Media release from Hawaii Office of the Governor

HONOLULU — The state’s early childhood action strategy, “Taking Action for Hawaii’s Children,” was released today by Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Terry Lock, director of the Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL). The strategy focuses on improving health, development, and learning experiences and outcomes of Hawaii’s youngest children, prenatal to age eight.

“We have a clear vision of providing our children with a safe, healthy, and successful start in life,” said Gov. Abercrombie. “The action strategy prioritizes the benefits of early childhood development by recommending key partnerships and identifying desired outcomes to prepare our keiki for success.”

The action strategy outlines six main goals to achieve the overarching outcomes identified for Hawaii’s keiki, which include health and development, family support, access to available providers, kindergarten readiness, and learning proficiency by third grade.

“Our plan is inspired by a national, research-based framework that also considers the unique cultures and diversity throughout the state,” said EOEL Director Lock. “This action strategy is intentionally outcomes-driven, and will help to create conditions of well-being for families and children so our young ones can meet their full potential.”

A critical component is engaging and supporting families, so they can be supportive of their young children. Relationships between families, practitioners, and providers are key elements in implementing an effective early childhood program.

EOEL recruited teams representing public and private health, safety, and early care and education sectors that worked together since July 2012 to develop the strategies and identify the actions necessary to complete them. To date, more than 100 individuals have been involved in this initiative.

Early childhood is a key cornerstone of Gov. Abercrombie’s New Day Plan. An investment in establishing a solid foundation for the health, development, and education of the state’s youngest children is an investment in Hawaii’s social and economic future.

To view the action strategy or to learn more, visit the EOEL website at www.earlylearning.hawaii.gov.