STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1839

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 587, 588, 589, 590, 591

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 587, 588, 589, 590, and 591, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

State Council on Mental Health

 

G.M. No. 587

JENNIFER RENFRO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

 

G.M. No. 588

DINA KOYANAGI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

 

G.M. No. 589

ANTONINO BENINATO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024;

 

G.M. No. 590

KATHERINE AUMER,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021; and

 

G.M. No. 591

KATHERINE AUMER,

for a term to expire 06-30-2025,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Jennifer Renfro, Dina Koyanagi, Antonino Beninato, and Katherine Aumer for service on the State Council on Mental Health.

 

JENNIFER RENFRO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Jennifer Renfro from the Department of Health.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Renfro's experience as an educator, commitment to public service, and demonstrated leadership abilities qualify her for appointment to the State Council on Mental Health.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Renfro is currently the Administrator for the Student Support Section within the Department of Education that provides leadership and support to schools, focusing on preventive and developmentally-appropriate support and services, including interventions and strategies to address behavioral and academic needs.  Prior to her current position, Ms. Renfro served over twenty-six years as a teacher, counselor, and campus administrator in multiple school districts and at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.  She has also served in multiple leadership positions, ranging from District Committee Member for Dropout Prevention to Early College Start Campus Coordinator.  Ms. Renfro earned her Bachelor's degree in elementary education from Stephen F. Austin State University and Master's degree in educational leadership from Lamar University.

 

     Your Committee further finds that Ms. Renfro's appointment to the State Council on Mental Health fulfills the requirement under state and federal law for a representative from a principal state agency with respect to education.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Renfro be appointed to the State Council on Mental Health based on her experience in education and her commitment to the future success of students.

 

DINA KOYANAGI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Dina Koyanagi from the Department of Health.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Koyanagi's experience as a social worker, commitment to public service, and dedication to the well-being of children qualify her for appointment to the State Council on Mental Health.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Koyanagi is currently a Section 1 administrator for Oahu Child Welfare Services in the Department of Human Services.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Koyanagi has worked for Child Protective Services and Child Welfare Services in the Department of Human Services for her entire thirty-year career.  Due to her outstanding work, Ms. Koyanagi was awarded the National Association of Social Worker's Family and Child Welfare Social Worker of the Year in 1997.  She also serves as a practicum instructor for students pursuing a Master's degree in social work.  Ms. Koyanagi earned her Bachelor's degree in sociology and Master's degree in social work from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

 

     Your Committee further finds that Ms. Koyanagi's appointment to the State Council on Mental Health fulfills the requirement under state and federal law for a representative from the principal state agency with respect to social services.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Koyanagi be appointed to the State Council on Mental Health based on her experience in social work and her commitment to protecting vulnerable children and supporting families in need of assistance.

 

ANTONINO BENINATO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Antonino Beninato from the Department of Health.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Beninato's experience as a habilitation technician, commitment to public service, and commitment to exploring opportunities to connect with youths about topics related to mental health qualify him for appointment to the State Council on Mental Health.  Mr. Beninato is currently a habilitation technician with Bayada, a home health care agency, in which he aids clients with disabilities to live safely at home and participate in their communities.  Prior to that, Mr. Beninato served as a line cook at Hula Grill Waikiki.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Beninato has volunteered with various charitable organizations, including the Oahu American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Manoa Summer Fun, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa lo‘i patch clean up.  Mr. Beninato earned his Bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

 

     Your Committee further finds that Mr. Beninato's appointment to the State Council on Mental Health fulfills the requirement under both state and federal law for a representative who is a student or youth advocate.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Beninato be appointed to the State Council on Mental Health based on his experience in working with persons with disabilities and his commitment to serving the community.

 

KATHERINE AUMER

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nominations for the appointment and reappointment of Katherine Aumer from the Department of Health.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Aumer's experience as a professor of psychology, commitment to public service, and expertise in the field of psychology qualify her for appointment to the State Council on Mental Health.  Dr. Aumer is currently an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Hawai‘i, West Oahu.  Prior to her current position, Dr. Aumer taught psychology at the collegiate level for over ten years.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Aumer's work has been published in multiple books, textbooks, and journals.  Further, Dr. Aumer also serves on the Graduate Curriculum Committee for and is a College of Liberal Arts Senator for Hawaii Pacific University.  Dr. Aumer earned her Bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Iowa and her Doctor of Philosophy in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin.

 

     Your Committee further finds that Dr. Aumer's appointment to the State Council on Mental Health fulfills the requirement under both state and federal law for family members of adults or children whom the State Council on Mental Health aim to serve.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Aumer be appointed and reappointed to the State Council on Mental Health based on her experience as an educator and her commitment to communities with behavioral health needs.

 

     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,

 

 

 

____________________________

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair