SSCR1323

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1323

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 595, 596

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 595 and 596, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

State Council On Mental Health

G.M. No. 595

ARWYN JACKSON,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020; and

G.M. No. 596

KATHRYN BOYER,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Arwyn Jackson and Kathryn Boyer to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the State Council on Mental Health.

ARWYN JACKSON

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Arwyn Jackson from the Department of Health and two individuals.

Ms. Jackson is currently the Director of the House Minority Research Office for the Hawaii House of Representatives and has years of experience managing political campaigns. Your Committee notes that Ms. Jackson has extensive personal and professional experience with mental health professionals and social justice issues involving emotional and social trauma. Specifically, Ms. Jackson has worked with survivors of severe trauma in the field of human trafficking, the homeless population, and individuals struggling with mental illness. In her personal statement, Ms. Jackson indicated that she hopes to encourage consumers to effectively utilize mental health services and advocate for best practices in diagnosis, medication, and treatment. Ms. Jackson also hopes to help the Council's website become operational. Your Committee finds that Ms. Jackson's knowledge about human trafficking, professional experiences, and passion for supporting mental health services will be great assets to the State Council on Mental Health.

KATHRYN BOYER

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Kathryn Boyer from the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and one individual.

Ms. Boyer is employed by the Child Welfare Services Branch of the Department of Human Services as the Assistant Program Administrator for Program Development. With over ten years of experience working with adults, children, and families experiencing behavioral health issues, Ms. Boyer is extremely knowledgeable in assisting adults with co-occurring disorders as well as children and families in crisis. Currently, Ms. Boyer's focus on the well-being of children in foster care is also directly impacted by the effects of mental health disorders and substance abuse. In her personal statement, Ms. Boyer indicated that she values coordination and collaboration as a powerful way to protect consumers, and she hopes to participate in cross-system collaboration for the betterment of Hawaii's behavioral health system. Your Committee finds that Ms. Boyer's background, experience working with at-risk populations, and expertise in the field of behavioral health will be great assets to the State Council on Mental Health.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and 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 Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair