July 1, 2015
Media Contact:
Marina Satoafaiga
Maui Office: 808-244-7467; Moloka`i Office: 808-553-3276; Lana`i Office: 808-244-7467
msatoafaiga@imuafamily.org
Wailuku, HI. – Imua Family Services is pleased to announce a new chapter in the agency’s rich 69 year history. As of July 2015, Imua Family Services will be providing Infant and Child Development Services to families and children on the island of Moloka`i, making the organization’s services available County wide with ongoing services on Maui and Lana`i. Families on the island will be able to access Care Coordination Services, Speech Language Pathology, Occupational and Physical Therapy, Special Instruction, and General Education Training for keiki birth through 3 years of age.
Imua Family Services through a contract with the State of Hawaii Department of Health Early Intervention Section will open an office at the Moloka`i Community Health Center (30 Oki Place, Kaunakakai). “Moloka`i Community Health Center (MCHC), the community as well as Council Member Stacy Crivello have been so gracious, supportive and helpful to us as we prepare to join their professional team of providers,” says Dean Wong, Executive Director. “We at Imua Family Services are thrilled to be sharing a cumulative 144 years of early childhood expertise with Moloka`i, ” says Wong.
Imua Family Services is proud to have Moloka`i resident Amanda Meatyard as the Assistant to the Program Director and Care Coordinator. Meatyard earned her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at University of Hawaii Manoa and brings 10 years of experience in early intervention including a stint with MCHC’s Ikaika Program. Joining her will be Chelsea Kapuni, Family Trainer. A graduate of Moloka`i High School, Kapuni earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2012 from Chaminade University.
The Infant & Child Development Program will be under the direct supervision of Program Director Dr. Bobbie-Jo Moniz-Tadeo Ed.D, M.Ed, B.A who brings the team a wealth of resources as a Professor of Practice for Argosy University and an Instructor of Early Childhood at UH Maui College. “It gives us great joy to know that we are doing everything we can and reaching all areas of Maui County. It is our goal to leave no rock or stone unturned, that every child born in our communities has the opportunities to reach their full potential in life,” Dean Wong, Executive Director.