STAND. COM. REP. NO.1480
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2001
RE: S.C.R. No. 15
H.D. 1
Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-First State Legislature
Regular Session of 2001
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 15 entitled:
"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENTS OF HUMAN SERVICES, HEALTH, AND LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TO EXAMINE TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAMS FOR YOUTHS IN FOSTER CARE,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the Departments of Human Services, Health, and Labor and Industrial Relations to:
(1) Examine existing transitional living programs for youths in foster care;
(2) Work collaboratively to support and expand these programs;
(3) Pursue federal funds for transitional foster care youths; and
(4) Submit a report to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2002.
The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Department of Human Services (DHS) supported the intent of this measure.
Your Committee believes that transitional living programs for foster care youths need to be examined and expanded if the findings conclude that many foster youths need transitional services and may potentially be homeless after foster care ends.
However, DHS noted in their testimony that they are currently working with community agencies to develop a comprehensive transitional program for our foster youths. They also noted that they welcome input from other state departments.
Your Committee has amended this measure in an effort to assist other children in need of services, specifically medically fragile children, by:
(1) Deleting its contents and inserting provisions requesting DHS and the Department of Health to form a committee of public and private agencies to oversee the development of seamless continuum of care for medically fragile children;
(2) Amending its title to read: "REQUESTING THE CREATION OF A COORDINATING COMMITTEE TO OVERSEE THE CARE OF MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILDREN;" and
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 15, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 15, H.D.1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services and Housing,
|
____________________________ MICHAEL P. KAHIKINA, Chair |
||