Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities

11/05/2025

Hawaii Relief Program and Help With Food In Hawaiʻi During Shutdown 💪

Email from Oahu SAAC Support circles and SNAP Benefits resources. Hawaii DDC ☀️ News & Updates NOVEMBER 2025 Hawaii Relief Program opens applications for housing and utility help for needy residents

10/30/2025

Are you looking for a friendly space to connect with others who share similar experiences? Join us for the Peer-to-Peer Support Circle Hawaii for Adults with Disabilities.

Date: Sunday, November 9th
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: Zoom (online)
*We meet online on the second Sunday of every month, but the meeting may be held on a different
Sunday depending on members’ availability.

Please RSVP to join: https://forms.gle/fAWQpC11Ze4amd6X9

Peer-to-Peer Support Circle Hawaiʻi offers a warm and respectful space for adults with disabilities to:
Share your stories and experiences
Talk openly in a safe and inclusive environment
Build genuine friendships

10/30/2025

The Developmental Disabilities Division is hosting a Zoom webinar, Waiver Renewal Feedback Session, for waiver providers and DDD staff, participants/families, and stakeholders on:

Thursday, October 30, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
via Zoom

Please see attached flyer. To register, https://hawaii-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2hhzq2FGTIW7NIypWYlKcg #/registration

10/27/2025

November is Epilepsy Awareness Month. The Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD) is hosting epilepsy and seizure management training sessions for participants/families, Waiver providers, DDD staff, and stakeholders. The training will provide information about epilepsy and seizures, seizure management tools, and treatment options.

Wednesday and Thursday, in-person on Oahu and Zoom
• November 12, 2025, from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• November 13, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Please see attached flyer. To register, please click on or scan the QR code https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZyHUN2kqm2B17B9B1UO_HEG6h1U59Id1/view
(Click on link 'In-Person Pearl City, Oahu' in link)

09/19/2025

The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities would like to invite you to the National Disability Employment Awareness month sign waving event on Friday October 3, 9-11am, at the Hawaii State Capitol, to bring awareness to our community about people with disabilities in the workforce. 💪

Bring your signs that support Disability Employment, Don't forget to bring some water and sunscreen 😎 and join us in celebrating the 80th anniversary of Value and Talent in the disability community. 🤩
🔥 Feel free to share this widely with your networks!

See you there!

08/30/2025

🌟We extend our sincere mahalo to Senator Kanuha for his leadership in advancing legislation that shines a light on the unique health challenges faced by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Hawai‘i. This is an important step toward building a more inclusive, supportive future for our community. 🌟

07/17/2025

Attached is the Zoom discussion with crucial updates on federal policy developments that directly impact NAST priorities.
We examine the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill and its implications for the programs we support including 529 plans and ABLE accounts. We are honored to be joined by Congressman Rudy Yakym (Indiana), Co-Chair of the House Municipal Finance Caucus, who will offer his perspective on the road ahead in Congress.
Link to the recording: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/sJ_W6eaANRONhUBxVhf_iIhek0H-RXokdOv4umLlp2W85nAtnTu-pqrmFhqjbzWg.nDf1lIVwg71KeVpS

Additionally, Commonwealth Savers put together the attached infographic showing the bill changes and effective dates for the 529 and ABLE provisions.

07/17/2025

Waiting list opening for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program 🔥

HONOLULU – The City and County of Honolulu is opening its waiting list for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program which provides rental assistance to eligible households with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“The program offers rental assistance to help eligible low income and vulnerable families expand their housing options,” said Director Anton Krucky, Department of Community Services. “We recognize the need for rental assistance is great, and that families are anxious to apply. With the online application system, applying is quick, easy, and free.”

Pre-applications will be accepted online from Monday, July 14, 2025, 7:45 a.m., to Friday, July 18, 2025, 4:30 p.m., at https://tinyurl.com/oahuhcv

Submitted pre-applications will be randomized, and 3,000 will be selected through a lottery and placed on the waiting list. There is no first-come, first-served advantage, and only one application will be allowed per household. There is no guarantee for eligibility or housing assistance after applying.

For more information, please visit the City and County of Honolulu, Department of Community Services, Section 8 Website at https://www.honolulu.gov/dcs/dcs-cad-section-8-eligibility/

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Department of Community Services | Community Assistance Division | Rental Assistance Branch Our waitlist is open. We are accepting applications. To be eligible for the program, the applicant family must: Meet current income limits Fall within the definition o...

07/10/2025

Save Your Dates! 🗓
Join Us in Honoring a Landmark Civil Rights Law and Advancing the Rights of All People with Disabilities

This year marks the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — a historic law that has profoundly shaped the lives of millions. We invite you to celebrate this milestone and recognize the ADA’s vital role in empowering individuals with disabilities and building more inclusive communities.

We will be celebrating state wide with rallies in Honolulu, Kona, Hilo, Kahului and Līhuʻe

For event details, view the flyer or visit: https://independentlivinghawaii.org/ada35

Don’t see a rally near you?
Email info@hawaiiSILC.org to explore starting one in your area!

Let’s spend time together as a community, lifting our voices, celebrating our progress, and recommitting to a future where equality and inclusion are a reality for all.

07/01/2025

Check out some of the new info including the upcoming Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, free Webinars, national recognition, and Statewide Rallys 📌 https://conta.cc/44yUPNV

06/23/2025

Aloha,
We want to make sure you know about an important upcoming webinar hosted by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health Developmental Disabilities Division (DOH DDD). It’s your chance to learn about big changes being proposed to the Medicaid Waiver program — and to share your thoughts!
🗓️ Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025
⏰ Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
📍 Location: Online via Zoom
🔗 Register here: https://hawaii-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HjjjvJI5SGyB3McMxhEd8Q #/registration
Why It Matters:
The waiver helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities get the services they need to live and thrive in the community. These new updates could improve access, increase support, and make services more flexible.
What’s Changing?
Here are some of the key proposed amendments:
• Rate increases for providers based on a 2024 rate study — this could improve quality and reduce staff turnover.
• Updated Individual Support Budgets (ISBs) to match the new service rates.
• More money for Vehicle Modifications — helpful for accessible transportation.
• Expanded use of telehealth and out-of-state services (with fewer restrictions).
• Community-based respite care now allowed.
• More access to nursing services in everyday supports like ADH and PAB.
• Clear rules for emergency services and improved remote monitoring.
You can also share your feedback during the Public Comment Period from July 18 – September 2, 2025.
If you have questions or need help registering, email: DOH.dddtraining@doh.hawaii.gov
Let’s make sure our voices are heard and our community is supported. Please join us and share this with others who may benefit!
Mahalo,

06/23/2025

Join us in honoring a landmark civil rights law and advancing the rights of all people with disabilities. (OAHU, MAUI, KAUAI, KAILUA-KONA)
This year marks the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a law that has profoundly impacted the lives of millions. We invite you to celebrate this momentous occasion and highlight the ADA's crucial role in empowering individuals with disabilities.