STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3175

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 417

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 417, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board

G.M. No. 417

ELLEN ALISSA HEID, for a term to expire 6-30-2014,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and personal statement submitted by the nominee and finds that Ellen Alissa Heid possesses the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Ellen Alissa Heid's nomination to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board from the Department of Health.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Ellen Alissa Heid has extensive experience in the mental health and substance abuse fields.  Ms. Heid holds two Master's degrees, one in Political Science with an emphasis on civil rights and civil law and one in Social Work with a focus on substance abuse and geriatric mental health.  In addition to her education, Ms. Heid has both in-state and national volunteer and career experience with many different aspects of mental health and substance abuse, including time spent with the University of California, Santa Cruz AIDS/STD Education Program, Mental Help Hawaii – Honolulu Clubhouse, the Sex Abuse Treatment Center, the men's shelter of the Institute for Human Services, United Self Help Bi-Polar/Depression Group, Mental Health Services Research, Evaluation, and Training, and, most recently, the Hawaii Department of Health Adult Mental Health Division.

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Heid, who is currently the Chairperson of the Hawaii Service Area Board, has served with compassion and enthusiasm.  She has tirelessly advocated for people with mental illness as well as for people living with HIV/AIDS and your Committee is pleased that she is willing to continue sharing her extensive experience and expertise to continue bettering mental health services in Hawaii.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair