"Helping us grow together as a mom and baby."

My Mahina was born 2 months early and after being discharged from the Kapiolani NICU, we were referred to Early Intervention Services through Easterseals Hawaii. I was already a mom of two keiki (ages 4 and 6 at the time) but, after having a premature baby I felt lost and confused. I also had a lot of self-doubt and guilt for not being able to give my baby a healthier start in life. I first met with the

Easterseals team via Zoom during the pandemic soon after my baby was home with me. They were very kind, gentle and always encouraging. At each meeting I felt like I was given the support and guidance I needed to give my baby the best care to help her with her development. Tiana was with us from the very beginning and until the end of our services. I am so grateful for her in helping us grow together as mom and baby. Mahina always seemed at ease when she would hear or see Tiana. I am thankful for everything Tiana and the Easterseals Hawaii team has done to help us along this journey.

- Ursula T.

"I have loved our experience with Early Intervention."

The flexibility to have appointments to fit our schedule (either in person or virtually), has been so great. We also appreciate how committed the staff have been with helping our daughter and the rapport that each of you have built with our family. Our daughter has shown such progress in such a short time, which is a testament to how many strategies your team offers to us families to help our kids.

- Charlene G.

"We’ve also learned so much and have been given such helpful information through everyone we’ve encountered at Easterseals Hawaii, that allow us to be the best parents we can be for our daughter."

When we first found out about Early Intervention, it was the same time we realized that our daughter was special and would need extra help. At first, we were nervous and overwhelmed by it all, but the

folks at Easterseals Hawaii were extremely helpful and immediately made us feel more at ease with the situation of my daughter. It’s been almost two years since we’ve had support from Easterseals Hawaii Early Intervention, and I am just so grateful for them. They have been there from the beginning, and still now, an integral part of my daughter’s progress with all the therapies and sessions they’ve offered. Everyone has seriously been so kind and helpful. Each session we’ve had never felt like an “appointment,” but just friendly meetings with folks who genuinely want to help our daughter. We are so incredibly grateful for everyone at Easterseals Hawaii, and we give them a lot of credit for the amount of progress my daughter has made.

- Aissele F.

In May, Easterseals Hawaii Early Intervention Program Managers attended the Leadership in Disabilities and Achievement of Hawai’i Let’s Grow Health and Wellness Fair Drive Through in Honolulu. Over 40 families attended the fair with current families from the Sultan program stopping by to say hello and information about Early Intervention being shared with the community.

Are you looking for free educational activities that are for keiki of all ages and abilities? Look no further! This year the Hawaii State Public Libraries have partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to create an amazing summer reading program featuring virtual events, a reading challenge, weekly themed activities that you can participate in from home, and even the chance to win some amazing prizes. Visit https://www.librarieshawaii.org/summerreading/ to learn more!