The Department of Human Services and its Community Partners Honor and Support Adoptive Families!

The Mission
Permanency by keeping children at home with their families safely (prevent removal), reunification, relative placement and maintaining safe and appropriate birth family connections.

"Answering the Call - You don't have to be perfect to be a perfect parent. There are thousands of teens in foster care who would love to put up with you."

Foster Care Information Sessions
Learn about foster care, how to become a licensed resource caregiver and speak with current resource caregivers.    Call 441-1117 for more information.

Selection of Resource Families (Providing Temporary Foster Care) Frequently Asked Questions

1.  What process does DHS follow in approving resource families?

The approval process requires the social worker to:

1. Conduct child abuse and neglect checks and criminal history clearances on all adult household members

2. Conduct a home visit

3. Obtain references on the prospective resource caregivers

4. Obtain medical reports for the prospective resource caregivers and TB clearances for all adult household members

5. Obtain a copy of a marriage certificate, if applicable, for the prospective resource families

6. Obtain financial information and employment history for the prospective resource families

 2.  What criminal or child abuse history would disqualify a person from being a resource caregiver?

The Department of Human Services adheres to the Federal Law which prohibits the licensing of a resource caregiver/home if:

1. At any time, there has been a felony conviction for child abuse and neglect; spousal abuse; a crime against a child or children, including child pornography; or a crime involving violence, including rape, sexual assault, or homicide, but not including other physical assault or battery.
2. If within the last five years, there has been a felony conviction for physical assault, battery or a drug related offense.

Other situations of confirmed child abuse and neglect cases and other criminal convictions would need to be assessed if they pose a risk to children in care.

3.  Do prospective resource families receive any training?

Yes, applicants are required to attend an 18-hour pre-service training, called HANAI.  Partners In Development Foundation-Hui Ho'omalu (PIDF) is contracted by the Department to provide the training.  

PIDF Contract

If you are interested in becoming a resource family, PIDF can be reached at

Partners in Development Foundation
Hui Ho'omalu
680 Iwilei Road, Suite 500
Honolulu, HI 96817

Oahu: (808)441-1117
Toll Free:  (888)879-8970
Fax: (808)441-1122

E-mail: hui@pidfoundation.org
Website:www.pidfoundation.org

Hui Ho'omalu Statewide Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) Newsletters

• Hawaii Caregivers and the Court Guide
• Resource Family Basics -- Helpful Information for DHS Resource Families
• Enhancement Fund Request Form
• Resources for Resource and Adoptive Families
• Comparison of Permanency Options: Rights, Responsibilities & Benefits regarding Adoption, Legal Guardianship and Permanent Custody
• Licensed Agencies in Hawaii

• Adoption Agencies

• Child-Placing Organizations

• Child-Caring Institutions