Kaʻū ʻOhana Support Services

The Hawaii Department of Human Services, Social Services Division, is soliciting proposals under RFP SSD.26.POS.9886 for Kau Ohana Support Services, community-based child welfare prevention and family support services in Hawaii County's Kau district, with an RFP orientation on October 27, 2026 and proposals due November 23, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time.

Services aim to strengthen families and prevent unnecessary foster care placement through comprehensive assessments of child and familial needs, individualized program planning, intensive parenting support and family skill-building, parental life skills groups, case management, and outreach. Services must use a trauma-informed approach, and proposals must address transportation barriers and limited infrastructure across a rural area of approximately 1,000 square miles. The provider must obtain and maintain a physical facility within the Kau district, and no program fees may be charged to families.

Applicants must demonstrate three years of verifiable human services experience. Direct service staff must hold at least a Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, nursing, mental health counseling, or behavioral health counseling from a nationally accredited institution, plus two years of applicable work experience. Supervisory staff should preferably hold a Master's degree in a related field and have at least three years of experience with similar service activities. All staff, volunteers, and subcontracted personnel must pass criminal history, sex offender, and Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry checks, with rechecks annually after hire and every two years thereafter.

Anticipated funding is $197,259 per state fiscal year, subject to availability of state and federal funds. The initial term runs from December 28, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with four possible one-year extensions and a maximum term through June 30, 2032. Anticipated award is November 30, 2026.

Proposals must be submitted in PDF format in at least three parts through the Hawaii eProcurement system (HIePRO), with the cost proposal submitted in original Excel format. The solicitation includes a Work Plan template requiring tasks, responsible staff and backup titles, and implementation timelines for each service activity, and budget justification forms in the SPO-H-205 series.