Enhancements
The Enhancements program supports children and youth in foster care by providing funding for items and services that allow them to enjoy a quality of life similar to that of their peers, as well as items that help the transition into adulthood. This includes registration fees for sports or school activities, special events, documents and much needed items like laptops for school.
In 2021 we were able to assist youth in receiving numerous tablets and laptops for school, bikes, skateboards, cameras, attend camps, travel with their families, as well as lessons for hula, skateboarding, gymnastics, piano, and art! We love helping youth discover new interests and develop new skills. After receiving a new camera, one youth wrote to us and said, “Thank you for the camera, it means a lot because I love taking photos of the sky and other random things. We are very grateful. So thank you for you(r) kindness, we love it.”
Chiyomi Chow, LSW
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
Annual Number of Youth Enhancements
Dollars In Enhancement Funds for Items & Services to Youth
Enhancements Eligibility
Recipients of enhancement funds must meet the following criteria
• Is placed by a Hawaii state agency in a kinship, foster, respite, guardianship, permanent custody or adoptive family (Geist Foundation)
• Have been abused, neglected, abandoned, or lived in a home where abuse has occurred (Hughes Trust)
• Under 21, if still in high school
• Resides in Hawaii
• Be in need of financial assistance
Services
• To secure enhancement funds for youth who qualify
• We work with the social workers, foster families, and/or other professionals involved
Location
Statewide, Hawaii
How to Apply for Enhancements
To apply for enhancements, you must be a Social Worker or Guardian Ad Litum (GAL). Applications filled out by others will not be accepted. Please fill out the online form by clicking the button below or use this pdf form.
Voices from our Families
“Without your help my foster grandkids would never have been able to experience the excitement of a plane ride, much less Disneyland. They have been neglected for so long and just to see them so happy makes me feel good.”
– Foster Grandparent
