Kauai Rural Health Association

Vision Statement:  To have a caring environment on Kauai that promotes healing and improved quality of life.

Mission statement:  To facilitate a continually improving health network which is responsive to community needs and based on caring and respect for cultural values.

Definitions:

Caring - A moral attitude of commitment that enables people to reach their potential in well-being.  It is demonstrated through
       caring transactions, which consider providers and clients as partners in collaborative relationships that nurture growth and empowerment.

Healing - the process of restoring and maintaining a sense of harmony.

Improved quality of life - a continually improving state of being that meets or exceeds needs and expectations as defined by the individual/community.

Cultural safety - The community conveys nonjudgmental interest in and respect for the unique values, rituals, and social contributions of all cultures.

Access to health care - In an accessible system:
·	people are assisted and supported through the system, starting with the initial contact,
·	the system is flexible, affordable and reliable, and,
·	effective outreach is an integral fundtion of the health care system.

Health network - A partnership among individuals/groups/agencies whose common commitment is to support and improve the community's well-being.

Caring environment - Physical and social surroundings that embody a shared consciousness of caring demonstrated through:

·	provision of basic needs
·	reinforcement of interdependence,
·	respect for individual ways of being
·	opportunity for empowerment to improve health status

Community/consumer/client driven - the health care community is responsive to the needs and expectations of clients.  It is characterized
by the belief that given appropriate information and options, people can identify their own needs and make informed decisions.