In this jigsaw panel presentation, six CTAHR faculty will focus on challenges for Hawai'i’s families at different stages in the lifecycle and how we might reduce burdens on ʻohana while fostering family resilience. Topics include child care, mental health, food as medicine, and healthy aging.
I am a sociologist specializing in medical sociology, the demography of aging, and survey methodology. My work involves multidisciplinary research, community needs assessment, program evaluation, and community education, all aimed at creating and translating credible, research-based... Read More →
Extension Agent, University of Hawaii Manoa Cooperative Extension
Nancy Ooki is an Extension Agent with the University of Hawaii Manoa Cooperative Extension Faculty for Maui County 4-H and Youth Development Programs. She works with faculty at the University of Hawai‘i and other universities to design curricula and implement programs that support... Read More →
Thursday April 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am HST
CC307
Abstract In this jigsaw panel presentation, six CTAHR faculty will focus on key challenges for Hawaii’s families at different stages in the lifecycle and how we might ameliorate these concerns and foster family resilience. Topics include (a) access to affordable, high-quality child care and early education; (b) the risks and benefits when grandparents serve as child caretakers; (c) declines in youth mental health and social skills in the wake of the Maui wildfires; (d) developing a culturally-responsive family therapy workforce; (e) food and nutrition support prescriptions to improve health and food security of Medicaid patients; and (f) coordinating culturally-grounded, community-based fall prevention strategies and programs for kūpuna. We invite audience engagement as we discuss the scope of these problems and offer promising solutions.
Researchers together with state government, entrepreneurs, land stewards and community nonprofits will showcase how their partnerships have woven relationships across historical boundaries to produce meaningful change for community resilience. From soil health to ranching, agroforestry to local workforce development, and ecosystem restoration to Indigenous genealogy, this panel has formed long lasting, synergistic and abundant partnerships with each other in order to implement new ways to support biocultural agroecosystems in a changing world.
Abstract Collaborations across historical differences and sectoral boundaries are essential to realizing systemic change. This panel’s emerging alliance explores how restoring individual relationships to land can decrease collective climate vulnerability through improved resilience and adaptation in landscapes and communities. Panelists will discuss how a multiplicity of connections can be made when researchers ground themselves in a willingness to understand community, acknowledge community agency, affirm the value of community, and conduct themselves with clear and honest intent. This group represents active relationships that support access to opportunities for biocultural agroecosystem restoration and regeneration across broad agriculture and natural resource sectors. Weaving from policy, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, advocacy, land management practices, and Indigenous genealogy, this panel collaborates via transparency and trust to implement each of their priorities together. As connections are made to CTAHR technology and scholarship, including student internships and technical assistance, knowledge and information held in community is interwoven into these collaborative projects by ensuring respect through data governance and privacy. Attendees will be inspired by the panelistsʻ individual perspectives on what makes these collaborations work for their communities and ecosystems as they engage with the resources that CTAHR and the research community provide.
Join us for an enlightening panel discussion where students and internship site partners come together to share their firsthand experiences and insights.
From finding the best fit to maximizing learning opportunities, our panelists will offer invaluable advice and stories about their adventures in internships.Whether you're a student seeking guidance or an internship provider looking to enhance your program, this event promises to offer practical strategies and inspiration for success.
This panel highlights the powerful collaboration between community organizations and university researchers in addressing youth homelessness in Hawai‘i. Through data-driven research, community engagement, and the use of findings to inform program development, panelists will discuss how these partnerships create impactful solutions for this vulnerable population.
I am a sociologist specializing in medical sociology, the demography of aging, and survey methodology. My work involves multidisciplinary research, community needs assessment, program evaluation, and community education, all aimed at creating and translating credible, research-based... Read More →
I am a social worker by training, now specializing in macro level practice related to child and family well-being. My work integrates research and extension activities and focuses on assessing and evaluating the conditions of children and families in Hawai‘i through the use of program... Read More →
Judith Clark, MPH, is the Executive Director of Hawaii Youth Services Network (HYSN), a statewide coalition of youth-serving organizations and a Pacific Islands training and technical assistance center. HYSN is recognized nationally as a leader in efforts to adapt evidence-based... Read More →
Systems Coordinator, Partners in Care - Oahu Continuum
Efren Berrones is the Systems Coordinator at Partners in Care, the Continuum of Care organization responsible for coordinating homeless services on Oahu. In this role, he focuses on identifying service gaps for underserved populations, including individuals involved with the justice... Read More →
Kathleen Gauci is a Project Coordinator at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Center on the Family with a background in educational psychology. She is involved in research that focuses on promoting the well-being of children and families while informing policies and programs that... Read More →
Abstract Youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness face unique challenges, compared to their adult counterparts, in their pathways to stable housing. There are misconceptions about youth homelessness and what service and policy changes are needed for our community to reach functional zero homelessness for youth. Over the years, homeless service providers have partnered with University of Hawai‘i Center on the Family (COF) to better understand the experiences and service needs of homeless and runaway youth through data and research. The Street Youth Survey, conducted in 2016 in partnership with Waikiki Health and Hale Kipa (two leading organizations serving this population), was instrumental in providing a snapshot of youth homelessness on O‘ahu and furthering our understanding of this population’s experiences and service needs. Findings have been used to inform programming for this population. COF is now partnering with the Hawaii Youth Services Network – a statewide coalition of youth-serving organizations – to expand the earlier research and conduct a community needs assessment of homeless youth across the state of Hawai‘i. Community and research panelists will discuss the use of research for data-driven advocacy and program planning, the engagement of youth voices in research and program development, and upcoming research aimed at informing youth homelessness systems improvement.
