Policy Strategies & Innovations Link copied!

Innovation Name Innovation Type Innovation Subtype Features at a Glance Strategy Summary
Hawaii Early Learning Board Infrastructure Systems Data Systems

The ELB advises the governor and makes recommendations to the state legislature

In 2017, Hawaii converted its early childhood advisory council to an advisory board, the Early Learning Board (ELB). ELB was established through Act 202 and is tasked with formulating statewide policy relating to early learning. It directs the Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) on how to best meet the developmental and educational needs of children; provides recommendations to EOEL on improving the quality, availability, and coordination of early learning programs; promotes collaboration across agencies and stakeholders serving young children; and appoints the EOEL director and evaluating the director on an annual basis. The ELB advises the governor and makes recommendations to the legislature.

Learn more: State of Hawaii Executive Office on Early Learning

Sources:
Education Commission of the States, 2021
Hawaii Executive Office on Early Learning (2023). 2023 Legislative Updates
Education Commission of the States, (2018). Education Governance Dashboard 

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Demographics Link copied!

State population

1,440,196 Source U.S. Census, 2022

Rural %

13.9% Source U.S. Census, 2020

Urban %

86.1% Source U.S. Census, 2020

Number of children age 0-4

82,785 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Poverty levels – children 0-8 below 200% poverty

30% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Median family income among households with children

$93,900.00 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Unemployment rate

3.2% Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, December 2022

Unemployment rate of parents

6% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Children under age 6 with all available parents in the labor force

64% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Children living in households with a high housing cost burden

39% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

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Child population by race and ethnicity Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Race and Ethnicity

  • American Indian and Alaska Native (0.49%)
  • Asian (22%)
  • Black or African American (2%)
  • Hispanic or Latino (20%)
  • Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (12%)
  • Two or More Races (32%)
  • White, not Hispanic or Latino (13%)
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Political Landscape Link copied!

Year20232022202120202019
GovernorDDDDD
HouseDDDDD
SenateDDDDD
Source: Ballotpedia 2023

Early Childhood Education Programs Link copied!

Public pre-K program name

Ready Keiki Source: Hawaii Executive Office on Early Learning 2023

Public pre-K program name

Hawaii State Public Charter School Early Learning Program Source: NIEER 2023

Universal or targeted pre-K policy

Transitioning from Targeted to Universal Pre-K Policy (3- and 4-Year-Olds) Source: Hawaii Executive Office on Early Learning 2023

Universal or targeted pre-k policy

Targeted Pre-K Policy (3- and 4-Year-Olds) Source: NIEER 2023

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Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023

Programs

  • 3-year-old children enrolled in state-funded public pre-K (.4%)
  • 3-year-old children enrolled in Head Start (6%)
  • Other/none (93.6%)
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Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023

Programs

  • 4-year-old children enrolled in state-funded public pre-K (3%)
  • 4-year-old children enrolled in Head Start (7%)
  • Other/none (90%)
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Workforce Link copied!

2017–2019 Median Hourly Wages Source CSCCE 2018, 2020

Role

  • Child care workers
  • Preschool teachers
  • Preschool or child care center directors
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Funding Sources Link copied!

Federal and State Early Childhood Education Funding (in millions) Source First Five Years Fund, 2022

Funding source

  • Head Start and Early Head Start Funding ($29.5)
  • CCDBG & Mandatory Funds ($30.7)
  • CCDBG State Match ($4.8)
  • CCDBG COVID Relief Allocations – CARES, CRRSE, ARPA (CCDF & Stabilization) ($175.0)
  • State-Funded Pre-K ($8.8)
  • MIECHV ($3.6)
  • IDEA Part C ($3.9)
  • IDEA Part B, Sec 619 ($1.6)
  • TANF Early Learning and Care Expenditures ($10.0)
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Funding acronyms: CCDBG: Child Care and Development Block Grant; CARES Act: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act; CRRSE Act: Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations; ARPA: American Rescue Plan Act; CCDF: Child Care and Development Fund; MIECHV: Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program; IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

The COVID Funding Cliff

All federal COVID relief allocations, including funding authorized by the CARES, CRRSE, and ARPA bills, must be fully spent by September 2024. An analysis from the Century Foundation shows this loss of funds could cause more than 3 million children to lose access to child care nationwide – including nearly 6,000 children in Hawaii.