Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Military Affairs and Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 1790 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to establish Families for R.E.A.L. programs at various sites throughout the State.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of Education, Good Beginnings Alliance, and 232 individuals.

Your Committees find that Families for R.E.A.L. programs allow both young children and parents to receive the attention and education they require. The program includes the opportunity of young children to receive quality early education while parents receive valuable information on child development. Within the program there are opportunities for parents to ask questions regarding their child and to be referred to new resources that can benefit their growth as parents. Expanding the program would allow more families to participate in this quality service.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Military Affairs and Higher Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1790 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.