Gabbard Celebrates 35th Anniversary of Maui Family Support Services

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard spoke on the House Floor today to recognize Maui Family Support Services upon celebrating 35 years of serving the people of Maui County.

Dad’s watch as their keiki explore the new Hāna Infant and Toddler Center, run by MFSS. Courtesy photo.

“For 35 years, Maui Family Support Services has been helping to build strong healthy families on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi,” Rep. Gabbard said in a speech on the House Floor.  “Last year alone, the organization assisted over 5,000 people in need, which included making 4,466 home visits, helping 136 people access mental health, substance abuse or domestic violence services, and providing developmental screenings for 953 children.”

Additionally, she said, thousands of people have gone through the organization’s programs for early childhood development, teen substance abuse prevention, and fatherhood involvement, helping to build and strengthen local families and communities.

Rep. Gabbard noted that one in eight children in Hawaiʻi live in poverty, and said, “it’s organizations like the Maui Family Support Services that play a critical role in making sure that our keiki and local families get the support and services they need.”

“I want to say thank you to this great organization for the service that they have provided for over 35 years,” she said.

Maui Family Support Services was founded in 1980 with a mission to, “promote healthy family functioning by providing family support and educational services that build on family strengths.”

The organization’s prime directive is to utilize its collective resources toward the prevention of child abuse and neglect.