Nicole Schlaack, Ph.D. and Evaluation Manager of the HSRI: DOH-DDD Evaluation Project, from the University of Hawaii, Center on Disability Studies, will present findings from the evaluation to HWPA.

Also, don’t miss a special farewell to Mary Brogan from the DOH as she approaches retirement!

HWPA members will receive an email reminder with the Zoom link to attend this virtual meeting.

Details: In honor of Autism Acceptance, we are extending complimentary General Admission tickets to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other Developmental Disabilities and up to 5 members of their friends and family. We encourage attendees to wear blue to show support. All ages are welcome!

RSVP Deadline: Friday, November 7, 2025

This event aims to create an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

As Medicaid funding remains stagnant, behavioral health and I/DD providers must explore innovative ways to diversify revenue streams. This webinar, hosted by ANCOR Platinum Partner Core Solutions, will uncover non-traditional funding opportunities that can enhance financial sustainability while staying true to your organization’s mission. 

Drawing from real-world examples and decades of experience, this presentation will cover:

• Identifying viable alternative funding sources at the federal, state, and municipal levels

• Assessing alignment with your organization’s goals and services

• Navigating the steps to secure new revenue streams

Attendees will gain practical insights into securing government contracts, grants, and partnerships that can strengthen financial resilience and reduce reliance on traditional Medicaid funding.

For paid HWPA members only. Details TBA.

Zoom invite will be sent to paid HWPA members a week before the meeting.

The Health & Wellness Program Director from the Hawaii Community Foundation will join this membership meeting as HWPA’s featured guest presenter. Click here to add it to your calendar.

President Trump signed into law in July a budget reconciliation package that mandates all adults who are eligible for Medicaid through the ACA expansion meet federal work and reporting requirements. At a minimum, the 41 states (including D.C.) that have expanded Medicaid under the ACA will be required to verify that individuals are working or meet certain exemptions when they apply for or renew their Medicaid coverage.

At 12 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 11, four experts, including two state Medicaid directors, will join Health Wonk Shop series moderator Larry Levitt in an hour-long discussion of how states will go about implementing the new Medicaid work requirements. During the discussion, panelists will consider important implementation questions and challenges that states will face in the coming months and years, including: How much will it cost states and the federal government to implement work requirements? Will states be able to meet the implementation deadline (on 12/31/2026)? How will states use or improve “data matching” to automate verification of work activities, hours, and exemptions? What are states watching out for in forthcoming federal guidance and what might be left to states’ discretion?

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder sign waving event at the Hawaii State Capitol

Develop the confidence and skills to effectively influence decision-makers and drive meaningful change within the intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) field with this three-part interactive series. This fully virtual event, spanning three days, will empower participants to navigate organizational hierarchies, communicate with clarity and purpose, and build credibility with leaders at all levels.

Learn practical strategies to advocate for ideas, secure buy-in, and contribute to solutions that advance your organization’s mission and the broader I/DD community. Through expert insights and hands-on exercises, participants will gain practical tools to lead up, foster collaboration, and amplify their professional impact.

The Department of Social Work at the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health announces the release of a new report: We Are All Interconnected: Hawaiʻi Nonprofits Navigating Federal Shifts in Early 2025

Access the Report at this link: https://go.hawaii.edu/rdU

In this meeting, the authors of this report will present their findings, followed by a question-and-answer session and a facilitated discussion on key takeaways and opportunities for future collaboration.

By the end of this presentation & discussion, participants will be able to:
1. Identify how health and social service nonprofits in Hawai`i were affected by the federal changes in early 2025.
2. Identify the resilience and creativity in responses shown by health and social service nonprofits
3. Apply key takeaways from the report to identify collaboration opportunities among stakeholders to support collective progress during times of uncertainty and ongoing federal shifts.

If you are no longer able to attend the training, please withdraw your registration via the link in your registration confirmation email.

This activity is approved by the National Association of Social Workers – Hawaiʻi Chapter (NASWHI-CEP-002) for up to 2.0 Social Work continuing education contact hour(s).

A presentation from the Department of Transportation on the 5310 grant

This webinar from ANCOR runs one hour per day for three days, from the 26th to the 28th, and is $125 for ANCOR members or $300 for non-ANCOR members.

The I/DD field is all about relationships. We cultivate relationships every day with the people we serve, their support teams, our own colleagues, community partners, and more. But equally important, and sometimes overlooked, are the connections we develop and grow with other I/DD professionals.

Develop the confidence and skills to build meaningful professional relationships in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) field with this three-part interactive series. You’ll engage in discussions with peers in the I/DD field, and refine your networking skills in real-time through structured activities. Learn strategies to maximize networking opportunities at conferences, fundraisers, and advocacy events, establish long-term connections, and leverage networking to strengthen the I/DD community.

Through expert insights and hands-on exercises, you’ll gain practical tools to navigate both online and in-person networking with ease.

