Hawaiʻi DOE launches new mental health resource for families and staff

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, in partnership with the Cook Center for Human Connection, a national non-profit family foundation, announced Friday that it will be providing families and staff statewide with access to ParentGuidance.org, a 24/7 online platform that offers parents and staff with resources and support for student mental health.

ParentGuidance.org works with schools and their communities nationwide, empowering families to help children thrive through its mental health resources. Hawaiʻi parents and school staff will have free access to resources including:

• Regular one-on-one parent coaching for parents, families and school staff
• Access to over 30 mental health series virtual seminars
• Online lessons led by licensed therapists
• “Ask a Therapist,” a frequently updated question and answer forum

“Parents play a crucial role in their child’s overall mental health, and this resource will help to provide them with the tools, information and support they need to foster positive mental and emotional growth for their child,” said Annie Kalama, assistant superintendent of the HIDOE Office of Student Support Services.

HIDOE joins 360 other school districts that have partnered with the Cook Center, bringing this access to mental health services to more than 3.3 million families across 46 states.