STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1341

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 710, 711, 712

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 710, 711, and 712, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Hawai'i Service Area Board

G.M. No. 710	ALICE L. BRATTON, for a term to expire 6-30-2015;
G.M. No. 711	CHRISTOPHER HOLSCHUH, for a term to expire 6-30-2015; and
G.M. No. 712	STACY KUWATA, for a term to expire 6-30-2015,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Alice L. Bratton, Christopher Holschuh, and Stacy Kuwata to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Hawai‘i Service Area Board.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Alice L. Bratton from three private citizens.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Bratton's mental health experience qualifies her for appointment to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Hawai‘i Service Area Board. 

     Ms. Bratton currently serves as a Parent Partner at Hawaii Families As Allies where she is responsible for providing support to families with children who have emotional or behavioral challenges in North and West Hawaii through the use of workshops and support groups.  Ms. Bratton also assists families in navigating through the often complex system of care.  Ms. Bratton frequently collaborates with a variety of community stakeholders to facilitate trainings and networking opportunities for families and service providers. 

     Ms. Bratton has a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Indiana University and a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from the School for International Training.  She is a Parent Co-Chair of the Kona Children's Community Council and a member of the North Hawaii Children's Community Council.

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Bratton has been an effective supporter of parents of children with mental health needs, and her dedicated and constructive approach will be an asset to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Hawai‘i Service Area Board.  

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Christopher Holschuh from the Department of Health.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Holschuh's experience in the customer service industry, coupled with his active participation within his community, qualifies him for appointment to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Hawai‘i Service Area Board. 

     Mr. Holschuh has been a long-time resident of the Big Island, graduating from Hawaii Preparatory Academy and continuing on to a career in the customer service industry.  Through his community involvement, Mr. Holschuh became a member of the Hale Oluea Clubhouse Advocacy Group, an adult mental health and addiction treatment organization.  Mr. Holschuh is regularly involved in the organization's activities, including fundraising and community advocacy programming. 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Holschuh will be a positive addition as a consumer representative to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Hawaii Service Area Board. 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Stacy Kuwata from the Department of Health.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Kuwata's experience with respect to community outreach for mental health services qualifies him for appointment to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Hawai‘i Service Area Board.

     Mr. Kuwata is a graduate of the Kaimuki High School and the Kapiolani Community College.  He has been an active member of the Kona Paradise Club House on the Big Island for the past five years and has served on the Advisory Board of the Kona Paradise Club, as well as the Board of Directors for the Hale Aikane program, a nonprofit organization that provides mental health treatment and crisis intervention services.  As a member of the Kona Paradise Clubhouse, Mr. Kuwata has participated in numerous conferences and was instrumental in bringing a consumer perspective to the Big Island Transportation Coalition, a group charged with investigating the transportation challenges on the Big Island.

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Kuwata's consumer advocacy work and understanding of the needs of mental health service recipients  make him well-qualified for appointment to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Hawai‘i Service Area Board.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

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

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, M.D., Chair