Program areas at MEO
Transportation services program: provide transportation to eliminate barriers and promote self-sufficiency. Increase the availability and affordability of opportunities for low-income, persons with special needs, seniors and youth through social services transportation. Approximately 5,774 passengers in the target population (seniors, persons with disabilities, low income individuals, children and youth) took trips to and from nutrition sites, senior programs, day health, dialysis, and after school programs and activities. The number of passengers' boarding including ada paratransit service totaled approximately 270,555.
Early childhood services includes the federally funded meo head start preschool program that provided comprehensive services to income eligible families and promotes school readiness for children ages three to five years old. Comprehensive services are provided to enrolled children and their families, which include health, nutrition, social, and other services determined to be necessary by the family needs assessment. A total of 161 children and 161 families were served by the program during the 2022-23 program year. Extended day services and summer program were provided with county resources.the kahi kamalii infant and toddler program provides quality early childhood services to families that are employed full time. The program serves children aged 12 months to 3 years. The goal of the program is to provide center-based care for young children so families can successfully obtain and maintain self- sufficiency. The program is supported by the county of Maui
Meo business development center (meo bdc) offers business planning classes and consultation, financial literacy, and microloans for small business startup operations or expansion, and agricultural micro grants for local operating farms on Maui, molokai and lanai to increase the farm's capacity, productivity, name recognition and income. 118 farms received micro grant assistance during the third year of the funding.the meo bdc business planning or core four course assisted 131 businesses in the development of a realistic, achievable business plan. The five-week program is offered throughout the year on Maui, molokai, and lanai. 158 individuals attended financial literacy classes that focused on increasing financial health, including saving, budgeting, lending and investment information.
Other program servicesother program services include crisis and emergency assistance to stabilized households evidence based youth prevention programs, employment and training, business plan classes and technical assistance, microloans, reintegration support services, hispanic acculturation services, weatherization, liheap programs, the senior farmers market nutrition program, and community services block grant that funds agency-wide administration and programs that support low income individuals and families.highlights for the fiscal year included in august 2023, the island of Maui experienced destructive wildfires that impacted several communities on the island. Meo operates in these communities and fortunately for meo, meo did not experience material damage to its property and equipment. Since the fires, meo has been at the forefront in support of the communities on Maui. Meo is working with federal, state of Hawaii, county of Maui, private and public agencies to help the people of Maui. Working with these agencies, meo has implemented programs that provide transportation, transitional housing, jobs, temporary assistance for vehicle, utility, clothing and school supply payments, business grants in support of the people of Maui.