting behaviors with. Some come from homes where domestic violence, drug abuse and corporal punishment were a part of their everyday life as a child. New mothers who have had little or no prenatal care, particularly if the baby was not planned, are particularly at risk as this is a potential sign of neglect. They are often unprepared for the reality of raising a child. Similarly, mothers who are isolated without the fathers’ consistent involvement, who lack access to transportation, and lack respite from constant baby care may not have the support they require to be consistently nurturing parents.
Another major factor is the relationship between the mother and father, whether they are in a committed relationship, whether they planned for the baby, how they share parenting responsibilities, and how they resolve their differences. A non-biological father in the home can also be a factor, as the bonding with the new baby is often not present.
Parents may also not understand child development, and may set unrealistic expectations about baby’s crying, understanding, or abilities. This can result in impatience and unnecessary punishment when the child doesn’t fulfill the expected behaviors. These reactions often stem from the ways in which these parents were raised themselves, which is why Healthy Start asks parents about their own upbringing, paying particular attention to nurturing role models, discipline techniques, stability of the home environment, and possible violence, substance, or sexual abuse they may have witnessed or experienced. We also try to understand the plans parents may have for disciplining their baby, as acceptance of yelling or hitting as a form of discipline can escalate very easily into possible abuse.
At Healthy Start, we identify these life stressors in order to see who might benefit from our services. Through our child development information, regular developmental screening, parent support groups, community resources, and short-term counseling, we focus on positive parent-child relationships, healthy child development, and enhancing family functioning so that parents have the knowledge and support systems they need to cope with their lives and love their children. And it works – Healthy Start has a 12 year track record of preventing child abuse and neglect for the families we are involved with throughout West Hawai`i.
Prevention Education Helps Families
by Eve Naia
“Kako’o Na Makua”/All Parents Stand Together is a parent education program that promotes healthy family relationships by increasing awareness and availability of parenting education opportunities for West Hawaii parents. The program provides a Parent Education Calendar for the West Hawaii community and provides parenting information on Family Support Services of West Hawaii’s Website. The Calendar is an expanding, rich resource of diverse support groups, classes, and workshops for parents and child caregivers from Kohala to Ka’u.
Youth Development welcomes new class listings from instructors or workshop facilitators for the Parent Education Calendar. We are also interested in increasing the accessibility and availability of relevant parenting education options for West Hawaii’s childcare providers. Please contact Eve Naia, the P.E.A.C.E. Coordinator, at 334-4178 or enaia@fsswh.org, to be added to the calendar’s mailing list or to list a parent education program in the calendar.
Youth Development coordinates an additional parent support program, “Ka Hoolei Keiki”/ Community Embracing Families, for first time parents delivering their babies in the Kona Hospital. Volunteers greet first time parents who wish to receive a home visit to share gift baskets, child development information, the Parent Education Calendar and “Aloha” with the new families.
Volunteers are invited to join the “Ka Hoolei Keiki”/ Community Embracing Families program to help welcome these first time parents and their new babies. Volunteers can provide a link between first time parents and the support groups, classes and community resources available to them. FSSWH recognizes that all new parents benefit from support and that all members of the West Hawaii community are connected to raising our children.
“Ka Hoolei Keiki”/Community Embracing Families is currently seeking donations for new parent “Welcome Baskets.” Organizations and individuals with new baskets and basket items suitable for greeting new babies and parents are encouraged to contact the Youth Development Division.
Please join us in this important work!
Discipline or Punishment
by Andrea Rosally
Many parents model their method of discipline in the same way they were disciplined growing up. They do not know there is another way for kids to be taught to change behaviors other than through hitting, spanking, and verbal confrontation.
Of course, coping with children that have difficult behaviors is challenging. Children in the foster care system often have increasingly difficult behavioral challenges as a result of the trauma they have endured through abuse, neglect, and/or removal from the home. There are ways to discipline even the most challenging child.
Foster parents and/or adoptive parents of former foster children in need of support to cope with the challenges of disciplining their children can get assistance and support through the Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Coordinator at Family Support Services of West Hawaii. The primary contact person is Bev Collins who can be reached at 334-4131.
