Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Announces $1 Million HHS Grant Award to Maui Family Support Services

Press Release

Today, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families-Office of Child Care, awarded a $1,000,000 continuing grant to Maui Family Support Services, Inc. The funds will be used to help subsidize childcare services for Native Hawaiian families and help improve the school success of Native Hawaiian children.

"Ensuring that families have access to affordable childcare is crucial for family financial stability and early childhood development. This grant will provide resources to Maui Family Support Services to ensure Native Hawaiian families are supported, especially in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic," said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

Background: Today's grant by the HHS Administration for Children and Families-Office of Child Care is a continuing grant awarded to Maui Family Support Services (MFSS). Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has worked closely with organizations like Maui Family Support Services and others across the state that support the social and economic needs of Hawaiʻi families.

In 2016, MFSS received a $1,000,000 grant for the Quality Care for Hawaiian Keiki (QCH) project. The project provides childcare subsidies to over 200 Native Hawaiian families based upon eligibility.

The HHS Administration for Children and Families-Office of Child Care also has issued grants in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to help support vital childcare infrastructure. In April 2015, Hawai"i received nearly $12 million in Child Care and Development Block Grant funds through the CARES Act.

Source