Gabbard Announces $1.3M Grant to Maui Family Support Services

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard visited with staff members at Maui Family Support Services, which serves parents and children who are struggling with poverty, drug addiction, and other challenges. File photo Nov. 28, 2013, courtesy Rep. Gabbard.

By Maui Now Staff

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard announced the US Department of Health and Human Services awarded Maui Family Support Services a $1.3 million grant to support their Early Head Start Program.

In making the announcement Gabbard said, “I met with the organization’s leadership and staff on Maui last year and remain exceedingly impressed with the services they provide to so many keiki on a shoestring budget.”

In a press release statement, Gabbard said, “With this funding going toward the Early Head Start Program, more keiki and families will benefit from the invaluable services they offer to the community.”

The Early Head Start Program is operated by Maui Family Support Services, a private, non-profit agency that has served the county for 34 years.

The program provides early, continuous, intensive, and comprehensive services to pregnant women, very young children, and their families.

The home-based part  of the program offers weekly home visits and twice monthly group activities; the parental services program that prepares expectant mothers, promotes healthy pregnancies, and provides post-partum care for parents and children; and the center-based child development program readies children for preschool.

There’s also a center-based program that offers services to income-eligible families at low or no-cost.