HI H.O.P.E.S. Initiative

The HI H.O.P.E.S. Initiative: The Initiative works to ensure that young people who’ve experienced foster care — primarily those between ages 14 and 26 — have the relationships, resources and opportunities they need for success. We do this by working with public and private partners on the state and local level to improve policies and practices, promote youth voice and engagement, apply evaluation and research, and create community partnerships. Our work creates opportunities for young people to achieve positive outcomes in permanency, education, employment, housing, health, financial capability, and social capital.

The HI H.O.P.E.S. Initiative is a partner of the national Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative and the Annie E. Casey Foundation. For more information about the national work, please go to www.jimcaseyyouth.org.

The HI H.O.P.E.S. Youth Leadership Boards: HI H.O.P.E.S. (Hawai’i Helping Our People Envision Success) Youth Leadership Boards are comprised of current and former foster youth between 14-26, with boards on O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Maui and East and West Hawai’i. As the youth voice of the HI H.O.P.E.S. Initiative, their mission is to educate, advocate and collaborate for improvements in the foster care system and better outcomes for foster youth. HI H.O.P.E.S. youth boards also serve as the youth advisory council to the Child Welfare Services Branch of the Department of Human Services, State of Hawai`i.