Programs

Infant and Child Development serves more than 400 children and their families each year and Imua staff see many of these children multiple times depending on each child’s needs. This early intervention serves children from birth to age three who have developmental concerns. Imua helps these children improve physical movement, communication, and personal and social skills through physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, special instruction, and other services as needed. In addition, the program helps families by providing information, demonstrations, and support to caregivers that they may better understand their children's developmental needs and how to meet them.

Early Childhood Development Program provides services to children age 3 through 5 who are at risk of or have developmental delays that fall outside the scope of Department of Education, Special Education Services. The needs of each child will be met through the provision of professional therapeutic services for the child and support for those involved in the child’s life in order to help them thrive in home, community and preschool environments, and be better prepared for kindergarten and beyond.

The vital importance of having therapeutic services in the life of these children is recognized in statistical data compiled when the child exits Imua Family Services Infant and Child Development Program and kindergarten entry. Only 17.5 % of children discharged from Imua Family Services ICDP have reached age appropriate skill levels. This low level is due to the fact that most delays are not identified in children until approximately 2 years of age.

Perhaps the most enduring aspect of early intervention services are the changes seen in the lives of the children and parents touched by the program. Early Intervention enriches the lives of both child and parent by promoting positive development. It provides successful strategies for parents, caregivers, teachers and daycare providers, thus, enhancing the home and school environments. Ultimately, Early Intervention leads to stronger more productive children and families.

Although Imua has contracted with the state Department of Health for the past 30 years to provide services, Imua must raise 30% of its revenue from community gifts. Community support is critical to maintain Imua’s excellence, ensure its ability to respond to changing community needs, and guarantee that Imua Family Services will be there to give future generations of children and their families’ opportunities to thrive.

IFS - Early Childhood Development Program Demonstration Project- Fiscal 2009 Annual Report

IFS - Early Childhood Development Program Demonstration Project- Fiscal 2008 Annual Report

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Camp Imua brings the community and children with special needs together for a free weeklong, overnight recreational camp each summer. The camp gives school-age children with "special abilities" opportunities to try new activities and connect with each other. It gives volunteers opportunities to connect with the children and to give back to the community. And camp Imua gives the children’s caregivers much needed time off. Fifty children attend and at least 150 community volunteers and numerous businesses from restaurants, helicopter companies, and live bands make Camp Imua memorable and fun for all. Over 70% of the camps’ expenses are met through in-kind donations. Learn more about Camp Imua.

Newborn Hearing Screening, as conducted by Imua, has reduced the average age of hearing loss identification from three years of age to six months. Early identification accelerates treatment and prevents unnecessary developmental delays. Imua staff screen every healthy baby born at Maui Memorial Medical Center and will provide outpatient testing for home births or infants born elsewhere. This program reaches 1,600 infants each year and that number grows with Maui’s birthrate.