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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
125 |
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TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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STRONGLY URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO TEMPORARILY DELAY REalignment OF ITS CHILD WELFARE SERVICE OFFICES oN ISLAND OF HAWAII TO ALLOW FOR THE CONVENING OF A PUBLIC, COMMUNITY FORUM TO DISCUSS REalignment implications AND POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE CONTINUUM OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION, FAMILY SUPPORT, FAMILY STRENGTHENING AND VOLUNTARY CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.
WHEREAS, the mission statement of the Department of Human Services states, in conjunction with child welfare services, that, "Our committed staff strives, day-in and day-out, to provide timely, efficient and effective programs, services and benefits, for the purpose of achieving the outcome of empowering those who are the most vulnerable in our State to expand their capacity for self-sufficiency, self-determination, independence, healthy choices, quality of life and personal dignity"; and
WHEREAS, Child Welfare Services provides programs on the Big Island of Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, Child Welfare Services has announced the realignment of offices on the Big Island of Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, the realignment of these three offices may significantly impact the accessibility of child welfare services in several communities; and
WHEREAS, the realignment of these offices may potentially present hardships for the populations served; and
WHEREAS, the realignment of these DHS facilities should take into consideration community concerns; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that this body strongly urges the Department of Human Services (DHS) to temporarily delay realignment of its Child Welfare Service offices on the Island of Hawaii to allow for the convening of a public, community forum to discuss the realignment implications and potential impact on the continuum of child abuse and neglect prevention, family support, family strengthening and voluntary case management services for families and children; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Human Services (DHS) is strongly urged to:
(1) Initiate a minimum of one interactive, public meeting, but not more than three meetings, with the affected Big Island communities and Child Welfare Services staff. The interactive, public meetings shall consist of Department of Human Services administrators, community stakeholders, and any other organizations or individuals that the Department deems relevant.
(2) Address, in the course of conducting the interactive, public meetings:
(A) Concerns of Child Welfare Services staff;
(B) Concerns of the community; and
(C) Any other concerns which may arise from any other agencies, organizations, or individuals.
(3) Provide informative feedback to the affected communities and Child Welfare Services staff regarding whatever concerns might be raised as a result of such meetings; and
(4) Present a report to the Governor and Legislature, no later than 21 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2007, which shall include the following:
(A) A comprehensive impact study regarding closure and/or reorganization of Child Welfare Services facilities on the island of Hawaii, including but limited to:
(a) Community accessibility;
(b) Effectiveness of service and qualitative impact on the overall mission of child abuse and neglect prevention, family support, family strengthening and voluntary case management services for families and children;
(c) Any other concerns regarding closure or realignment of Child Welfare Services facilities on the Island of Hawaii; and
(B) Any proposed legislation, if applicable.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon completion of not less than one but no more than three interactive public meetings regarding the realignment of Child Welfare Services facilities on the Big Island of Hawaii, that the Department may continue with realignment of its facilities if it deems so appropriate; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Director of Human Services, the Administrator of Child Welfare Services, the Mayor and County Council chairperson of the County of Hawaii, the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Human Services of the Senate, and the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Human Services of the House of Representatives.
Report Title:
Department of Human Services Realignment Community Forum