Hina Mauka / Teen Care Kalani High School

Hina Mauka Teen CARE (Counseling, Awareness, Rehabilitation, and Education) is a program that is offered in Hawaii schools. They’ve been running programs since 1987 to help teens make positive and healthy choices, including preventing drug and alcohol addiction.

This program is offered at Kalani High School in Honolulu. Teen CARE’s school-based services are funded by the Hawaii Department of Health. There is no cost to students who participate.

A mini project under Teen CARE is their Project ALERT. They partner with teachers to provide their curriculum in the classroom.

This is a proven program that helps students learn about the risks of using nicotine, alcohol, and other drugs.They’re taught healthy choices, resistance skills and more.

All participating students are screened in order to evaluate if substance abuse prevention or counseling programs would be helpful.

Teen CARE uses social media and in-person campaigns to educate teens and their families. I like that teens are encouraged to follow their interests and build on what makes them unique. Parents will appreciate that they’ll be kept up to date on possible challenges their children may face and how to support them.

Sometimes, this school-based program isn’t enough. In cases where youth needs more support, Teen CARE allows them to have confidential counseling too.

In these sessions, students will explore how drug and alcohol use has impacted their lives. They’ll develop new coping strategies and learn how to communicate and connect with others including their peers and adults.

Counselors will help these young clients set goals to address areas of weakness. For example, students may need support with academic achievement and personal relationships.