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WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE |
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| DISCIPLINE | PUNISHMENT |
| Parents instill children | Imposed on children |
| Can be used to prevent problems from occurring | Deals with problems after they occur |
| Builds self-control and self-responsibility | Places responsibility for change with the person who has the power to control the child's behavior |
| Offers structure and guidance | Imposes sanctions and enforemcnet |
| Teaches the right way to solve or prevent problems | It may stop the wrong behavior, but does not teach the right behavior |
| Encourages kids to be capable and responsible for making decisions | Prevents children from learning to make their own decisions |
| Encourages the desired behavior | May reinforce unacceptable behavior if misbehaving is the only way to get parental attention |
| Is intended to protect and nurture children | Uses the causes emotional and physical pain |
| May help children feel better about themselves as they grow confident of their ability to meet their needs responsibly | May reinforce poor self-esteem |
| Teaches children to rely on inner, "self" controls | Indicates that responsible behavior is expected ONLY when authority figures are present |
| Promotes a positive, cooperative, relationship between child and adult | Increases avoidance and fear |
Thiebaut’s Tea for Tots!
It was a perfect afternoon for ladies and gentlemen of every age – for the price of admission and the donation of a stuffed animal! Chef Thiebaut regaled his visitors with chats about tea time and the promise of another “Tea for Tots” next Holiday Season. Thank you, Chef Daniel Thiebaut!
New Position! New Staff!
Catherine will be assisting division directors and their staff in the ongoing continuous quality improvement activities that take place in all programs. “Examples of continuous quality improvement activities that FSSWH programs currently engage in,” she explained, “include long-term and short-term strategic planning, community needs assessment, pro-active program planning based on identified needs in the community, staff evaluation of programs and work environment, consumer evaluation of quality and effectiveness of services, outcomes assessment (the big picture impact of each programs' work) and safety and risk assessment.”
The Quality Improvement position is new to FSSWH and seen as vitally important to present and future operations. From all of us at FSSWH, welcome aboard, Catherine!
Appreciation Expressed for Kindness Given
he months have flown by since last November and our 3rd presentation of An Old Hawaii Night. What a successful event it was, netting close to $55,000.00 in unrestricted funds for our families!!
If you’ve never attended An Old Hawaii Night, mark your calendars for November 2004. This event offers silent and live auctions, sparkling entertainment and the luscious food and ambiance found only at the Outrigger Waikoloa Beach. It’s an elegant evening of good hearted fun!
And, it takes a crew of hundreds to produce An Old Hawaii Night. This year’s Event Chairman, Gabriella Cooper, and Event Coordinator, Susan Welton, worked tirelessly to create a flawless evening enjoyed by everyone in attendance. We admire and appreciate their hard work, as well as the work of their dedicated committee members. A special thank you goes to Gabriella Cooper, Susan Welton, Mavis Hirata, Carol Greenwell, Cynda Unger, Jasmine Locatelli, Lorraine Highkin, Debbie Wirsing, Sherry Bracken, Alex Dosher, Mary Hand, Cyndi Nespor, Gail Hutchinson, JoAnn Farnsworth, Carol Young and Cynnie Salley!
This year we saw more monetary support than ever from important businesses in our community. To our Major Sponsors we proclaim a huge mahalo! Our community is a healthier place because of Bank of Hawaii, Hualalai at Historic Ka’upulehu, Clark Realty, Hokulia Oceanside 1250, Outrigger Waikoloa Beach and First Hawaiian Bank.
Numerous other businesses and organizations made generous gifts to the event. Our Business Donors: Kona Outdoor Circle, Aloha Airlines, Island Slice Tennis Co., Outrigger Hotels, Hula Heaven, Jameson’s By The Sea, Kona Frame Shop, FairWind Cruises, Colors of Hawaii, Kahakai Elementary PTSA, Waimea Instant Printing, Ocean Sports, McCandless Ranch, Horizon Guest House, Aloha Plus Storage & Packaging, Colette’s Custom Framing, Holualoa Foundation for the Arts, Waikoloa Village Golf Course, Kahn Galleries, Indochine, Kona Village Resort, Cater Hawaii, Oodles of Noodles, Koa Shed, Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at Hualalai, Malia Distinctive Clothing & Accessories, Antiques, Art & ?, Seaside Art Gallery & Artist Studio, Kathryn’s of Kona, and Aloha Plus Storage & Packaging, In To Spirit! Thank you so much for all you do for us!
