SSCR796

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 796

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 509

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 509, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Director of the Department of Human Services

G.M. No. 509

PATRICIA MCMANAMAN,

for a term to expire December 1, 2014,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Patricia McManaman to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated as Director of Human Services.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Patricia McManaman from the Governor of the State of Hawaii; Hawaii Public Housing Authority; Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; Adult Foster Homecare Association of Hawaii; The Primary Care Providers; Mental Health America of Hawai‘i; Child Welfare Services State Advisory Council; Child & Family Service; Parents and Children Together; Inter-Agency Council for Immigrant Services; Hawaii Long Term Care Association; Lanakila Pacific; Aloha United Way; Goodwill Industries of Hawaii, Inc.; The Mediation Center of the Pacific, Inc.; YMCA of Honolulu; Catholic Charities Hawai‘i; Pacific Gateway Center; Partners in Development Foundation; Filipino Coalition for Solidarity; Hawai‘i Friends of Civil Rights; Hawai‘i Women's Political Caucus; Congress of Visayan Organizations; Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i; Oahu Filipino Community Council; Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Domestic Violence Action Center; Women Helping Women; UNITE HERE! Local 5 Hawaii; International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142; The Law Office of Tony Tran, LLLC; Hirota & Associates, LLLC; Law Offices of Joyce K. Matsumori-Hoshijo; and forty-four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawai‘i Primary Care Association.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. McManaman's extensive experience, demonstrated leadership abilities, commitment to serving underserved and underrepresented members in the community, compassion, and personal integrity qualify her for the position of Director of Human Services.

Ms. McManaman brings to the Department of Human Services over thirty years of public service for Hawaii's working class, low‑income, and immigrant communities, a deep understanding of the non-profit community, a commitment to civil rights, and experience as an attorney. Throughout Ms. McManaman's career, she has provided services as a de facto case manager, outreach worker, informal counselor, community advocate and planner, activist, and administrator. Her clients have included the homeless, public housing tenants, persons with physical and mental disabilities, domestic violence and human trafficking victims, immigrants and citizens, felons, and other disenfranchised members of the community.

During Ms. McManaman's tenure as the Executive Director of Na Loio – Immigrant Rights and Public Interest Legal Center, she addressed systemic issues that impacted the Department of Human Services. In 2006, she was a key player in the development of Act 290, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006, which led to the creation of the Office of Language Access - a guiding force in ensuring equal access to state-funded services for Hawaii's limited English-speaking residents.

Immediately upon her appointment as Interim Director of Human Services in December 2010, Ms. McManaman and the Department of Human Services were compelled to make some very difficult decisions in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. The cost savings initiatives were undertaken in direct response to shortfalls in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families budget for the 2011 fiscal year. Ms. McManaman made the decision to terminate contracts for worthy non-profit service providers and seek an emergency appropriation to offset the Department of Human Services' cost overruns. According to testimony received by your Committee, Ms. McManaman dealt with the providers and communities affected by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cuts with compassion, honesty, and forthright conversations.

Your Committee also finds that the last few years have presented some of the most challenging times ever experienced by the Department of Human Services. The Department has had to deal with budget cuts, lack of funding, furloughs, reductions-in-force, retirements, higher caseloads, decreased services, and poor morale amongst staff. However, in Ms. McManaman's short time with the Department, she has been proactive and understanding of the multitude of issues faced by the Department. She has demonstrated the ability to listen to concerns and has provided recommendations on how to move the Department forward.

Your Committee notes from Ms. McManaman's testimony that in these challenging economic times, Ms. McManaman believes the Department of Human Services must return to its core mission of providing essential services for Hawaii's low-income and vulnerable residents. These economic challenges also give rise to opportunity. Going forward, the Department will be working with the community to identify, create, and implement services and programs that will best address the current needs of Hawaii's diverse communities.

Your Committee finds that, based on the testimony submitted, Ms. McManaman is uniquely qualified to serve as the Director of Human Services. Her past positions demonstrate her knowledge and ability to run an agency. Her leadership qualities foster collaboration, partnership, and engagement of the community, service providers, and Department of Human Services staff. Your Committee believes that Ms. McManaman's expertise, leadership, honesty, intelligence, and commitment to the public good will serve the State and the Department of Human Services well.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services 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 Human Services,

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair