The Department of Human Services (DHS) in Hawaii has announced a significant expansion of its Preschool Open Doors (POD) program, now including eligible 3-year-olds alongside the existing provision for 4-year-olds. This move is set to take effect for the 2024-2025 school year, aiming to make preschool more accessible and affordable for families across the state. A notable aspect of this expansion is the increase in gross income eligibility limits, enabling more families to qualify for support than in previous years.
This expansion aligns with the state’s broader educational goals under the Ready Keiki initiative, spearheaded by Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke. The initiative seeks to ensure that by 2032, all of Hawaii’s three- and four-year-old children will have access to preschool, marking a significant stride towards improving early childhood education across the state.
In addition to expanding eligibility to younger children and raising the income threshold for applicants, the program’s funding has seen substantial increases. A recent legislative move, House Bill 961, has propelled the expansion forward by appropriating funds to create 465 new classrooms for 3- and 4-year-olds and increasing state subsidies for the POD program from $12 million to $50 million. This financial boost is expected to help address the urgent need for more preschool slots and combat the teacher shortage crisis by funding new initiatives to train educators.
Furthermore, the initiative has prompted collaborations, such as between Chaminade University and Kamehameha Schools, to launch a scholarship program aimed at addressing the teacher shortage. This program will support individuals in obtaining their teaching credentials through an online bachelor’s degree program, with the goal of preparing more educators to join the early childhood education workforce.
The Preschool Open Doors program’s application period for the 2024-2025 school year runs from January 16, 2024, through March 28, 2024. DHS has made the application process more accessible by allowing families to apply online, streamlining the submission of necessary documents and potentially saving applicants time and money.
For more detailed information, interested families and individuals can visit the official DHS website or the specific program pages provided by the sources mentioned. This expansion represents a significant investment in the future of Hawaii’s children, aiming to provide them with a strong foundation for academic success and lifelong learning.