Imua Kākou means "moving forward together" in Hawaiian and is the name chosen for the voluntary care to 21 program in Hawai`i
Who is eligible for Imua Kākou?
Young adults are eligible to participate in the Imua Kākou program if they are between the ages of 18 and their 21st birthday and meet one of the following criteria:
1) Young adult turned 18 or older while in foster care (Child Welfare Services) in Hawai`i and emancipated or “aged out” of the system.
For young adults who were placed in legal guardianship or adopted at age 16 or older from foster care (Child Welfare Services) in Hawai`i, the legal guardian or adopted parent should speak with their CWS payment worker for Extended Assistance options.
What are the benefits of Imua Kākou?
Participants of the Imua Kākou program are eligible to receive the following benefits*:
1) Medical and dental coverage
2) Monthly living assistance payments
3) Resource assistance and support from a case manager
*Young adults who were placed in legal guardianship or adopted at the age of 16 or older in Hawai‘i may only be eligible to receive monthly living assistance payments through their legal guardian or adopted parent.
What are the responsibilities of Imua Kākou participants?
To remain in the Imua Kākou program and receive the benefits, participants must meet the following requirements:
1) Sign a Voluntary Care Agreement with the Department of Human Services
2) Attend court hearings, as required
3) Meet monthly with an assigned Case Manager
3) Meet at least ONE of the following criteria:
Where do participants live?
Young adults who participate in Imua Kākou are responsible for their own housing. They are not required to live in a foster or group home setting. Case managers may be able to assist participants in connecting with housing resources in the community, and case managers will visit the home periodically.
What if a participant wants to exit the program?
Participants who decide that Imua Kākou is not right for them or who are exited from the program because they are not meeting their program responsibilities have the option of re-entering the program before the age of 21, when they are ready and able to participate fully.
Young adults are eligible to participate in the Imua Kākou program if they are between the ages of 18 and their 21st birthday and meet one of the following criteria:
1) Young adult turned 18 or older while in foster care (Child Welfare Services) in Hawai`i and emancipated or “aged out” of the system.
For young adults who were placed in legal guardianship or adopted at age 16 or older from foster care (Child Welfare Services) in Hawai`i, the legal guardian or adopted parent should speak with their CWS payment worker for Extended Assistance options.
What are the benefits of Imua Kākou?
Participants of the Imua Kākou program are eligible to receive the following benefits*:
1) Medical and dental coverage
2) Monthly living assistance payments
3) Resource assistance and support from a case manager
*Young adults who were placed in legal guardianship or adopted at the age of 16 or older in Hawai‘i may only be eligible to receive monthly living assistance payments through their legal guardian or adopted parent.
What are the responsibilities of Imua Kākou participants?
To remain in the Imua Kākou program and receive the benefits, participants must meet the following requirements:
1) Sign a Voluntary Care Agreement with the Department of Human Services
2) Attend court hearings, as required
3) Meet monthly with an assigned Case Manager
3) Meet at least ONE of the following criteria:
- Completing a high school diploma, GED or equivalent, or
- Enrolled part or full-time in post-secondary education (college) or vocational school, or
- Participating in an employment program or activity, or
- Working at least part-time, 80 hours a month, or
- Be identified as medically disabled.
Where do participants live?
Young adults who participate in Imua Kākou are responsible for their own housing. They are not required to live in a foster or group home setting. Case managers may be able to assist participants in connecting with housing resources in the community, and case managers will visit the home periodically.
What if a participant wants to exit the program?
Participants who decide that Imua Kākou is not right for them or who are exited from the program because they are not meeting their program responsibilities have the option of re-entering the program before the age of 21, when they are ready and able to participate fully.