Every family in Hawaii β from Honolulu to the most remote town on the Big Island, Maui, KauaΚ»i, MolokaΚ»i, or LΔnaΚ»i β has the same powerful set of FREE statewide programs for a child with disabilities or delays. You don't need a diagnosis, a lawyer, or money to start. This page is your map to the help Hawaii already owes your child: free early intervention, free parent-rights experts, free legal advocacy, free vocational rehabilitation for teens, and Medicaid programs that pay for therapy even at higher incomes β plus your special-education rights and the exact evaluation timeline the school must follow. Hawaii is a single statewide school district, so the same rights and the same offices apply to every island. Start with the free programs below; then, you'll find free guides and templates to build your plan.
β Every provider here is vetted by credentials, never pay-to-play. How we choose β
The Early Intervention Section (EIS) of the Hawaii Department of Health is the state's IDEA Part C program. It gives free developmental evaluation and services β speech, occupational, physical, and developmental therapy β to any child birth to 3 with a delay or qualifying condition, on any island, delivered in your home or community. There is no income test and no diagnosis required. This is the single best first call for a baby or toddler. Call the H-KISS line at (800) 235-5477 to start.
H-KISS is the single intake and referral line for early intervention across all islands β call (800) 235-5477 and they connect you to the program serving your area. Anyone can refer, including a parent.
LDAH is Hawaii's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. It gives free, one-to-one help understanding your rights, the evaluation, and the IEP/504 process for families on every island. Trained parent specialists who've been through it themselves. Call before you pay any private advocate.
SPIN is a free Hawaii network run by and for parents of children with disabilities β clear guides to evaluations, IEPs, transition, and your rights, plus a warm line to talk to another parent who's done it.
HDRC is Hawaii's federally mandated protection & advocacy agency. It provides free legal-rights information and advocacy when a child's special-education rights are being denied β including help with disputes, restraint/seclusion, and discipline, on every island. A powerful no-cost resource before you hire a lawyer.
Hawaii's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (Department of Human Services) provides free help for students with disabilities β starting around age 14 β to prepare for work, college, and independent living: Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), counseling, training, work-based learning, and assistive technology. Ask your DVR counselor to join your child's transition IEP meetings.
Hawaii's I/DD Medicaid Waiver β the 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services waiver run by the Department of Health's Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD) β can pay for therapies, respite, and supports for a child with an intellectual or developmental disability, with eligibility based on the child's needs and level of care, not just family income. Apply to DDD as early as possible: register your child now so the clock starts and you don't lose time. Note: Hawaii does NOT operate a standalone Katie Beckett/TEFRA program β the I/DD waiver and Hawaii's Medicaid program (QUEST Integration) are the main income-disregarding paths, so get registered with DDD and on Medicaid today.
For children already on Hawaii Medicaid (QUEST Integration), the EPSDT benefit covers checkups and medically necessary speech, OT, and behavioral/ABA services β an immediate path to therapy while you pursue the I/DD waiver. Apply for Medicaid through Med-QUEST regardless of where you are on any waiver list.
You can ask your school in writing for an initial special-education evaluation at any time. Under Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 60, once you sign consent the school must complete the evaluation within 60 days and then meet to decide eligibility and write the IEP. Put the request in writing and date it β the clock starts when you sign consent. You have the right to everything in your language, to bring anyone to the meeting, and to disagree.
Under IDEA you have the right to a free, appropriate public education (FAPE), to a full evaluation at no cost, to be an equal member of the IEP team, to an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) if you disagree, and to dispute resolution (mediation/due process). The Hawaii DOE publishes a Procedural Safeguards Notice, and your PTI (LDAH) above explains all of it for free.
Hawaii is one statewide school district, so the Department of Education sets the special-education rules every school must follow (Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 60), runs the complaint and due-process systems, and publishes guidance on evaluations and dyslexia. Start here to know what the state requires of your school β the same rules apply on every island.
Use the ZIP finder to pull the nearest evaluators, therapists, and special-education schools to your address, plus your area's full directory β and these statewide free programs are always shown, no matter how remote your island or town.
Several reputable practices provide autism/ADHD evaluation and speech/OT/ABA by telehealth across Hawaii β vital for neighbor-island and rural families. Nationally, COPAA (advocates/attorneys), the Academy of Orton-Gillingham (dyslexia), ABPP (board-certified evaluators), BHCOE (ABA), and Bookshare (free accessible books) round out your options.
Federally funded and free β they help Hawaii families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.
Hawaii's protection & advocacy agency β free legal-rights information and help if your child's rights are being denied.
Start with the free guides β your childβs IEP and the evaluation β so you know what the school owes your child.
Use a free letter template to request an evaluation or meeting, and the IEP checkup to test every goal.
Pick a credential-vetted advocate or evaluator from the directory above β free to browse, and never pay-to-play.
No sign-up, nothing saved β use as much as you want.
βοΈ Get a ready-to-send letter β
Your state's free programs Β· Find help by ZIP Β· Explore the tools β
How do I start the special-education process in Hawaii?
Put your request in writing to your child's school, asking for a full special-education evaluation β that is the legal first step. On A New Story you'll find a free, ready-to-send evaluation-request letter you can use today.
How long does a special-education evaluation take?
Once you give written consent, the school generally must complete the evaluation and hold an eligibility meeting within a set timeline (often around 60 days, though it varies by state). Putting your request in writing starts the clock.
Can my school district pay for a private special-education school?
Sometimes. If the public school can't provide an appropriate education, the district can be required to fund a state-approved nonpublic placement. It isn't automatic β it takes the right evaluation and advocacy β but families do it every year, including ones with limited funds.
What's the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan?
An IEP provides specialized instruction and services under IDEA; a 504 plan provides accommodations under civil-rights law. A New Story's free guides walk you through which one fits your child.
Where can I find free special-education help in Hawaii?
A New Story lists credential-vetted schools, evaluators, therapists, advocates, and the free public programs and parent centers in Hawaii β searchable by ZIP, and free forever.