HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE SENATE

THE TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2009

COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Rep. John M. Mizuno, Chair

Rep. Tom Brower, Vice Chair

Rep. Della Au Belatti	Rep. Maile S.L. Shimabukuro
Rep. Joe Bertram, III	Rep. Ryan I. Yamane
Rep. Mele Carroll	Rep. Gene Ward
Rep. Scott Y. Nishimoto

NOTICE OF INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING

DATE:	Thursday, March 12, 2009
TIME:	9:00 a.m.
PLACE:	Conference Room 329 State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street

A G E N D A

The purpose of this informational briefing is to review impending significant reductions necessary to address the state's fiscal shortfall.  The House Committee on Human Services will be working with the Administration to remain committed to positive outcomes for children and youth in low-income households, ensuring more children are enrolled in no-cost or low-cost human service programs, better linking the needs of the state's seniors and persons with disabilities with the appropriate services, protecting the most vulnerable in our communities and addressing the growing number of unemployed with employment training programs.

The subject of layoffs, reduction in work days, and wage reduction of DHS employees will be discussed.  

The following organizations have been invited to participate:

Debbie Shimizu from PHOCUSED; and

Mike Gleason from the Arc of Hilo and Easter Seals Hawaii; and

Ellen Ching from the Arc of Kauai; and

Anna Keller Collins from the Medicaid Waivers Providers Association; and

A representative from Legal Aid Society; and

The Director of the Department of Human Services or her designee.

Persons wishing to offer written comments should submit testimony at least 24 hours prior to the hearing with a transmittal cover indicating:

· Testifier's name with position/title and organization;

· The Committee the comments are directed to;

· The date and time of the hearing;

· The number of copies the Committee is requesting. 

While every effort will be made to copy, organize, and collate all testimony received, materials received on the day of the hearing or improperly identified or directed to the incorrect office, may be distributed to the Committee after the hearing.

Submit testimony in ONE of the following ways:

PAPER:   13 copies (including an original) to Room 315 in the State Capitol;

FAX:        For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to 586-8524 (Oahu) or 1-800-535-3859 (Neighbor Islands); or

EMAIL:   For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to HUStestimony@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Testimony submitted will be placed on the Legislative Web site after the hearing adjourns.  This public posting of testimony on the Web site should be considered when including personal information in your testimony.

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in the House public hearing process (i.e., sign or foreign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the Committee Clerk at 586-6050 or email your request for an interpreter to HouseInterpreter@Capitol.hawaii.gov at least 24 hours prior to the hearing for arrangements.  Prompt requests submitted help to ensure the availability of qualified individuals and appropriate accommodations.

Selected meetings are broadcast live.  Check the current legislative broadcast schedule on the "Capitol TV" Web site at www.capitoltv.org OR call 550-8074.

________________________________________

Rep. John M. Mizuno

Chair