Since the major fun of the evening comes from the curious array of auction items donated to us, we’d be remiss if we didn’t say thank you to the many kind donors that helped make this auction special! Our Auction Donors: Mahalo Penny Gupton, our “artist of the year,” who created & donated the artwork we used! Plus extra Thank You’s to a long list of remarkable, generous people: Carol & Peter Greenwell, JoAnn Farnsworth, Richard Emery, Rosemary Miller, Cynnie & Ray Salley, Betty Dunford, Ligea Painter, Jayne & Jerry Bockus, Valley & Phil Reilly, Gwen & Evan Olins, Martha Greenwell, Peter Underwood, Jimmy Greenwell, Marvin Devereux, Roy Nagle, Bill Prange, Fred Duerr, Jasmine & Peter Locatelli, Terry Salter, Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Fujino, Alban Buking, Steve & Allen Wilcox, Brad Adams, Carol Young, Lisa Greenwell, Lynn Capell, Darrell Hill, Veto Vittorino, Mindy & Puhi Dant, Clem Classen, John O’Gara, Rudy Ebernate, Alex Cameron, Rita Sawyer, Jean Souza, Susan Murphy, Lacey Pfeiffer, Cindi Nespor, Al & Jane Sieverts, Jenny Pontz, June Kerr, Peggy Chesnut, Craig Hill, Lisa Fowler, Kathy Peters, John & Kathryn Fitzgibbons, Anne Irene Wilcox, Fred Dozier, Keith & Cynda Unger, Wanda Perez, John Frietas, Judy Jennett, Colette Walton, John Mauro, Shayne Meyer, Amy Ferguson Ota, Jeff Martin, Martin Kahn, Keith Emmons, and Brad Adams.
Last but not least, our heartfelt appreciation goes out to all our volunteers! Without you, An Old Hawaii Night would be impossible to produce! You were there for us, and we thank you! Our Event Volunteers: Walter Bacxa, Doreen Kaluhimoku, JoAnn Bishop-Freed, Bernie Centeio, Joan Kinchak, Adele & Fred Bahl, Carla Vesperas, Sue Tessien, Gwen Olins, Freeda Kelin, Vie DeLaCruz, Vicki Miller, Sandy Kurtzman, Polly Beyonne, Nancy Osako, Barbara Zacchini, Liz Morriss, Huellyn Whitford, Lani Owen, Ken Misunaga, Marlana Simpson, Rochelle Cushnie, Sandy Weinrich, Diana Ancog, Wendy Pritiken, Sandy Weinrich, Barb Zacchni, Debbie Bairos, Jayne Bockus, Lynn Reynolds, Thelma Tayamen, Kalani Tayamen, Jordan Selsa, Tara Lynn Lucky, Jasmine Angeleo, Amy Angeleo, Lois Christescu, Margery Erway, Debbie Wirsing, Victor & Vickie Yadon, Connie Templin, Sherry Bracken, Janet Crossley, Shanti Devi, Mavis Hirata, Cynda Unger, Carol Young, Marian Alfaro-Monroy, Keith Unger, Bill Cliff, Walter Welton, Arnie & Diane Beckenhauer, Elsie Yim & Jerry Tracy! And to all the Unnamed People who are there for us, always, we Thank You!
A very, very special thank you goes to our good friends at Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union for their ongoing fundraising efforts on our behalf. Their "Market Days" fundraiser, held at each of their branches last October, brought in over $6500.00! Their customers, and other visitors, enjoyed shopping for fresh produce and a wonderful assortment of unique, hand-made items! The HCFCU has promised to support FSSWH for three whole years – and this first year’s success is a blessing! Mahalo!
We’re pleased, once again, to thank the US Marine Corps and HELCO for the “Toys for Tots” campaign that assured every child had a present for the Holidays. Mahalo for this ongoing, important campaign! We also wish to thank Montessori School and Walmart for their generous donation of beautiful Christmas trees. These were a delightful surprise for many families!
In addition to these fine donations, many organizations came out to help us provide for others. We received donations from the Girl Scouts, the Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority, the University of the Nations, Ocean Sports, Kona Natural Foods, West Hawaii Mobile Physical Therapy, Worldmark by Trendwest, the Kona United Methodist Women’s Group and the Board of Realtors! The Chamber of Commerce also made a grand donation of toys from their “After Hours” gathering at Huggo’s! Special thanks, too, to Claire Muchin & John Wheeler for the donation of over 50 stuffed animals and to Chad Campbell for the donation of 25 pair of Converse Tennis Shoes!