Project Visitation

Connecting Siblings Separated by Foster Care

 

Although the State tries to place siblings together in foster care, many end up separated in different homes with different Resource Caregivers and their families. Losing contact with one another can place a strain on a very crucial time in their lives. Thus, the State of Hawaii First Circuit Family Court and the Hawaii State Department of Human Services (DHS) created Project Visitation.

 

 

Dr. Devin Yuen, PsyD 

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

 

Sibling Referral FormVolunteer Visitation Report

Average number of online sibling visits annually during the pandemic

Referred families are offered sibling visits

Sponsored online events per year to connect siblings

Project Visitation

By bringing siblings together in a fun and safe environment, Project Visitation volunteers give children the opportunity to create family memories they otherwise would not have in their lives. Project Visitation teaches kids the importance of maintaining healthy sibling relationships and seeks to minimize the trauma of family separation through visitations.

Due to the pandemic, 2021 saw the majority of sibling visitations going online through tablets and Zoom meetings. Although the year started off with virtual events, the first in-person event since 2020 was finally held on December 21st at the Project Visitation Holiday Event. Organized at the Family Programs Hawaii Family Strengthening Center in Manoa, a holiday party was put together and included glow putt-putt, carnival games with prizes (with everyone being a winner), lunch, and decorated gingerbread cookies. Besides seeing one another face-to-face, the event’s culmination was that every child and youth in attendance received two gifts from Santa! A total of 14 siblings participated in this happy occasion. Memories made were captured in framed photographs of each sibling group. Mahalo nui loa to HI H.O.P.E.S. for their sponsorship of this festive activity!

Project Visitation looks forward to more in-person opportunities, such as in-person visits to the beach, parks, and playgrounds and events to enjoy the island together with the comfort of your sibling(s).

Services

• Recruiting and training community volunteers as event or monthly sibling visitation facilitators
• Working with the Hawaii State Department of Health Services to receive referrals of separated siblings in the Hawaii Foster Care System.
• Informational meetings with all resource parents prior to starting program
• Matching of volunteers with participating families
• Assistance with coordinating visits as needed
• Distribution of visitation reports to social worker and GAL after each visit
• Collaborating with community organizations to provide 5 annual events and activities for sibling groups to attend, which includes our annual 3-day Camp Connection
• Monthly visits
• Sibling photo album

Eligibility

Foster care involvement for at least one sibling, regardless of other siblings’ present legal status (kinship, foster care, guardianship, or adoption) and current separation of siblings.  Services are provided for all age groups – infants through young adults.  Majority of referrals come from social workers, however, anyone in the community can make a referral to Project Visitation.
Sibling Referral Form
Volunteer Report
Volunteer Gift Card Request

Location

Oahu and Hawaii, with a long-term goal to expand Statewide.

Children’s Voices

It was really difficult because we were split up for so long. If we had had a family or place to take all of us in and keep us together, it would have been way better.”

-child formerly in foster care, Hoomalu O Na Kamalii

Dr. Devin Yuen, PsyD

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Mahalo to Our Funders & Changemakers