FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Marina Satoafaiga Phone (808) 244-7467 ext. 241 Email: msatoafaiga@imuafamily.org, or Dean Wong Executive Director, Imua Family Services Phone (808) 244-7467 ext.223 Email: dwong@imuafamily.orgApril is National Autism Awareness Month
Wailuku, Maui March 27, 2014 – In order to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism, the Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970’s. The United States recognizes April as a special opportunity for everyone to educate the public about autism and related issues within the community. Imua Family Services has been addressing early childhood development needs for 67 years, and the increase in autism cases has been a major contributor to the increased caseloads in children receiving services through Imua. In this year’s report, the CDC just released numbers indicating a significant “spike” with current estimates now reflecting 1 in 68 children in the US have autism. Boys continue to be diagnosed at a rate that’s nearly five times that of girls, with 1 in 42 males considered to be on the spectrum according to the CDC said. In March 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a report from their Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network concluding that the prevalence of autism had risen to 1 in every 88 births in the United States and almost 1 in 54 boys.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum disorder” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. The spotlight shown on autism as a result of the prevalence increase opens opportunities for the nation and our community to consider how to serve these families facing a lifetime of support for their children.
Imua Family Services provides early intervention services to children from birth through six years of age who are experiencing a delay in development or have a diagnosed physical and/or mental condition, including autism. Imua’s early intervention specialists help identify problems early in a child’s life and introduce intervention strategies and techniques so that the child can grow and develop in the best way possible. The Early Intervention program is a family-centered program which recognizes that parents/caregivers are the first and most important teachers in their child’s life.
Most children with autism are not diagnosed until after age 4 even though experts say the condition can be spotted as early as age 2. The timing is significant since research shows that intervention is most successful when started early. “The most important thing for parents to do is to act early when there is a concern about a child’s development,” said Dr. Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, chief of the CDC’s Developmental Disabilities Branch. “If you have a concern about how your child plays, learns, speaks, acts or moves, take action. Don’t wait.”
Currently, the Autism Society estimates that the lifetime cost of caring for a child with autism ranges from $3.5 million to $5 million, and that the United States is facing almost $90 billion annually in costs for autism (this figure includes research, insurance costs and non-covered expenses, Medicaid waivers for autism, educational spending, housing, transportation, employment, in addition to related therapeutic services and caregiver costs).
Know the Signs: Early Identification Can Change Lives
Autism is treatable. Children do not “outgrow” autism, but studies show that early diagnosis and intervention lead to significantly improved outcomes.
Here are some signs to look for in the children in your life:
- Lack of or delay in spoken language
- Repetitive use of language and/or motor mannerisms (e.g., hand-flapping, twirling objects)
- Little or no eye contact
- Lack of interest in peer relationships
- Lack of spontaneous or make-believe play
- Persistent fixation on parts of objects
Early intervention specialists at Imua work alongside parents and other important people in the child’s life providing support and guidance. They help the adults enhance child development and social-emotional wellbeing within and across all ordinary daily life routines and activities. Imua’s Early Intervention program strives to advance the child’s development by providing appropriate individualized services, which assist parents/caregivers with obtaining the tools they need to help with that development, bearing in mind the well-being of the entire family.
It is no coincidence that the Imua Family Services’ largest fundraiser, Fantasia Ball, is on April 5 as a way to kick off the Week of the Young Children and Autism Awareness Month. We use our event to bring the week and month to the attention of our community’s hearts and minds,” says Dean Wong, Executive Director.
Imua Family Services’ 3rd Annual Gala Fundraiser, Fantasia Ball 2014, is on April 5. The Week of the Young Child begins on April 6, 2014 and all of April is National Autism Awareness Month.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Dean Wong Executive Director, Imua Family Services Phone (808) 244-7467 ext 223 Email: dwong@imuafamily.org3rd Annual Gala Celebration Fundraiser “Fantasia Ball 2014 The Black and White Ball”
Wailuku, MAUI March 17, 2014 – Imua Family Services began its journey helping children with Polio in 1947. Today, the non-profit celebrates 67 years of growth and commitment to serving Maui and Lanai. Imua Family Services proudly presents the Third Annual “Fantasia Ball” – an extraordinary celebratory fundraiser event on Saturday, April 5, 2014 beginning at 6 p.m. in the luxurious Monarchy Ballroom, Hyatt Regency Maui, Kaanapali. Event information and tickets are available through Imua Family Services and at www.imuafamilyservices.org.
This year, Fantasia Ball will be a “Black & White Ball” – an elegant affair complete with cocktail reception followed by a spectacular chef-inspired dinner. There will be a stunning program celebrating the lives of Maui’s keiki with fantastic visual and musical entertainment. From couture fashion and dance performances to the vocal styling of some of Maui’s most talented teens, presentations from the Honorable Alan Arakawa, Mayor of Maui County, as well as the Governor of Hawaii, can be expected.
