Appropriates $300,000 to Kapiolani Community College to train a workforce to care for the State's elder population.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that family caregivers have a complex responsibility but consistently report that they are not prepared for these roles. This lack of training occurs throughout the caregiving experience, but is most apparent when care recipients are discharged from hospitals or short-term nursing home stays after an illness or accident. Formal instruction is often sporadic and inadequate. Families are expected to perform skilled nursing care but without the training that professionals must receive.

Family caregiver needs for information and training change throughout the course of their loved one's illness. They must have opportunities to learn new skills as they become necessary, access new resources, and learn about care options as the situation changes. Families also need honest information about the financial, social, and health-related consequences of various arrangements for care and they must share in the decision-making about care arrangements.

Hawaii's long-term care workforce shortages and its impact will become increasingly difficult on families as the aging population increases. The demand for services for individuals needing long-term care will outpace the supply of care workers and will worsen if not addressed. Therefore, the legislature believes that family caregivers must have appropriate, timely, and ongoing education and training in order to successfully meet their caregiving responsibilities. In addition, family caregivers and their loved ones must be assured of an affordable, well qualified, and sustainable eldercare workforce.

The purpose of this Act is to develop at Kapiolani community college a training and education program for Hawaii's eldercare workforce.

SECTION 2. Chapter 304, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§304- Long-term care resource program initiative. There is established at Kapiolani community college a long-term care resource program initiative that shall be responsible for:

The initiative shall serve as a statewide model for the other community colleges on each island to establish similar programs."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $300,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the Kapiolani community college for the purposes of this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.