The Maui County Office on Aging is hosting a Resource Fair for families and individuals with disabilities. at the Queen Ka’ahumanu Shopping Center All are welcome to learn more about services available in our community. For more information call (808) 270-7755 or email MAUI.ADRC@co.maui.hi.us

Legislative grants and governmental funding decisions sometimes make applicants scratch their heads. "Why was this project and not that one funded?"  Funding decision-making by elected officials are opaque when compared to the rigorous procurement scoring rubrics that most non-profit leaders are familiar.  New (and existing) timelines, applications, and processes for Hawaii Senate Bill 933 funding, state and county grants-in-aid, and the 2026 state supplemental budget will all be -- or already are -- underway. Please join us for a no-cost workshop July 25 - August 12 (Oahu, Maui, Hawaii island, and Kauai locations) to learn more -- a virtual option is also available for each session. Space is limited.

The Hawaii True Cost Coalition is hosting a series of no-cost workshops  led by consultant Melissa Pavlicek, a state and local lobbyist for over 25 years, about how governmental funding decisions are get made. We've invited guest speakers, including communications professionals and legislators, to join us for parts of these workshops.  

Legislative grants and governmental funding decisions sometimes make applicants scratch their heads. "Why was this project and not that one funded?"  Funding decision-making by elected officials are opaque when compared to the rigorous procurement scoring rubrics that most non-profit leaders are familiar.  New (and existing) timelines, applications, and processes for Hawaii Senate Bill 933 funding, state and county grants-in-aid, and the 2026 state supplemental budget will all be -- or already are -- underway. Please join us for a no-cost workshop July 25 - August 12 (Oahu, Maui, Hawaii island, and Kauai locations) to learn more -- a virtual option is also available for each session. Space is limited.

The Hawaii True Cost Coalition is hosting a series of no-cost workshops  led by consultant Melissa Pavlicek, a state and local lobbyist for over 25 years, about how governmental funding decisions are get made. We've invited guest speakers, including communications professionals and legislators, to join us for parts of these workshops.  

Chronic instability in the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce disrupts continuity, predictability, and trust for people with I/DD. The DSP workforce often faces challenges related to poverty that go undiscussed. This webinar will explore how systemic barriers—both inside and outside the workplace—impact DSPs and threaten the sustainability of services.

Legislative grants and governmental funding decisions sometimes make applicants scratch their heads. "Why was this project and not that one funded?"  Funding decision-making by elected officials are opaque when compared to the rigorous procurement scoring rubrics that most non-profit leaders are familiar.  New (and existing) timelines, applications, and processes for Hawaii Senate Bill 933 funding, state and county grants-in-aid, and the 2026 state supplemental budget will all be -- or already are -- underway. Please join us for a no-cost workshop July 25 - August 12 (Oahu, Maui, Hawaii island, and Kauai locations) to learn more -- a virtual option is also available for each session. Space is limited.

The Hawaii True Cost Coalition is hosting a series of no-cost workshops  led by consultant Melissa Pavlicek, a state and local lobbyist for over 25 years, about how governmental funding decisions are get made. We've invited guest speakers, including communications professionals and legislators, to join us for parts of these workshops.  

HWPA will hear from the The Disability Rights Center, the designated Protection and Advocacy System for people with disabilities in Hawaii, as well as the designated Client Assistance Program for members of programs funded under the federal Rehabilitation Act. Click here to add it to your calendar.

The DOH Developmental Disabilities Division is hosting a free informational webinar to review the Waiver Amendment changes based on the rate study conducted in 2024. The amendment includes revised individual supports budgets to correspond with service rates, as well as an increase in the maximum cost of vehicle modifications. Click here to register.

HWPA featured Ian Kitajima as a guest speaker on AI a few months ago; he invites HWPA members to learn about new tools and methods to spark creativity and bring fresh ideas to your organization. His “Design for Executives” workshop is a hands-on experience that helps leaders explore simple, human-centered solutions for tough challenges. Learn how to better define problems, think creatively, and test out solutions that make a real difference. Spots are limited, so click here to register now!

HWPA will hear from the The Disability Rights Center on Wednesday, June 25th at noon. This organization is the designated Protection and Advocacy System for people with disabilities in Hawaii, as well as the designated Client Assistance Program for members of programs funded under the federal Rehabilitation Act. Click here to add it to your calendar.

The Heartfelt Legacy Foundation is hosting a Special Needs Seminar for families at the Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. This event will provide essential information and resources to families navigating the complexities of special needs planning. Speakers include Kevin Urbatsch, Esq., a renowned special needs attorney, and Jeremy L. Lau, CFA®, CFP®, CEO of Prudent Investors. Topics will cover public benefits, special needs trusts, trustee selection, and strategies for subsidizing housing options. Tickets are available for $15, which includes lunch and livestream access. This seminar offers valuable insights for families seeking to ensure a secure and fulfilling future for their loved ones with special needs. Click here for tickets.