The featured artist at this year’s Black and White Ball is fashion designer from the ballyhoo design house Monarrez. Monarrez’s unique, timeless style combines the rules of American ready-to-wear fashion, the traditions of European Haute-Couture and the sensuality of his Latin heritage. Hector specializes in occasion attire using luxurious fabrics fit for the red carpet. MONaRREZ can be seen on celebrities, Miss America, in fashion editorials and was recently named the designer for the Miss Universe Pageant. In the last four years, the Hector-Javier MONaRREZ Collection has become the most respected fashion design house in the city of Chicago. Adding to the mix of fashion will be the UH Maui College, Fashion Technology Program club which has been given the challenge of creating show stopping black and white couture that brings the event to red carpet heights.
Entertainment will run through every component of the night with live musicians including the Maui Cello Quartet and Kelly Covington and Espresso Band; dancers from Seabury Hall’s Dance Program led by Director David Ward and Dance Teacher Vanessa Cerrito to the Ballroom Dancers of the Rita O’Connor Private Image Dance Studio; singers Joy Fields and Maui’s Teen Talent show casers, Mikela Wesson, Kaimana Neal and Marea Lee; and Maui Taiko, just to name a few of the highlights.
As if the Fantasia Ball was not Fantasmic enough, it is followed by the official after party, Fantasia After Dark sponsored by Ocean Vodka. Giving a new audience a nightclub dance experience to beat-driven levels, we’ll be turning the adjoining ballroom into an all-out extravagant dance party with the cutting edge DJ Del Sol. This year’s Fantasia After Dark is designed to be “like an exclusive after party at Fashion Week in New York” combining the DJ and dance floor with models, fashion designers and dancers from the ball to the mix. Fantasia After Dark tickets are included with the ball, but can be purchased separately for those who only want to experience the After Party. $30.00 in advance at $40.00 at the door.
Honorary Chair Family Zadoc Brown III along with wife Stephanie and their sons will share, “As each month passed after 18 months, and our son Zadoc still didn’t have any words, we knew it was time to seek help. Knowing little about Imua at the start of our journey, we couldn’t imagine what a magical part of our lives they would become. From the very first meeting with our future care coordinator, all the uncertainty we had disappeared. Once our team was in place, and at-home therapy began, we couldn’t believe the progress our child made.” This has been the work of Imua Family Services for 67 years, through therapeutic services, we help children with disabilities, developmental delays and special needs reach their full potential in life.
With a fascinating turn into the world of Social Media, Imua Family Services has created an online event experience which will feature every detail of the event as it grows. Community members who cannot attend, but want to follow the ball’ as the night unfolds, can follow Imua (@imuafamily) and Fantasia Ball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags #imuaball, #fantasiaafterdark, and #imuafamily.
For more information about Imua’s 67th Anniversary Gala Fundraiser Fantasia Ball, tickets, tables and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.imuafamilyservices.org or contact Dean Wong at (808) 244-7467 or dwong@imuafamily.org.
Honorary Chair Family, Zadoc and Stephanie Brown and family
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 4, 2014
2013 Designer of the Year to showcase at Maui Benefit
Fantasia Ball 2014 “The Black and White Ball”
Wailuku, Hawaii – Maui,
Chicago based designer and 2013 Designer of the Year brings style and sophistication to Maui this April. Socialites and fashionistas will fill the Monarchy Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Maui for a one-of-a-kind experience by Chicago’s prominent couture designer. A collection that Hector Javier Monarrez promises will be unforgettable.
Inspired by his upbringing, Hector-Javier Monarrez was fuelled by the creativity and passion of the seamstresses and dressmakers that surrounded him. It was on vacation in Maui years ago that he shared his desire to design with longtime friend and Executive Director of Imua Family Services, Dean Wong. After graduation from design school, Hector travelled the world mastering his skill. Today, the fashion designer and couturier has gained recognition on a local and international stage. Hector founded fashion house the MONaRREZ Collection in 2009 and has been rising in demand ever since. Hector’s unique, timeless style combines the rules of American ready-to-wear fashion, the traditions of European Haute-Couture and the sensuality of his Latin heritage. Hector specializes in occasion attire using luxurious fabrics fit for the red carpet. MONaRREZ Collection can be seen on celebrities, fashion editorial, Miss America and was recently named the designer for Miss Universe Pageant. In the last four years Hector-Javier MONaRREZ Collection has become the most respected fashion designer in the city of Chicago. In July 2013 MONaREZZ Collection opened the doors of their first boutique store.
