Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 7, 1 July 1990 — Open Doors offers tuition assistance [ARTICLE]

Open Doors offers tuition assistance

A demonstration pvoject called Open Doors is offering preschool tuition assistance to families for their children who nre ages 3-to-5-years-old. Applications are being accepted now. O'ahu residents may receive assistance for eligible children now. Neighbor island residents may apply now for assistance to begin in September.

Children in the program mav attend a licensed preschool chosen by the oarents. Families must live in specific project areas. children must be of eligible age and the family must meet ineome guidelines in order to be eligible. The definition preschool includes child care centers day care centers, nursery schools, rhild development centers, earlv learninq centers, kindergartens and the like. Fhe Open Doors Project is being sponsored by the Office of Children and Youth More information may be obtained by contacting that office at 548-7582

Applicants must live in one of the followino target areas to be eligible for the tuition assistance. O'ahu — Kaewai, Kaiulani, Linapuni, Aiea, Haleiwa and Waialua, Maili, Waipahu. Hauula, Waiahole, and Waimanalo. Maui — Paia, Waihee, and Wailuku. Moloka'i — Kaunakakai. Kualapuu and Maunaloa. Kaua'i — Eleele, Kekaha and Waimea Canyon Hawai'i — (east) Kapiolani and Pahoa, (west) Honaunau and Ho'okena.

Open Doors applications may be obtained by calling 548-7582 or writing to Open Doors Project. Governor's Office of Children and Youth, P.O. Box 3044, Honolulu, Hawai'i, 968U2. Onee an application is processed, parents will be notified as to whether they areeligible or not. At that time they are given information about th< times and places of parent workshops. Parents accepted for Open Doors are required to attend a parent workshop during the month after thev are notified they ean enroll their child in a licensed preschool program of their ehoiee. A referral service will be available to help parents locate presrhools that have openings available.

If parents meet eligibility requirements, but all slots are taken, parents will be notified and placed on a u'aiting list. Parents will be required to report any change in their ineome or family situation whieh could affect their continued eligibility for tution assistance from Open Doors. Should parents disagree with any decision made by Open Doors concerning their application, they will be able to discuss the decision with the staff. Parents also have a right to a fair hearing whieh must be arranged through the Office of Children and Youth.