​Last updated 12/28/2022

TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS

See the guide by the National Association of School Psychologists and another by the CDC, created for parents, school staff, and others working with children, for how to speak to kids about COVID-19 . 

SCHOOL UPDATES

The Hawai‘i Department of Health announced updated guidance to elementary, middle, and high schools to help school administrators make decisions to safely transition between different models of "blended learning" — virtual classes, traditional classroom learning, or a combination of at-home learning and in-person learning. The new guidelines use a 7-day Daily Average per 100,000 county population.

Return to Learn is the Hawai‘i Department of Education's school re-opening plan that is regularly updated in light of the pandemic.

All Hawai'i Community Action Program offices, classrooms, and facilities are closed to the general public until further notice.  See their website for a summary of affected programs. 

Leadership in Disability Achievement Hawai'i (LDAH) offices are closed, but will be available by phone or by email at BReidy@LDAHawaii.org.
  • ​Honolulu: (808) 536-9685
  • Ma'ili: (808) 696-5361
Special Education/Special Populations Education Information:  
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This site from the Department of Education Office of Student Support Services offers information about resources to support families with special education/special population students during this time.

FOOD ACCESS THROUGH SCHOOLS

The Grab-and-Go school meal program has extended through June 30, 2021. For more information, see this ​press release, or contact your child's school.

HIGHER EDUCATION

The University of Hawai'i
  • Instruction across the 10-campus system continues to be primarily online for spring 2021 semester, per the latest press release. For latest updates, please visit their Covid-19 UH Updates page.
  • For UH's Reopening Strategy, visit this page or contact the school directly. 

The Department of Education has put in new policies to help borrowers with student loan debt. Visit the Federal Student Aid website for the most up to date information and Frequently Asked Questions. 
  • On March 13, 2020, temporary relief measures were provided on all Department of Education (federal) loans including:
    • ​automatic waiver on interest
    • suspension on loan payments
    • stopped collection on defaulted loans (administrative forbearance)
  • These emergency relief measures have been extended multiple times. The latest extension will last through September 30, 2021.
  • If you are more that 31 days behind as of March 13, 2020, your loans will be automatically placed in administrative forbearance.
  • If you are pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness or Income-Driven Repayments, you may not want to go into administrative forbearance because time spent in forbearance will not count toward required payments.
  • Contact your loan servicer online or by phone to determine if your loans are eligible. 
  • Private student loans are not eligible.

The Department of Education has also outlined student rights related to COVID-19 on their website. ​

ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES

Below are a list from PATCH Hawai'i of free learning websites that are safe, fun, and educational for kids stuck at home during the pandemic.

early education opportunities

HCAP Head Start is a comprehensive early childhood education program for pregnant women and children under the age of 5 years old. Head Start provides services in early learning, health, and family well-being through center based and home based options. 

Head Start has begun recruiting for the next school year. Eligibility is based on the age of the child and income of the family. Priority will be given to those families eligible as TANF/SSI recipients, children in foster care, homelessness, and children diagnosed with a special need or disability. 

For more information, visit the HCAP website. To apply, fill out this application and mail it in, or call (808) 847-2400 to apply over the phone.