Child Welfare Services (CWS) are services provided by the Department of Human Services (DHS), Social Services Division (SSD), Child Welfare Services Branch to children and their families when the children are reported to have been abused and/or neglected or are reported to be at risk for abuse and/or neglect. These services include child protection, prevention, and diversion services to keep children out of foster care. Child Welfare Services also include family support, foster care, adoption, legal guardianship, independent living, adoption assistance and guardianship payments, and licensing of resource caregivers, group homes, and child placing organizations.

The mission of the Child Welfare Services Branch is to ensure the safety, permanency, and wellbeing of children in their own homes first or, when necessary, in out-of-home placements. When a child cannot be safely returned to the family within a reasonable time frame, CWS will proceed with establishing a permanent placement for the child through adoption, legal guardianship, or another long-term substitute care. The Child Welfare Services Branch has offices on the islands of Oahu, Hawaiʻi, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai.

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Public Assistance Information Line: 855-643-1643

Child Abuse and/or Neglect: 808-832-5300 (Oahu) Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Child Abuse and/or Neglect: Toll-free 1-888-380-3088 (Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai) Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Child Trafficking: 808-832-1999 (Oahu) or 1-888-398-1188 (Hawaii Island, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai)Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Child Trafficking: Toll-free 1-888-398-1188 (Hawaii Island, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai)Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Missing Children Website

• Bilingual or Sign Interpreter Services
• Administrative Hearing Information
• Administrative Hearing Application
• Protective Services Central Registry (Background Checks) - Forms and Instructions

Mandated Reporters

• Mandated-Reporter Checklist (May 2023)
• Mandated Reporter Guide (Dec. 2020)
• Mandated Reporter Checklist for Human Trafficking 2018 (.doc)
• Child Abuse and Neglect Reports

Due to the recent changes to the Hawaii Revised Statues Chapter 350 - Child Abuse and Mandated Reporting laws - the Friends of the Children's Justice Center of Maui has produced and released a film about Mandated Reporting of child abuse and neglect.  The 12-minute film explains that  individuals who work for human service agencies, schools, courts, and other organizations that work directly with children, are required by law to report abuse and neglect of a child to the appropriate authorities.  The film also outlines the process for reporting abuse or neglect of a child.  Click here to view the Youtube video that was published on Aug 30, 2014.

Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)

Family First Hawai'i PSA Videos, Resources and QR Code

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