Peer Support for Families with Young Children Kauaʻi County

2026-11-03

The Maternal and Child Health Branch seeks the services of a community - based organization to provide peer - to - peer support services for families with young children in Kauaʻi county . Introduction The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (“ DOH ”), Family Health Services Division (“ FHSD ”), Maternal and Child Health Branch (“ MCHB ”), works in partnership with community - based organizations to strengthen families and support healthy development during early childhood . MCHB prioritizes preventive , community - based approaches that reinforce family resilience , reduce social isolation , and support parents and caregivers during the critical birth - to - five period . Families with young children may experience stress related to parenting demands , economic insecurity , social isolation , or life transitions . When informal support networks are limited or disrupted , these stressors can compound and increase the likelihood of families needing more intensive services over time . Strengthening early , voluntary , and trusted peer connections is a key strategy for supporting family stability and promoting positive early childhood outcomes . Peer - to - peer support is grounded in shared lived experience and focuses on relationship - building , mutual encouragement , and community connection . Local peer support normalizes help - seeking , reduces isolation , and provides parents and caregivers with accessible support rooted in their own communities . These services are voluntary , non - clinical , and community - driven , and are intended to complement , rather than replace formal services . FHSD seeks the services of a community - based organization to provide community - based peer support services for parents and caregivers of children birth to age five within Kauaʻi County . Services funded under this solicitation are intended to strengthen informal support networks , promote caregiver confidence and connection , and support family well - being through peer - led engagement . Services shall be provided exclusively within Kauaʻi County and shall be community - based and accessible to parents and caregivers residing in that region . Peer support activities are expected to reflect local context , community needs , and existing informal support networks . DOH may issue separate solicitations for peer support services in other counties . A single vendor shall not be awarded more than one county under these solicitations . Service Specifications Specific Qualifications or Requirements The Vendor shall demonstrate the ability to design and implement community - based peer support services that strengthen informal support networks for parents and caregivers of young children . Services shall be grounded in shared lived experience , mutual support , and community connection , and aligned with preventive , early childhood - focused approaches to family well - being . At a minimum , the Vendor shall : Be based in Kauaʻi County and demonstrate an established , trusted presence within the county , including meaningful relationships with parents , caregivers , and community networks ; Demonstrate experience implementing peer - led , strengths - based , and relationship - centered support models grounded in lived experience , voluntary participation , non - judgmental engagement , and respect for family self - determination ; Have a minimum of three ( 3 ) years of experience supporting families with young children during the birth - to - age - five period , including experience addressing caregiver stress , social isolation , or family transitions through community - based approaches ; Demonstrate an understanding of trauma - informed , culturally responsive , and community - driven peer practices , including trust - building , cultural humility , and reducing barriers to participation ; Have the organizational capacity to manage program operations , fiscal accountability , reporting requirements , and subcontracting or partnerships with neighborhood - based peer groups while maintaining the flexible , low - barrier nature of peer support ; Demonstrate the ability to recruit , onboard , and support peer facilitators or peer leaders , including guidance on peer roles , ethical boundaries , reflective practice , and appropriate use of lived experience ; and Description of Tasks , Responsibilities , and Deliverables Peer support services funded under this solicitation shall be voluntary , relationship - based , and community - driven . Services shall prioritize connection , mutual support , and caregiver well - being and shall be delivered in ways that respect family choice , confidentiality , and cultural context . Activities are intended to strengthen informal support networks and promote family resilience during early childhood . The Vendor shall describe how the following tasks , responsibilities , and deliverables will be accomplished during the period of performance : A . Peer Support Activities Provide location - based peer - led support opportunities for parents and caregivers of children birth to age five , grounded in shared lived experience and mutual encouragement ; Facilitate peer gatherings , parent circles , or group - based support spaces that promote connection , shared learning , and normalization of parenting challenges ; and Offer informal one - on - one peer connection , as appropriate and requested by participants to reduce isolation and strengthen trust . B . Community - Based Engagement and Access Conduct location - based peer support activities in accessible , trusted community settings , including neighborhood - based locations identified by or familiar to families ; and Utilize outreach approaches that are low - barrier , welcoming , and non - stigmatizing , encouraging voluntary participation . C . Peer Practice and Role Clarity Deliver peer support in accordance with peer support principles , including voluntary participation , non - judgmental engagement , respect for family self - determination , and appropriate use of lived experience ; and Maintain clear peer role boundaries and ensure services remain non - clinical and relationship - centered , focusing on support rather than assessment , monitoring , or compliance .

Hawaii

2026-05-02