David Y. Ige

Honolulu, HI – The Department of Human Services encourages families to apply for its Preschool Open Doors (POD) program throughout the month of October. This program, which is currently serving more than 1,000 children statewide, provides subsidies to eligible low- and moderate-income families to pay preschool tuition. POD aims to provide children whose families might otherwise not be able to afford preschool the opportunity to gain essential skills to be successful in school and in life.

To qualify for the program, children must be eligible to enter kindergarten in the 2016-2017 school year. Families may choose any one of the 434 State-licensed preschools. Underserved or at-risk children receive priority consideration for the POD program.

Interested families may request an application beginning October 1, 2015 from the Department’s POD contractor, PATCH, by visiting patchhawaii.org or calling 791-2130 or toll free 1-800-746-5620.  PATCH can also help families locate a preschool convenient for them.

Applications must be received by October 31, 2015 to be considered for the January 1-June 30, 2016 program period. Applications should be dropped off, mailed or faxed to the following:

PATCH – POD
560 N. Nimitz Hwy, Suite 218
Honolulu, HI 96817
Fax: (808) 694-3066

Eligibility and priorities for POD program selection are detailed online in HAR §17-799, which is available online at humanservices.hawaii.gov/admin-rules-2/admin-rules-for-programs. For more information about other DHS programs and services, visit humanservices.hawaii.gov

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Media Contact:
Keopu Reelitz, Public Information Officer
Department of Human Services
Email: [email protected]
Cell Phone: 372-4704

Keopu Reelitz
Public Information Officer, Department of Human ServicesE: [email protected]
O: (808) 586-4892
C: (808) 372-4704