HOPE Services Hawaii, Ka Hale A Ke Ola and Project Vision Hawai’i’s Medical Respite Care Programs on the Neighbor Islands Earn National Certification

HILO, HAWAIʻI — Community-based organizations HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, Inc., Ka Hale A Ke Ola (KHAKO), and Project Vision Hawai’i proudly announce that their medical respite care programs have officially achieved certification from the National Institute for Medical Respite Care (NIMRC), a specialized program of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. The certification framework agreement was finalized this summer following its formal execution by each executive: HOPE Services Hawaiʻi CEO Brandee Menino, Ka Hale A Ke Ola’s Executive Director Sue Sadecki, Project Vision Hawai’i’s Executive Director Darrah Kauhane and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council CEO Bobby Watts. This is the first time agencies in the state of Hawai’i have earned the certification.

Medical respite care, also known interchangeably in many communities as "recuperative care," is a vital service providing medical care for individuals experiencing homelessness who no longer require inpatient medical facility care, but need additional time to rest and recover and would otherwise be discharged to the street.

By completing this rigorous certification process, the program has demonstrated strict alignment with nationally recognized standards of care. Regarding this milestone, HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, Ka Hale A Ke Ola and Project Vision Hawai’i issued the following joint statement: "We are pleased to share that our medical respite care programs have been certified by The National Institute for Medical Respite Care, a special program of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council! This means we have completed a rigorous process demonstrating a high degree of fidelity to nationally recognized principles, standards, and expectations in medical respite care. You can learn more about our certification here."

D. Michiko Fried, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and Director of Health Services of HOPE Services Hawai’i, said: “It is the compassion, professionalism, and dedication of our team to the mission of serving others that make this program a success. The implications of this achievement are far-reaching. The certification process was enlightening, allowing us to identify strengths and areas for improvement so we can continue to operate a program of integrity and the highest quality. We are now strengthened to continue this important work, demonstrate its value to others, and generate more support and advocacy as we walk beside those we serve to create equity and offer hope, empowering us all to live our best possible lives.”

Sue Sadecki, Executive Director of Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers, Inc., said: “The development and achievement of the NIMRC medical respite program certification highlights and truly reflects the collaborative approach and dedication of our team working with our exceptional community service providers and partners. Ka Hale A Ke Ola was originally designed more than 40 years ago to serve the needs of our community, and we are grateful for the opportunity to demonstrate national best practice standards in this service.” 

Teri Kiresuk, Nurse Practitioner and Medical Director for Project Vision Hawai‘i, said: “We are proud that Project Vision Hawai‘i, alongside Hope Services and Ka Hale A Ke Ola, has earned NIMRC certification for our medical respite programs. This achievement affirms our high standards of care and strengthens our ability to support healing and recovery for individuals experiencing homelessness in Hawai‘i. We are especially grateful to IHS for their groundbreaking efforts to help train providers and help build capacity across the neighbor islands.”

The official certification is granted for a term of three years. To maintain this certified status, the program will complete any recertification requirements set forth by NIMRC.

You can learn more about the certification framework or view the program’s directory profile by visiting the official National Institute for Medical Respite Care (NIMRC) website.

About the Community - Based Organizations
HOPE Services Hawaii, Inc. is a nonprofit affiliate organization of the Roman Catholic Church in the State of Hawaii. It works to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring on Hawaii Island. HOPE manages nine shelters with 189 beds and 135 housing units across the island and provides outreach, street medicine, behavioral health, housing, prevention, diversion, case management, and more. To make a referral, visit hopeserviceshawaii.org or call 808-935-3050.

Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers, Inc. is a nonprofit organization located on the island of Maui. It has operated for more than 40 years, serving as a housing-focused comprehensive resource center providing emergency shelter, children's services, medical respite services, and affordable housing.

Project Vision Hawai‘i is a statewide nonprofit organization committed to increasing access to health and human services for vulnerable populations and access-challenged communities across Hawai‘i. 

Note: We respectfully request that you not use the term “the homeless.” Instead, we recommend using “people experiencing homelessness,” “houseless people,” or “unsheltered people.” Mahalo for your understanding and compassion.