Easter Seals Hawaii

Easterseals Hawaii's Early Intervention (EI) program, the state's largest provider of EI services, continued to deliver care and support for the approximately 770 children and families enrolled in the EI program every month. By offering in-person and virtual services, ESH ensured children 0-3 years of age across the islands could close developmental gaps via individualized treatment plans that address delays in overall development, motor skills and language. Early Interventionists continued to help support families through education and coaching, consultation with schools, childcare agencies and other service providers.

ESH's Autism Services program continued to provide in-person services to 120 families through 15,000 hours of service, including center-based, home-based, and community-based sessions. We also expanded our services to the West Side of Oahu with our new center in Kapolei, reducing drive time and disruption for client families. We continued to provide Parent-Led Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in 2023, which is a modality that teaches parents and caregivers how to provide ABA techniques anywhere and at any time. In support of the expansion of autism services, our Social Skills Groups introduced a new interest-based curriculum for youth interested in culinary arts called Social Chefs, which allowed participants to learn kitchen safety practices, food handling and plating techniques, and a wide variety of recipes from professional chef instructors. Also in 2023, a technology group called the Xplorer Club was piloted to give youth with an interest in tech an opportunity to meet peers and interact with new and familiar technology alike. The goal of these programs is to encourage social and cooperation skills development while engaging in unique activities that resonate with them.

In 2023, ESH's Adult Home and Community-Based Services, a statewide program that supports individuals with disabilities age 18 and beyond, continued offering 1:1 and group services, and community outings coupled with skills development and socialization, allowing participants to continue reaching their goals. During the 2023 year, ESH was able to provide services to 207 participants with approximately 20,000 service hours delivered each month. The Employment Services program saw 8 participants secure jobs in 2023, and offered 12 Vocation Work Adjustment Training Services (VWATS) program courses that covered topics to help with securing and maintaining work, including communication skills and following instructions, attendance and punctuality, workplace etiquette, and interpersonal skills. Critical programs like these offer participants opportunities for socialization while also focusing on increasing and improving skills and independence in a variety of areas and actively getting participants engaged with peers and out in the community.