SB1188

SECTION 1. The delivery of long term care in Hawaii has characteristically been uncoordinated, making it difficult for consumers to obtain information about long term care options and services. Much of this has to do with the fact that different programs have their own eligibility requirements, funding mandates, care benefits, provider participation regulations, administrative structure, and service delivery mechanisms. Consequently, it is difficult to coordinate a comprehensive continuum of long term care (ranging from nursing homes to home and community-based services) for the elderly and the disabled.

In 2005, Hawaii was selected to receive a grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services to develop an aging and disability resource center program. The grant is intended to help Hawaii develop "one-stop shop" programs at the community level that can serve as the entry point to the long term services and support system. The vision is to have resource centers in every community serving as highly visible and trusted places where people can turn for information on the full range of long term care support options, and with a streamlined process for screening, intake, assessment, and eligibility determination. Long term care support refers to a wide range of in-home, community-based, and institutional services and programs that are designed to help individuals with disabilities.

The executive office on aging, in partnership with the Hawaii county office of aging and the city and county of Honolulu elderly affairs division, is already developing an aging and disability resource center in Hawaii county. The three year project commenced in October, 2005, and is due for completion by September, 2008. A second resource center is planned for the city and county of Honolulu. A state advisory board has already been established to provide public input and feedback on the project development, and to develop a statewide access plan for future replication. Each project will also have its own steering committee or advisory board at the county level to assist in the specific site development.

The Hawaii county project received additional funding from the Hawaii county council, with support from the Hawaii county mayor, to enable the project to lease the former Sun Sun Lau Chinese Restaurant in Hilo as the physical site. Renovations are currently underway at the Hilo site with a target completion date of mid-2007. The Hawaii county office of aging will co-locate in this centralized facility with other aging and disability services and providers, including the department of human services (medicaid program), the Hawaii Center of Independent Living, and the Legal Aid Society.

The city and county of Honolulu project will initially be a virtual site. It will build upon the city and county of Honolulu elderly affairs division’s current senior hotline telephone information and assistance program, and will develop a comprehensive resource website. The overall goal is to eventually establish aging and disability resource center sites in all of the counties to provide statewide access.

The legislature finds that the aging and disability resource center program will improve access to long term care information and options for both the elderly and the disabled by facilitating their search for needed services.

The purpose of this Act is to support the aging and disability resource center program by appropriating funds to supplement its development. The funds shall be used to:

(1) Contract with a state management information consultant to:

(A) Identify management information system needs;

(B) Assist with vendor selection;

(D) Provide resources and technical assistance for project evaluation, intake, and database development;

(E) Troubleshoot technical problems; and

(F) Assist with systems integration;

(2) Purchase additional management information system products, including software licensing, server clusters, installation, staff training, computer hardware, and technical support;

(3) Install a statewide toll-free telephone system for the public to contact the aging and disability resource center sites. This includes the installation of the single server number, telephone equipment, cable lines, phone system upgrades, and special equipment for the blind and deaf consumers;

(4) Coordinate and implement consumer education and outreach campaigns, including outreach coordination, the production and printing of brochures and posters, media ads, presentations and exhibits at senior and disability events or focal centers, bilingual translation, and other promotional activities that will educate the consumers and general public about aging and disability resource center services;

(5) Continue the coordination and implementation of the Hawaii county site;

(6) Continue the coordination and implementation of the Honolulu county site; and

(7) Continue the state–level coordination and evaluation activities of the project.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $370,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the sum of $230,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, to supplement the development of the aging and disability resource center program.

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1188
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII