Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 260, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee heard testimony in support of the nominees from the Department of Health.

Robin S. Choy has been a resident of Hawaii for the past 24 years. Educated at Hawaii Preparatory Academy, Ms. Choy subsequently worked for the Aikane Corporation for ten years. At present, she is a student at Kapiolani Community College and a member of the Diamond Head Community Mental Health Service Area Board.

Jennifer Dutro was born in Hawaii and resides in Lahaina with her four teenage children, two of whom are seriously emotionally disturbed. Jennifer has worked for over a decade as a teacher’s aide and educational assistant in special education.

Dr. Paula T. Morelli, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work, University of Hawaii, a position she has held since 1996. In addition to her extensive teaching, research, and publishing career, she has participated in service to the community and the State. Among these efforts are research and training projects with the Adult, and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Divisions as co-primary investigator. She holds membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Academy of Certified Social Workers, and the National Council on Social Work Education.

Paula Heim, a tireless mental health advocate, is employed by the Mental Health Association as Program Director. She actively participates in the Mental Health Task Force, chairs the Equal Insurance Coalition, and leads a collaboration project on consumer empowerment for implementation of advanced directives. She also received the Senator Daniel K. Inouye Award from the Hawaii Psychological Association in 2000. Although not a member, Ms. Heim has also attended meetings of the State Council on Mental Health for the last two years.

Vicky M. Followell, is Co-Executive Director of Hawaii Families as Allies, a family support agency providing parent partnering, outreach, and training. She has served the community as a Parent Educator and Case Manager, and with the Carol Kai Charities Great Aloha Run since 1995. This nomination is a reappointment.

Albert H. Perez, a certified rehabilitation counselor with the State of Hawaii, Department of Human Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, provides representation for social agencies on the State Council for Mental Health in accordance with P.L. 102-321. He obtained a Master’s Degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and has worked in the field for fifteen years. His experience in assisting persons with serious mental illness to become gainfully employed will bring useful information to the Council and the Division. This nomination is a reappointment.

Dr. Leslie Ross, Ph.D., is employed as Program Director by Helping Hands Hawaii and is an active member of the mental health stakeholder community. Dr. Ross has participated widely in the provision of input for planning mental health services. She is currently a member of the State Council on Mental Health. This nomination is a reappointment.

Nancy Wright Slain is the owner of People Skills for Professionals in Kailua. Prior to operating her own business in Hawaii and in Houston, Texas, Ms. Slain worked at Kamehameha Schools and Iolani School as a teacher trainer and an English teacher. Ms. Slain received her Master of Arts degree from the University of Chicago, and is a member of the American Association of University Women. A member of the State Council on Mental Health, Ms. Slain is the parent of a young adult with serious emotional disturbance who is transitioning out of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division. This nomination is a reappointment.

Your Committee finds that the nominees have been appointed based upon their credentials, integrity, and a desire to improve Hawaii's mental health care through their service on the State Council on Mental Health.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, character, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.