Peer Family Support for families with children, youth or young adults who are involved in the different systems of care. - APPLICATION ABSTRACT STATEWIDE FAMILY NETWORKS (SFN) SM 24-001 HAWAII FAMILIES AS ALLIES Hawaii Families As Allies (HFAA) began more than 36 years ago and has been a pioneer in elevating peer parent support for families in Hawaii. HFAA is the statewide Affiliate and a proud founding member of the National Federation of Families, a leading organization who has paved the way for bringing lived experience to Family Support nationwide. The proposed project entitled “Hawaii Family Peer Support” seeks to implement statewide technical assistance and customized support, and to connect and disseminate targeted information designed to increase the involvement of families whose children and youth have SED (population of 148,684 youth) in all levels of Hawaii’s System of Care. Another key factor of the proposed project is the increased support needed for impacted families of Maui County, who were devastated by the tragic Lahaina Wildfires in 2023. This disaster has left a once thriving and peaceful community in disarray and help is desperately needed as behavioral health services statewide are stretched beyond capacity. As a key partner of the Office of Youth Services, HFAA works directly with families of youth who are either involved or at-risk for involvement with the Juvenile Justice system. Often, these families fall thru the cracks because they are largely blamed for their child/youth in the JJ system. Another goal of this project would capture HFAA’s unique approach to focus on breaking those systemic cycles of recidivism to perpetuate the cultural principles in support of ‘Ohana (family) values to rebuild family connections when youth have JJ system involvement. HFAA will operate this project statewide, with the goal of impacting 200 families annually, over the 3-year contract term. HFAA will empower families by operationalizing activities designed to provide them with the framework to build their skills and necessary knowledge needed to effectively participate at all levels of Hawaii’s System of Care. As a result of implementing specific activities to achieve its objectives and meet project goals, HFAA will also impact key child-serving agencies through increased partnerships and focused outreach welcoming and empowering families to become active participants in the treatment and services for their children and youth. This project will be completed by an experienced team of Certified Family Peer Specialists, using the organizations unique trauma informed, evidenced based curriculum that focuses on the journey of a family and their evolution in systems, while making specific connections from a peer-based approach using lived experiences.
