1. What is the purpose of the Center?
The Center on the Family was established in 1991 to enhance interdisciplinary and collaborative research, service, and education that support and strengthen families. Most often, our work focuses on the multicultural families of Hawai`i.

2. Who does the Center serve?
The Center's research, education, and service add to the body of knowledge on families and are intended to improve policies and practices that relate to families. We work closely with colleagues across disciplinary fields at our own and other academic institutions. Our collaborators also include non-profit and community organizations, governmental agencies, and private businesses. Rather than working directly with families, the Center multiplies its outreach and impact on families by working with a network of professionals and para-professionals in the field. In addition, the Center's faculty are involved in the education of undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Hawai`i.

3. How does the Center serve Hawai'i?
The Center's research findings provide a better understanding of Hawai`i's people and are utilized in the development of policies and programs that relate to children and families. At the community level, educational outreach is provided through targeted workshops and training activities for service providers, child and family advocates, and others. Educational materials and brochures developed by the Center are also used by community audiences, including Hawaii's families.

4. How is the Center supported?
The Center is supported by both general funds from the State of Hawai`i as well as extramural funds from federal agencies and private foundations. Some of the Center's educational products are sold, and the Center is further supported by financial donations and contributions of services and products.

5. Why is the Center in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources?
The Center was established to enhance family-related programs and activities at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa and to build the knowledge base that is used to strengthen Hawai`i's families. Although it is the link between the university and community on matters relating to the family, the Center is administratively located in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). CTAHR has the administrative capacity, a mission-driven mandate, and the ability to integrate instruction, research, and service in a manner that serve the Center well.

6. How does the Center relate to other University units?
All of the Center's projects and activities involve the participation of faculty from other University units in significant roles; for example, as co-prinicipal investigators on grants, paid consultants and contractors, advisory council members, and presenters in workshops and forums. The Center conducts the Hawai`i Family Seminars series, an interdisciplinary research forum for faculty and students on the University of Hawai`i at Manoa campus. It also reports on family-related activities in units throughout Hawai`i's higher education system in the Hawai`i Family Report, a periodic newsletter.

7. Does the Center have a special focus?
The Center's research and outreach activities focus on:

• Economic strain and families
• Family resiliency and the healthy development of children
• The consequences for children of parental childrearing beliefs and practices
• Monitoring the well-being of families and children in Hawai`i

8. What courses does the Center offer?
The Center is not an instructional department and does not offer academic degrees or certificates. Center faculty and staff do teach credit courses in other University of Hawai`i at Manoa units, including the departments of Human Resources, Educational Psychology, and Teacher Education. They also offer non-credit workshops.

9. What materials do you have that can help me?
The Center has published a number of educational materials and brochures on parenting, families and job loss, child abuse prevention, and the well-being of Hawai'i's children. Academic and journal articles have also been published. For a complete list of educational materials and other publications please see the Publications List.

10. Does the Center accept volunteers or other forms of support?
The Center is in need of volunteers on both an ongoing and occasional basis. Please contact the Center so that we can explore how your skills and interests can be used to the best advantage.
You can also support the Center in other ways, including:

• Providing services and goods (for example clerical, graphic art, and computer skills; printing services)
• Donating funds to the Center on the Family
• Participating in Center workshops, seminars, and other activities
• Contributing to the Hawai`i Family Report series
• Using the Center's educational materials in your classes and agencies
• Providing feedback to the Center on materials

11. Can the Center help me if we have family problems?
The Center does not provide counseling, therapy, crisis intervention or any other form of direct human service. If you need help, please check with the following sources:

For Counseling and Parenting Classes:

• Parents and Children Together, 847-3285
• The Institute for Family Enrichment, 596-8433
• Catholic Services to Families, 536-1794
• Child and Family Services, 521-2377
• Family Services Center, 472-4222

For Information and Support:

• The Parent Line, 526-1222

For Information and Referral:

• ASK-2000

12. How can I get on the Center's mailing list?
Submit your request, along with your name, address, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail, to the:

Center on the Family
University of Hawai`i at Manoa
2515 Campus Road, Miller Hall 103
Honolulu, HI 96822
Phone: 956-4132
Fax: 956-4147
E-mail: cof@ctahr.hawaii.edu