Imua program first to hit all marks

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WAILUKU - An Imua Family Services program for children from birth to 3 years old with developmental disabilities met every one of the state standards in a recent annual review - a first for the agency and for all similar early childhood intervention programs in the state.

"We were the first (agency) to meet total compliance," said Christi Masters, program director of Imua's Infant and Child Development Program.

It wasn't easy for Imua to pass all the standards that derive from the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Imua was among about 20 agencies statewide that are subject to random evaluation by the state Department of Health, which is under the watchful eye of a federal agency.

"That's really hard" because what's needed to make the grade are special therapists, many of whom have to be recruited from the Mainland, Masters said. Speech, occupational and physical therapists and special instruction teachers may be required for evaluation and for helping a child with disabilities, she explained.

"The staffing shortage is the main thing," Masters said, adding that Imua currently has vacancies for two speech therapists. This is a problem all across the country, she added.

What makes things even more difficult for Imua and other Hawaii agencies is their inability to pay competitive salaries. A speech therapist on the Mainland can earn about $100,000 a year; Imua offers therapists about half that amount, said Masters, who is a speech therapist by trade.

Imua is prevented from offering higher salaries by the state, which funds Imua's Infant and Child Development Program with a $2 million grant.

"They (therapists) have to have a passion for what they are doing," said Masters. "They have to have a passion for Maui and take a pay cut."

Imua does have some things going for it, though. Being a "team-based" program can be a major attraction for the specialists they need, said Masters.

"On the Mainland, they don't have that . . . They are segmented . . . They don't work as a team. They don't get to see the progress," she said.

That might be enough to keep them here for about two years, which is her goal for specialsts. They usually move on to higher paying jobs or to be closer to family, she said.

The agency works hard to attract and retain its workers, said Karen Jayne, executive director of Imua.

"We've been more successful than our partner agencies in the state," Jayne said. "We were voted as one of the best places to work in the state."

Hawaii Business Magazine named Imua as one of the Best Places to Work for 2008. Among the attributes cited were Imua's minimum 24 paid vacation days per year and 15 paid holidays, including birthdays; fully paid health insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; and comprehensive training. Two retreats per year are held; one to have fun and team building, the other to focus on issues such as cultural competency and learning style differences.

Imua tries to be supportive and recognize top workers, said Jayne, who had high praise for her leaders in the Infant and Child Development Program.

"I think it is attributable to our staff and the work that they do and the high of level of competence and proficiency they have," said Jayne, singling out Masters and Arlene Agoy, care coordinator supervisor, for praise. She cited "increased vigilance and work and in how the services are administered" as well as "a lot of caring" for the 100 percent compliance.

"I am very proud of our staff and their hard work," she said. "The recognition is not a surprise to me."

The evaluations by the state Department of Health occur randomly, and Imua's 100 percent compliance covers the period July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007.

"This accomplishment means that families are receiving services that are timely, appropriate and meeting the needs of each family," an Imua news release said. "It also shows that the Imua staff is dedicated to providing quality services while adhering to best practices in early intervention."

The state is required to evaluate its programs for compliance with IDEA to receive federal money. The federal Office of Special Education Programs has been monitoring Hawaii, noting that the state had not been meeting the IDEA guidelines.

The Imua Infant and Child Development Program works with children "presently showing developmental disabilities," such as hearing loss, and those at "high risk," such as premature babies or newborns whose mothers are drug users. More than 400 children and their families currently are being served by the program, according to the Imua Web site.

The program helps children improve physical movement, communication, and personal and social interaction through physical and speech therapy and special instruction. Parents are provided with information, demonstrations and support so "they may better understand their children's developmental needs and how to meet them," the Web site said.

For more information about Imua Family Services and its programs that serve children from birth to age 5, call 244-7467.

* Lee Imada can be reached at leeimada@mauinews.com.