POD Now Accepting Tuition Applications

The state Department of Human Services is now accepting applications for the 2014-15 Preschool Open Doors (POD) program with downloadable application forms at patchhawaii.org.

Those eligible to apply are children born between Aug. 1, 2009, and July 31, 2010, and whose families meet monthly gross-income standards. To determine if you qualify, call 839-1988.

The POD program helps families pay preschool tuition for up to one year, the year prior to kindergarten. Priority is given to underserved or at-risk children whose families complete the POD Special Populations Referral form.

Applications must be received at the POD office by April 30. Applying does not guarantee acceptance into the program. The POD office will notify applicants of their status by mail no later than May 30.

POD may cover enrollment from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, depending on the accepted child’s start date at any DHS-licensed pre-school, group child care center or group child care home. If the family is not selected, the application may be placed on a waiting list. Those on the waiting list may be selected for future POD participation, if funds become available.