HONOLULU – Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) students and families now have access to a new health hotline and telehealth services provided by the Hawaii Keiki Healthy and Ready to Learn Program (HK). These new services will deliver equitable access to health resources and care for HIDOE students using mobile devices and interactive technology.

A partnership between HIDOE and the University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, the HK program offers school-based health services during the academic year and provides nursing coverage to every complex area in the state. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic moving classes to online learning, HK will offer a no-cost health hotline and telehealth visits as an extension of services provided to students in the traditional school health room.

“This partnership helps to ensure continuity of care for public school students during this unprecedented health crisis,” Deputy Superintendent Phyllis Unebasami said. “Students and families can call the health hotline from anywhere. They will receive health guidance and may be scheduled for a telehealth visit when appropriate. Students will be referred to the appropriate medical and/or mental health care when indicated.”

The health hotline can be reached at (844) 436-3888 (toll-free) and is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays.

HIDOE students and families who call the hotline will speak with an HK registered nurse or nurse practitioner.

The health hotline and telehealth visits will be provided at no cost to HIDOE students.

Families with medical insurance will be asked to provide their insurance information, but HK will not bill or collect co-pays from families.

HK nurses will screen for general health concerns and can connect students with other service providers, such as counselors, social workers, school psychologists or other medical referrals.

The health hotline and telehealth visits do not replace a student’s primary care provider but provide families with an alternative way to access health services while supporting social distancing. HK will be sending a note to primary care providers for the telehealth visit. By calling the health hotline, HIDOE students and families can be assured they will speak with a nurse who will answer health questions about their children.

For more information about the Hawai’i Keiki health hotline or telehealth services, visit https://bit.ly/HIDOEtelehealth.