ABOUT

ABOUT

gThe Keiki Assets Account (KAʻA) is a program designed to help families enrolled in participating programs plan and save for their keiki's educational future.

By participating in the KAʻA program, families will gain knowledge in:

  • Financial Literacy & Education on a variety of financial topics
  • Building Financial Capabilities for all members of the 'ohana
  • Planning for keiki's college education/vocational training by establishing a Children's Savings Account at a Financial Institution of your choice

It only takes THREE steps! An "Initial Seed Deposit" is granted by the KAʻA program to start each Children's Savings Account. To be accepted into the program, families must:

  1. Be currently enrolled and actively participating in Family Child Interaction Learning (FCIL) programs with INPEACE or PIDF, ʻAha Pūnana Leo, or a participating Hawaiian-focused Charter School.
  2. Complete an enrollment form and submit to a program staff.
  3. Attend a mandatory orientation session.

 

Who can apply?

Who can apply?

Families currently enrolled and actively participating in FCIL Programs of INPEACE, PIDF, ʻAha Pūnana Leo, and participating Hawaiian-focused Charter Preschools, are welcome to apply to the KAʻA program. Preference is given to participants who meet two or more of the following criteria:

 

  • Native Hawaiian
  • Family member unemployed or underemployed due to COVID-19
  • Household income at 200% of Poverty Level for Hawaiʻi or below
  • Homeless
  • Special needs child
  • Foster Family
  • Teen Parent
  • Single Parent
  • Orphaned Child
  • Incarcerated Parent/Legal Guardian
  • Kupuna raising grandchildren

 

Families are required to maintain a 60% or more attendance rate and involvement in their early education program to receive incentive deposits. Applications for Children's Savings Accounts must be submitted by FCIL/ʻAha Pūnana Leo/participating Hawaiian-focused Charter Preschool Staff only. KAʻA will not accept applications directly from participants.

 

Program components

Program components
Coaching Sessions

KA'A participants meet regularly with their Case Manager/Life Coach to provide high-touch wrap-around coaching, that supports short and long-term financial and educational goals. These coaches create a safe space for their participants by ensuring the values of aloha and lama are experienced throughout every coaching session.

Discussions are led by the participants, and the coaches will provide community resources and information to better equip families for success. Throughout the KAʻA experience, families build meaningful relationships with their KAʻA Life Coach.

Financial Capabilities Workshops

In collaboration with INPEACE Hoʻoulu Waiwai Program, Financial Capabilities Workshops teach participants the financial literacy knowledge they need to strengthen their money management skills in areas such as; creating spending plans, protecting income, maximizing financial resources, estate planning, and more. These workshops are culturally relevant and interweave Native Hawaiian values, moʻolelo (history/stories), and ʻōlelo noʻeau (Hawaiian teachings/learnings).

Personal Deposits

American Savings Bank is one of the largest banking institutions serving the State of Hawai‘i with a long track record of support and partnership with community partners including Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF). ASB is the current Financial Institution Partner for the KA'A Program. KA'A Participants are required to make a minimum deposit of $5.00 at any ASB Branch, every incentive period to qualify for more funds.

Attendance Rate

To earn incentive funds, KA'A participants must maintain a 60% or more attendance rate at their participating early childhood education program. 

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