Who is Eligible?
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:
- Young adult turned 18 or older while in foster care (Child Welfare Services) in Hawaiʻi and emancipated or "aged out" of the system.
- Young adults who were placed in legal guardianship or adopted at age 16 from foster care (Child Welfare Services) in Hawaiʻi
- The Legal Guardian or Adopted Parent should speak with their Child Welfare Services payment worker for Extended Assitance options.
What are the Benefits?
Participants of the Imua Kākou porgram are eligible to receive the following benefits:
- Medical and Dental Coverage
- Monthly Living Assistance Payments
- 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 Hawaiʻi may only be eligible to receive monthly living assistance payments through their legal guardian or adopted parent.
Imua Kākou Participant Responsibilities
To remain in the Imua Kākou program and receive the benefits, participants must meet the following requirements:
- Sign a Voluntary Care Agreement with the Department of Human Services
- Attend court hearings, as required
- Meet monthly with an assigned Case Manager
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where do participants live?
- Imua Kākou participants 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.
- 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.
Sign-Up
Online applications for Imua Kākou are available through ShakaTown.