Hawaii Island United Way : Neighborhood Place of Puna

Neighborhood Place of Puna

Contact Information:

Mary Hyslop

P.O. Box 2020

Pahoa, HI 96778

Phone: (808) 965-5550

E-mail: mhyslop@hotmail.com

Agency Mission Statement:

Empowering families and communities in Puna by building strong foundations through healthy relationships that value each person's uniqueness. E Malama Pono Kakou

Funded Program:

Home Visitation Program: This program intends to reduce child abuse and neglect by strengthening at-risk families through free short-term home based services including talk story counseling, assistance with parenting concerns, information about available resources, basic life skills, advocacy and support in accessing needed services and education around child development.

The Neighborhood Place of Puna has expanded home based child abuse prevention services to the upper Puna District. Home visitation has been documented as an effective intervention in reducing child abuse and neglect. Program services include: Assessment for individuals that may be at risk of child abuse and neglect; development of interactive service plans; on-going home visits that include education around child development. In addition, formal and informal support networks are created which provide referrals to other agencies, schools, physicians, mental health professional, and community activities.

Client Outcome Story: "I am going to weekly meetings at Neighborhood Place and it has helped me get ideas with dealing with family concerns. I wanted to go for me and my family's future."

"NPP was instrumental in helping my family deal with our challenges. The resources they shared with me and my grandchildren will probably never be duplicated by any other agency."