We’re All About FAMILY
(click here for frequently asked questions)
Child & Family Service (CFS) is a Hawaii-born, impact-driven, community-based organization with a mission of strengthening families and fostering the healthy development children.
Our statewide community programs include preschool education, prevention of child abuse and neglect, programs for at-risk youth, domestic violence emergency services, therapeutic counseling, employment assistance, programs for elder care, and more.
Using our core values of HOPE (Humility, Ownership, Perseverance, & Engagement), we work with families to help them achieve their dreams including, financial independence, planning for a thriving future and caring for all generations of their ‘ohana.
For the past 124 years, CFS has been one of Hawaii’s largest nonprofits providing family-strengthening services from twinkle to wrinkle.
Within the past fiscal year (July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022) alone, CFS provided direct services, to 14,991 individuals and touched another 75,000 lives through phone calls, referrals, educational presentations, and by providing for those visiting walk-in family centers.
View our latest annual report by clicking here (Fiscal Year 2022).
Our Mission
Strengthening families and fostering the healthy development of children.
Our Vision
Healthy, thriving individuals and families building strong, multi-cultural communities across generations.
Our Values
Humility, Ownership, Perseverance, and Engagement
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Here you’ll find answers to common questions about CFS. If you have questions about our organization or a specific program, please feel free to Contact Us.
Is CFS a State Agency?
No, CFS is a private nonprofit social service organization that has been a part of Hawaii’s community since 1899. Each year our programs strengthen thousands of families across the state.
Within the last fiscal year (July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022) alone, CFS provided direct services, to 14,991 individuals and touched an additional 75,000 lives through phone calls, referrals, educational presentations, and by providing for those visiting walk-in family centers.
Learn more in our latest annual report (Fiscal Year 2022).
Why is CFS such a large organization?
CFS is a large organization because we strive to strengthen the entire family. This means we offer a wide range of programs to meet the needs of our four core focus areas of: Caring for Keiki, Empowering Youth, Healing from Trauma (Adults & Families), and Honoring Kūpuna.
Where does CFS get its funding?
The majority of CFS funding comes from state and federal contracts. The breakdown for sources of revenue in fiscal year 2019 (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019), are as follows:
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- 82% Government Contracts
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- 11% Contributions & Fundraising
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- 5% Rental Income, Fee for Service, Other Revenue
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- 2% Investment Income
As of 2015, CFS also receives support through a newly established major gifts initiative known as the Stronger Families Fund.
Why does CFS need support from the community?
We may be large, but donors are still the heart of our organization. Contributions received from the community contribute to a pool of flexible funds that pay for program enhancements not covered by the limits of government contracts and help to position CFS as an innovative nonprofit leader.
Initiatives made possible by flexible funds include implementation of a nationally recognized model, known as Results Based Accountability™, which allows us to track the outcomes for all programs and prove our effectiveness through hard data. We’ve also trained more than 300 employees in Trauma Informed Care, a compassionate approach to providing direct service to the individuals and families we serve.
Donor contributions also support our programs when government contracts are eliminated with short notice, leaving families without important services. With private support, CFS can continue to provide for families without interruption.
What’s the difference between CPS and CFS?
Child Protective Services, or “CPS” (now called Child Welfare Services, or CWS) is a state run agency that responds to reports of child abuse and neglect. Its primary focus is providing interventions and protection for children at risk of, or experiencing abuse or neglect.
While Child & Family Service (CFS) does partner with CPS to strengthen families separated by court order, our main focus is the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Through early detection, education, and linking families to community resources, we help parents understand and support the development and growth of their children.
How does someone access programs of CFS?
CFS welcomes the community to connect with us at our walk-in Family Centers on O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, and Hawai‘i Island. Or visit our Contact Us page for the phone numbers and email addresses of our offices statewide.
Other ways to access our services include:
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- 24/7 access to emergency services like our Domestic Violence Shelters
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- Through court referral
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- Through medical referral
Is CFS a local or national nonprofit organization?
CFS is a local nonprofit organization. Founded here in Hawai‘i, we’ve been committed to supporting the Hawai‘i community since 1899, when we began as a part of Associated Charities of Honolulu. To learn more about our organization, see our History.
How can I get involved?
CFS welcomes volunteers to provide assistance with client services, administrative support, and fundraising events. If you’d like to get involved, learn more about Volunteer opportunities in your area.
What has CFS accomplished in the last year?
Within the past fiscal year alone (July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022), CFS provided direct services, to 14,991 individuals and touched an additional 75,000 lives through phone calls, educational presentations, and by providing for those visiting walk-in family centers. To learn more about the positive results we’re creating in Hawaii’s communities, see Our Impact.
Who does CFS serve?
We believe the key to creating meaningful and lasting change in a single individual’s life is to strengthen and support the entire family. As a result, our programs welcome everyone from keiki to kūpuna and are offered to every island throughout the state of Hawai‘i.
