Application Period Begins Feb. 1 for Preschool Open Doors

PATCH or People Attentive to Children is a statewide childcare resource and referral agency. Image courtesy PATCH website.

The application period to be considered for the upcoming Preschool Open Doors program is Monday, Feb. 1 to March 31, 2016.

The program runs from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, and currently serves more than 1,100 children statewide by providing subsidies to eligible low and moderate income families to pay for preschool tuition.  POD aims to provide children whose families might otherwise not be able to afford preschool the opportunity to gain essential skills to be successful in school and in life.

To qualify for the program, children must be eligible to enter kindergarten in the 2017-2018 school year (born between August 1, 2011 and July 31, 2012). Families are reminded that a child must be 5 years old on or before July 31 to enter kindergarten. Families may choose any one of the 438 state-licensed preschools. Underserved or at-risk children receive priority consideration for the POD program, and funds are limited.

Interested families may request an application beginning Feb. 1, 2016 from the Department’s POD contractor, PATCH, by visiting the PATCH Hawaiʻi website or calling (808) 791-2130 or toll free 1-800-746-5620.  PATCH can also help families locate a preschool convenient for them.

Applications must be received by March 31, 2016 to be considered for the July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017 program period. Applications should be dropped off, mailed or faxed to the following:

PATCH – POD
560 N. Nimitz Hwy, Suite 218
Honolulu, HI 96817
Fax: (808) 694-3066