Imua Family Services is proud to partner with the fashion house for Fantasia Ball 2014 Black and White Ball. IFS along with Cherisse Nichole of VIP Style have been busy casting models and preparing for the event. The Fashion Technology Students of UH Maui College have also been hard at work creating avant-garde fashions to showcase at Fantasia Ball. “We thought it was important for the Maui Fashion Students to be a part of a success story such as MONaRREZ Collection, to be inspired by them and to see that their choice to pursue fashion could take them anywhere they were willing to work towards.” says Dean Wong Executive Director of Imua Family Services.
Tickets to the Fashion Event of the Year, Fantasia Ball will go on sale Valentine’s Day at www.imuafamilyservices.org. The gala which will take place on April 5, 2014 is a benefit for Imua Family Services. Imua Family Services have been providing services to Maui and Lanai since 1947.
For more information, please visit our website at www.imuafamilyservices.org or call 244-7467.
Imua Family Services’ core programs include the following: Infant Child Development Program which provides early intervention services to over 500 children, birth to age 3, annually; Newborn Hearing Screening which provides hearing screening to all infants born at Maui Memorial Hospital (approximately 1,800 infants per year); Early Childhood Developmental Program providing therapeutic developmental services to children ages 3 – 5 who do not reach age-appropriate milestones (100 children annually); and Camp Imua which provides a week-long recreational camping experience for over 50 school-age special needs children, with participation from over 200 volunteers from the community. Each year these programs help meet the developmental needs of over 3,000 Maui children, provide support and assistance to their families, and help maximize each child’s and family’s potential in society. With over 65 years of service provision on Maui and Lanai, Imua Family Services has a strong reputation in the community as a provider of high quality, comprehensive services that result in improved life outcomes for children and their families.
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Imua Family Services partners with University of Hawaii Maui College to provide “IMCC”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 13, 2014
Child Care Opportunity to Increase Student Retention at UH Maui
Ground Breaking Collaboration
Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii
In an unprecedented collaboration, two of the most qualified programs on Maui have come together to offer exclusive childcare opportunities. Sixty seven year wise Maui nonprofit Imua Family Services, known for its comprehensive therapeutic approach to early childhood development services and UH Maui College, CareerLink and Early Childhood Education faculty teamed up to offer quality childcare for Part-time UH Maui College students to stay successfully enrolled in their college courses.
Imua & Maui College Childcare, (IMCC) is a “Demonstration Project” set to begin operation in January 2014. The premise of the demonstration project is to provide quality childcare for students attending UHMC classes and programs who may need the assistance with childcare in order to maintain class attendance and complete their courses. “If you’re a single parent, trying to further your education, or the household is working multiple jobs to make ends meet while trying to get an education, then childcare can become the greatest obstacle to reaching those goals” Says, Dean Wong, Imua Family Services Executive Director.
CNN recently reported that the cost of childcare is so high in some parts of the country; it’s now more expensive than tuition at state colleges, according to a report from Child Care Aware of America. The report states, in nearly two-thirds of the country, average childcare costs were greater than yearly tuition and fees at a four year public college.
“Quality childcare is often the burden that makes it difficult for some Maui students to successfully complete their education,” said Juli Patao, UHMC CareerLink Director. “We hope that this demonstration project will show that providing childcare can have a positive impact on both retention and completion of degrees or certificates.”
Imua & Maui College Childcare (IMCC) will run Monday thru Thursday to accommodate part-time UH Maui College students enrolled in morning and afternoon classes.
UH Maui College, Early Childhood Program provides an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Students who earn the degree are hired as preschool teachers, assistants, and a number of preschool directors in Maui County are graduates of the program. Students often go on to earn a Bachelor’s in Social Science, ECE concentration, from UH West O’ahu which is offered completely online.
Imua Family Services’ core programs include the following: Infant Child Development Program which provides early intervention services to over 500 children, birth to age 3, annually; Newborn Hearing Screening which provides hearing screening to all infants born at Maui Memorial Hospital (approximately 1,800 infants per year); Early Childhood Developmental Program providing therapeutic developmental services to children ages 3 – 5 who do not reach age-appropriate milestones (100 children annually); and Camp Imua which provides a week-long recreational camping experience for over 50 school-age special needs children, with participation from over 200 volunteers from the community. Each year these programs help meet the developmental needs of over 3,000 Maui children, provide support and assistance to their families, and help maximize each child’s and family’s potential in society. With over 65 years of service provision on Maui and Lanai, Imua Family Services has a strong reputation in the community as a provider of high quality, comprehensive services that result in improved life outcomes for children and their families.
For more information please visit http://maui.hawaii.edu/careerlink/home/ or call CareerLink at UH Maui College at 984-3318. Interested students must complete an online survey.
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