THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	149
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

URGING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER A REHABILITATIVE AND RELATED SERVICES GRADUATE SCHOOL LOAN PROGRAM WITHIN ITS CENTER ON DISABILITY STUDIES.

     WHEREAS, over the past several years, Hawaii's need has grown for licensed physical therapists, registered occupational therapists, licensed speech language pathologists, and school psychologists, to work with children, adults, and the aged alike; and

     WHEREAS, there are currently no graduate programs in physical therapy or occupational therapy offered in the State and recruitment and retention of quality trained staff is challenging in many sectors, including education, health, and social services; and

     WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii's one graduate degree program in speech and audiology is currently on probation, and the University's program in school psychology is currently not accredited; and

     WHEREAS, consequently, many Hawaii residents are not only seeking degrees in physical, occupational, and speech therapy outside of the State, but are also continuing to pursue their professional careers outside of Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, there is a great need for qualified individuals to remain and train in Hawaii to provide necessary rehabilitative, therapeutic, and other related services, in order to enhance the State's workforce and ensure that Hawaii residents receive proper care and treatment; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the House of Representatives concurring, that the University of Hawaii is urged to establish a rehabilitative and related services graduate school loan program within its Center on Disability Studies to provide financial support to individuals who complete graduate programs in the fields of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, or school psychology, and to provide educational loan forgiveness based upon employment in Hawaii with the State or another qualifying institution following completion of the graduate program; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the administrative and fiscal oversight for the program may be provided by either the Center on Disability Studies or a local financial institution; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the University of Hawaii and the Director of the Center on Disability Studies of the University of Hawaii.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

University Of Hawaii; Graduate School Loan Program