State releases first comprehensive children, youth fiscal map

Executive Office on Early Learning, in partnership with Early Childhood Action Strategy and Children’s Funding Project, released the first-of-its-kind Hawaiʻi Children and Youth Fiscal Map providing a comprehensive analysis of public investments supporting children and youth throughout the state.

The fiscal map examines state, federal and federal relief funding dedicated to children and youth ages 0 to 24 years old during fiscal years 2019 through 2023. The analysis provides a detailed look at how public investments support specific outcomes, services, age groups and populations throughout Hawaiʻi.

“The fiscal map gives policymakers, program leaders, advocates and community partners a clearer picture of how public resources are being invested in Hawaiʻi’s children and youth,” said Executive Office on Early Learning Director Yuuko Arikawa-Cross in a release about the new resource. “This data will help inform decision-making, identify opportunities for alignment and support strategic investments that improve outcomes for children and families.”

Executive Office on Early Learning and Early Childhood Action Strategy in 2024 joined Children’s Funding Project’s multi-state Child and Youth Fiscal Mapping Cohort to undertake the research and development of Hawaiʻi’s first children and youth fiscal map.

The effort is designed to strengthen understanding of funding streams that support children and youth and promote more informed policymaking and program development.

A fiscal map is a research tool that analyzes public funding dedicated to children and youth, helping communities understand how investments are distributed throughout programs, services, populations and outcomes.

The Hawaiʻi Children and Youth Fiscal Map provides a foundation for data-informed discussions about the future of statewide investments in children and families.

A unique feature of Hawaiʻi’s map is a dedicated prenatal-to-age-5 analysis, allowing for more focused conversations about investments in maternal health, early childhood development and family support services during the critical early years.

The map is also a living resource, meaning it will continue to evolve.

Partners plan to update the analysis through 2026 and host a series of talk story sessions to engage stakeholders in conversations about what the data reveals and how it can be used to inform policy, financing and program development.

Additional briefs and resources will also be developed to support decision-makers and community partners.

Click here to learn more and access the Hawaiʻi Children and Youth Fiscal Map.