Preschool Tuition Subsidies Available for Low-Income Families

The Department of Human Services has opened its application period for its Preschool Open Doors program for the 2019-2020 POD school year.

This program, which currently serves more than 1,500 children statewide, provides childcare subsidies to eligible low- and moderate-income families to pay 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.

The DOH encourages families to apply between Jan. 2, 2019 and Mar. 29, 2019.  Applications received during this period will be considered for preschool participation during Jul. 1, 2019 and Jun. 30, 2020.

To qualify for the program, children must be eligible to enter kindergarten in the 2020-2021 school year (born between Aug. 1, 2014 and Jul. 31, 2015). Families are reminded that a child must be five years old on or before July 31 to enter kindergarten.

Families may choose any one of the 431 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 Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019 from the department’s POD contractor, PATCH, by visiting patchhawaii.org or calling 791-2130 or toll-free at 1-800-746-5620.

Applications must be received by Friday, Mar. 29, 2019 to be considered during the Jul. 1, 2019 to Jun. 30, 2020 program period. Applications should be dropped off, mailed, faxed, or emailed to the following:

PATCH – POD
560 N. Nimitz Hwy, Suite 218
Honolulu, HI 96817
Fax: (808) 694-3066
Email: PODAdmin@patch-hi.org

Eligibility and priorities for POD program selection are detailed online in HAR §17-799, which is available online at humanservices.hawaii.gov.

For more information about other DHS programs and services, visit humanservices.hawaii.gov.