FROM JUDITH'S DESK
Bullying is a big concern for children and youth in Hawaii and across the United States and Pacific Islands. According to the 2013 CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 43% of Honolulu County’s middle school students reported being a victim of bullying on school property and 61% felt that bullying and harassment was an issue in their school. For the past 8 years, bullying prevention has been one of the top priorities at the Children and Youth Summit at the State Capitol.
HYSN has listened and is addressing this important issue. We have conducted more than 10 bullying prevention workshops in Hawaii and the Northern Mariana Islands over the past 5 years. We are working with the Honolulu County Department of Parks and Recreation to establish a comprehensive bullying prevention initiative. And we have begun work on a culturally appropriate bullying prevention video that will become available to youth workers and teachers this summer.
And, of course, we are not alone in this effort. Mental Health America has developed a bullying prevention curriculum and conducted training of trainers statewide. The Keiki Caucus of the Hawaii Legislature has introduced legislation. Hawaii Families as Allies and Searider Productions have produced anti-bullying PSAs. Kukui Grove Shopping Center on Kauai sponsored an anti-bullying rally hosted by comedian Augie T. Just a few of the many ways that Hawaii’s youth and adults are working together to prevent bullying.
In February, the Public School System in Saipan celebrated bullying prevention week with special activities on each day. Monday was “thank you” day, in which everyone was encouraged to use the word thank you throughout the day and every day. On Wednesday, students expressed their culture by wearing a special outfit. And on Friday, at each school, students and staff waved signs on the side of the roads, telling drivers to honk if they were against bullying. I joined the sign waving celebration and had a great time – especially when the ambulance, the police, and the large tour buses joined the honking.
As the children in Saipan chanted, Be a Buddy, Not a Bully!
RESOURCES
The Hawaiʻi Youth Services Directory (HYSD) and the Hawaiʻi Afterschool Alliance (HAA) paired up last summer to innovate ways for youth-serving professionals, parents, and youth, to locate necessary resources for our state's children, youth, and young adults.
They recently released an interactive map of youth-serving programs contained in the 808YOUTH online directory. The map also locates public, charter, and private schools, as well as public libraries. This map allows us to visually see where schools, public libraries, and youth programs are across the islands. This map is accessible from any device—computer, smart phone, or tablet.
If you would like more information concerning the Hawaiʻi Youth Resources Map, please call the HYSD at (808) 956-9974 or email youthdir@hawaii.edu
8th ANNUAL YMCA HEALTHY KIDS DAY
Saturday, April 9, 2016
9 AM – 2 PM
Bishop Museum
Bring the whole family and enjoy a FREE fun day learning how to get healthy and fit in mind, spirit and body at the 8th Annual YMCA Healthy Kids Day, Saturday, April 9, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the Bishop Museum.
Admission is free for Kama‘aina and military families with a valid ID and also includes free entry into the Bishop Museum’s Hawaiian Hall and Pacific Hall exhibits, Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center and Watumull Planetarium.
The event features food, prize giveaways and more than 30 exhibitors highlighting the importance of physical activity, healthy lifestyle choices, environmental conservation, active play and learning through fun, engaging and creative activities. New this year will be a variety of outdoor environmental organizations offering information on how youth and families can get outdoors for recreation, to learn about nature through exploration and have opportunities to protect and enhance our local natural spaces through volunteer services.
Attendees may pre-register for the event online at www.ymcahonolulu.org to save time and easy entry or register onsite when they arrive for the event. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. Doors open at 9 a.m. Free parking is available at the Bishop Museum, Kapalama Elementary School and Farrington High School.
For more information about YMCA Healthy Kids Day, call 531-YMCA (9622) or visit www.ymcahonolulu.org.
WWW.INFOABOUTKIDS.ORG WEBSITE
The Consortium for Science-Based Information on Children, Youth and Families announced the launch of their new web-based resource center: www.infoaboutkids.org. The website promotes healthy child and family development by highlighting science-based information for those who care for, or work with, children. The site provides links to other well-established, trustworthy websites for parents, other caregivers, educators, and health professionals. Monthly blogs will summarize science-based information on timely topics. The site will be updated quarterly.
Please click on the About Us tab for further information about who they are and their vetting process. Please also note the opportunity on the home page to suggest additional sites for the quarterly review or blog topics and to provide feedback on the site.
3RD ANNUAL RALLY FOR [RESPECT]
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Please join Honolulu Theatre for Youth and The Sex Abuse Treatment Center for the 3rd Annual Rally for [respect]. This program is sponsored by the Hawai‘i Department of Health, Maternal and Child Health Branch.
This year there will be new workshops and more opportunities for high school students to build a culture of [respect] in Hawai‘i! Workshops start at 4:00pm. Rally starts at 7:00pm. FREE FOOD for workshop participants.
When: Thursday, April 28, 2016 from 4 – 8:30 PM
Where: Tenney Theatre at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew
229 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu, HI 96813
Space is limited – sign up today! For more information and to register, please visit respectrally2016.eventbrite.com
EPILEPSY AWARENESS PROGRAM AVAILABLE
The Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii (EFH) is the only non-profit organization in Hawaii serving the 15,000 individuals in the state living with epilepsy and their families. Epilepsy is the 4th most common neurological condition after migraines, stroke and Alzheimer's disease.The incidence of epilepsy is higher in keiki under the age of 15 and older adults. About 200,000 children in the United States under the age of 15 are diagnosed with epilepsy each year. Children living with epilepsy may experience isolation and low self-esteem due to fear of having a seizure in a social setting.
