STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2840

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 568, 569

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 568 and 569, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Maui Service Area Board

G.M. No. 568	LUCAS BRUNO, for a term to expire 6-30-2018; and
G.M. No. 569	ROBERT COLLESANO, for a term to expire 6-30-2018.

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories and resumes submitted by the nominees and finds Lucas Bruno and Robert Collesano to possess the requisite commitment, sincerity, dedication, and qualifications to be nominated to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Maui Service Area Board.

LUCAS BRUNO

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Mr. Bruno from the Department of Health.

     Your Committee notes that Mr. Bruno received a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University.  He holds professional licenses for Marriage and Family Therapy and Acupuncture in Hawaii.  Additionally, Mr. Bruno is certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor and Diplomate in Co-occurring Disorders by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division in Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Bruno currently serves as a Psychiatric Social Worker.  Prior to this position, Mr. Bruno worked as a Senior Probation Officer in the justice system.  He is a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

     Your Committee further finds that Mr. Bruno is a seasoned clinician who works closely with persons living with mental illness.  Mr. Bruno understands the needs of this population and the systems that serve them, and he will be an asset to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Maui Service Area Board.

ROBERT COLLESANO

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Mr. Collesano from the Department of Health.

     Mr. Collesano received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Georgetown University and engaged in studies toward a Master's of Theology at St. John's College.  Additionally, Mr. Collesano has certification training for computer networking and hardware repair.

     Mr. Collesano has over twenty-five years of experience providing direct services to adults and adolescents with substance abuse, mental illness, and developmental delay challenges.  He currently serves as the Maui County Director of Mental Health America of Hawaii.  As Director, Mr. Collesano manages all aspects of the Maui branch, including working with the local advisory board, fundraising, and coordinating with the statewide office to provide Maui with mental health and substance abuse education, advocacy, and support services.

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Collesano has a passion for helping adults and children living with mental illness and substance abuse, as evidenced by his work as a case manager, counselor, supervisor, and director of programs in Florida, New York, and Hawaii.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Collesano will provide the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Maui Service Area Board with a wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise.

     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, Chair