Healthy Start / Enhanced Healthy Start Home Visiting Healthy Start assists families in learning how to solve problems and reduce stress. The program offers free, home based services which focus on strengthening parenting skills and coping methods, as well as on the importance of nurturing and effective positive discipline. Information is offered on how to seek additional community support if needed. Healthy Start is available to Maui and Lanai families with children up to 3 years old, or up to age 5, if a younger sibling is in the program. Families may enroll during pregnancy or until the infant is 90 days old. Family Support Workers introduce parents to child development games and activities and teach skills for observing baby's growth and learning. Families progress through the program by meeting goals. The program is funded by the Hawaii Department of Health and contributions from donors. Early Identification Services (EID) All new parents at Maui Memorial Medical Center are greeted by a member of the Early Identification Team (EID) and informed about the programs and services available to them through Maui Family Support Services, Inc. and other community resources. First time parents are given "Keiki O Hawaii" parent support information. Consenting parents are asked questions geared toward understanding each family's strengths, needs, and concerns. Parents are offered MFSS program services based on their responses to the questions. The EID team also accepts referrals from physicians and other professionals. The EID program is funded by the Hawaii Department of Health and contributions from donors. Child Development Services (CDS) Parents and First Teachers Child Development Specialists (CDS) conduct trainings and work closely with the MFSS staff. The CDS staff plan activities and monthly Family Day events. They also maintain a Resource and Lending Library which includes educational books, videos, and toys for families in MFSS programs. Clinical Specialist The world today places significant stress on young families. For families in our programs MFSS offers the services of a Clinical Specialist (CSp), a trained counselor who assesses family members and refers individuals to other community agencies as needed. The primary goal of the Clinical Specialist is supporting families to reduce domestic violence, substance abuse, and maternal depression. The CDS and CSp programs are funded by the Department of Health and contributions from donors. Please share your mana’o (thoughts) with us.... How are you benefiting from our services? What can we do to improve our services? SWAP of gently used toys, books, children and maternity clothes, car seats, highchairs, etc. PARENT’S TIME OFF, once a week for 1 ½ hrs parents can do errands, go to doctor appointments or talk story with friends! WORK-IN-PROGRESS. For information on these programs please contact Colleen Welty, Program Manager at 808-242-0900 or via e-mail: colleen@mfss.org