EFH wants to dispel the many myths about epilepsy and provide the most up-to-date educational information about epilepsy and seizure first-aid. In order to bring awareness to this common neurological condition, EFH is providing free one-hour presentations about epilepsy awareness and seizure first-aid to schools, businesses, and community organizations throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
If your school, business, or organization could benefit from this educational session, please contact Kathleen Stofocik at the Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii at 808-528-3058 or email her at kathleen@epilepsyhawaii.org. EFH is currently placing priority to schools, businesses and organizations on Kauai, Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Hawaii Island to provide the presentation through July 2016.
STUDIO E ART THERAPY SESSIONS AVAILABLE
The Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii will be offering Group Art Therapy Sessions called Studio E beginning in May for Children aged 14 and younger. I have attached a logo as well as the informational flyer. It is Free to all youth who have a diagnosis of epilepsy.
- Group Art Therapy - Studio E - is a unique way for people living with epilepsy to socialize others and open up honestly about the daily challenges of living with epilepsy in a trusting and expressive environment.
- Over 2 million people in the US have epilepsy but stigma leads to lack of understanding and connection and Studio E gives an opportunity for individuals to increase their self-confidence in their abilities.
- It is Free to all youth who have a diagnosis of epilepsy.
- For more information about Studio E and to register for the upcoming session go to our website http://www.epilepsyhawaii.org
The Children's Studio E
When: Saturdays at 9:00 AM
May 7, May 14, May 21, May 28, June 4, June 11
Who: Children aged 14 and younger
Where: EFH Offices at Ward Warehouse
*Minimum commitment of 4 sessions*
RSVP: 808-528-3058
HAWAII AFTERSCHOOL ALLIANCE ANNUAL SUMMIT 2016
Afterschool programs for a positive future
This annual summit will focus on afterschool programs for a positive future with breakout sessions, keynote speakers, networking opportunities and much more. Hawaii Youth Resources Map will be presented and the Hawaii Afterschool Quality Guidelines will be discussed
Tuesday, April 26,
8:00 am – 3:30 pm
Hawaii Convention Center
$40 registration fee by April 5, $45 on-site registration fee
Breakfast and lunch included
Click https://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1828442 to register online.
NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH AWARENESS EVENT
Once every minute, a child somewhere in America is abused. The most upsetting, is how often abuse is witnessed and ignored! April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month! Parents And Children Together (PACT) along with community partners and volunteers will be dressed in BLUE along Tamarind Park sign waving to bring awareness to Child Abuse and Neglect. Taking place on Friday, April 8, 2016 from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Everyone who cares about our keiki is asked to join on this day to bring awareness to this cause.
In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Ward Village and Howard Hughes Corporation will show their support and bring awareness by lighting up the Ward Village Information Center, located in Kakaako blue on Friday, April 8, 2016.
Call PACT at (808) 847-3285 to sign up or for more information.
NATIONAL RUNAWAY SAFELINE HOME FREE PROGRAM
The Family and Youth Services Bureau is pleased to announce that the National Runaway Safeline (NRS), FYSB’s federally mandated national communication system for runaway and homeless youth, has expanded service eligibility for the Home Free program to include victims of sex and labor trafficking and to extend eligibility through age 21.
Since first launching Home Free in 1995, NRS has helped more than 15,000 young people reunify with their families or find another safe living arrangement. An ongoing partnership with Greyhound Lines, Inc. ensures that qualifying youth receive a free bus ticket to get home safely. Trained hotline volunteers also provide youth with trauma-sensitive, solutions-focused guidance before and after their return.
If you have any questions, please call the NRS hotline at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) and ask to speak to a crisis services supervisor.
TRAINING
THREE-PART STORYTELLING WEBINAR TRAINING
April 19, 2016 at 11:00-12:30pm HST Webinar I: What is a Story and How Does It Work
Register at: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/or3m8slug696&eom
April 26, 2016 at 11:00-12:30pm HST Webinar 2: Working on Your Story
Register at: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/qs6ziiqt3o3e&eom
May 3, 2016 at 11:00-12:30pm HST Webinar 3: Enriching and Posting Your Story
Register at: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/i2ktr1xqa62f&eom
| Time: | 11:00-12:30pm |
| Location: | Webinar only—Ready Talk online. |
| Cost: | Free of charge |
| Registration: | Registration is required to obtain Ready Talk email with your own unique webinar session link |
| Contact: | Camille Cristobal at cuc@hawaii.edu or phone: 627-5246. |
| Distribution: | Share this announcement with your contacts. |
| CEUs: | NO CEs are sought. |
| Power Point: | Everyone who registers will get an email copy of the handbook, worksheet, and checklist. |
| Recorded: | Sessions are recorded and access instructions will be provided after the webinar series is completed. |
Contact: Camille Cristobal at cuc@hawaii.edu or phone: 627-5246
HOW TO USE DATA TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES AND GUIDE POLICY
| Trainers: | Denise Nelson-Hurwitz, PhD, Assistant Professor UH-Office Public Health Studies and Ann Pobutsky, PhD, Project Specialist at UH Center on the Family |
| email: | cuc@hawaii.edu). You must register to receive a copy of the power point and get CE credit. Camille Cristobal at cuc@hawaii.edu or phone: 627-5246 |
| Registration Link: | http://training8april2016.eventbrite.com |
| Date: | April 8, 2016, Friday |
| Location: | Queens Conference Center at 510 South Beretania Street Honolulu, HI 96813—both face-to-face and by webinar or VTC |
| Time: | 12:00-1:30pm |
| Cost: | Free of charge |
| Registration: | Registration is required to obtain CEs and to get a copy of the power point before the training. |
| Contact: | Camille Cristobal at cuc@hawaii.edu or phone: 627-5246. |
| Remote: | VTC/VCC sites access on the neighbor islands—site selection when you register. |
| Access: | Online access available via Scopia webinar system |