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THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
114 |
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TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SYSTEM TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF RE-ESTABLISHING THE ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN GERONTOLOGY PROGRAM, TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING A RESEARCH EDUCATION AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAM TO SUPPORT RESEARCH ON AGING, AND TO EXPLORE WAYS TO BUILD CAPACITY TO MEET THE AGING-RELATED WORKFORCE NEEDS OF THE STATE.
WHEREAS, a profound demographic change is taking place in most countries, with a large proportion of the population living longer; and
WHEREAS, Hawaii's population is aging faster than the national average; and
WHEREAS, Hawaii residents have the longest life expectancy in the nation; and
WHEREAS, according to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, by 2023, twenty percent of Hawaii's projected population of 1.4 million will be 65 years of age or older; and
WHEREAS, as the number of elderly citizens in Hawaii increases, so will the need for more caregivers and a highly skilled caregiver workforce; and
WHEREAS, the current shortage of appropriately trained and educated caregivers at all skill levels will only worsen in the years ahead; and
WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii System is key to helping prepare students and professionals for careers in caring for and assisting Hawaii's aging population; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the House of Representatives concurring, that the University of Hawaii System is requested to:
(1) Examine the feasibility of re-establishing the Advanced Certificate in Gerontology Program to help prepare students and professionals for aging-related careers;
(2) Consider establishing a Research Education and Mentorship Program within the Center on Aging to support professors who are conducting aging-related research; and
(3) Explore ways to build greater capacity at the community college level in developing and training direct-care paraprofessionals, professional caregivers, and family caregivers to meet the needs of the increasing aging population in the State; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii System is requested to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii, University of Hawaii Center On Aging, and Executive Office on Aging.
University of Hawaii; Center on Aging