SPIN - Special Parent Information Network

12/22/2025

These are good tips for everyone! (me included!)

12/19/2025

Youth Mental Health First Aid for Adults - FREE In-person training on Oahu

Youth Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training that teaches adults how to recognize and respond to mental health or substance use challenges in adolescents ages 12–18.

The Youth Mental Health First Aid course focuses on recognizing the patterns of thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and appearance that indicate the possibility of a mental health challenge, rather than focusing on specific illnesses. Participants are taught the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE), which they can apply to noncrisis and crisis scenarios. This is a 6 hour training.

DATE: Thursday January 15, 2026
TIME: 8:30am-3:30pm
LOCATION: Office of Student Support Services, Room 226
475 22nd Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816
More Info: (808) 305-9843 or Christine.Montague-Hicks@k12.hi.us

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_wuxo0_JvQF6gdsxoUqh8G5B9lEXYJkqDHuyD3vKH55ZnpA/viewform

12/17/2025

These little fluffballs are so cute! Take some deep breaths today!

12/17/2025

✨ Sensory-Friendly Movie Morning!✨
Join us for Autism Society of Hawaiʻi’s Sensory Friendly Film showing of Zootopia 2 at Consolidated Theatres Kahala on Saturday, December 20th!

🎬 Showtime: 9:00 AM
🕣 Doors open: Please arrive by 8:30 AM to get comfy!
🩵 A welcoming, judgement-free space with lowered sound & dimmed lights.

Bring the whole ʻohana for a calm and fun morning at the movies!

🎟️ Link below for tickets:
https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/OahuSFFZootopia2

12/17/2025

Hilo Side... come on down to the County building to see the trees and connect to some local resources. SPIN will have a table too!

12/16/2025

Kona side, this one's for you!

Cocoa with a Cop in Kona is next week Wednesday the 10th!

12/15/2025

Yah Maui!!

🎄 Deaf Santa is Coming to Maui!
Families are invited to a special holiday event where keiki can meet Deaf Santa in a welcoming and inclusive setting. This is a wonderful opportunity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, and all with disabilities, to enjoy a Santa experience tailored to their communication needs.
Deaf Santa will be visiting the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center on December 13 and 20 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Come celebrate the season, take photos, and share holiday cheer with a Santa who signs! 🌟

12/09/2025

Bright lights, strange smells, noisy gatherings…. The holiday magic is real, but so is the sensory overload for a lot of kids — especially kids with ADHD. How do you survive the holiday chaos with your child? Any tips or tricks that help?

Learn what our experts have to say about sensory challenges → Link: https://u.org/3XH9B28

When you give — whether it’s a few dollars or a monthly gift — 100% supports our research and the resources families turn to every day. Donate by going to our link: https://u.org/438JLHw

12/02/2025

On behalf of County of Hawaii, Mayor Kimo Alameda, County Departments and community partners, they will be opening the Magic of the Season Christmas Tree viewing for Children & Persons with Special Health Care Needs and/or Disabilities.

DATE: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
TIME: 5:00 - 7:00 pm
LOCATION: Hawaii County Building, 25 Aupuni St # 2603, Hilo, HI 96720

This special night will allow for Children and Persons with Special Health Care Needs and/or Disabilities and their 'ohana to enjoy a less crowded, low stimulation evening to enjoy the Christmas decorations - being able to take pictures and hopefully we will have Santa and/or his elves there for them to take pictures with.

There will also be several community organization resource tables providing information on their services - Amanda from SPIN will be there too! Come by, say Aloha, and pick up some helpful resources!

11/28/2025

For Maui Families

11/28/2025

Ohana Support Services are offering FREE Virtual Nurturing Family Parent Support Groups in December.

Two classes will be offered, and each class will be offered twice. Click the link below to Zoom on class day. No pre-registration is required.

Class #1:
Encouraging Growth: Teaching Keiki Values, Morals & Family Boundaries with Respect

Session #1 with Trudy
Date: Monday December 1, 2025
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/92278721210?pwd=uX1Zfp4U5cuhfemlwurCODzRtTCbgo.1

Session #2 with Suzanne
Date: Monday December 8, 2025
Time: 9:00 - 10:00 am
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/94343898498?pwd=piESgWM0yQDj9c6tEnv0aM5orrkQLn.1

Class #2
Mindful Discipline: Integrating Rewards, Consequences, & Time-Outs in Behavior Guidance

Session #1 with Trudy
Date: Monday December 15, 2025
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/92278721210?pwd=uX1Zfp4U5cuhfemlwurCODzRtTCbgo.1

Session #2 with Suzanne
Date: Tuesday December 23, 2025
Time: 9:00 - 10:00 am
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/94343898498?pwd=piESgWM0yQDj9c6tEnv0aM5orrkQLn.1

11/25/2025

all are welcome!