2024 McKinney-Vento Liaison of the Year
Valerie Aguirre & Jewelyn Kahele
Community Homeless Concerns Liaisons for the Hawaii Department of Education
Valerie Aguirre has been serving students and their families in Maui County through the Department of Education for the past 18 years. Previously, she worked as an educational assistant helping students with severe emotional and behavioral challenges. In her current role as the McKinney Vento Liaison (MVA) she oversees schools on the islands of Maui, Lanai and Molokai. Her dedication to the work has resulted in increased identification and stronger partnerships within the community. Valerie was born and raised on Maui and resides in Kahului.
Jewelyn Kahele has been quoted as saying “I’m thankful for my struggles because without them, I wouldn’t have stumbled across my strengths.” This attitude results in a loving, compassionate, and thorough focus on supporting students and families in service to educational stability. Jewelyn’s can-do attitude encourages collaboration among providers. She initiates and sustains successful partnerships across Maui. She joined the Maui EHCY team in 2019.
Val and Jewelyn were among the first providers to connect with families during and immediately after the Maui fires. They stepped in to find students and families, and connected them with basic supplies and information and established communication to facilitate the eventual return to school. They partnered with various organizations to better serve families. They work closely with the Department of Education and community-based Social Workers and other staff to address attendance and transportation challenges, and to locate unsheltered families. Their comprehensive outreach in the YES Project Van leaves no stone unturned!
This incredible duo was nominated by Toby Portner, EHCY Office of Student Support Services, State of Hawaii – Department of Education.