Preschools launched
for needy kids

13 such preschools are being built
as part of the state's new Pre-Plus program

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By Pat Gee
pgee@starbulletin.com

Needy toddlers would get a chance at a preschool education that their parents cannot afford, says school official Clayton Fujie.

"Three years old is too young to begin dividing society into have and have-nots," said Fujie, deputy superintendent of the state Department of Education.

The state is building 13 preschools for low-income families which should be ready for the 2002-03 school year.

At a news conference yesterday, Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono launched the Pre-Plus program, aimed at thousands of children who would be at a disadvantage when they enter kindergarten and throughout their school years.

Hawaii's first public-private preschool partnership will ensure 3- and 4-year-olds a solid start in preschools built on DOE school campuses, Hirono said.

Preference will be given to children whose families are at or below the 200 percent Federal Poverty Index, the neediest of families.

The state will use $2.5 million in capital improvement funds appropriated by the Legislature for fiscal year 2002, ending in July. Another 13 preschools are scheduled for construction next year, Hirono said.

Fujie, a former elementary school principal, said the Pre-Plus program is meant to serve as a "preventive measure" against future dropouts.

He said studies have shown students are "more likely to stay in school if they're successful" from early on.

Preschool programs also enable special-needs children to be identified earlier and have their needs addressed before their social development and self-esteem are adversely affected, he added.

Each preschool would house 20 children.

Monica Kaui, Hirono's Pre-Plus coordinator, said the cost of attending the preschools will depend on the requirements of each private provider, such as Head Start, Kamehameha Schools, Hawaii Community Action Program, Kama'aina Kids, and Parents and Children Together.

The providers may charge a small tuition, which could be paid for partially or in full with private, federal or state subsidies, Kaui said, but may vary from place to place.

Many parents may go through the state Department of Human Services' Childcare Connection or Open Doors programs to pay the tuition, she said.

"More than 50 percent, probably 75 percent, of the families will get it (Pre-Plus) for free," Kaui said.

The preschool programs on Oahu will be located at Aiea, Fern, Jefferson, Kaala, Kailua, Salt Lake, Wahiawa, Waiau, Waimanalo and Waipahu elementary schools.

Contact HCAP at 847-2400. For the Waipahu site, call Kama'aina Kids at 262-4538; at Fern, call PACT at 842-5996.

For the Kahului Elementary site on Maui, contact Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. at 249-2988.

On the Big Island, contact Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council Inc. at 961-2686 for the Mountain View Elementary preschool.

For the Keonepoko Elementary site on the Big Island, call the Lieutenant Governor's Office at 586-2318 or toll-free at 974-4000, ext. 60255, and ask for Kaui.